The consequences Law worried about triggered a chain reaction after the King's birth.
He knew well that if the Queen died, the Chimera Ants under her would become independent kings, establishing their own kingdoms and starting to reproduce.
That meant the Queen was the bond holding the entire colony together. Once that bond broke, the entire command system would collapse.
By then, not only Squadron Leader-level Chimera Ants, but even Officer-level ones would have thoughts of becoming independent kings.
Afterwards, they would disperse across the world, forcibly mating with female creatures of other species to produce the next generation.
That's when the terrifying reproductive ability of Chimera Ants would truly manifest.
Compared to the King's birth, this matter's importance suddenly skyrocketed to the top.
This was Law's concern after learning about the Queen's condition, and it was indeed happening.
After the King and three Royal Guards flew away from the nest, the dozen Squadron Leaders, relieved of the King's oppressive pressure, immediately harbored thoughts of becoming independent kings.
This situation was also related to human's 'self-awareness'. It was like an emperor dying without an heir… feudal lords declaring independence was natural.
Each Squadron Leader glanced at the lifeless Queen and the dog-eared man's remaining shredded clothes and bloodstains.
Finally, someone initiated, "Since the Queen can no longer establish a kingdom, why don't we become kings ourselves?"
"Hah, I was thinking the same."
A lion-man wearing dozens of metal rings on his face and ears sneered, "I want to act as I please according to my preferences."
As soon as the lion-man finished speaking, a Chimera Ant left straightforwardly… the bull-headed man who had previously pursued Xiaoyu.
His name was Uchi. Among all Squadron Leaders, his attitude towards commands was the weakest. After assessing the situation, he left the nest without a word.
He didn't take any subordinates… rather, he disdained group actions.
With Uchi setting a precedent, Squadron Leaders who already intended to leave followed suit. Like Uchi, they didn't take soldier ants but at least brought along Officer-level capable subordinates.
In less than a moment, only two Squadron Leaders remained in the Queen's chamber.
One was Nique, hands in pockets, expression lazy. The other had wolf-like eyes, golden fur patterns on his face, a slender build, and judging from the two bulging spheres on his chest, distinct female characteristics.
She named herself Selina.
"Why aren't you leaving yet?"
Selina glanced at Nique, then went to the Queen's side, crouching to examine her injuries.
Nique lazily said, "The Queen isn't dead yet, right?"
Hearing Nique's blunt words, a flash of anger crossed Selina's face. Her golden fur patterns slightly bristled as she said irritably, "Watch your tone."
"Oh."
Nique responded casually.
Selina cast a cold sidelong glance at Nique, saying gravely, "They all left, yet a coward like you stayed behind. How ironic."
"Wanting to live and being a coward afraid of death are two different things," Nique calmly looked at the dying Chimera Ant Queen.
"What's the difference?"
Selina said indifferently.
"A huge difference. Want to hear?" Nique said flatly.
Selina couldn't be bothered with him, biting her lip as she looked at the severely injured Queen.
She was utterly helpless against such grave injuries. If the dog-eared man were still alive, maybe there'd be a way.
Thinking this, Selina glanced at the dog-eared man's remaining shredded clothes and bloodstains, muttering angrily under her breath, "Fool."
Suddenly, both Nique's and Selina's minds heard the Queen's voice.
[Is anyone there...]
This was the Queen's telepathic communication.
Selina was stunned, then quickly replied in the same manner, "Your subordinate is here."
Nique showed no particular reaction, quietly watching the Queen move slightly.
[My son... is he healthy? Any physical defects?]
[No need to worry, Your Majesty. The King is fine.]
Selina bit her lip until it bled.
[That's good, that's good...]
[Because he was born too early, I was very worried.]
[In that case, my mission is complete...]
The Queen's body seemed to relax suddenly.
Selina trembled slightly, slowly lowering her head. She clearly understood the Queen was near death.
[Name, I gave him a name!]
Suddenly, like a final resurgence, the Queen's body arched slightly as she struggled to raise a hand.
Seeing this, Selina hurriedly grasped the Queen's outstretched hand, deep sorrow surfacing in her eyes.
[Meruem, meaning 'to illuminate everything'.]
[Help... tell him.]
At the end, the Queen's hand fell limp… she died.
Perhaps stirred by certain memory fragments, an indescribable sadness welled up in Selina's heart. But she didn't cry, only silently looked at the dead Queen.
"Dead, huh."
Nique slightly raised his head to look at the chamber ceiling, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
"People, they can't escape death. The difference is living long or dying early. Hmm? Intentional or subconscious? Actually adopting a human identity to lament?"
Nique smiled self-mockingly and turned to leave.
"You stayed specifically just to watch the Queen die?" Selina said.
"Otherwise?"
Nique stopped, hands in pockets, back facing Selina. He said calmly, "After all, she nurtured me. So, taking a little risk to stay and see her off is only right."
Selina stared at Nique. After a moment, she muttered, "I will find the King."
Hearing this, Nique fell silent. He had also received the Queen's final wish, but he couldn't fulfill it. Seeing the Queen off was his limit.
"Living, isn't that good?"
After a moment, Nique sighed, then continued walking. He suddenly stopped again.
"You want to go die, I won't stop you. But I'll give you advice now: leave here immediately. Don't forget, there are still several ruthless characters outside."
With that, Nique quickened his pace and left.
Selina watched Nique's retreating figure, clenched her fist tightly, then stood up. Heeding Nique's advice, she abandoned the Queen's corpse and left at top speed.
This drastically contrasting attitude was simply because she considered the Queen's final wish more important.
It was a very pure cognition.
Nique didn't leave the nest immediately. He wanted to inform his subordinates about the current situation.
However, to his amusement, before he could issue orders, his subordinates had all fled.
"Fine, saves trouble."
The unpopular Nique habitually shrugged, then stepped out of the Chimera Ant's nest without any reluctance, not looking back.
He strolled through the forest, suddenly remembering something, his brows lightly furrowing.
"Speaking of which, besides living well, do I have any other pursuits?"
"Establish a kingdom? No, no, too troublesome."
"Chasing women? Hmm... too shallow."
"Eat, drink, and be merry? Pale, pale, not worth mentioning."
Nique suddenly stopped, turning to quietly observe the distant nest, and sighed softly.
For a moment, he didn't move, staring at the nest lost in thought.
When he was human, what pursuits did he have?
After a long time, his face suddenly stiffened.
In that moment, if there were a pill of regret in the world, he would take a hundred bottles. If time could rewind, he would never have been so whimsical as to stay here pondering such things.