Morel and Knov never expected that their first encounter with the high-ranking members of the Chimera Ants would unfold in such a way, where the other side would come to them for help.
They had come here specifically to exterminate the Chimera Ants. They had already wiped out a significant number of the enemy's forces, and the Chimera Ants knew their objectives and intentions.
Yet, despite all this, the Chimera Ants still chose to seek their aid.
It was absurd. Completely unreal.
But…
Looking at Colt's extremely anxious expression, Morel and Knov couldn't help but feel that he wasn't faking it.
"I can surrender to you directly!!"
Colt, now closer, urgently repeated himself.
Fearing that they might doubt him and waste more time, he immediately laid out his terms: "As long as you help us save Her Majesty the Queen!!"
"She... Has lost her ability to reproduce!!!"
Lost her ability to reproduce?!
Morel and Knov were both taken aback. Based on Colt's expression and words, they immediately thought of a possibility: "The Ant King... Has been born, hasn't he?!"
Both of them instinctively turned to look at Lan.
When it came to sensing auras and detecting enemy movements, no one in their group surpassed Lan.
Under the solemn gaze of the two, Lan nodded gently.
With confirmation from the most experienced among them, the outcome they had dreaded, one they had no way of preventing, had still come to pass.
Morel lit a cigarette, feeling deeply frustrated.
Meanwhile, across from him, upon hearing the two words, Ant King, Colt recalled the tragic death of the Turtle Chimera Ant in the nest and how he was heartlessly devoured.
Grief and fury surged in his heart.
"He is not a king!"
Colt spoke through clenched teeth.
"He is... A demon!!"
His grip on the white flagpole tightened uncontrollably, crushing it.
On the other side, at the top of the Chimera Ant nest.
Shaiapouf spread his colorful wings and flew in the sky.
He played the violin very elegantly and played soothing music to provide a comfortable environment for the Ant King to eat.
Menthuthuyoupi, on the other hand, was attempting to sprout wings like Shaiapouf while simultaneously presenting the prepared meatballs to the king.
Crunch!
Puff!
The Ant King picked up the meatball, took a bite, and spit it out directly.
"Disgusting."
The Ant King commented, his face completely emotionless.
Obviously, traditional food like this can't satisfy the Ant King's taste at all.
"Is it not to your taste?"
Neferpitou, who was on standby at any time, asked immediately.
"Do you need to change some other seasonings for you?"
"No, it's not about seasonings."
The Ant King said, with a rare nostalgic look on his face: "When I was in that woman's belly, I tasted a kind of delicious food that was extremely delicious and memorable."
Neferpitou immediately realized: "Your majesty is referring to the special human!"
"Really? My body craves that kind of... Indescribable satisfaction!"
"I want to eat that!"
The Ant King decisively made his own choice.
"We shall act at once!"
All three royal guards answered in unison.
Fulfilling the king's commands was their utmost priority.
Thus, the pile of meatballs prepared at the top of the nest was immediately discarded.
Then, the Ant King coiled his tail around Shaiapouf's leg while Menthuthuyoupi carried Neferpitou.
Together, they soared into the sky, heading toward their new target, leaving behind the chaotic and ravaged Chimera Ant nest.
"The Ant King... He is a completely different kind of being from us."
Inside the now-destroyed chambers, a group of squadron leaders gathered around the shell of the fallen Turtle Chimera Ant.
Gazing at the dark blue blood staining the floor, they felt a deep sorrow, a sense of shared fate.
"He has no attachment to his own kind... To him, every species except himself is just food!"
Realizing this truth, many squadron leaders couldn't help but feel shaken.
And... their minds began to wander toward other thoughts.
"Since the king is gone and the Queen is beyond saving..."
Cheetu, who is straightforward or has no brains, put his hands on his waist and said carelessly: "Then why don't we all start thinking about our future path."
Such disrespectful and treasonous words came out of his mouth, which immediately attracted the attention of many squadron leaders.
"He's right!!"
Leol, who had long been planning a rebellion, couldn't help but applaud.
He walked out of the crowd, followed by the scorpion Chimera Ant, who also had the same idea as him.
Obviously, the other two had already reached a consensus and made a common decision: "We want to establish ourselves as kings!!"
Based on the Queen's physical condition after being examined by Octopus Chimera Ant, it was confirmed that she was no longer able to reproduce and create new ants.
In addition, the Ant King and the three royal guards who were above their heads all left.
Then, they had nothing to fear anymore.
They were not alone in their thoughts; many others had similar ambitions.
The unity of the Chimera Ants had shattered.
Their chain of command was now beginning to collapse from within.
And Colt, who had left the nest to seek help, was already well aware of this.
"If the Queen dies, the Squadron Leaders will be freed from their duties. Once that happens, they will spread across the world, causing unimaginable chaos..."
Colt warned, trying to explain the grave consequences.
"They won't just disrupt the ecosystem; they'll create their own so-called kingdoms."
"Only by keeping the Queen alive and maintaining their sense of duty can they be kept in check!!"
In his desperate attempt to secure treatment for the Chimera Ant Queen, Colt spoke words that even he struggled to believe.
But knowing the ambition of Leol, Zazan, and others… they would never give up this opportunity.