Epic of Caterpillar
chapter-22

[Day 24]

Wagyu woke me up today earlier in the morning, I almost forgot that we now wake up earlier to train more in the day.

I decided to wake up Nesiphae and Nereid too; we will need their strength in the future for sure.

Nesiphae woke up with very sleepy eyes and a messy hair.

"Yaaawn… Morning, master… Is it time to train already? I used to sleep a lot on my swamp… It's hard to adapt to this…"

The Lamia started to move her enormous body and Nereid fell out of her messy hair.

Phump

"AAHH! W-What?!"

"Time to train… Nereid"

"What?! No! I don't wanna! Let me sleep!"

I once again used [Puppet Master] on the lazy fairy, and moved her to the dining room to have a quick breakfast.

I noticed that most servants had sleepy eyes; it seems that everyone is used to sleeping more than 6 hours.

Surprisingly, the Trolls were fine waking up early; they told me that they used to wake up around these hours in their hideout.

The Slimes were also fine. As Rimuru once told me, Slimes barely need to sleep.

After having a delicious and quick breakfast, we headed out and summoned more than 700 Demonic Beings! No special variant came out this time.

The skill once again reached max level and evolved.

[Summon High Demonic Beings: Level 10] > [Summon High Shadow Demonic Beings: Level 1]

I tried this new skill and the new Demonic Beings stopped being red and dark colored, passing to completely black, they had bigger wings and demon tails, with four horns on the top of their bodies. What surprised me this time is that they had a little bit more of intelligence.

"Ugh, I hope they don't get smart enough to figure out that they are being summoned just to be killed"

I quickly summoned my other spirit Kjata, which due to its silent and obedient behavior, I tend to forget to summon him to train, I will keep him outside like Nereid from now on. Because he's literally a flaming floating armor, I told Chokunin and Tsuchimizu to make a special room for him.

While training with my servants and peeking at Zehe and Nesiphae beautiful curves, a Spider Maid came close to me and told me that Kusuri and Kajiya had important things to talk about with me.

"Hmm?"

I quickly flew to Kusuri and Kajiya room, where they greeted me with enthusiasm.

"Master Kireina, we have finally crafted a fitting armor for Miss Nesiphae"

Due to Nesiphae big size, I had to task Kusuri and Kajiya to create a special set of armor that could fit her massive body, as she is a humanoid, she is able to equip armor and weapons, and even choose a class.

The armor consisted of a purple colored chest plate and shoulder pads, with armored gloves and a helmet decorated with a crown of thorns, they also designed special plates for Nesiphae serpent tail.

[Dark Knight Lamia Set: A special set of armor fitting for giant Lamia variants, it offers full body protection and swift movements.

Helmet: Grants +20 Defense and +10 Resistance

Shoulder Pads: Grants +10 Defense and +5 Resistance each

Chest Plate: Grants +30 Defense and +10 Resistance. Special Effects: Reduces Blunt and Pierce damage by 5%

Armored Gloves: Grants +10 Defense and +5 Speed each

Lamia Tail Armor Plates: A series of 6 Plates of Armor that cover and entire giant Lamia tail: Grants +10 Defense each]

Kajiya did her best and designed a gigantic dark axe for Nesiphae.

[Dark Knight Giant Axe: An enormous axe only fitting for giant humanoids: Grants +30 Strength and +15 Defense. Special Effects: Grants the skill [Dark Knight Axe Slash]]

"Aaah! Nesi will be very happy with this set! Thanks a lot guys! By the way, is Zehe, Celica and Truhan sets done?"

"They should be done by tomorrow, Master"

"Ah, Master… P-Please wait; we also got something for you…"

"We know that Master cannot equip armor so we crafted so magic accessories for you to eat instead"

"Oh? Really? Y-You didn't need to"

"Please Master, it is our duty to help you in any way we can"

"Y-Yes Master… We love you very dearly; we want the best for you"

"W-What are you two talking about, being all lovely with me… I am not you twos girlfriend… However, thanks for the accessories…! (Is this sudden love to me because of that Demon curse…? I hope it's just loyalty)"

[Attack Enhancement Silver Ring: A silver ring specially created to enhance the user attack.

Effects: Grants +10 Strength. Special Effects: Grants the skill [Basic Attack Enhancement]

[Flame and Water Affinity Bracelet: A beautiful bracelet decorated with red and blue rocks

Effects: Grants +2 to every stat. Special Effects: Grants +5% Affinity to Fire and Water]

[Extra Mana Silver Ring: A silver ring designed to store MP, well suited for mages

Effect: Grants +30 MP]

I quickly devoured all of them, the enhancement ring tasted very sweet for some reason, with a spicy end to it. The flame and water bracelet had a spicy and then salty flavor. Moreover, the extra mana ring was very sour.

[You learned the following Skills]

[Attack Enhancement Silver Ring]

[Flame and Water Affinity Bracelet]

[Extra Mana Silver Ring]

Before leaving, I tasked the couple to design a fitting armor or robes for Nereid; I noticed that she does have the Equipment System unlocked, but needs special equipment like Nesiphae.

I told some trusty Spider Maids to save Nesiphae armor set in my room for now.

It has been some time since I last checked on Shokunin and Tsuchimizu, so I decided to pay them a visit.

"Ah, Master. It is good to see you, we have been working very hard on the new expansions, Miss Nesiphae room is already done, just like the other rooms, we have refined the floor, walls and ceiling, and decorated them with ceramic. We also added a big window for her to see the landscape outside."

"Hmm! Shokunin also crafted some big furniture for her, including a cushion and a table, there is also a closet to store her clothes and armor, there is also a big and beautiful bed, specially made for her big size"

I entered Nesiphae room and was surprised on how well done it was, it almost looked like those rooms that royalty had on fantasy novels or anime!

"This is a splendid work you two!"

"Ah! T-Thank you very much, Master. But Miss Nesiphae room is just the beginning, please follow us"

As we went deeper on the mountain, I noticed how the floor was smooth and covered on beautifully decorated ceramics, looking like the big hall of a majestic castle, with giant pillars erected over the ceiling and artificial light made with magic.

"Aaahh, can this really be called a cave anymore? This is already a castle on the inside!"

"Indeed, just as you said before, Master. We have been slowly made our home into a majestic castle, with countless rooms for our family to be comfortable inside. We also expanded the bathrooms and there's another thing…"

"Oh?"

As I followed Shokunin and Tsuchimizu through the big hall, I noticed countless new rooms in construction, they will be very useful for the high quantity of slaves that we have, which need better rooms to sleep in. My ideal goal would be for each servant and slave to have their own private room.

When we reached the end of the hall, a big crimson door erected in front of me, it was decorated with countless colorful gems.

"Gaah! W-What is this room? And this door? When did you guys make this?"

"Hahaha, it is our gift to you, Master"

"You said you wanted a castle, right?"

"A castle cannot be a castle without a throne, for their Queen"

"E-EH? T-THRONE?!"

Two big and burly monkeys opened the massive door, and what was inside surprised me immensely!

A massive and extensive hall was inside, each wall was beautifully decorate with countless flags of the same decoration, they were purple colored and had a butterfly with crimson wings carefully painted over. In the middle of the hall, a long and dark colored carpet covered the floor, going straight to a big and majestic throne, made entirely of beautiful metals and gems, with the top resembling three horns, that looked exactly like my horns in my forehead!

"Welcome, Master"

"This is your throne"

"W-WHAT?! EEEEHHHH?!"

It seems that the big project they have been working for so long was a gift for me all along, it was this majestic throne room for me. Nonetheless, they also designed our own flag in the meantime, I never told them to do that!

"You also designed a flag?"

"Yes, master. This flag represents our family, and our nation, too"

"B-But it's too early to make a nation yet…!"

"You guys really didn't need to do all of this…"

"Ah! Master, was this too sudden? We apologize…"

"No, its fine, its way more than fine! It's fantastic! I never imagined that I would be able to sit on a throne myself!"

"Aaah! M-Master, we don't deserve such benevolence"

"But Master, we still haven't decided the name of our kingdom"

"I propose that the most fitting name would be after your name, Kireina"

"Ugh… (I don't exactly like my name)"

"Hmmm, how about… the Dark Moon Kingdom?"

"Dark Moon! Yes! It is fitting, Master!"

"Indeed, we are all monsters after all, not humans; we are usually called the dark beings. Or dark monsters, it fits on what the advanced humanoid civilizations think about us"

"The Dark Moon Kingdom… we will do what the Wyvern Overlord couldn't"

"We will reestablish the first monster Kingdom of the Grand Forest! The Dark Moon Kingdom!"

Suddenly, a System message popped out of thin air!

Ding!

[You have successfully established your Novice Kingdom: Dark Moon Kingdom]

"Ah?!"

[You are now the Supreme Empress of this Kingdom]

[Certain conditions have been accomplished]

[You obtained a new Title: Dark Moon Kingdom Supreme Empress]

[You've learned a new Skill: Basic Kingdom Management]

"K-Kingdom Management?! Is this one of these old PC games now?!"

"W-Whats the matter, Master?"

[You have unlocked a section of the Special Skill: Epic of Caterpillar]

[The Dark Moon Kingdom]

"Eh? This again!"

[Epic of Caterpillar: Chapter 1: The Birth of the Dark Moon Kingdom]

[Kireina's epic tale has finally unbound its first chapter, your control over your own destiny increases by 5%.]

"C-Control over my destiny? Is this what this skill really does?"

The Minds inside my head couldn't calm down!

"Main Mind! We have finally figured out a little about this skill! Is this what Mysterious Voice left to you?"

"Main Mind, quickly check the Kingdom Management skill, I feel like it will be very important…"

"Please do!"

"Okay! Activate skill: Novice Kingdom Management"

Fluosh!

A big window popped out of thin air!

[Kingdom Name: Dark Moon]

[Supreme Governor: Kireina]

[Sub Governors (Love/Sexual Partners): 0/10]

[Governors Children: 0/10]

[Royal Generals: 0/15]

[Kingdom Level: 1/20 EXP: 01951/10000]

[Total Population: 171/500]

[Population Fertility: 42% (BAD)]

[Populationg Morality: 83% (GOOD)]

[Food Reserves: 28931/20000 (VERY GOOD)]

[Kingdom Expansion]

[Grand Forest: 9%]

[Realm of Vida: 000.2%]

[Main Castle Expansion: 68%]

[Novice Kingdom Tasks]

[Create Your First Castle (In Progress / 68%)]

[Assign Sub Governors (In Progress / 0%)]

[Give Birth to your First Children (In Progress / 0%)]

[Assign Royal Generals (In Progress / 0%)]

[Expand your Kingdom: Grand Forest (In Progress / 9%), Realm of Vida (In Progress / 000.2%)]

A massive window greeted my sight; it had so many things on it that it was very hard to process.

"Haahhh… W-What is this…?"

"Master…"

"You guys can see it too?"

"Yes, we can, is this our Kingdom? It has been recognized by the System!"

"We are officially a Kingdom now, such gloriousness!"

"Sigh… You two relax a little and help me figure this out…"

After inspecting in detail the Kingdom Window, we found out that things like "Royal Guards" could be instantly added to the window, when a servant becomes a "Royal Guard" it gets bonus stats and special skills that increases their EXP gained, while also giving better and even unique evolution choices.

Without thinking it twice, I immediately added my most trusted and powerful servants to the Royal Guards.

These included:

Rimuru.

Wagyu.

Kizuato.

Yukan-na.

Meiji.

Goruden.

Jinsoku.

Kekensha.

Tsuchimizu.

Kurimuzonhōn.

Abellona.

Aine.

Adena.

Titus.

Eshne.

"That should be it… eh?"

Suddenly, a System message popped up.

Ding!

[You have successfully completed a Novice Kingdom Task: Assign Royal Guards]

[You've gained 48931 Kingdom EXP]

[Your Kingdom gained several levels!] [Level: 5/20 EXP: 04882/14000]

[Your Kingdom has leveled up, all your population Stats are raised by 0.5%]

[Each level increases your population stats by 0.1%]

[Fertility rate increased by 0.5%]

"Master! The Kingdom leveled up. Impressive…"

"Yes, I never thought that a kingdom would be able to level up in the first place… (Its really is like a game)"

"Master, will you assign sub governors?"

"Sub… Governors… Love and sexual partners?! What?! I don't have that yet… I can't possibly force anyone to be my partners either"

"I see, its understandable"

"But perhaps, if you assign some, you could get more Kingdom EXP, which by result will make us all stronger"

"But…"

While seeing the Sub Governor Window, all the possible candidates showed up, it seemed to show a strange relationship meter, with the best-fitted love or sexual partners.

[Rimuru Relationship Meter: 96%]

[Wagyu Relationship Meter: 85%]

[Nesiphae Relationship Meter: 73%]

[Zehe Relationship Meter: 68%]

[Celica Relationship Meter: 61%]

[Milim Relationship Meter: 59%]

[Nereid Relationship Meter: 55%]

[Kusuri Relationshiop Meter: 43%]

[Yuki-Onna Relationship Meter: 38%]

[Kekensha Relationship Meter: 32%]

[Abellona Relationship Meter: 29%]

"There's Nesiphae and Zehe… However, Wagyu? And even Abellona? Eeeh? So it can be anything? Ugh, no way… I better skip this for now"

After finally processing everything with the help of Chokunin and Tsuchimizu, they showed me a new room for me, which was just behind the throne, it was around three times as big as my original room, and it was beautifully decorated with countless gothic style furniture.

I wonder why they thought that I was a fan of gothic things, perhaps my evolution choices…

My bed looked large and befitting of the Emperor (or Empress), to the left, there were two big windows to look at the landscape outside; they were reinforced with strong magic, making the glass extremely hard to break.

"I guess I'll move here from now on…"

Pomf!

I lied down on my comfortable bed, and decided to relax while fusing skills.

[Attack Enhancement Silver Ring] + [Flame and Water Affinity Bracelet] + [Extra Mana Silver Ring] = [Accesory Magic: Shadow Vampire Crimson Set]

"Hm? Is this like the full dark moon set?"

After casting the skill, I was totally right. The Shadow Vampire Crimson Set was an accessory set that combined every effect of the previous accessories but increased their power slightly. It created two crimson rings and one bracelet around my tiny butterfly legs.

"What if… Might as well try it…"

[Shadow Awakening Ring: Basic Armor Type] + [Accessory Magic: Full Dark Moon Demonic Set] + [Accessory Magic: Shadow Vampire Crimson Set] = [Advanced Accessory Magic: Shadow Vampire Crimson Knight Armor]

"It worked!"

When activating this skill, a powerful armor would cover my entire body, even my wings, but weirdly letting me still fly. The armor color was in a deep crimson, with sharp ends on every corner, and majestic demonic horns on the helmet.

"This skill is impressive, it combines every skill that the other accessories once give me, and boosted the strength of this armor even more. The best thing is that I can still use the original skills that once were on these accessories, without the need of casting the entire armor"

This Armor form boosted my defensive capabilities but lowered my speed dramatically, contrary to the Demon form, which increases my attack and speed but make me more vulnerable to physical damage, I tried fusing both skills but it wasn't possible, so I will need to switch between the two wisely in the heat of a battle. Choosing when to defend and when to attack.

[Earth Element Affinity] + [High Dual Spirit Magic: Earth and Heavens] + [Earth Titan Greatsword] = [Mythical Weapon Summoning Magic: Heaven Shattering Earth Titan Greatsword]

"Ah! I just fused everything that had "Earth" on it! I didn't expect that this would happen!"

When casting this costly spell (90 MP) a massive golden colored great sword decorated with countless red gems would appear out of thin air, its an actual weapon that I can cast whenever I want and even make it go back, similar to the Mythical Spirits like Nereid.

This odd weapon can grow with me and even level up and evolve. I tried to talk to it but it seems to not be sentient.

[Heaven Shattering Titan Greatsword (Mythical Weapon)

[Durability 500/500

[Level 1/40 EXP 0000/2500

[Strength: 70

[DEFENSE: 40

[Magic: 30

[Resistance: 30

[SPEED: 25

[Earth and Wind Affinity: +25%

"I could easily use this greatsword in combination with my armor, if I even become humanoid, I can even pose as a human knight…"

[Tandem Skill: Lava Zone] + [Mythical Circle Magic: Absolute Fire Zone] + [Tandem Skill: Lava Tornado] = [Advanced Fusion Magic: Fire and Lava Catastrophe]

This skill was a combination of a Zone skill with an attack skill, being a massive area-of-effect spell that also triggers a flame and lava absolute zone, the MP cost is absurdly high (150 MP), which makes it not so reliable in battle. On the bright side, I can still use the original spells at a lower MP cost.

[Army Command: Reinforce] + [High Ancient Troll Emperor Absolute Command] + [High Ancient Troll Emperor Army Boost] = [Shadow Vampire Empress Absolute Command: Reinforce]

This new skill was a very strong combination of different command skills, which boost the stats of an army temporarily, it can increase both attack and defense by around 25%, and it will come in very handy in the next battle.

After testing my new skills, I decided to cast that new horn skill that I got some days ago, to see if it could stack with the one that I already had.

Fluosh!

Just after activating the spell, a big chunk of my MP and Stamina was drained from my body and slowly made one of my black horns change its color and structure. The new horn was crimson colored decorate with a black colored spiral around it.

[Fire and Ice Shadow Demonic Horn: A horn only given to the strongest Demon beasts, even if its lost, it can regrow on its own. Grants +20% affinity to Fire, Ice and Shadow Element]

This horn also stacks with my previously formed horn, which evolved with me after becoming a Dark Moon Illusion Butterfly. Which evolved once again after becoming a Vampire butterfly.

[Demonic Vampire Crimson Blood Horn: A horn made of pure and concentrated magic power, it has evolved along with your body and it can regrow on its own if it is lost. Effects: Grants 35% extra affinity to Dark and Fire Elements, 20% affinity to Illusion Magic and 10% affinity to Blood Magic]

"Those Emperors weren't wrong about me, I really do look like a demon with this… ugh"

My minds reminded me to not waste more time and I went to train with my servants while peeking at Zehe and Nesiphae, until every Demonic Being was slain.

[You've gained 25591 EXP] [The rest of your servants gained tons of EXP]

[You've gained four levels!] [Level 23/40 EXP 1573/6900]

[The rest of your servants gained tons of levels!]

Because we woke up so early in the morning, when we finally finished slaying every mob, there was still half the day left, so I told everyone to take a little break with a small lunch.

After some time, the cooking assistants brought tons of plates with food to the training grounds, including very cold beer to pass this heat.

Suddenly, a small feast was created and a cheerful environment filled the training grounds.

The exhausted warriors rested while eating delicious food and drinking cold beverages.

Before I started to eat, the Slimes came to eat with me accompanied by Zehe herself.

"Z-Zehe!"

"Ah, Master. Little Milim insisted on inviting me to come eat with you"

"Eh? M-Milim? (How does she know that I like Zehe? Is Milim way more intelligent than I thought?!)"

When I looked at Milim, she give me back a smug face while winking at me!

"Gaah…! (She knows! It must be because she is a girl, maybe Slimes mature way faster than I thought! She is a sharp woman!)"

Zehe looked at me with confusion.

"Ah! Come sit with us, we have loads of food! Nom nom"

Ranga and Benimaru were the most savage at the hour of eating, making a big ruckus.

Milim, Shion and Luminous were more polite while eating; I quickly noticed that all three of them were peeking at my face, as if waiting some kind of reaction on me!

"Nom nom (Did Milim tell all of them about this?!)"

Suddenly, Zehe laughed.

"Hehehe…"

"Eh? W-What?"

"It's just so funny to see how a little and adorable butterfly like you can eat so intensely…"

"Ah! Hahaha… I guess I am kind of out of place with the rest of you, being just a tiny bug"

"Eh? N-No, I didn't mean it like that Master, I am sorry… Did I make you sad? Please don't mind me, it's still hard for me to be more sociable… I used to talk very little when I was in the Trolls group"

"Oh? Don't worry, I didn't take it bad, it's just true, I am quite funny. I'm also glad that you are slowly opening yourself to us, it's a relief…"

Zehe blushed at my response.

"A-Ah… Master… I… I didn't know you cared for me like this"

"Oh? Ah! Ahahaha! It's obvious; you are one of my family after all!"

Zehe warmly smiled at me.

"Master… Thank you, I have never felt so welcomed in a place until now… And every time you talk I always feels that my chest becomes warm…"

"W-Warm? Aaah! It must be the heat! (She is getting surprisingly close to me now, is it a side effect of my Abrahel Curse? It's just illogical for an humanoid being to be attracted to a bug! …That "Queen of Succubus" charm effect… no way, if it's like this. Conquering Zehe will be way easier!)"

It seems that the slime girls enjoyed my interactions with Zehe, as if they were watching some kind of romance anime. After talking for a while with Zehe, I decided to call on my servants again and summon more Demonic Beings; we still had some hours until the sunset so I summoned 600 more! No special variant came out this time either.

Zehe invited me to train with her and I was able to see how graciously she casted her Shadow spells, she is indeed a very adept Witch, with the help of my blessing, getting new spells will be easy for her. Just like yesterday, her beautiful body sweated heavily with this heat, which made her delightful to look at.

When the last mob was slayed, the sun was already setting so we decided to call it a day and have dinner.

[You've gained 23996 EXP] [The rest of your servants gained tons of EXP]

[You've gained three levels!] [Level 26/40 EXP 4569/7200]

[The rest of your servants gained tons of levels!]

After having a small feast, most servants were extremely tired, but happy at the same time because of the double leveling speed we had today, they saw the benefits of waking up early!

Afterwards, I introduced Nesiphae to her new room. She was excited about such a fitting room to her stature, with a massive bed to fit her big body.

"Aaah~! Master, this is fantastic! Thank you! But… I will miss sleeping with master, you are so tiny but very warm, my chest will miss you"

"C-Chest?! Ah… Do not worry, if you want me to sleep over your chest again, there's no problem!"

"Eeeh? Really? I am so happy!"

That night I slept over Nesiphae warm chest, while Nereid stayed in my room.

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