"Make it fast, Rodion. We don't want any surprises from this forest. The last thing I need is another treant or some magic beast showing up uninvited," Mikhailis said, his voice laced with a mix of exhaustion and amusement.
"Seriously, I wonder when was the last time I felt this kind of tension. Even being abducted was not this exhausting and nerve-wracking.
He leaned back in his chair, the weight of what just happened still settling over him.
<Rest assured, retrieval operations will be conducted with maximum efficiency. Reinforcements are already en route to assist in transport. Please be aware that there are always risks of interference from other wildlife. However, I am monitoring any possible threats in real-time.>
Mikhailis gave a small nod. He glanced at the screen, watching the chimera soldiers swarm over the dead direwolf's body. The ant soldiers moved efficiently, working in pairs to begin dismantling the massive beast. The fire scarabs were stationed around the perimeter, their bodies glowing dimly, providing illumination amidst the darkened forest and acting as sentries.
The frog variant ant had retreated up a nearby tree, serving as a lookout from above. Its body remained perfectly still, hidden among the leaves, its eyes scanning the surroundings.
Mikhailis couldn't help but be impressed with how well they all worked together. This was more than just a colony—it was a well-coordinated team, each unit understanding its role and working for the queen's benefit.
"Rodion," Mikhailis said, his gaze shifting back to the computer
"Tell me, what's your analysis on the evolution potential from this direwolf?"
<Preliminary estimates suggest a significant boost in evolutionary potential for the queen. Consumption of the direwolf will enhance both physical and magical abilities, particularly in terms of strength and physical endurance.
The direwolf's affinity for shadow magic may also translate into new abilities for the queen or her progeny, which would be highly advantageous for infiltration and ambush tactics.>
Mikhailis smiled, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Shadow magic, huh? That could be useful... Imagine our little ants moving unseen through the forest or even infiltrating some enemy encampment."
<Indeed. It appears that the queen herself is anticipating this evolution. She has personally sent additional worker units to expedite the transport of the remains. This is a significant moment for the colony.>
Mikhailis watched as the reinforcements arrived—smaller, more numerous worker ants, their bodies almost blending into the earth below. They began dismantling the treant's remains as well, breaking down the wood and storing it for future use. Everything was put to good use—nothing was wasted.
It was fascinating to watch, almost mesmerizing. The coordination, the precision... It was as if they were not just living creatures, but parts of some larger machine, each piece moving in perfect harmony. And in a way, they were—pieces of the queen's will, extensions of her power.
Suddenly, Mikhailis noticed something on the screen. One of the fire scarabs had moved slightly, its body glowing brighter than the others.
Mikhailis watched, his heart pounding as the frog variant held on, its mandibles sinking deeper into the serpent's flesh. The fire scarabs moved closer, their bodies beginning to glow with an intense heat. The serpent let out a low hiss, its body convulsing as the heat from the scarabs intensified.
"Hold it... hold it..." Mikhailis muttered, his eyes glued to the screen.
The serpent's movements grew weaker, its body slowing as the heat from the scarabs began to overwhelm it. Finally, with one last shudder, the serpent fell still, its body slumping to the ground.
Mikhailis let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, a smile spreading across his face.
"Nice work, Rodion. That went better than I expected."
<The threat has been neutralized. Continuing with retrieval operations. The queen will undoubtedly find the serpent's remains beneficial for her evolution as well.>
Mikhailis nodded, leaning back in his chair. He watched as the frog variant and the fire scarabs moved away, the worker ants resuming their task of dismantling the direwolf's body. The serpent's body was also being processed, the workers breaking it down and storing it for transport.
"Things are progressing well," Mikhailis said, a satisfied smile on his face.
"The queen's going to have quite the feast tonight."
<Indeed. The combination of the direwolves, the treant, and now the hexapedal shadow serpent will provide a substantial boost to the queen's evolutionary potential. It is highly likely that new variants will emerge from this consumption, each one stronger and more specialized than the last.>
Mikhailis closed his eyes for a moment, imagining the possibilities. Stronger soldiers, more specialized scouts, maybe even something entirely new—something with abilities they hadn't even considered yet.
He opened his eyes, a determined look on his face.
"Let's get everything back to the nest safely. I want to be ready for whatever comes next. The queen's going to evolve, and when she does... we're going to be ready for the next challenge."
<Understood. Commencing full retrieval operations. All units are proceeding with maximum efficiency. Estimated time of arrival at the nest: 2 hours and 45 minutes.>
Mikhailis nodded, his gaze still fixed on the screen. He watched as the worker ants moved in perfect synchronization, the fire scarabs standing guard, their bodies glowing softly in the darkness.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he watched them. This was his colony—his creation. And it was growing stronger every day.
"Let's see just how far we can take this," he muttered to himself, a smile playing at his lips.
"Let's see just how powerful we can become."