Knowing what would happen in the future, Viel intended to go to Figaro Gardens in order to establish a good relationship with the ants before the Mosquitos incident.
He wandered the Gardens for a time until he finally found an ant. Not wanting to scare it he clapped to attract its attention.
The Ant clicked its mandible communicating with Viel, but unfortunately, Viel didn't have the Beast Empathy skill that could allow him to understand them or the Elysium Compendium that Lux used as a translator.
"I'm sorry, but I can't understand you." Viel said. "I would like to have a meeting with your queen, if possible."
When the ant heard that, it became defensive. Even if the Ant Queen was a Rank 2 Field Boss, its capabilities weren't related to fighting.
Maybe she could become a challenge for a Grade D Apostle, but nothing more than that. Her true value falls in her ability to produce strong soldiers who will fight and die for her.
Slowly, Viel took out of his pocket 2 Rank 2 Beast Cores.
"I hope this work as proof of honesty." Viel said as he left the Cores in the ground.
The ant clicked and stood still for a few minutes to examine Viel's actions. After that, it took the Cores and signaled Viel to follow it.
After a time walking, they reached one of the Ant Nest's entrances. It was guarded by the Guard Ants, which were Horned Army Ants, a Rank 1 monster.
The ant that guided Viel here clicked its mandible again, the guards did the same. After they stopped talking, the guards looked Viel up and down and strongly closed their mandibles as a form of advice to Viel.
The ant continued guiding Viel through the Ant Nest until they reached a big cave entrance guarded by the Rank 2 Alpha-Monsters as well as the Royal Guards of the Ant Queen known as Royal Pincer Guards. When they saw Viel, they increased the pressure they were exuding. Suddenly, a very loud and deep female voice sounded.
"What brings you here little boy?... I see, you have brought a guest."
After a moment of silence, the voice sounded again.
"What brings you here half-elf? I appreciate the gift, but you are far away from your kin."
—--
< Business Relationship: The Ant Nest >
– Knowing what will happen in the near future, you have come to the Ant Nest to offer a proposal to the Ant Queen.
– Quest Objective: Survive and convince the Ant Queen to start a business relationship.
– Failure Condition: Death or the Ant Queen refuse your proposal.
< Rewards >
– 10 Free Stat Points
– 50 Skill Points
– 50 Body Constitution Points
– 200 Elysium Silver Coins
– 150 Gaming Divine energy
– 1000 Leaf Village's Ant Nest Reputation Points
—--
Viel smirked while bowing down and replied.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Queen. I have come here with a proposal."
"And what proposal are you talking about?"
"In a few days if not tomorrow a catastrophe will fall upon this place known as the Figaro Gardens."
When Viel said that, a small quake shook the cave.
"Are you threatening my colony and me?" Angrily asked the Ant Queen as her personal guards approached Viel.
Seeing that he was misunderstood, he corrected himself.
"Please excuse me! I would never hurt any ant from this colony which has always helped the people of the village." When Viel said this the ants relaxed, but they still maintained their guard up.
"If so, then what do you mean?"
"I have been lucky to get my hands on some information. There is a dwarven criminal group plotting something. They are using the mosquitos for their own benefit and if they are not stopped they will become a real problem."
"And you want me to believe you? Also, what do I gain from it?"
"Of course not. In some time, a group of Obsidian Spite Mosquitoes will suck dry the Red-Eyed Mantis, leaving it devoid of blood as they will use it to evolve. After that, they will become the overlords of the Figaro Gardens." Viel paused. "I hope we can begin a business relationship."
"Hmm… In which way?"
"When the disaster occurs, you will be able to retreat your forces so they can be saved. Also, with my "non-living" summons we will be able to find dead corpses that are nothing more than resources for us. Also, I would like your help in defeating a very big problem for the whole area."
At the same time that he said that he activated the Blessing of the OGH. Although the rank of the Ant Queen was within the skill limits, she being a Field Boss made it more difficult. After some struggle, the Ant Queen's mind gave in.
"Ok, Half-Elf. Tell me your name so we can officiate it. My name is Vermora." the Ant Queen said.
"It's a pleasure to formally meet you my queen, Vermora. My name is Viel, Viel Von Kaizer."
"Ok, Viel Von Kaizer. From today onwards you will be named the Ant Prince of my colony. I look forward to you becoming the Ant King."
< Business Relationship: The Ant Nest Completed! >
< Rewards >
– 10 Free Stat Points
– 50 Skill Points
– 50 Body Constitution Points
– 200 Elysium Silver Coins
– 150 Gaming Divine energy
– 1000 Leaf Village's Ant Nest Reputation Points
< Bonus Reward >
– Title: Ant Prince
—-
< Ant Prince >
– A title achieved by successfully negotiating a business relationship with the Ant Queen, Vermora.
– The Ant Prince title grants the user enhanced communication skills with ants, allowing them to understand and speak their language.
– You will be able to convince the Ants to do things easily and get a 20% discount when using the Leaf Village's Ant Nest Reputation Points.
– The Ant Prince title grants the user control over a small army of ants to aid them in battle, which you can summon at any time.
– Your current Ant Army: (0 / 25). Please, name one ant the commander of your Army.
—--
After negotiating the details, they established a 50:50 business relationship. Viel will get half of the Beast Cores and monster bodies.
Viel returned to the inn and met with his brother at the entrance.
"Hi Lux! How have you done today?" Viel asked his little brother as he ruffled his hair.
"Hi Viel. Today I went with Colette and her party to the Bronze Crypt dungeon in the South Zone. Although a lot of things happened it was entertaining, you should try it Big Brother." Lux said excitedly.
"I will do, I will do. The most important thing is that you and the Goldenslayer party are okay."
"Well, at least they were able to overcome their fear of the undead." Lux explained.
They bid farewell as both of them went to their respective rooms to sleep. It has been a difficult day for both of them.
….
The next day he woke up very early, the innkeeper was preparing the kitchen for the clients and the streets were mostly empty.
He headed toward the Figaro Gardens again, more exactly to the Ant Nest.
When he reached it, he could see a lot of Guard Ants surrounding the entrances in turns. When they saw him, they prostrated. It was the effects of his new title and also thanks to it, he could now understand them.
He told them to stop prostrating and if they could guide him to Vermora.
"What brings you here?" Vermora asked.
"I want to ask for your help." Viel stated.
"We have just become partners and you are already asking for help. Well, no that it bothers me. What do you need help with?"
"Today it will all start. You should tell your vassals to return to the Nest for their own safety." Viel paused. "My brother has come with his party to the Gardens, but he doesn't know what will happen today, I would like you to help him."
"Ok, I will do it. But it won't be free." Vermora said.
"I understand" When Vail replied, a notification showed up.
< Leaf Village's Ant Nest Reputation: 1000 → 600 >
"Also, you should take advantage of you being here to select your own vassals from my children to build your small army. Remember, you can't force them and you can't take more than 25 ants and at most, you can take one of my Rank 1 Guards and you can't take any Rank 2 Defenders. If you take more, the defense of my Nest will be compromised."
"Ok. I will notify you when the Catastrophe strikes through one of your children."
Viel went all over the nest, but none of the Guard Ants accepted his proposal to join his army. What's more, they didn't even take a second to think about it.
After some time he found one Guard Ant that stood up among the rest. Instead of being black, like the rest of the Horned Army Ants, it had blue and white stripes through its body.
"Hi, my name is Viel and I have recently been named the Ant Prince of the Colony. I, with the Queen's permission, am searching for members for my Ant Army. Would you like to join it?"
The ant thought about it for a few minutes until it clicked its mandible.
'So you want to prove my strength to see if I am worthy of being your prince. I don't why but the number of underlings I am having that doubt of my worthiness is increasing with time, at least it makes them more loyal to me.' Viel thought.
"Ok, I accept."
The ant guide him through the Nest until they reached something similar to an arena. When the rest of the ants saw them, they started to surround them to watch their fight.
Viel took out his sword, Faithkeeper, and his necklace, which he was now able to equip, Bearclaw. Thanks to them, his attack damage increased by nearly 150, his strength and vitality stat by 10 each and there was a 10% chance of dealing holy fire damage.
They stood in front of each other and a voice coming from nowhere, which Viel identified to be from Vermora, said "Fight!".
As soon as Vermora's voice commanded the fight to begin, Viel charged towards the blue and white striped Guard Ant. The ant, however, was fast, dodging Viel's initial attack and retaliating with a quick ice attack that froze the ground around them.
Undeterred, Viel used his Bravery skill to boost his attack power and defense, making him more confident in his abilities. He followed up with a Fury Slash, dealing a massive amount of physical damage to the ant. The ant staggered but quickly regained its composure, launching another ice attack that narrowly missed Viel.
As the fight continued, both Viel and the ant exchanged blows, with Viel using his skills to gain the upper hand. However, the ant's ice attacks were proving to be a challenge for Viel, who was struggling to avoid them.
Just when Viel thought he had the upper hand, the ant used its Dark Arrow skill, blinding Viel momentarily. It took advantage of the opportunity and launched a devastating ice attack that sent Viel flying across the arena.
Viel struggled to get up, his body aching from the impact. Viel gritted his teeth, determined not to give up. He knew that he couldn't let his guard down, even for a moment. He got back on his feet, his mind racing as he assessed the situation.
The ant was getting ready to launch another ice attack when Viel suddenly had an idea. He quickly took off his Bearclaw necklace and tossed it toward the ant. The ant, caught off guard, instinctively tried to catch the necklace, allowing Viel to close in on it.
With a swift motion, Viel swung his sword and landed a direct hit on the ant's body. The holy fire attribute of his sword dealt a devastating blow, causing the ant to cry out in pain.
The other ants watching the fight were taken aback, amazed by Viel's quick thinking and skill. The ant, however, was not defeated yet. It managed to recover quickly and retaliated with another ice attack.
Viel, however, was ready for it. He had anticipated the attack and dodged it, getting closer to the ant. He used his Fury Slash skill, dealing a massive amount of damage to the ant.
The ant staggered and tried to regain its balance, but it was too late. Viel followed up with the intention of dealing the final blow. But noticing that it wasn't capable to retaliate, he stopped his attack and stored his sword inside his Storage Ring.
The ant, with difficulty, stood up and bowed its head toward Viel. Seeing this, he extended his hand and put it on the ant's head.
< Nameless Ant has sworn its loyalty to you, it will never betray you. >
< It has been added to your Ant Army. >
< Please name your new subordinate. Keep in mind it is female.>
"I will name you Aurora, like the ."
< You have chosen the name "Aurora" as the name for the first member of your Ant Army. >
< Is this your final answer? >
< Yes / No >
'Yes.' Viel thought.