Evolution begins with an ant colony

Back in the unforgiving depths of the god forsaken forest, Oliver undertook the responsibility of escorting Princess Rinalef on her journey back to the Dryad tribe. As they ventured forward, the evening sun painted the surroundings with its warm rays, casting a soothing glow through the verdant canopy.

Oliver took a moment to savor the view, tilting his head to look at the sky, and he clasped his hands behind his head.

After a thoughtful pause, Oliver let out a sigh that seemed to echo through the tranquil woods. He turned his gaze to Rinalef and playfully remarked, "Come on, Princess. Don't you have a trick or two up your sleeve that could speed up our journey back to your tribe?"

Rinalef pondered the suggestion for a moment and then responded with a touch of whimsy, "Well, I could always sprout some roots that we could use as a means of transportation." Her eyes gleamed with a hint of mirth as she considered the possibilities of their magical forest environment.

Oliver leaned forward, a glint of curiosity and enthusiasm lighting up his eyes. His body language expressed his eagerness as he urged Rinalef, "Come on, princess, stop holding out on me. Show me what you've got. Let's get back to your place in a flash."

As Oliver's anticipation grew, Rinalef blushed slightly. Her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue, and she wore a shy smile as she reluctantly complied. "Okay," she murmured, and as she waved her hands, a shimmer of green particles started to surround her.

While observing her magical display, Oliver's face remained mostly impassive. His inner thoughts began to wander as he considered what he was witnessing. "So this is the ability of the dryads," he contemplated silently, comparing it to something he was familiar with. "It's similar to what Zara dose with magic.

I just wanted to have an idea of what they were capable of, but now that I see it, it's not that amazing." His body language conveyed a subtle sense of expectation, which didn't quite match his thoughts about the situation.

A massive root suddenly erupted from the earth, breaking through the forest floor. Rinalef gracefully mounted the root, her movement exuding an air of natural elegance. With a flick of her hand, she brushed aside a few stray strands of hair that had obscured her eyes. Her voice carried a sweet and inviting tone as she addressed Oliver, "Come on, Sir Oliver, get on."

Her outstretched hand, accompanied by a warm and inviting smile, beckoned him to join her on the towering root.

Oliver's reaction was one of nonchalant agreement. He casually strolled towards the enormous root and, with practiced ease, climbed onto it. His body language was relaxed, reflecting his readiness for the journey ahead.

Oliver's ascent up the root brought him to Rinalef's side. She turned to him, her expression both attentive and slightly flustered. "Hold, Sir Oliver," she uttered softly, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "I'm going to start moving the root now."

As Rinalef prepared to manipulate the root, Oliver unexpectedly reached out and placed his hand at her waist to steady himself. His action was close enough to catch her off guard, and Rinalef's heart skipped a beat as their bodies came into closer proximity.

Inwardly, Rinalef felt a rush of nervousness. "Too close," she panicked silently, realizing the intimate contact was unintentional.

Blushing, Rinalef stuttered, "I... I... I didn't mean my waist. You can hold my shoulder instead."

Oliver, ever the composed one, responded with a casual "Oh, okay." He adjusted his grip and placed his hands on her shoulders as instructed, respecting the newfound boundaries.

With Oliver's hands now resting gently on her shoulders, Rinalef gave a determined nod and spoke, "Okay, let's go." At her command, the colossal root responded, rising into the air above the forest canopy and winding its way across the earth with a serpentine grace.

From their elevated vantage point, Oliver marveled at the breathtaking panorama spread out before him. "Woah," he whispered softly, his eyes wide with awe. It was a view that could only be described as truly magnificent.

Inwardly, Oliver mused, "Is this how Boss... I mean, my liege, feels when he soars through the air? It's a truly amazing experience." A contented smile graced his features.

Rinalef, noting the wonder in Oliver's eyes, couldn't help but beam with delight. "It's amazing, right?" she asked, a slight blush gracing her cheeks.

Caught off guard by her radiant smile and the question she posed, Oliver also found himself blushing slightly as he stuttered in response, "I... It is, I guess."

As Oliver and Rinalef moved through the forest using the huge root, Oliver couldn't help but muse inwardly. He scratched his chin in contemplation, his brow furrowing as he pondered. "I've been on edge because my liege wanted me to find a way to sneak into their territory, as he felt something was off about what Rinalef told him.

But I've been observing her even before my liege ordered me to." He glanced at Rinalef, who was focused on guiding the root. "I don't think there is anything wrong with her." Experience more content on empire

Meanwhile in the small village, Ken waited eagerly for Mina's response to his earlier proposition, impatience evident in the way he tapped his fingers against the hilt of his sword. With a smug smirk, he called out to her, "Come on, Mina, it's not very nice to keep me waiting."

Meanwhile, Chris, ever the pessimist, couldn't help but voice his doubts to John, his brows furrowing in concern. He leaned in, muttering, "Are you sure she won't abandon us?"

John's frustration was evident as he shot an irritated glare at Chris, his eyes narrowing. He hushed his voice but spoke sternly, "Shut up, you idiot."

Just as tension filled the air, Mina suddenly erupted with fierce determination. She clenched her fists and stood tall, her voice ringing out across the battlefield as she firmly declared, "Go eat shit, you idiot." The intensity in her words was matched by her fiery gaze, which seemed to pierce through Ken.

She continued, her voice filled with disdain, "It would be a cold day in hell before I would go out with a jerk like you."