Valeria jabbed Ari on the shoulder. The impact made him wince, and a sharp sting lingered in his arm.
Ah...ow!! Can you stop doing that?
"I tried to stay silent to gauge just how capable you are but then you went ahead and made such a bold decision, knowing Helena could turn on us at any moment."
She ruffled her hair in frustration. "How are you even sure we can trust them? And to make matters worse, we didn't consult the Queen or the elders. You just became part of our colony and you're already going rogue?"
She stepped back slightly, her glare bored into him, and she clicked her tongue sharply in irritation.
That hurt like hell… she really packs a punch. Ants are seriously strong.
He flexed his arm, testing the ache. Ari raised his hands slightly, keeping his voice calm as he met Valeria's glare. "Calm down, Captain Valeria. The Queen will be pleased with how I handled the situation."
He paused, glancing at her tense posture before continuing. "Being allies with them won't just end the war, it'll let us pool our resources. For example we have an excess of berries but lack meat from mealybugs or aphids, and Queen Helena's colony has plenty of meat but not enough berries. We could trade, and both colonies would benefit through this barter system. Not only that but it will also boost both of our army strengths if we join forces."
After a brief pause Valeria sighed, increasing her pace as she walked. "Well... when you put it that way, I suppose it was the right call."
She let the words hang, eyes never leaving his face. "But there's a slim chance the elders or the Queen will agree to this treaty. If I'm the one blamed for your actions, I will hold you accountable."
She leaned in just enough for the threat to land, her bangs covering her face. "I'm going to kill you. Understand?"
Wait, is that a Kuudere face?...
She stepped back, fingers brushing the hilt of her mandibles at her side.
For some reason, I believe she'll actually do it, Ari thought, with a gulp. He forced a small, nervous smile that didn't reach his eyes.
The tunnels toward the Queen's chamber smelled faintly of damp earth. Tall columns of hardened soil rose on either side, and clumps of glowing mushrooms and fungi at their bases threw a pale green light that made everything look washed-out and thin. Footsteps echoed softly as they walked.
At the chamber entrance, a servant stepped forward and dipped his head. "And what brings you here today, Lieutenant Valeria?"
Valeria brushed past the servant without slowing. "That's none of your business. And for your information..." her eyes narrowed, "it's Captain Valeria. Now step aside. We need to speak with Queen Celeste."
She didn't wait for a reply, striding forward with brisk steps. Ari trailed after her as the servants quickly moved out of the way. Inside, the chamber opened wide. At its center, Queen Celeste sat on a raised platform decorated with polished stones and resin.
Her wings rested neatly against her back, long and translucent, their thin veins catching the glow of the mushrooms. Her antennae held steady, and her gaze swept over them calmly. "You requested an audience with me, Captain Valeria?"
Valeria lowered her head in a bow. "Yes, my Queen. There is a matter we need to discuss with you and the elders. It is urgent, and it requires your wisdom." Her tone was firm, each word measured.
"An urgent matter, you say?" Queen Celeste's antennae twitched once, as her gaze turned to Ari. "Very well."
The soft scrape of her steps echoed through the chamber as she led the way. Five of her servants accompanied her. Valeria and Ari followed close behind, and together they moved down a dim corridor that opened into the council hall, where the elders already sat in a semicircle.
The elders' faces were lined and hardened with age. And as soon as Ari entered, their eyes followed him. "What exactly did you want to discuss with us?" one of the elder ants asked, narrowing his eyes at Ari. His lips pressed tight with suspicion.
Valeria stepped forward, her tone measured but firm. "Earlier today, an ant named Nyra, a Captain from the colony that tried to attack us, approached the colony. She requested a negotiation to return General Ivan in exchange for their resources."
One of the elder's mouths clicked sharply. "Wait… wasn't it their lack of resources that led them to start the war?" He leaned forward slightly, hands resting tensely on his knees.
"I'm getting to that part," Valeria said, her voice firm. "We followed Nyra back to their colony and spoke with Ant Queen Helena. She told us that a mysterious ant had manipulated them into attacking us by exploiting their food shortage. She apologized for the attack and explained how weak their army had become without Ivan at its center."
"She offered to pay any amount of resources to secure his release," Valeria continued. "But Ari made a counteroffer; he proposed forming a treaty with Helena's colony."
The room buzzed with shocked murmurs. The elders exchanged glances, some shaking their heads in disbelief. "Are you mad?" one of the elder ants demanded, his voice rising with panic.
"Forming a treaty with another colony is out of the question!" He slammed his hand on the resin table. "Colonies cannot simply live in peace because of our different beliefs and perceptions. If this treaty were ratified, what if it were compromised? Or worse...what if it is merely a deception?"
A female elder said, "What are your thoughts on the matter, Junon?"
"Who granted you the authority to make such a foolish declaration?" Elder Junon snapped. He leaned forward, hands gripping the edge of the table. "You are now a part of this colony, but you can't make a decision of this magnitude without consulting the council or the queen."
"And you, Captain Valeria," Junon said, his voice sharp and unforgiving. "You now hold the rank of captain in our army, yet you stood by while witnessing his atrocities and did nothing. How could you permit this… feeble-minded ant to pursue such an absurd proposal?"
Valeria turned her gaze to Junon. "Listen here, old geezer," she said, her voice sharp and precise. "Ari is far from feeble. He saved our colony. Without him, you wouldn't even be sitting here questioning his judgment. He acted for a reason—and it was the right one."
You go, Captain Valeria—show those rusted relics who's boss…
His grin faltered. That's what I would say. But the risk… it has to be weighed carefully.
"That's enough, Valeria," Queen Celeste said, her voice calm but commanding. "Now, Ari, explain why you proposed this."
Ari straightened, lifting his head to meet her eyes. "In all honesty, if we don't return their general, it will only lead to more war," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Even though we hold the advantage, we would still lose many ants."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "A treaty between our colonies won't just prevent further conflict—it would create a system where both sides benefit, whether through resources, military support, or cooperation."
"Returning General Ivan in exchange for a treaty is a win-win," Ari continued, shoulders squared. "The war ends, they get their general back, and they gain an ally to help rebuild. In theory, they would then have no reason to attack us," he added, slowly with a hint of doubt.
Queen Celeste leaned back slightly on her platform, her wings shifting faintly as she regarded him. "You make a valid point, Ari. Why not give it a try? We have nothing to lose by accepting the treaty," she said, her tone decisive.
"My Queen, you can't possibly agree to something so outrageous! Freeing Ivan will only—"
"I have made my decision, and it is final," Queen Celeste interrupted, rising from her seat. "You are here to give advice, and I am here to either agree or disagree. So bear with it. Our meeting is adjourned."
With that, she turned and left the chamber, her wings shifting slightly as she moved. "Let's go, Ari," Valeria said, turning on her heel. He followed silently.
The elders sat in stunned silence. After a long pause, one muttered bitterly, "Ever since that damned ant came to this colony, the Queen has been like this—stubborn and unwilling to listen to our logic."
"We'll have to find a way to dispose of him before it's too late," whispered another, eyes narrowing.
And just like that, General Ivan was returned to his colony, and the treaty between Queen Helena's and Queen Celeste's colonies was officially sealed. Though hesitant at first, both sides eventually found common ground, plans of sharing their winter resource collection strategy and laying the foundations for a fragile but promising alliance.
A few days later, Ari stood at the edge of the training grounds outside the colony, watching other ants spar with their mandibles. The air buzzed with energy: the clanging of weapons, sparks flying, sharp breaths of exertion, and the rhythmic thud of feet against the packed earth filled the space.
Ari inhaled deeply. Today I begin my training as a soldier ant in Queen Celeste's army. I know it will be tough, but this is my life now… as an ant.
His legs twitched slightly with anticipation. Captain Aixen was incredibly powerful and not only that he had managed to fool everyone in this colony for years including Emilia. Ari remembered her face then, tears streaming down her face, her voice trembling with confusion.
He had spoken about the Queen's essence and even claimed I was special but none of it made sense to me.
Ari stood up, determination hardening in his chest. Whatever the case I need to get stronger so I can survive in this world.
"Wait, Ari," Valeria said, stepping closer. The faint clack of her footsteps echoed softly.
"Oh, Captain..."
"I just realized something," she continued, crossing her arms while holding a large folded leaf with a bulge inside. "You do not have mandibles or a stinger spear, do you?"
"Wait, you are right, I did not," Ari admitted.
I guess I did not get any at all when I arrived in this world, he thought, opening and closing his hands.
"Well, in that case, here. Take these." Valeria unfolded the leaf and held out a pair of mandibles to Ari. The metal felt cool and slightly rough against his palms, faint scratches tracing the edges.
"Wait, are these..." Ari asked, turning them over in his hands. The weight was surprising and grounding him in the moment.
"Well, I was ordered to train you by the Queen," Valeria said. "If you have no mandibles, then what point would it make?"
"Oh, that makes sense." He examined the mandibles more closely.
"They are not just any mandibles," Valeria said, her tone softening. "These belonged to the most courageous ant in our labor colony, my father."
Ari's eyes widened. Your father?
"He was a Vanguard in Queen Celeste's army and a formidable leader," she continued. "He was killed by a grasshopper named Hopper, but not before taking down over a hundred of them. He is this colony's symbol of strength and the ant I strive to become."
Her voice grew quieter as the distant hum of other recruits and workers filled the silence. "You would give something so precious to me?" Ari asked, eyes wide and antennae twitching.
"This is proof that you are part of the colony now and that I respect you. I believe you will use them well. Besides..." She paused, glancing back at him once more. "...you remind me a little of him."
Valeria turned and walked toward the other recruits, the soft scraping of her feet fading behind her. Ari stared down at the mandibles, feeling the smooth grooves beneath his fingers.
She entrusted me with her father's mandibles, huh, he thought, gripping them tightly, the faint metallic scent lingering in his nose.