Year 336 Post-Collision – Day 105
The first merit naming ceremony was held in the central square at sunset. Sunny had insisted on making it public—both as a reward for the recipients and as motivation for the rest of the army.
Every citizen of Blackshore attended. Sixty-seven humans stood on one side of the square. Five thousand ants arranged in perfect military formation occupied the other three sides. At the center: Sunny with the Founder's Blade, flanked by Burgundy and the seventeen queens.
Elena had prepared formal documentation. Marcus provided military oversight. And the Auto-Analyzer was running constant analysis on the entire proceeding.
[MERIT NAMING CEREMONY: ANALYZING OPTIMAL PRESENTATION]
[OBJECTIVE: ESTABLISH PRECEDENT]
[MAKE NAMING: MEANINGFUL, EARNED, ASPIRATIONAL]
[CREATE: MILITARY CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE]
[SUCCESS METRICS: MORALE, DISCIPLINE, AMBITION]
Burgundy stepped forward, his mental voice projected to the entire square through the queen network. "Citizens of Blackshore, soldiers of our kingdom's defense force, today we recognize excellence. Today we honor those who have distinguished themselves through courage, service, and dedication."
The ceremony had four categories, exactly as Sunny had established:
CATEGORY 1: COMBAT EXCELLENCE
Three ants had distinguished themselves during the Crossroads battle. Two fire ants from Inferno's swarm who'd taken down a C-rank spawn together through perfect coordination. One bullet ant from Reaper's force who'd singlehandedly killed a D+ spawn that had broken through the front line.
Burgundy called them forward. They approached—still unnamed, still operating on instinct and pheromone direction, but the queens had selected them carefully.
Sunny placed his hand on the first fire ant. Male, slightly larger than average, carapace already scarred from combat.
"You fought without fear," Sunny said. "You coordinated perfectly with your brother to bring down an enemy three times your size. You protected civilians at risk to yourself. You embody what Blackshore's military should be."
He channeled magicules—18 units, precise and controlled.
"Your name is Ember. You are fire that refuses to die. You burn brightest when the darkness is deepest."
The transformation was visible. Ember's carapace darkened to deep red-orange, his mandibles sharpened, and most importantly—his eyes gained focus. Intelligence crystallizing from instinct.
"I... I am Ember," the newly-named ant's mental voice was rough, uncertain, but present. "I serve Lord Sunny. I serve Blackshore. I understand now. Thank you, my Lord."
[NAMING SUCCESSFUL: EMBER]
[RANK: C-]
[SPECIALTY: FIRE ANT ELITE (INFERNO'S DIRECT SUBORDINATE)]
[MAGICULES USED: 18 UNITS]
[REMAINING: 1,829 / 1,847]
Sunny named nine more ants that evening:
COMBAT EXCELLENCE (3 TOTAL):
Ember (Fire Ant) - Inferno's unit Pierce (Bullet Ant) - Reaper's unit Ripper (Trap-Jaw Ant) - Sniper's unit
STRATEGIC CONTRIBUTION (2):
Compass (Acrobat Ant) - Scout's unit, exceptional reconnaissance Whisper (Pharaoh Ant) - Specter's unit, intelligence gathering
CONSTRUCTION ACHIEVEMENT (3):
Mason (Carpenter Ant) - Architect's unit, bridge engineering Weaver (Silk Ant) - designed new fortification style Foundation (Carpenter Ant) - underground tunnel systems
LOYALTY SERVICE (2):
Stalwart (Original unnamed from first wave) - Burgundy's personal guard Devoted (Fire Ant) - injured protecting civilians, continued service
Each naming cost 15-20 magicules. Each created a newly intelligent soldier who understood tactics, could communicate, could think strategically.
Total cost: 178 magicules.
Final capacity: 1,669 / 1,847
[MERIT NAMING: COMPLETE]
[10 NEW NAMED ANTS]
[TOTAL NAMED FORCE: 74 (47 ORIGINAL + 17 QUEENS + 10 MERIT)]
[ARMY RESPONSE: ANALYZING...]
[MORALE: ELEVATED]
[AMBITION: INCREASED]
[DISCIPLINE: UNCHANGED (ALREADY MAXIMUM)]
[UNNAMED ANTS: HIGHLY MOTIVATED]
[SUCCESS: COMPLETE]
After the ceremony, Sunny addressed the assembled forces:
"This is how Blackshore grows. Through merit. Through service. Through proving yourselves worthy of names, of intelligence, of becoming more. Every month, ten more will be chosen. In two years, this entire army could be named. But you have to earn it. Excellence is the price. Are you willing to pay?"
Five thousand ants responded with synchronized mandible-clicking that sounded like thunder.
The human citizens watched with awe and not-insignificant fear. Their king had just created ten new intelligent soldiers through sheer willpower. The implications were staggering.
Day 106 – Coalition Preparation
Elena had prepared the diplomatic materials in record time. Sunny reviewed them in the Lord's Hall, impressed despite himself.
BLACKSHORE KINGDOM: COALITION PRESENTATION
SECTION 1: KINGDOM OVERVIEW
Population: 67 citizens (human) + 74 named servants + 5,300 controlled forces Territory: 3.7 square miles (expanding) Military: Demonstrated capability at Crossroads Leadership: Lord Sunny (Claimed Demigod, Dungeon Capturer Candidate) Government: Chancellor Elena (administration), Minister Marcus (defense)
SECTION 2: STRATEGIC VALUE TO COALITION
Advanced rift spawn early warning (ant scout network covers 50+ miles) Proven military response capability Unique power composition (multi-species sovereignty) Trade potential (ant-produced construction materials, silk, etc.) Buffer territory against Lord Castor's expansion
SECTION 3: DUNGEON CAPTURER CANDIDACYThis was the critical section. Elena had organized it brilliantly.
WHAT IS A DJINN DUNGEON?
Detailed explanation of Magi-style dungeons vs other types Requirements for conquest Political significance of dungeon capturers Historical examples (from pre-Collision records)
WHY THE NORTHWEST DUNGEON MATTERS:
Unconquered for 300+ years 47 floors of power Djinn-type sovereignty reward Potential household vessel distribution Would legitimize Blackshore as major power
WHY LORD SUNNY IS VIABLE CANDIDATE:
Defeated B-rank spawn at age 9 (unprecedented) Claimed by primordial entity (power backing) Sovereignty-class abilities (synergy with dungeon type) Named servant army (household vessel candidates ready) Growth trajectory: Exponential
WHAT COALITION GAINS:
Allied Djinn Lord (if successful) Legitimate sovereignty backing Blackshore Access to household vessel technology Proof that Coalition supports emerging powers Strategic depth against larger nations
PROPOSAL: COALITION SUPPORT FOR DUNGEON ATTEMPT
Coalition Provides:
Dungeon reconnaissance data (if available) Historical records on similar dungeons Supply support during attempt Political backing during conquest Trade agreements contingent on success
Blackshore Provides:
Intelligence sharing (rift spawn data) Trade agreements (immediate) Military cooperation (ongoing) If successful: Allied Djinn Lord status If unsuccessful: Territory opens for Coalition expansion
RISK ASSESSMENT:
Minimal Coalition investment High potential reward Blackshore assumes all conquest risk Coalition gains either way
"This is good," Sunny said. "Really good. You framed it so supporting me is obviously the smart play."
"That's the goal," Elena said. "Make them think sponsoring your suicidal dungeon dive is in their best interest. Which, honestly, it is. If you succeed, they get a Djinn Lord ally who owes them support. If you fail, they absorb Blackshore's territory and resources. Win-win from their perspective."
"I'm not going to fail."
"I know that. You know that. But let them think there's risk. It makes the potential reward seem bigger."
[AUTO-ANALYZER: POLITICAL ASSESSMENT]
[ELENA'S STRATEGY: EXCELLENT]
[FRAMES SUNNY AS: HIGH-RISK/HIGH-REWARD INVESTMENT]
[APPEALS TO: GREED, AMBITION, STRATEGIC THINKING]
[SUCCESS PROBABILITY: 82%]
[COALITION WILL LIKELY PROVIDE SUPPORT]
[THIS BUYS: LEGITIMACY, RESOURCES, INFORMATION]
[WELL PLAYED]
"What about Castor's response?" Sunny asked. "Still no word?"
"Day eleven of fourteen," Marcus said, entering with military reports. "Three more days until his deadline. I'm betting he accepts your tributary proposal. His alternative is fighting an ant army that just crushed a major rift surge. Not worth it for territorial pride."
"And if he doesn't?"
"Then we fight. But honestly?" Marcus laid out defensive maps. "With what we have now? Fifteen hundred named ants by then if we accelerate merit namings. Five thousand controlled forces. Fortified positions. Your personal combat ability. I'd give us 65% odds of successful defense."
[AUTO-ANALYZER: MILITARY PROJECTION AGREES]
[BLACKSHORE DEFENSE SUCCESS: 64.7%]
[CASUALTIES WOULD BE: SEVERE BUT SURVIVABLE]
[NOT OPTIMAL, BUT WINNABLE]
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Sunny said. "I'd rather spend the next six months hunting C-ranks than fighting Castor's forces."
"About that hunting plan," Roland said, joining the meeting. "I've been asking around. There's a region called the Shattered Peaks—mountain range about 80 miles northeast. Known for high-concentration monster spawns. C-rank and above. Adventurers use it for power leveling. Dangerous, but controlled danger. You could hunt there."
[AUTO-ANALYZER: SEARCHING MEMORIES...]
[SHATTERED PEAKS: SOUNDS LIKE IDEAL GRINDING LOCATION]
[CROSS-REFERENCING: MONSTER HUNTER ZONES, LEVELING AREAS]
[THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED]
[RISKS: HIGH]
[REWARDS: EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR]
"How dangerous?" Sunny asked.
"For a normal E-rank adventurer? Suicidal. For you? Probably survivable. The monsters there are strong but predictable. Earth elementals, crystal golems, wyverns, occasionally a drake. All C-rank to B-rank. Perfect for someone who needs to punch up."
"How long to get there?"
"Three days travel. Set up base camp, hunt for two weeks, return. You could do multiple trips. Each trip nets you maybe 10-15 C-rank kills if you're efficient."
[CALCULATING HUNTING EFFICIENCY...]
[15 C-RANK KILLS = +450-1,200 MAGICULE CAPACITY GAIN]
[NEED: +3,153 TO REACH 5,000 CAPACITY]
[TRIPS REQUIRED: 3-4 (AT 2 WEEKS EACH)]
[TOTAL TIME: 6-8 WEEKS OF HUNTING]
[PLUS TRAVEL: ~10 WEEKS TOTAL]
[FITS TIMELINE: PERFECTLY]
"After the Coalition conference," Sunny decided. "I'll take Burgundy and select forces to the Shattered Peaks. Hunt for two weeks, return, repeat until I hit 5,000 capacity. Then we tackle the dungeon."
"That's three months minimum," Elena calculated.
"Three months of grinding, three months of dungeon. Six months total to Djinn Lord status. I can live with that timeline."
[REVISED MASTER PLAN:]
[DAYS 105-123: COALITION CONFERENCE, CASTOR RESOLUTION]
[DAYS 124-194: SHATTERED PEAKS HUNTING (3-4 TRIPS)]
[DAYS 195-285: DUNGEON CONQUEST (47 FLOORS)]
[DAY 285: DJINN LORD SUNNY]
[THIS IS ACHIEVABLE]
[THIS IS INSANE]
[THIS IS VERY YOU]
Day 108 – Castor's Response
The envoy returned on day thirteen, ahead of schedule. Kristoff val Merest looked considerably less arrogant than his first visit.
Lord Castor had accepted Blackshore's counter-proposal.
With modifications.
TREATY OF BLACKSHORE-CASTOR TRIBUTARY RELATIONSHIP:
ARTICLE 1: SOVEREIGNTY
Blackshore Kingdom acknowledged as semi-autonomous tributary state Lord Castor maintains nominal overlordship (title only) Blackshore retains internal governance, military, and judicial independence
ARTICLE 2: TRIBUTE
Annual payment: 8% of surplus production (up from Blackshore's 5%, down from Castor's 40%) Payable in goods, currency, or services First payment due in one year Adjustable based on economic circumstances
ARTICLE 3: MILITARY
Blackshore maintains independent defense force (ant army recognized) No conscription rights for Castor Mutual defense pact for rift surges (both territories coordinate) Military intelligence sharing (rift spawn patterns, dungeon activity)
ARTICLE 4: TRADE
Preferential trade status between territories Blackshore merchants receive protection in Castor's lands Castor's merchants receive protection in Blackshore Toll-free trade routes
ARTICLE 5: DUNGEON RIGHTS
Northwest Dungeon officially within Blackshore territory Blackshore has primary conquest rights Castor acknowledges future dungeon capturer status (if achieved) Treaty remains valid post-conquest
ARTICLE 6: DURATION
Ten year term Renegotiable after five years Either party can petition for modification Violation results in nullification
ARTICLE 7: COALITION STATUS
Castor does not oppose Blackshore's Coalition membership Both territories can maintain separate diplomatic relationships No mutual exclusivity required
SIGNED:Lord Castor Vrell, Djinn King of Eastern ReachesLord Sunny [Full Name Required], King of Blackshore
Sunny read it three times. "This is... actually reasonable."
"He compromised," Kristoff said. "Lord Castor was prepared for war. But reports of your Crossroads victory reached him. A nine-year-old defeating a B-rank spawn while commanding five thousand ants. He decided tributary relationship was more profitable than conquest."
"Smart man."
"Lord Castor is nothing if not practical. He extracts 8% tribute without military costs, gains intelligence on rift activity, and potentially gains an allied Djinn Lord if you survive the dungeon. From his perspective, excellent deal."
[AUTO-ANALYZER: TREATY ASSESSMENT]
[THIS IS EVERYTHING YOU WANTED]
[AUTONOMY: MAINTAINED]
[TIME: BOUGHT (10 YEARS)]
[LEGITIMACY: ESTABLISHED]
[DUNGEON RIGHTS: SECURED]
[COSTS: MINIMAL (8% SURPLUS = NEGLIGIBLE)]
[CASTOR PLAYED THIS WELL]
[BUT SO DID YOU]
[RECOMMENDATION: SIGN IMMEDIATELY]
"What name do I sign with?" Sunny asked. His true name—Rajah—was known to Elena and the inner circle, but putting it on official documents felt dangerous.
"Your chosen name is acceptable," Kristoff said. "Many rulers use regnal names. 'Lord Sunny of Blackshore' is legitimate."
Elena leaned over and whispered: "Or use your title. 'Sunny Blackshore' as your family name. You're king—you can establish your own dynasty."
[DYNASTY NAMING: VALID STRATEGY]
[SUNNY BLACKSHORE: CLEAN, SIMPLE]
[ESTABLISHES: ROYAL HOUSE]
[FUTURE HEIRS WOULD BE: BLACKSHORE FAMILY]
[ASSUMING YOU HAVE HEIRS]
[WHICH IS WEIRD TO THINK ABOUT]
[YOU'RE NINE]
"Sunny Blackshore," Sunny decided. "Makes sense. I'm the first of my line."
He signed the treaty with careful script:
Lord Sunny Blackshore, King of Blackshore, Commander of the Named Legions, Claimed of the Abyss
Kristoff witnessed the signature and produced a wax seal. "By Lord Castor's authority and Blackshore's agreement, this treaty is binding. May it bring prosperity to both realms."
After the envoy left, Marcus let out a long breath. "We just survived becoming an independent kingdom. Against a Djinn King. Without fighting. That's... actually impressive."
"Elena did most of the work," Sunny said. "The tributary proposal was smart."
"Your combat capability at Crossroads was the real negotiation," Elena corrected. "Castor respects power. You demonstrated enough that conquest wasn't worth it. Everything else was just formalization."
[ACCURATE ASSESSMENT]
[STRENGTH ENABLED DIPLOMACY]
[DIPLOMACY SECURED PEACE]
[BOTH WERE NECESSARY]
[YOU'RE LEARNING STATECRAFT]
[NINE YEARS OLD]
[RUNNING A KINGDOM]
[NEGOTIATING WITH DJINN LORDS]
[INSANE]
Day 110 – Pre-Conference Preparation
With the Castor situation resolved, Sunny focused entirely on the Coalition conference. He had thirteen days to prepare, and the Auto-Analyzer had generated a comprehensive strategy.
COALITION CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES:
PRIMARY:
Secure formal Coalition membership for Blackshore Gain support for dungeon conquest attempt Establish trade agreements
SECONDARY:
Recruit information on Shattered Peaks hunting Identify potential allies Assess other regional powers Learn about other dungeons (for future reference)
TERTIARY:
Don't make enemies Maintain mysterious origin (don't reveal Leviathan fully) Project competence despite age
Elena had prepared formal diplomatic credentials. Marcus selected a small honor guard—three militia members and, impressively, Burgundy himself.
"You're bringing an ant to a diplomatic conference?" Roland asked, amused.
"I'm bringing my General," Sunny corrected. "Burgundy is as much a citizen of Blackshore as anyone. More importantly, he's an excellent demonstration of what named monsters can achieve."
"I am honored, my Lord," Burgundy said. "Though I confess, diplomatic proceedings may be outside my expertise."
"Just stand behind me looking competent and slightly threatening. That's all I need."
"I excel at looking threatening."
The delegation would be small: Sunny, Elena, Marcus, Burgundy, and Nina (who insisted on coming and Elena agreed she'd be good for "humanizing" Sunny's image as the young king with a child citizen).
Five representatives for a kingdom of 67 humans and 5,374 ants.
It would have to be enough.
Day 115 – Journey to Sanctuary City
They departed five days before the conference to allow travel time. Sanctuary City was 120 miles south—three days by cart, two days by fast travel. They chose moderate pace to arrive fresh.
The journey gave Sunny time to study his Media Catalog, reviewing every diplomatic scene, every negotiation, every political maneuver from thousands of hours of content.
[AUTO-ANALYZER: GENERATING DIPLOMATIC PROTOCOLS]
[CROSS-REFERENCING: POLITICAL ANIME, STRATEGY GAMES, HISTORICAL RECORDS]
[KEY LESSONS:]
FROM CODE GEASS:
Appear confident, even when bluffing Information is power (know more than you reveal) Every interaction is a negotiation
FROM LOG HORIZON:
Rules can be bent if you understand them Create situations where others choose to help you Systems can be exploited legally
FROM OVERLORD:
Project overwhelming capability (even if exaggerated) Let reputation do half the work Mystery is intimidating
FROM MAGI:
Dungeon capturers are respected instinctively Show worthiness, not just power Djinn recognize compatible souls
RECOMMENDED STRATEGY FOR CONFERENCE:
Be honest about capabilities (demonstrated at Crossroads) Be mysterious about origins (primordial claim stays vague) Be ambitious about dungeon (frame as Coalition benefit) Be competent in presentation (Elena's materials) Be memorable (nine-year-old with ant General)
As they traveled, Sunny practiced his presentation. Elena coached him on diplomatic language. Marcus drilled him on military questions. Burgundy provided perspective on how the ants would be perceived.
By the time Sanctuary City came into view on day 118, Sunny was as ready as he'd ever be.
The city was massive—population 50,000+, one of the largest in the region. Protected by walls, organized districts, and most impressively: a visible Barrier Tower that generated an anti-rift field.
The Coalition conference would be held in the Central Forum—a building designed for exactly this kind of meeting.
And Blackshore Kingdom—tiny, weird, three months old—was about to present itself to the regional powers as a legitimate force worthy of recognition.
[AUTO-ANALYZER: FINAL ASSESSMENT]
[PREPARATION: EXCELLENT]
[MATERIALS: PROFESSIONAL]
[DELEGATION: IMPRESSIVE (RELATIVELY)]
[SUNNY'S READINESS: AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE]
[CONFERENCE START: 48 HOURS]
[OUTCOME: UNCERTAIN]
[SUCCESS PROBABILITY: 79%]
[LET'S MAKE HISTORY]
[AGAIN]
Sunny stood at the city gates, looking up at Sanctuary's impressive architecture, and thought about how far he'd come.
Four months ago: drowning baby in an abyss.
Now: King of an ant kingdom, about to negotiate with regional powers, planning to conquer a Djinn dungeon.
"You ready for this?" Elena asked.
Sunny smiled. "I died once already. Diplomatic conferences are easy by comparison."
"That's the spirit. Probably."
They entered Sanctuary City to begin the next impossible thing.
[END CHAPTER 24]
[MERIT NAMING: COMPLETE (10 NEW NAMED ANTS)]
[CASTOR TREATY: SIGNED (10-YEAR TRIBUTARY STATUS)]
[COALITION CONFERENCE: 48 HOURS]
[DUNGEON RIGHTS: SECURED]
[SHATTERED PEAKS PLAN: ESTABLISHED]
[TIMELINE: ON TRACK]
[TOTAL NAMED FORCES: 74]
[MAGICULE CAPACITY: 1,669 / 1,847]
[CONTINUITY DEBT: 55.8%]
[RANK: E+ (APPROACHING D-)]
[NEXT: THE COALITION CONFERENCE]
[OBJECTIVE: LEGITIMACY AND SUPPORT]