Ants are social insects belonging to the family Formicidae within the order Hymenoptera, the same order that includes bees and wasps. Known for their highly organized colonies, cooperative behavior, and strict division of labor, they have survived for thousands of years through adaptation and unity.
Their bodies are protected by exoskeletons, hard outer shells that shield them from predators and harsh environments. Equipped with powerful mandibles, ants can defend themselves, hunt, and shape the world around them. From the moment they hatch, however, their roles are already decided by the colony.
But the ants in this world are nothing like the ones I knew.
They look human.
They have human faces, human body structures, and human expressions. The only real difference was the layer of exoskeleton covering their bodies like armor from the fantasy games I used to play.
Their society functioned much like a human civilization, built on hierarchy and obedience.
At the very bottom were the slave ants, forced into labor and stripped of freedom. Above them stood the workers, physically weaker but far more numerous, responsible for gathering resources, building structures, and maintaining the colony's daily operations.
Watching over them were the wardens, ants tasked with maintaining discipline and enforcing order throughout the colony.
Then came the soldiers.
They formed the backbone of the colony's military strength. Their long, blade like mandibles made them deadly in combat, and even among them, rank determined status and authority. Recruits stood at the bottom, followed by privates, lance corporals, corporals, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, and finally the elite warriors at the very top.
Beyond the military stood the elder ants, second only to the queen herself.
They were the oldest members of the colony, respected for their experience and knowledge. In times of war, politics, or crisis, the queen relied on their counsel. Their guidance preserved the colony's history and helped maintain stability across generations.
And above everyone else stood the royalty.
The princess represented the colony's future, next in line to inherit the throne and carry on the queen's bloodline.
The queen, however, stood above all.
Her word was absolute.
Every law, every judgment, every decision within the colony ultimately belonged to her.
From birth, an ant's destiny was reflected in its mandibles.
Those born with long, curved mandibles shaped like swords possessed the potential to become soldiers. Ants with shorter, dagger like mandibles were assigned to labor as workers instead.
Still, not everyone embraced the role they were given.
Some ants capable of becoming soldiers chose to hide among the workers. Others became wardens to avoid the front lines entirely. Fear of the battlefield existed even within a society built around duty.
But if all of this was true...
Then what did that make me?
Ari's gaze remained fixed on the hilt of his mandible. The cool metal rested against his palms while the faint scrape of his fingers echoed quietly through the stillness around him.
I am an ant like the rest.
And yet... after I die, I enter this world without mandibles.
That alone is unnatural.
Mandibles are the primary weapons of every ant. They are more than tools for combat. They define status, purpose, and even destiny within the colony.
So why am I born without them?
Is it a mistake? A miracle? Or something far worse?
Is it because I'm from another world?
Ari lowers his gaze toward his hands, his fingers tightening slightly around the hilt resting against his palms.
Am I supposed to become a soldier?
A worker?
Or something the colony cannot classify at all?
A quiet breath escapes through his nose.
It doesn't matter.
Valeria entrusts me with her father's mandibles. That means I can fight.
That's enough for now.
All I need to do is adapt, survive, and eventually find a way back to my world... even if it means going through reincarnation all over again.
Ari slowly shakes his head and pushes the thoughts aside. The faint sounds of movement and distant voices from the colony drift through the air around him.
Now isn't the time to sit around questioning my existence.
The early morning air is crisp and still, an unusual quiet hanging over the colony.
Normally, worker ants swarm through the tunnels at this hour, hauling supplies across their shoulders and reinforcing the walls with practiced efficiency. The constant scrape of tools, hurried footsteps, and overlapping voices usually fills every corner of the colony.
But today is different.
Something urgent disrupts the colony's usual rhythm.
A rare event, something almost unthinkable, spreads through the ranks.
The queen has left the colony.
Antennae twitch nervously as word travels from tunnel to tunnel. Soldiers stand straighter almost immediately, their grips tightening around their mandibles out of instinctive readiness. Low murmurs pass between workers while wardens move through the crowds, keeping order as tension steadily spreads.
Queen Celeste, ruler of the colony, departs on an important diplomatic mission.
The elders oppose the decision from the very beginning. Concerns over her safety spark repeated arguments within the council, but none of it changes the outcome.
The queen's will is absolute.
To ensure her protection, she personally selects an escort force led by Captain Valeria. Corporals Beatrice and Lily accompany her alongside several other corporals, thirty newly trained military ants, and three lance corporals: Ari, Isla, and Rory.
As they march in formation, Isla keeps both hands wrapped tightly around her mandibles.
"I... I wonder where we're going," she said quietly.
"Me too," Lancelot said, his voice calm and steady. "But I don't think we'd be brought somewhere dangerous if we're traveling with the queen."
His eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the path ahead.
"Still..." he said. "Don't let your guard down."
Beside them, Lily walked with an easy stride, her arms folded behind her head. She glanced at Isla from the corner of her eye, a teasing smirk pulling at her lips.
She gave Isla a light tap on the back.
"Come on, Isla," Lily said. "Relax a little. Nothing's going to happen on this route."
"And don't forget," she added, "you're not a recruit anymore."
Isla drew in a shaky breath, her steps evening out. "I see… Thanks. I feel much better now."
"You're doing well, privates. Stay sharp and maintain formation," Beatrice said.
"Yes, Corporal!" the recruits answered in unison.
Ari listened quietly, keeping his thoughts to himself as the march continued.
The sound of armored pressing into dirt filled the path alongside the steady rustle of grass brushing against their legs.
After a long march, the convoy finally reached an elevated clearing. The ground flattened beneath their feet, and a cool breeze drifted across the open area, stirring the grass around them.
This is...
Queen Celeste stepped forward, immediately drawing the attention of every soldier present.
"We are facing a crisis," she declared.
Her translucent wings shifted behind her with a soft rustle, the pale surface catching the morning light in faint iridescent colors.
"Although we've located several food supply points, transporting everything back to the colony before winter arrives will be nearly impossible. Our current resources aren't enough to sustain us through the cold season."
The formation grew quiet.
"Then what is our next course of action, Your Majesty?" an older ant asked. His antennae lowered slightly as he spoke. "Winter is approaching quickly, and we have little time left."
"We need a solution, and quickly," Celeste said. "That is why I've decided to contact our allied nation, Queen Helena's colony."
A low murmur spread through the formation at once. Soldiers exchanged uneasy looks while quiet whispers passed between the ranks.
Lieutenant Brooks, along with two other soldiers... Lieutenant Tavian and Sergeant Samuel, I think... they're overseeing the colony right now, Ari thought as he watched the reactions around him.
Despite the opposition from the council of elders, Queen Celeste had already made her decision.
Meanwhile, back at the colony, its defenses had been entrusted to Brooks, Tavian, and Samuel, while the now fully recovered Captain Draven remained in command.
After an exhausting journey, the group finally arrived at the borders of Queen Helena's colony.
Several military ants stood at attention near the entrance as Queen Celeste approached. The guards straightened immediately.
Nyra stood near the entrance waiting for them.
Without hesitation, she turned and led the way inside.
"Welcome. We've been expecting you," Nyra said, her voice calm and detached.
Commander Valeria straightened slightly. "Thank you for making the arrangements, Captain Nyra.
"These arrangements are for the survival of both our colonies. This way."
Nyra's expression remained unreadable as she spoke, her voice low.
As they entered, Ari immediately noticed the change in atmosphere.
Worker ants digging through the tunnels slowed their movements, the sound of pickaxes striking stone gradually fading. Nearby military ants from Helena's colony turned their attention toward the group, watching them with cautious, guarded eyes.
The air felt tense.
Isla shifted closer to the others, her shoulders tightening slightly under their stares.
"Um... are you sure these ants are really our allies?" she asked nervously.
"Remain outside until further orders are given," Celeste said.
"Yes, Your Majesty," a corporal replied immediately.
Ari and the others watched as the remaining soldiers stayed behind.
Without another word, Ari, the queen, and the others followed Nyra deeper into Helena's chambers.
The chamber was grand yet practical in design.
At the center of the room, Queen Helena sat upon a raised platform. Her wings extended neatly behind her in a precise, symmetrical display that immediately drew attention.
Beside her stood General Ivan, calm and composed as he watched the group enter.
Helena offered a composed smile. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Queen Celeste."
Celeste inclined her head slightly. "Likewise. It's been many years since I last left my colony. You have my thanks for receiving us."
Ivan's gaze settled on Valeria. A brief flicker of recognition passed between them.
"Well... look who became a captain," Ivan said.
"I see you're doing well," Valeria replied coolly. "I assume that's thanks to our treaty."
A faint smirk crossed Ivan's lips.
"Don't flatter yourself," he said. "I was caught off guard. That's the only reason I lost."
"In war, there is no excuse for being caught off guard," Valeria shot back immediately. "Victory belongs to the side that fights with strategy."
Ivan let out a low grunt, silently conceding the point.
His attention shifted toward Ari, and his expression immediately stiffened.
The memory surfaced at once, Ari throwing resin onto his shoulder during the battle, then slipping past one of his mandible strikes.
So this is the soldier who changed the tide of that battle...huh Ivan thought.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Ari in silence.
That's the first time a low-ranking soldier ever avoided one of my attacks.
Back then, he didn't even have a rank.
And now... he's a Lance Corporal.
Ari met his stare, his mouth parting slightly as the tension in the chamber grew heavier.
Ivan slowly drew in a breath, keeping his expression calm.
I'll have to keep an eye on this one, he thought.
Helena brought her hands together with a soft clap.
"Now that everyone is assembled, let us begin the negotiations."