He picked up a piece of bread and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly. ’Just a bunch of drunks who like to brag.’
BANG. The tavern door was thrown open, and everyone looked over, including the expressionless owner behind the bar.
CLANK. CLANK. Iron-soled boots hit the wooden floor, each heavy footfall like the collective heartbeat of the tavern’s patrons.
The newcomer was about six-foot-three, clean-shaven with a fair complexion and neatly groomed golden hair. His hawk-like eyes slowly swept over every Adventurer present.
The Adventurers watched him in silence. Little John, however, stared intently at the man’s gleaming Armor, especially the black lion’s head emblazoned on the chestplate.
"Which one of you is Buck?" the man asked. At a nearby table, a scruffy-haired fellow slowly stood up and raised his hand.
"Come with me. The young master summons you." After a single glance at the man named Buck, he turned and strode out of the tavern, completely ignoring everyone else as if they didn’t exist.
Once they were gone, the Green-haired Elf at a small table by the wall jeered, "Who was it just now bragging they could take on those guards? You’re as quiet as a grouse hiding in the underbrush."
"What did you say, you Yin Yang Man?" the Dwarf roared, slamming his fist on the table so hard that several mugs jumped.
Little John immediately straightened up, watching them with great interest. ’Here comes the dinner and a show.’
As he chewed on his smoked meat, he mused, ’That guard mentioned a "young master." Could the Count’s own son have come to Yangjiao Town? This is important. I need to report this to the boss as soon as I get back.’
"Nice! That was a clever low blow from the Dwarf," he exclaimed, slapping his thigh.
...
CHITTER! A spider lunged forward, slamming a Giant Bee from the ceiling down to the ground.
It tried to pin its opponent with its body, then unfurled its fangs and plunged them into the Giant Bee’s abdomen. At the same time, it felt a sharp pain as something pierced its own abdomen.
But it didn’t hesitate for a moment, immediately injecting venom and digestive fluids into the Giant Bee’s body, ignoring the twitching that started in its own eight legs.
All around it, countless Burrow Bees and Giant Spiders were locked in a chaotic melee. Fresh combatants continuously poured into the stone chamber from passages on either side, fighting as if they were mortal enemies.
Other spiders and Giant Bees struggled to drag the curled-up corpses on the ground back into their respective tunnels, provisions for the offspring soon to hatch.
The stone chamber was a meat grinder, a constant cycle of life rushing in, dying, being consumed, and giving birth to new life.
The two passages were like hospital corridors—one end leading from the nursery, the other leading to the morgue.
"Got a clear look? Is the fighting intense?" Shire asked softly, patting Lame Leg on the back.
"Yeah. The whole chamber is full of Giant Spiders and Giant Bees, and more are constantly pouring in," Lame Leg answered immediately.
The two of them were hiding behind a tree not far from the chamber’s entrance. Lame Leg had his eyes closed, "watching" the slaughter inside.
Shire peeked out to look at the entrance himself. It was too dangerous inside, so this time he hadn’t sent Broken Tooth to scout. Instead, he’d had Lame Leg’s Secret Servant slip in and hide off to the side. ’I have to say, his ’Big Treasure’ really is useful.’
"I wonder how long they’ve been fighting. It looks like a stalemate for now," Shire said quietly, leaning against the tree trunk. "Both sides have to protect their eggs, so it seems they won’t be coming out to forage for a while."
"Chief, should I have my ’Big Treasure’ go inside their nests to take a look?" Lame Leg asked, looking up at Shire.
"No, that won’t be necessary. Even though your Secret Servant can’t die, there’s no point. Let’s head back for now; we still need to patrol on the way." Shire rejected his subordinate’s suggestion. He wanted to check the surrounding area to see if any other Giant Spiders or Giant Bees were out foraging.
Before long, they ran back into the forest, where several goblins were waiting for them.
"Everyone, on the ants!" Shire commanded loudly, then put on his Rune Headband.
Over a dozen giant Worker Ants charged into the woods at high speed. Shire was at the lead, gripping the ant’s carapace tightly and pressing his body close to it. He raised his head to scan the area ahead, searching for any sign of enemies.
When he’d met with the Ant Queen previously, she had told him the numbers of Giant Spiders and Giant Bees had dwindled significantly. Although her children still encountered them occasionally, they no longer posed much of a threat.
But Shire didn’t see it that way. ’Even though the two predator species are currently tearing each other apart,’ he thought, ’one side will inevitably win given enough time. When a victor emerges, that will be the day the Ant Race is wiped out. I have to make sure both of these giant species are completely exterminated. Only then can I safely take over this territory.’
The journey back to the Ant Nest was uneventful. Shire leaped off the Worker Ant, patted its leg joint, and sent it off to the fungus cultivation chamber to find something to eat.
He lit a torch and met up with his other subordinates before heading to see the Ant Queen.
As he walked slowly downward, hugging the cave wall, he thought, ’This diner is coming along nicely. The client should be very satisfied. Time to talk to the Ant Queen about the next steps.’
Soon, the goblins arrived in the underground cavern where the Ant Queen resided. Shire walked over and stood before her.
Just as he was about to speak, the Ant Queen’s antenna touched his forehead. "Wait, goblin. Just a moment."
Shire then watched as her body shook continuously and her leg joints writhed. She seemed to be in pain.
The surrounding Worker Ants scurried about, circling the Ant Queen as if performing some kind of ritual.
Finally, the Ant Queen’s body sank weakly to the ground. A Worker Ant approached her, holding a pristine, translucent egg.
’This egg is different from the pale yellow ones,’ Shire thought, stroking his chin. ’Could it be the egg of the next queen?’
"Thank you, goblin." The Ant Queen extended an antenna to touch Shire’s cheek. "I have finally produced a successor."
"Congratulations," Shire said, overjoyed. He knew his plan for the ants had just taken a great leap forward.
"It is thanks to you for bringing us honey and keeping the Giant Bees and spiders in check that our colony can continue." The Ant Queen’s voice was tinged with weakness.
"Cooperation is a two-way street." Shire reached out and clasped the Ant Queen’s antenna. He then laid out his proposals: first, he wanted to continue employing Worker and Soldier Ants. Second, he hoped to have a space cleared out in the ants’ Underground Kingdom where he could place a teleportation Stone Ring to facilitate the exchange of supplies.
Although the Ant Queen didn’t fully understand his intentions, she sensed no malice from him. She agreed and issued a command to the colony. The underground space would be excavated shortly.
"Well then, I’ll see you again in a few days." Shire waved to the Ant Queen in farewell. He had to get back and prepare the cargo containers, Ant Saddles, and trade goods as soon as possible.
「Meanwhile」
In the Drink Undying Alchemy Workshop, Mary was studying a grammar book.
She felt she needed to learn much more to meet her boss’s demands. Everything from creating various Alchemy Potions and tools, to the daily habits of Adventurers, to news from all over the Kingdom brought by merchants. From official documents delivered by the city watch to the secret rumors whispered among nobles—she needed to familiarize herself with it all.
But Mary loved learning. It was far more interesting than her previous life of just washing clothes in a courtyard, and she was very content with her life now.
JINGLE. The workshop door opened, and a customer walked in.
"How can I help you?" Mary asked with a smile.