Chapter 29: New Home
Three days slipped by in the blink of an eye.
For all this time, Ethan had been sitting in the same corner of the cave. While the zombie blood ants restlessly worked to create their home, he didn’t wish to interrupt them at all.
After all, it would become a problem for him eventually if the matters regarding his evolution were not solved sooner.
Lately, Ethan had been keenly pondering many thoughts. While resting, he had devised many plans for the betterment of his army and himself.
’Although the ants have turned into zombies, they still require a certain amount of food. Becoming zombies doesn’t mean that one no longer needs to consume food. Rather, food like flesh and blood becomes a necessity to replenish the constantly rotting flesh from their body.’ Ethan concluded, gathering up every bit of knowledge he had acquired on his physique.
Unlike the ants, Ethan had ingested a suitable amount of blood and ant corpses. He wasn’t hungry, but the ants, after their relentless work, had started to show signs of severe rotting.
Many had begun losing a part of their limbs, exposing their bones.
Ethan knew that he couldn’t let this go on for much longer.
At this moment, Eris walked out of the tunnel. Ethan’s eyes wandered off towards her, scanning her from head to toe.
"It seems like higher-rank zombies do not feel hungry as quickly, thus retaining their physiques for a longer period of time."
"My king, the nest has been completed," she said, forcing a gentle smile on her face. Then, she lowered her eyes and stuttered hesitantly. "B-But..."
Before she could say anything further, Ethan’s voice cut through. "I know. I’m aware of the problem regarding food. It’s not much, but I’ve thought of a temporary solution."
Hearing his words, Eris’s face lit up with genuine joy. Just like Ethan, she too had been stressed about the food for the zombie blood ants.
She didn’t feel any maternal love for the ants like before; after all, she was now a zombie who served a new king.
However, she feared that if they were left to starve, the population of the army might decline steeply.
Ethan silently walked towards the tunnel. Eris closely followed behind, admiring his dependable back.
Before long, they walked through several mid-sized caves. At the same time, Eris quickly explained their usage to Ethan.
One after another, they passed through many caves and floors. By the time they reached the seventh floor, Ethan stepped into the biggest cave room he had seen so far.
"This is the final floor of the nest, designated solely for you. It’s nearly a hundred meters across, with a small attached cave where you can evolve without a problem." Eris introduced herself, her eyes flashing with anticipation of praise.
’What in the world...’ Ethan was left stunned at the mere glance of his "room."
Just like Eris had claimed, it indeed seemed to be a hundred meters from all sides. But what she failed to mention was that this area contained almost everything of his use.
A primitive, yet large, throne that sat at the very back of the room. Before the throne, leaves had been layered one upon another to form a carpet. Around which, many small empty seats could be seen.
To its left lay a small resting area, shrouded with mud walls. Inside was a makeshift bed of leaves and moss and a small tunnel that led to a secret treasure cave—currently filled with the harvested bloodstones.
To the right, an empty area had been levelled immaculately, turning into an effective training area.
So far, every room that Ethan had visited was made roughly. Even Eris’s own room seemed empty for its size.
Considering this, countless thoughts emerged in Ethan’s mind.
Some seemed to be satisfied with her loyalty and consideration. While others seemed highly displeased with her actions that had worsened the blood ant’s condition rather quickly.
Letting out a long, deep sigh, Ethan turned around and stared expressionlessly towards Eris.
"Eris, I’m both pleased and angered by your actions." He spoke plainly, expressing his thoughts just the way they were.
She looked at him anxiously, worried and confused as to what might have caused him to say such words.
"I appreciate your thoughts for making the room comfortable for me, and I really like it." Hearing this, Eris smiled faintly.
"However," he interrupted her emerging thoughts, his voice stern. "This could have been done later on. While it does appease me, it only accelerated the rotting of the zombie blood ants. Your own room looks empty, while it should be comfortable for you to increase the population of the ants."
"I-I..." Eris’s face strangely reddened. Her mind was actively twisting Ethan’s words, shaping them into a world of her own.
’M-My lord cares about me...’ Her heartbeat fastened as she covered her cheeks unconsciously, feeling the steam coming off her face.
In her eyes, Ethan’s image had further solidified as a kind ruler—one who cares deeply for his subordinates.
Feeling guilty of ruining the situation, Eris apologized sincerely. "I apologize, my lord. I’ll make sure such a thing never happens in the future without your permission."
"Good." He muttered before walking towards his resting room. Going through the tunnel, he eventually reached the treasury and picked a few B-rank and C-rank blood stones before returning back to Eris.
Eris simply stood near the entrance. Confused, she asked. "My lord, this...?"
"Blood stones are made of concentrated biological matter. Use these to appease the ants’ hunger for now. Then, send fifty percent of them to collect food. Make sure to warn them not to go anywhere near the ravine. Let the rest of the ants help you with your room," he commanded, handing over the blood stones.
"I will attempt evolution as soon as I see that the zombies have started to work efficiently. So give it your best." His lips curled into a barely noticeable smile.
"As you wish," Eris said, her voice a mix of awe and respect.