Ainz stood in front of the first ant that had survived his brutal slave seal ritual, its once simple and unremarkable form now radiating with a deadly aura after the recent upgrades. The ant had proven its loyalty time and time again, and with the recent evolution of his skill from Ant King to Ant Emperor, this particular ant had undergone a transformation beyond anything Ainz had expected. It now possessed the rare skill Vampire Blood, a powerful ability that allowed it to regenerate health by drinking the blood of its enemies.
"This ant deserves more than just a number," Ainz muttered to himself, his glowing red eyes focused on the creature before him. "It deserves a name, a title worthy of its newfound strength and loyalty."
As he pondered the right name, his thoughts drifted to Rimuru. That slime had an uncanny knack for naming his followers, something Ainz wasn't particularly adept at. He grimaced at the thought—he might be a supreme being, but when it came to naming, perhaps he wasn't much better than Rimuru after all.
"A vampire name..." Ainz thought aloud. "But Dracula doesn't quite fit." He frowned. That name was too obvious, too well-known. After a few minutes of thinking, a small smile played on his lips. "I'll call him Draculin. Yes, that suits him well."
The newly named Draculin knelt before Ainz, its red eyes gleaming with newfound intelligence and power. Demiurge, who had been standing quietly by Ainz's side, stepped forward, his expression one of deep admiration. "A most fitting name, Lord Ainz. Draculin will serve as a symbol of your boundless wisdom and strength."
Ainz raised an eyebrow. He wasn't sure how giving a name symbolized his wisdom, but he wasn't about to correct Demiurge, who continued to lavish him with praise. "Truly, your foresight is unparalleled, Lord Ainz," Demiurge said, bowing low. "It is an honor to witness your supreme strategy unfold."
"Uh... right," Ainz said, trying to maintain his composed, all-knowing demeanor. "Of course. I knew exactly what I was doing."
Demiurge smiled knowingly, though it unnerved Ainz slightly. "As always, I shall follow your plans to the letter. You need not worry, Lord Ainz."
Ainz wasn't entirely sure what Demiurge had deduced from all this, but he decided it was best not to question it. "Yes, yes. You understand quickly, Demiurge. Go forth and carry out your duties."
Demiurge bowed deeply once more, then left, leaving Ainz standing there, internally sighing in relief. Maintaining the image of the all-powerful, all-knowing overlord was exhausting at times, but he had a reputation to uphold.
---
A few days had passed since naming Draculin, and word of his growing strength had spread among the other Demonic Ants. They began to follow Draculin with even more reverence, solidifying his role as Ainz's first commander. Demiurge continued to praise Ainz's decision, which only served to heighten Draculin's reputation. The ants were evolving rapidly, their newfound power and loyalty fueling Ainz's confidence in his growing army.
But Ainz had no time to rest. News from a nearby country had reached his ears—the King had died, leaving the kingdom in a state of chaos and civil war. More troubling, rumors of an Orc Lord with a devouring skill similar to Ainz's own ability had surfaced.
As he made his way toward the kingdom, Ainz overheard some adventurers in the nearby town discussing the Orc Lord's rampage. "Have you heard? That Orc Lord is heading straight for the Jura Forest. It's only a matter of time before they attack."
"The Jura Forest?" Ainz thought, recalling his connection to Rimuru. If the Orc Lord was heading there, Rimuru's domain could be in danger. Ainz wasn't particularly worried—he knew Rimuru was strong enough to handle the situation—but still, it wouldn't hurt to check in.
He raised his hand and summoned the smartphone-like device he had previously given to Rimuru. It was limited in function, but it allowed for basic communication, and Ainz was careful not to include any backdoors that the Great Sage could exploit. He sent a quick message to Rimuru: "Do you need my assistance with the Orc Lord?"
---
Meanwhile, in a bustling tavern in the city, two adventurers sat at a corner table, discussing the growing rumors of Ainz's Demonic Ant Army.
"I heard these ants are like nothing we've ever seen," one adventurer whispered, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "They say they're stronger than most of the creatures out in the wastelands—some people think they're the work of a Demon Lord."
The second adventurer nodded grimly. "I've heard the same. They call them Demonic Ants for a reason. There's even talk of some kind of ant commander that's risen up—Draculin, I think they called it."
"I wonder how much longer until they turn their eyes toward us."
The first adventurer shivered at the thought. "Let's hope we're long gone before that happens."
---
Back in the wasteland, Demiurge observed the evolving ants with a calculating gaze. He had already reported to Ainz about Draculin's new skill, Vampire Blood, and he could sense the growing power within the ant ranks.
"This is truly a fascinating development," Demiurge mused. "Lord Ainz's brilliance continues to surpass even my highest expectations. The evolution of these ants will no doubt serve us well in the battles to come."
His thoughts were interrupted by a nearby ant, which seemed to be struggling with its own transformation. Demiurge's eyes glowed with interest as the ant began to glow with a faint dark aura.
"It seems even more of them are acquiring skills..." he muttered. "Perhaps these ants will not only serve as cannon fodder but also as formidable soldiers in their own right."
Ainz's message from earlier echoed in his mind: "Do you need my assistance with the Orc Lord?"
"No, Lord Ainz," Demiurge whispered to himself with a smile. "The Orc Lord will soon be irrelevant. For when your Demonic Ant Army reaches its full potential, even the strongest foes will crumble before us."