Chapter 268

Chapter 268: War

Over twenty thousand Weak Ants, twenty thousand Worker Ants, ten thousand Military Ants, accompanied by nearly five thousand Iron Armored Ants and an equal number of Acid Ants and Earth Digging Ants.

The massive Iron Armored Ants crawled at the forefront like armored tanks, their backs carrying green Acid Ants while other ant species flanked their sides and trailed behind. The ant legion advanced in a formidable tide, bearing down with the oppressive force of a dark cloud looming over a city.

Was this the "encirclement" that mysterious voice had spoken of?! And when it mentioned "daughter"—could that voice have belonged to the Queen Ant of this colony? A monster capable of using Psychic Call to communicate with the human race? Such a thing had never been heard of before!

Moreover…

The soldier’s teeth chattered uncontrollably as he rubbed his eyes and squinted at the distant ant horde. "H-hey… Is that… an Iron Armored Ant?"

Among the ant species, the Iron Armored Ant’s colossal frame made it unmistakably visible. "Iron Armored Ants… It has to be. No other ant monster grows to that size," muttered another soldier, his voice thick with disbelief.

"But… aren’t Iron Armored Ants solitary creatures? Rare monsters that act alone? This… this…" Not only were they cooperating with other ant species, but their numbers defied all reason! A rough estimate suggested thousands swarmed before them—not mere dozens or hundreds, but thousands!

Iron Armored Ants were monsters typically rated Class C or higher, renowned for their brute strength and impenetrable defenses. Even ordinary Class B adventurers avoided confronting one if encountered on their travels.

A single Iron Armored Ant could raze a human village effortlessly. A dozen constituted a regional disaster. Yet here stood thousands—a sight that shattered every assumption he’d held about these creatures.

Snapping from his daze, he remembered his duty. "Quickly! Sound the alarm bell!!"

The massive bell atop the gatehouse tower—imbued with sound-amplifying magic—could reverberate across the entire town. Its toll signaled monster invasions, triggering the activation of the colossal Defense Magic Crystal at the town’s heart.

The bell’s tolls ranged from one to nine strikes, each additional ring indicating greater numbers and strength of the approaching threat. During the previous goblin siege, it had struck thrice.

But now…

Clang—Clang—Clang—

Without hesitation, the soldier hammered the bell nine times.

Nine strikes—the highest alert, declaring the town faced annihilation with its current defenses. As the final echoes faded, guards stationed around the Defense Magic Crystal in the central square jolted upright at the ominous resonance.

Could it be that the voice spoke truth—the town was truly under siege?

Reacting swiftly, the lead guard retrieved a fist-sized Magic Crystal as blue as the Defense Magic Crystal.

Crack—

With a crisp snap, the Magic Crystal shattered.

The instant the crystal fragmented, the massive Defense Magic Crystal guarded by soldiers began glowing faintly from within. Simultaneously, a colossal translucent blue barrier materialized, enveloping the entire town.

The soldiers at the gates had scarcely ceased tolling the bell when the Magic Shield emerged.

Yet could this fragile barrier truly withstand the onslaught of Iron Armored Ants? The soldiers dared not dwell on it further.

…

Elsewhere,

Lord Simon had already sensed foreboding upon receiving the Psychic Call.

The ensuing tolling bells drained all color from his face.

Nine resounding chimes—

The first occurrence in decades since the great bell’s forging!

What calamity had befallen them?

"Philid!"

"Master Simon."

"Take command personally and investigate the gates. Report immediately should anything arise."

Beyond Identification and magical prowess, Philid possessed Psychic Call—a skill enabling instant communication with Simon and potential dialogue should the mysterious voice resurface.

Thus Philid departed with select Guard Knights, accompanied by all infantry and cavalry.

Upon reaching the gates with his human race forces and ascending the battlements,

Even the seasoned Philid stiffened, eyes widening and jaw slackening in shock.

Ant Tribe… The Ant Tribe! Their numbers—they’ve completely encircled the town!

Moreover, multiple ant species swarmed together.

Most staggering were the hulking Iron Armored Ants. While Philid could handle a few, here sprawled a sea of them—at least a thousand visible.

Upon their armored backs… Were those Acid Ants? Legends claimed their corrosive spray inflicted agony beyond endurance, dissolving flesh to bone.

Flanking them gleamed jet-black ants the size of Granville Wolves—undoubtedly Military Ants, bred for combat.

Even the typically feeble Weak Ant Tribe appeared enlarged, with nearly all specimens ranking Class D.

The ant legion now loomed mere hundreds of meters away, granting Philid dreadful clarity.

Yet most astonishing were two humanoid ants riding Iron Armored Ants at the vanguard.

Philid confirmed their nature through Identification:

One—a Class B intermediate Weak Ant named Weak Sound. A Weak Ant reaching Class B? Unheard of!

The other—a Class B advanced Iron Armored Ant dubbed Red Pupil!

Class B advanced—an Iron Armored Ant!

Such a monster could single-handedly annihilate the town…

No hope remained…

Not merely Aowenduo Town—even combined with northern Nuquel Town, none could oppose this swarm.

Regarding the Ant Tribe’s ultimatum…

Surrender and submission?

Regardless of the monsters’ subsequent treatment, yielding would irreparably taint Aowenduo Town.

The Ant Tribe remained monsters.

Humanity could never accept monstrous rule—the Church and Duchy would inevitably dispatch punitive forces.

So… What course remained?

Philid’s expression darkened. Finding no immediate solution, he relayed the crisis to Lord Simon via Psychic Call.