Chapter 186: What are these ants? (1)
When Theo opened that can of beans, the Baron’s mood became calm and satisfied to genuinely pissed. The frown on his face showed Theo that some decisions might be made today.
"Damn these Velthorne, they have always tried getting on my nerves, but this has gone too far," the Baron spoke with a vein popping at the side.
"They clearly have forgotten Father’s wrath because it’s been a while..." Lucien spoke in a thoughtful way.
"They dare come inside the Whispering Forest and even snatch a prominent beast from my son? Cutting down the beast was nothing; I will cut that whole group down," the Baron spoke and then gritted his teeth.
It was the first time Theo had seen his father so angry at someone.
But soon enough, the Baron came back to his senses and, with a light cough, he spoke, "Don’t worry about anything, Theo. Rhys will be training you from tomorrow, like before. I will see what is to be done with these Velthornes."
"Thank you, Father." Theo did not know if saying more would bring any other outcome, so he decided to close the topic.
"Father, I would like to take Sir Rhys’s training as well. It’s due time I went for what we Merricks should specialize in too," Lucien spoke, making Theo look at him with more than just surprise.
Lucien was no mere kid anymore; he was around eighteen years of age, so deciding to go for the knight training at this age was a very huge thing.
The Baron looked at him for just a moment before nodding, "I already know your potential, Lucien. You will be a good swordsman," the Baron spoke, and Lucien just nodded with a distant look.
Something was going on in his mind that Theo was unaware of, but he was certainly curious about it.
"Don’t waste your time here any longer. Me and Lucien will be discharged soon, and only then will we tell you and everyone about the gate in detail. The knowledge of the gate’s inside should be something all Merricks should have the privilege to know about," the Baron explained and lay on the bed again slowly, closing his eyes.
Theo nodded toward his brother, who smiled at him before showing him a hand sign of ’let’s meet again soon’ before he left the room.
Right now, Theo was yet again alone in the castle, but this time, it was for a good reason.
Elias was getting the trip ready with Clara and Warren, and after an hour of just preparing stuff, Theo and his small party moved toward the first location that was the closest. It was the first detected ant colony they were going to look at, and there was this restlessness in Theo’s heart as if he couldn’t wait anymore.
After about thirty minutes of constant carriage travel, it finally stopped, and Theo looked outside the window with a deep breath.
They soon hopped out, and that was when he faced the forest again.
"Not the forest this time, young master. It’s this way," Warren spoke while looking at the map and pointing in the opposite direction.
Theo frowned and looked at the clear ground. It was a direct contrast to the forest that was all lush and green.
"It’s all rocky and barren, you sure it’s here?" Theo asked and moved to the edge of the road.
"Well, it was reported here, and honestly, this place would be considered the safest for the ants," Elias spoke after coming forward. "The forest opposite this is the boars’ one, and as you know, they like to make a mess of the land. Ants wouldn’t survive if they were ever there."
Theo nodded. While this was all just what Elias thought, it still made sense.
"Should we move?" Clara asked with both the beasts already ready.
"Yes."
The trio with the beasts made their way toward the rocky grounds. Beyond this ground was just a large expanse of land, and if Theo focused his eyes, he could even see a big greyish wall toward the far end.
It was the walls guarding the town from the forest. Theo had noticed it long ago, and this large expanse of just plain land was there to give the guards a better look at the forest and if something was approaching them.
After a few minutes of moving around, Theo finally saw something on the ground.
"I found an ant!" he shouted, making even himself confused. Shouting was not alright when it came to being so close to the forest.
Seeing the reflective look on Theo’s face, the duo left the lecture for another time and tried to find what he was looking at too.
Theo crouched down and focused fully on the ant.
_____________
Shardjaw Ant
Ordinary
Level 0
Type – Insect Type
_____________
Theo crouched more and saw the ant in full spectacle now.
It was fully greyish in colour, with bumps all over its body. If Theo wasn’t looking for it specifically, he would have just rendered it as a rock in his eyes.
But soon, a frown crept over his face.
"Isn’t this... too small?" Theo muttered slowly.
Clara nodded, and Elias responded with pursed lips.
Theo moved his finger and touched it on the ground only to finally get its size.
Not only was this ant so unaware of his presence, but also, it was half of his nail and nothing compared to the length of the finger from the side.
Theo tapped the ground a few times only to get a response finally. The ant started frantically moving, making Theo sigh.
But to everyone’s surprise, it moved toward Theo’s finger with an unpredictable and arching pace and got on it in seconds before it bit down right above the nail.
Theo winced for a second before he jerked his hand, but the ant was still there. In defeat, he smashed his hand on the ant, making it stop moving altogether.
Theo thought it died, but the next second it just fell from his hand and started moving forward in a different location.
"What the actual hell..."
"Language, young master."