We’re now inside the innermost part of the enemy Red Ant’s nest.
A wide space, like a dome, is found beyond the narrow passage.
The ceiling is suspiciously high in here.

Six Red Ants appears.
A big one stands firm and calm in the middle of them.
That’s unmistakably the Queen. 

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
Species: Queen Red Ogre Ant
Status: Normal
Lv: 43/70
HP: 496/496
MP: 184/184
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Her status checks out as well.
She still has a full MP.

That Queen Red Ant has A.O.E. recovery magic skill.
However, there are only six Red Ants remaining.
It won’t be much of a threat.

She can hardly move well with that large body of hers, I guess that means she’s not the combat type.
Her A.O.E. recovery magic is probably to recover returning soldiers. 

“Kuccha!” “Kuchaa!” “Kucha~a!” 

The enemy Red Ants attempt to threaten us.
But, they don’t dare attack.

They themselves know that there’s no chance of winning.
There are twenty Red Ants behind me after all. 

Although waiting isn’t going to get us anywhere, but neither side is moving, making decisions difficult.
I look behind me.
The ally Red Ant captain stares at me.
I think he’s saying to hurry this up.
I revert my gaze straight ahead. 

【”…… I see, you’re a manservant of her nest. We were going to end it here once and for all, but it seems I misjudged a little. It is unfortunate that I’d postpone such a sizable victory. I was thinking of migrating quietly, but who would’ve thought they had a dragon on their side.”】

The Queen Ant spoke using〖Telepathy〗, then she shook her head. 

…… No, maybe, that was a coincidence.
Though, it is also possible that she really was planning to migrate.

【“Tell her, it’s your win.”】

The Queen Ant declares it.
The Red Ants protecting the Queen Ant bow their head limply. 

“Kuccha.” 

Something poked my back.
It was the Red Ant captain.
At the same time, I noticed that the other Red Ants are heading back to the entrance. 

Wait, what?
It’s true I can deal with the rest of the enemies on my own, but…… you didn’t have to distance yourselves that far.

“Kuccha!” “Kuchaa!” “Kucha~a!” 

Everyone is screeching to me and the commander.
Why do they sound as if they’re in a hurry? 

“Kucha~a~a~a~a~a!” 

The six Red Ants surrounding the queen all cry out at once.
The dome began to shake heavily.

The Red Ant captain hurriedly rushes to the entrance as well. 

Huh? What? What’s going on?! 

“Pefu pefu.” 

Ball Rabbit jumps fiercely on my head. [T.N: Take a hint, dammit >:3]
I finally realized that the Queen Ant is trying to commit suicide within these walls. 

A part of the red earth that’s being held by〖Clay〗is collapsing.
I shouldn’t think about experience points right now, at this rate, I’ll get buried alive. 

Not getting the Queen Ant’s experience points is a waste, but I have no choice.
I turn around and run after the Red Ant captain. 

Partner bent her neck back towards me.
Hey, hey! Don’t get in the way while running. 

“Grua~a!” 

When Partner cried, a black light appeared and went towards the Queen Ant.
It stuck to the Queen Ant’s neck, then it quickly dispersed and disappeared. 

【Obtained 688 Experience Points.】
【〖The Walking Egg〗skill gives you an additional 688 Experience Points.】
【The Lv. of〖Ouroboros Dragon〗went up from Lv. 55→57.】

Oh, was that my〖Death〗skill?
Nice.
Because the Queen accepted her fate, the success rate was high. 

【Title Skill〖Mean King〗has risen from Lv6→7.】

…… Well, I guess it can’t be helped.
Honestly, I’m starting to think that it’s useless to be bothered about these title skills.

I kicked off and flew low, close to the ground, and out of the dome.
The dome collapsed and is now covered in soil.
I thought the passage would be changed drastically by the collapse, but it still seems okay. 

I just have to go back the way I came.
Tomorrow, at this level, I’ll fight that Hero. 

I’m still feeling kinda anxious.
Status aside, there are a lot of people in Harenae.
I wonder if it’s okay to fight in such a place.
I’ll meet people who’ll assist the Hero as well.
I don’t know what’ll become to Adofu either.
Perhaps it would be better to have him run away…

“Kucha~!” “Kuccha!”
“Kucha~a!” 

Hearing the lively cries of the Red Ant, I raise my head.
They’re carrying a red oval-shaped thing on their backs. 

Huh? What are they doing?
Is that foo-…? Of course not.
A cocoon, perhaps?

Around the corner, I see the Red Ant captain.
Hang on, what is he doing? 

“Pufe?”
【“What that?”】 

“Kuccha” 

The captain calmly replied. 

【…… Bring home, and raise.】

…… I, I see. That must be tough.
They’ll surely die if left alone, so yeah. It’s better this way.
It’s not like I’m thinking of all sorts of things that might go wrong. No, it’s not that at all. But, I’ll stay quiet.
I’ll just let the Red Ants do their Red Ant things.

【”…… I’d appreciate, if you help out.”】[T.N: Ball Rabbit telling Irushia what the captain is thinking.]

R-Right.
It’s all thanks to the ally Queen Ant that I got this many experience points. This is the least I could do.
I wonder why… it feels like I’m being an accomplice to kidnapping.