The dwarves and the slimes advanced on the backs of giant ants toward the village. At the very front of the procession, Alex was seated on the back of the queen. She held herself proudly upright, her antennae quivering with pride, like a fan overjoyed to have her idol perched on her.
Alex, settled on her back, gave a faint smile.
"Not bad… You're not uncomfortable."
At these words, the queen was seized by such a great turmoil that she lost her balance. Alex had to cling tightly not to slip.
"Careful! I almost fell!"
"Sorry, boss… Your compliment unsettled me too much…" she admitted in a trembling voice, her head still clouded by emotion.
Andris cleared his throat, intrigued.
"Actually, master… how did you manage to find us?"
Alex shrugged with a mysterious smile.
"Well… it was quite simple."
TEN MINUTES EARLIER.
Alex emerged from the galleries through the gaping hole he had made, with several blocks of obsidian floating in levitation. He then headed toward the village with the escort of ants. He moved just above the ground, sustained by his telekinesis which also kept the stones trailing behind him. Each meter covered tore a burning gasp of air from him; he was breathless, but his thoughts were already boiling with projects. So many ideas were being born in him that they almost made him forget the fatigue.
The queen, worried, called out to him.
"Boss, are you okay? You look exhausted…"
Alex, his breath short, simply raised his thumb toward her.
"Don't worry… it's well worth it."
No sooner had he spoken than a translucent window appeared before his eyes.
[Your sword has been activated for the first time!]
[Crafting Level +1]
Current Level: 18
"Huh? What's this?… So cool, I gained a level! But… wait… if the sword was used then…"
His words were carried away by the wind. Without further delay, he rose above the trees to better observe the forest. He closed his eyes, trying to sense the energy of the dwarves. But instead, his mind collided with nine colossal powers, all stronger than his, scattered throughout the vast greenery.
He opened his eyes abruptly, his face pale.
"What power… How could the panther have been designated king when its energy was weaker than that?! No… I must focus… I must find my disciples."
He closed his eyes again, blocked out the distracting thoughts, and finally managed to sense a more familiar energy. He took a deep breath, then shouted from the skies:
"Ants! Follow me!"
"At your orders, boss!" they answered in unison.
At once, Alex darted forward, his blocks of obsidian streaking behind him like meteors bound by invisible threads. When he finally reached the clearing, he clenched his teeth: several monstrous chameleons surrounded his disciples, and a gigantic red specimen was advancing toward Andris and Doran.
Without hesitation, Alex suspended the stones in midair, then dove toward the ground, legs first, like a bolt of lightning ready to strike.
BACK TO THE PRÉSENT.
Alex finished his account in a calm tone:
"And that's how it happened."
He was careful, however, not to mention the episode of the mysterious window.
Doran nodded gravely.
"In any case… thank you, master. Without you, we'd be dead."
Behind them, Kiran remained silent. His face was darkened, and his clenched fists betrayed his bitterness. In a barely audible whisper, he murmured:
"I was too weak… If only I were stronger…"
A few minutes later, the procession finally reached the village. The giant ants, carrying their passengers, passed through the first houses. The dwarf villagers, at first enthusiastic at the thought of finding their companions, paled at the sight of the colossal creatures. Panic spread immediately: they all scattered, slamming the doors of their homes.
Alex raised his arms to calm the crowd.
"Wait! You have nothing to fear, they're with us! Look: we're on their backs. They're harmless… well, at least with us."
The queen ant cast her gaze over the houses and narrow alleys.
"So, this is your village, boss?"
"Yeah, recently," Alex replied. "What do you think of it?"
"Hm… It's quite nice," she admitted. "But you deserve better. Give us two hours, and we'll improve this village so it's worthy of you."
Alex stared at her, surprised, then gave a small smile.
"If you can… why not."
Little by little, the other dwarves began timidly coming out of their hiding places. Reassured by the presence of the children who were playing on the backs of the ants, they regained a semblance of calm.
But Alex, for his part, felt his strength leaving him. His breathing was heavy, his limbs numb. In a weak voice, he whispered:
"Finally…"
He then released his telekinesis. The massive blocks of obsidian crashed heavily to the ground with a dull thud. The shock echoed throughout the village.
Then his body gave way. Alex collapsed, unconscious.
"Bossssssss!" the ants screamed in unison.
"Masteeeeer!" the dwarves shouted, rushing toward him.
The slimes, panicked, began to stir frantically, bouncing around their master as if trying to wake him up.