Chapter 57
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Chapter 57: How Could a Mother Fear Her Daughter?
Both Red Pupil and Little Tear appeared fully matured now.
Their sizes had grown tremendously. Little Tear’s body mass dwarfed the Military Ants by over tenfold, while Red Pupil’s frame surpassed even Little Tear’s, appearing slightly bulkier than the long-toothed brown bear they’d slain before.
Though curious about their current Status Panel readings, more pressing matters demanded attention.
"How did you get here? And how did you know my location?"
"Big Sister and I finished growing up, so we came looking for Mom!"
Hmm, that didn’t quite answer the question.
"We didn’t know what to do next, so we came to find Mom."
Red Pupil supplemented Little Tear’s explanation.
"I asked the Military Ant sisters and followed their directions."
"I see."
So they can communicate with other ants… The colony members will actually answer their inquiries too.
But "Military Ant sisters"? Weren’t they born earlier than you? Technically you should be the younger ones…
"Mom’s body is fragile. Even with Military Ant escorts, you shouldn’t wander from the nest carelessly."
"This riverside area’s been thoroughly scouted. It’s safe."
"That’s not acceptable. Mom’s safety is paramount. At least… at least I should be present to feel assured."
Lin Yu felt an unexpected emotional tremor, as if struck directly in her core.
Oh! Concern? This is genuine worry for me, right?
Hearing such tenderly spoken words in that soft, adorable voice… Ugh, feels like I’ve raised such good daughters. Mom’s truly moved.
The white ant rubbed her eyes with riverwater-dampened forelimbs, creating a convincing illusion of tearful emotion.
Come to think of it, it’s been ages since anyone showed me concern… Wait… Has anyone ever truly cared before?
…
Better not dwell on unpleasant memories.
"If that’s the case, I’ll bring Red Pupil along during future outings."
"Understood. I’ll protect Mom properly."
"M-me too! I’ll protect Mom too!"
How dependable. Though for now, security should remain with your Military Ant elder sisters… Or should I say younger sisters? Given your recent maturation, combat capabilities might…
Ah! Haven’t checked their Status Panels yet.
Let me see…
——
Name: Little Tear
Race: Iron Armored Ant
Quality: B
Rank: None
Level: LV.1
Health Value: 180/180
Magic Value: 30/30
Skills: "Bite," "Ironcladization"
Attributes: Strength 2
Agility 1
Intelligence 1
Physical Resistance Ability 3
Elemental Magic Resistance Ability 0
Abnormal State Resistance Ability 0
——
Name: Red Pupil
Race: Iron Armored Ant
Qualification: A
Class: None
Level: LV.1
Health Value: 270/270
Magic Value: 40/40
Skills: "Bite," "Ironcladization"
Attributes: Strength 2
Agility 1
Intelligence 1
Physical Resistance Ability 3
Elemental Magic Resistance Ability 0
Abnormal State Resistance Ability 0
——
Huh? Really??
I stretched out my front legs and rubbed my eyes…
Then opened them…
So strong!!
Little Tear’s Health Value Limit is already comparable to those Class D Military Ants, while Red Pupil’s is even 90 points higher!
Moreover, apart from elemental magic resistance ability and abnormal state resistance ability, their initial attributes aren’t zero in the remaining categories! They have 2 points in Strength and 3 points in Physical Resistance Ability! In terms of physical resistance ability alone, they’ve already surpassed all military ants.
Once fully matured, there shouldn’t be any military ant capable of defeating them in single combat.
Not to mention they possess two skills – one being "Bite," and the other…
/ "Ironcladization": Undergo Ironcladization, gaining temporary significant enhancement to Physical Resistance Ability attributes.
Same name and description as "Magnification"… meaning this is also a cheat skill!
Iron Armored Ants… truly a fearsome ant species.
I apologize for underestimating you before…
"What does Mommy think of us?"
Ah right, they know I’m observing them.
"You two are currently the strongest in the entire colony. I’ll take you along next time we go out."
Damn it. Though I want to praise them, my words always come out so cold and stiff… Should I try to change myself? Otherwise my daughters might end up hating me…
The possibility of being disliked by my daughters… can’t be ruled out.
Loyalty and dislike don’t seem mutually exclusive?
"Hmph! I hate Mommy most! I’ll handle the enemies myself, so just disappear from my sight!"
…Such a situation might occur.
"What’s Mommy thinking about?"
Red Pupil’s voice pulled Lin Yu back from her pessimistic imaginings.
"Nothing."
Lin Yu shook her ant head, then noticed Little Tear cautiously testing the river water with her thick front limb.
"Do you want to come bathe?"
"Yes! Bath time with Mommy!"
Little Tear excitedly leaped down.
Splash!!
She leaped over Lin Yu and the group of Military Ants, splashing into the river’s center with a tremendous spray.
Though massive in size, the water’s depth only reached halfway up her six legs.
Unlike Little Tear who approached from the bank, Red Pupil waded directly through the river. Her colossal form brushed past the Military Ants as they parted ways, advancing toward Lin Yu.
Lin Yu’s heart fluttered as the enormous ant drew near. She averted her gaze from those dinner-plate-sized crimson eyes, pulse quickening.
_She’s coming closer… Not that I mind bathing together, but your size is… excessive._
The looming shadow intensified as Red Pupil closed the distance. _Must you approach so near? Ah! She’s circling behind me now._
_Good. Mother needs privacy when washing._
Red Pupil settled behind Lin Yu with tectonic slowness, her obsidian bulk curving protectively around the smaller white ant. The pale insect beneath this living canopy froze like carved jade, every joint locked rigid.
"What… what are you doing?"
"Mother will be safest encircled like this." The deep voice vibrated through carapaces. "No enemy could reach you without passing through me first."
"That’s… thoughtful."
_Logical, yes. But your overwhelming presence…_
Lin Yu fought the urge to shrink away from the furnace-like body heat. _One misplaced leg and I’ll be flattened!_
_Should I ask her to shift? No… can’t risk hurting her feelings._
_A mother fearing her own daughter? Preposterous! I’m simply being considerate. Imagine rejecting a child’s earnest request to bathe together – that would truly wound her._
"Did Daughter notice Mother needing to wash her back?"
"I… suppose."
"May this one assist?"
"…Very well."
