Chapter 177

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Chapter 177: Discovered

Just as payment was due, a sudden thought occurred.

"Boss, add…"

Through alcohol-hazed vision, the oak barrels of wine by the counter came into view.

"Those two barrels over there."

"Ah… certainly."

With the additional purchase, the total came to two silver coins and six small silver coins.

The two barrels were promptly stored away in extradimensional space.

Staggering back to the inn, after exchanging goodnights, the trio of youths waved to Army Lady before retiring to their respective rooms.

Army Lady herself could barely stay upright, swaying unsteadily as she entered her chamber.

Managing only to remove her light armor and retrieve one barrel from extradimensional space, the young woman collapsed onto the bed, immediately succumbing to deep slumber.

As sleep took her, the shadow beneath her form began to writhe and transform.

The darkness coalesced into the shape of a gray ant-person.

Surveying the deeply sleeping Army Lady, the gray ant’s gaze held unmistakable traces of derision.

Alone, she approached the wooden cask, prying open the lid with her powerful mandibles.

An intoxicating aroma instantly filled the air.

"Care to join me?"

Stealth One addressed the shadows at the girl’s feet.

"We’ll pass."

"Just you enjoy, Sister Stealth One."

"Indeed, alcohol isn’t to our taste."

Came the replies from Stealth Two, Stealth Three, and Stealth Ten.

Nodding, Stealth One first dipped her forelimbs into the cask for a tentative taste.

Her eyes brightened with apparent satisfaction.

Clambering onto the barrel’s rim, she plunged her mandibles into the liquid, drinking deeply with loud gulps.

After several hearty draughts, she surfaced with a contented sigh.

Her evident pleasure sparked curiosity among her shadow-hidden sisters regarding the barrel’s contents.

Suddenly, faint sounds came from beyond the window.

"Sister."

"I hear it."

Stealth One leapt down from the barrel, wiping residual wine from her mouth before dissolving back into shadow, merging with the darkness in the room’s corner.

No sooner had she disappeared than a metallic "clink" announced the arrival of an iron grappling hook at the windowsill, followed by two figures swiftly entering the chamber.

"It’s them."

"Sylvestre and Martina—those should be their names."

"How did they track us here?"

As the Stealth Ants exchanged whispers,

Sylvestre and Martina scanned their surroundings before their gazes settled on the golden-haired girl slumbering deeply on the bed.

"Those informants were right—she’s completely drunk."

"Perfect timing, just as her wounds healed. Heh, what luck."

A ruthless glint flashed in Martina’s eyes as twin daggers slid into her palms, poised to strike.

Yet Sylvestre blocked her path.

"Hold on."

"What now?"

"Wouldn’t it be a waste to kill her outright?"

With no witnesses, the man’s undisguised lust darkened his expression.

"You’re revolting. Even now, your mind goes there."

"Ah, don’t be like that. Tsk tsk—such a rare beauty. After all that drink, she’s dead to the world. Doubt she’d stir even if we had our way. And if she does?" He smirked. "You’re here to silence her."

His nose twitched abruptly.

"Why’s the room reeking of booze?"

His eyes dropped to the liquor cask on the floor.

"Didn’t peg her for such a heavy drinker…"

"Enough chatter. Finish this."

"Jealous, Martina? You know you’re the only one I—"

"One more word, and I’ll—"

Catching her lethal tone, Sylvestre chuckled nervously and fell silent.

Edging toward the bed, he drank in the girl’s serene face, throat bobbing as his breath hitched.

The instant his fingers stretched out—

*Thud.*

A muffled groan. Then the crash of a body collapsing.

Martina?!

Sylvestre whirled, heart lurching—only for darkness to swallow his vision. As he crumpled, his fading sight caught the attacker.

A monster? An *ant* monster?

Eyes bulging in disbelief, he blacked out.

…

"Class C human race truly are weaker than Class C monsters."

Stealth One prodded the unconscious Martina with a forelimb.

"Um, big sister…"

"What is it, Stealth Two?"

"I think I was just… seen."

Stealth Two murmured timidly.

"You were seen?"

Stealth One sounded startled, her previously calm tone now tense.

She strode over and rapped Stealth Two’s head sharply with her forelimb.

"You idiot! I told all of you to be careful! Didn’t you activate your invisibility?"

"Ow… I didn’t think anyone would notice…"

"Sister, don’t be too hard on Stealth Two. What should we do now?"

Stealth Three interjected.

"Just… eliminate them."

The rarely vocal Stealth Ten murmured quietly.

"Hmm…"

What to do?

If they’ve been spotted, we certainly can’t let them leave alive.

Kill them then?

No… that would be wasteful. Before executing them, we might extract useful information.

Besides…

Stealth One’s eyes flicked to the wine barrel before shifting to Army Lady on the bed.

Though I dislike her, she remains Mother’s daughter.

Had we not been here, she might not have died at their hands… but that man’s filthy touch would surely have defiled her.

They don’t deserve a quick death.

"Take them back. Let Mother decide their fate."

"No execution…?"

"Wouldn’t transporting them through town be troublesome?"

"Just get them beyond the walls. Our anthill lies outside – we’ll entrust them to our sisters there. They’ll deliver the prisoners to Foggy Castle."

Stealth One declared.

"But we’ll need her assistance for this."

The gray ant suddenly sprang onto the bed.

Prodding the golden-haired girl’s cheek:

"Wake up."

The girl remained unresponsive.

It poked her more forcefully this time.

Still no reaction.

It shook the girl gently.

Nothing.

In response, Stealth One abruptly swung its forelimb.

*SMACK!*

A sharp slap landed across the other’s face.

The girl’s cheek flushed instantly, the stinging pain rousing her slowly to consciousness.

"Ow… what in the…"

Her bleary eyes focused on the large ant perched atop her.

"Stealth One? Why have you materialized?!"

Army Lady jolted fully awake.

*"This is your fault."*

Stealth One proceeded to recount the recent events.

"Those despicable curs."

Army Lady’s expression darkened as she summoned her longsword from the dimensional space.

The thought of strangers violating what only her mother should touch… Uncontrollable bloodlust surged within her.

Stealth One intercepted.

It outlined its strategy.

The explanation tempered Army Lady’s fury.

"Your orders?"

*"Restrain them. We depart the city."*

"Immediately?"

*"No. We wait for the streets to empty under night’s cover."*

"But the gates seal at dark."

*"We scale the ramparts. As for the patrolling sentries…"* A chittering pause. *"…we’ll ensure they sleep soundly."*

*"No detection this time."*

Stealth Two chimed in hurriedly.

After all, this blunder originated from their Stealth Ant kin. The quartet could hardly maintain their previous hostility toward Army Lady.

As for the warrior maiden, saved by their intervention, no resentment lingered—only quiet appreciation.