I returned back to the nest with the Red Ants.
Just like the other Red Ants, I follow the commander’s lead.

We arrived in a space where my size couldn’t entirely fit.
The Red Ants line up the red cocoons that they retrieved from the enemy’s nest.
I spat out a red cocoon that I was carrying in my mouth.
Urgh, it’s kinda disgusting. Pufepufe~

There are forty cocoons brought back.
It seems there are around forty Red Ants being raised at once in the enemy’s nest.
Wouldn’t that mean they would now reach a hundred or two though?
If they keep increasing their numbers like that, the world will be filled with nothing but Red Ants everywhere.

…… But, if around forty Red Ants are being raised at once, why are there only two hundred in the nest?
Do Queen Ants have a limit to how many eggs they can lay in their lifetime? Or, is it just that this desert has a high ant mortality rate.
The next generation of ants might take while.

We carried twenty red cocoons along the way, I carried ten while Partner carried the other ten.
…… Hey Partner, what’s wrong? Hurry up and spit them out already.

“Gra~a?”

Partner opened her mouth and barked at me.
There was nothing inside her mouth.
Hey, now.
Are you kidding me?

I put the cocoons I carried down and decided to head over to the Queen Ant.
I’ll give her my regards then leave this place.

When I left the cocoon vault, I slightly looked back.
The Red Ants counted the number of cocoons and turned their gaze at me.
I pretended I didn’t see anything.

I remember where the Queen Ant resides, so I don’t need to ask for directions anymore.
I still feel wary walking around here on my own, but I need to hurry.

I head towards the Queen Ant.

There are two Red Ants sticking close beside the Queen Ant.
When they saw me, they readied themselves out of cautiousness, but the Queen Ant settled them down.
The two then stood back.

【“Good work. I heard the report. Our side only suffered ten casualties. And, we managed to retrieve forty cocoons.”】

In case she reads my mind with telepathy, I immediately thought of something else.
I’d rather not let her find out what Partner did. Though, it’s only a matter of time before she does.

Queen Ant tilts her head curiously.
It seems like she hasn’t found out anything yet with her〖Telepathy〗.

【”…… Are you… now satisfied with your level?”】

Queen Ant asks worriedly.
It’s probably because I resisted her〖Telepathy〗that she’s feeling insecure.
Let’s not do anything unnecessary from here on out.

I know you’re worried for your colony, but calm down.
I’m not going to attack you guys anymore.
I know you were just using me, but at least I accomplished my goal of leveling up.
I should be thanking you.

【“I see, that’s good. Actually, I know another Red Ant nest……”】

…………

【”…… Not interested anymore? Let’s leave that aside then.”】

…… Don’t tell me… you’re stealing those eggs to strengthen your military, aren’t you?

I guess their objective was really just to use me to crush their rival nests.
The two Queen Red Ants seem to know each other too.

【“This may come as strange considering that you raided our nest before, but… thank you. If you are in need of assistance, you can ask us. We will lend you a hand.”】

…… I’m going to leave this desert anyways, so I won’t ever get this chance again.
It feels like they’re only giving me their support so I won’t hurt them.

【Acquired Title Skill〖Soldier Ant: Lv MAX〗.】

Hm?

【Title Skill〖Soldier Ant: Lv MAX〗evolves into〖Captain Ant: Lv1〗.】
【Title Skill〖Captain Ant〗has risen from Lv1→MAX.】
【Title Skill〖Captain Ant: Lv MAX〗evolves into〖King Ant: Lv—〗】

…… I somehow ended up having a weird skill.
It’s… like I just got rewarded for taking down an entire colony.
Seems like Red Ants advance up in ranks based on their achievement.

Becoming a King and living underground…… I wonder.
In a way, it sounds kinda fun.

…… I wonder if this affects my next evolutionary line.
That’s gonna be troublesome.

I parted ways with the Queen Ant, left the Red Ant nest, and flew to the skies.
While flying, I saw a mudpool somewhere in the distance.

Mudpools in this desert are something the slugs made with their illusions.
It’s usually hidden by a mirage of an oasis and fish.
In other words, seeing a mudpool means that a Giant Slug just got recently defeated.
This is most likely Adofu’s doing.

I stopped by near the pool of mud.
I saw Adofu sitting by the edge of the pool.

…… I wonder if he got deceived by the mirage.
No, that’s probably not it. Guess he just came for water, mudwater is still technically water, right?
I guess it’s a much better place for a break than the desert.
There’s also a chance that he picked that place up so I can easily spot it.

When Adofu saw me, he stood up.
I then land in front of Adofu.

“…… Tomorrow’s the big day, are you all prepared?”

“Gru~o”

I nodded my head.

I nodded while thinking.
I’m not entirely sure if I should take Adofu along.
His arm isn’t in a condition that will let him fight properly.

It’s true that with Adofu’s evidence, we can surely crush the supports under that Hero.
But, I don’t have high expectations. It’s worth a try though.

Based from what I’ve heard, I think it’s much more likely that the hero will try to dispose of Adofu by sowing distrust into the crowd, which means he can manipulate the people to attack Adofu.
If it comes to that, we have no choice but to fight.
During the battle, considering Adofu’s condition, he might die in vain.

I’ll go to Haranae, hold off against the Hero, and save Nina and Adofu’s relatives alone.
I hope that’s the best way.
……… But in this case, since I’m not lifting their crime records, I could end up pulling my tail where it’s not wanted.

“Do not worry.”

Adofu says that to my worried face.

“I will definitely crush his supporters. Have faith.”

His eyes held no doubt.

“Gru~o~oo……”

I’m still worried, but I nodded.
It may not possible to separate the church and the Hero.
But, if we can’t do anything from there, we won’t be able to find where Nina and Adofu’s relatives are.