Chapter 88
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Chapter 88: Imprisoning a Child? That’s a Crime!
The Weak Ants’ eastern search range had expanded due to further extensions of the ant colony network.
Further east lay reappearing low-tier monsters like goblins and wolf packs.
Then one day during their patrols, the Weak Ants spotted a human—a small girl!
Through the Weak Ants’ vision, Lin Yu glimpsed the figure through grass gaps.
*A real human!*
*Thrilling! Exhilarating!*
*Where there are humans, there must be villages or towns! Finally, I can obtain seasonings, soft bedding… Ah, and crucial information—I haven’t forgotten that.*
*Little Pupil, head to the eastern sector of the First Ant Nest.*
*What’s happening? Mother seems unusually cheerful.*
*A human was detected eastward.*
*A human?*
Red Pupil sounded equally startled.
She began sprinting with the white ants on her back, scenery blurring past as nearby monsters scattered from her path.
*Yes, confirmed human. But…*
*Her current state appears dire…*
The girl appeared around ten years old, with brown hair and patched gray clothing.
She now faced mortal peril—three goblins brandishing clubs and stone axes encircled her.
…
“S-stay back!”
The girl trembled while waving a sharp dagger, her panicked eyes occasionally darting toward the goblins’ lower regions.
“Gaba! Gaba!” (A female! Capture her!)
"Gaba!" (Take her away!)
The goblins wore peculiar expressions as they encircled the little girl, scrutinizing her intently.
Take her away?
Ugh… these foul goblins.
Perhaps recalling unpleasant memories, Lin Yu’s irritation toward the goblins grew sharper.
Still, she held back the Weak Ants from intervening immediately.
Ten Class D Weak Ants and five unclassified ones lurked nearby. Though uncertain of the goblins’ exact strength, their level likely barely reached Class D in this area.
This squad of Weak Ants could effortlessly crush them.
But…
Goblins are monsters… and monsters attacking humans seems natural.
Come to think of it, we’re monsters too.
If we save her, we might not receive gratitude but instead get reported to her superiors—then hordes of humans would come hunting us.
Hm, an isekai twist on "The Farmer and the Snake"? Though roles seem reversed.
Regardless, we’ll stay hidden for now. Those goblins don’t appear intent on killing her anyway.
At that moment, the goblins ceased their examination. Shrieking, they brandished wooden clubs and stone axes while lunging at the girl.
"Ah! Die!"
The girl flinched but gripped her sword tightly, thrusting a dagger into one goblin’s abdomen with a wet *thunk*. The blade sank to the hilt.
"Gah!! Gah!"
The wounded goblin howled.
Terrified by its cries, the girl struggled to yank the stuck dagger free as the other two goblins closed in.
"Gaba!"
The stone axe-wielder swung at her arm—a direct hit would cripple her slender limb.
Though panicked, the girl retained enough presence of mind to release the dagger. But her reaction came a heartbeat too late—
*Swish.*
The crude stone axe tore across her left forearm, carving a broad shallow gash that lifted flecks of flesh.
"Ah!!"
Agony ripped a scream from her throat, blanking her thoughts.
Another club swung from the opposite side.
*Thud—*
Wood cracked against her skull.
She collapsed instantly after a choked whimper.
"Gaba!"
"Gaba!!"
Victorious, the goblins capered wildly.
The gut-stabbed goblin wrenched the dagger free with a *squelch*. Recognizing its superior sharpness, it ignored its bleeding wound to wave the prize overhead, screeching triumphantly.
Amid their celebration, shadows erupted from surrounding bushes—Weak Ants ambushing the unprepared goblins.
Three to four ants swarmed each target. Within seconds, snapped necks silenced the goblins forever.
…
Lin Yu observed everything unfold.
She exhaled in relief.
Though wary of human retaliation, the girl’s unconscious state eliminated immediate risks.
Still… in just over twenty days, even Weak Ant offspring could easily overpower goblins now.
*Well done.*
Soon, Little Pupil and I will join them.
Yes! Little Pupil is Red Pupil—after so long together, using affectionate nicknames feels natural… Though truthfully, it was her idea. I couldn’t refuse at the time.
We need to arrive before the girl wakes. Why?
Because mysterious saviors shouldn’t reveal their faces! No names, no identities—just vanishing like shadows… Isn’t that perfectly cool?
Alright, it’s definitely not just to look cool.
Along the way, I chatted a bit with Little Pupil.
The main reason is information—after all, the Ant Tribe’s strength has surprised even me these past few months. There’s also the initial appraisal result of the Weak Ant:
/Weak Ant: An extremely weak species, nearly eradicated by other races before their numbers can grow. However, once their population expands, they become an unstoppable force no race can ignore.
As for numbers, not only the Weak Ants but even the Military Ants and other ant species have proliferated now.
The Weak Ants, Worker Ants, and Military Ants currently have the largest populations.
What if the Ant Tribe is categorized among monsters the human race must exterminate immediately upon discovery? Since this possibility can’t be dismissed, I can’t let this girl see the Ant Tribe’s true form.
What if she accidentally sees?
Then I’ll have no choice but to…
Kill her… Just kidding!
If it were Miyoshi Mitsui, maybe—but I can’t harm a cute girl, especially a child who stirs up maternal instincts!
Though I’m only three or four years older, I suppose I qualify as a mother figure?
Not that I want to admit it… I’ve lost count of how many children I have now.
The idea of being a "young girl" feels so distant now. It’s a bit melancholic.
Ahem! Anyway!
If it comes to that, I’ll just invite her to stay at my home.
The duration? Let’s say… a lifetime.
My home is quite spacious! Starting from the First Ant Nest in the original stone cave, the Second Ant Nest housing the Goblin Tribe and mines, the Third Ant Nest in the Fog Zone, then the Fourth and Fifth Ant Nests up north.
With such vast territory to roam freely, it’s hardly imprisonment!
Imprisoning a child? That’s criminal!
…
Alright, getting sidetracked.
To avoid trapping her in the forest forever, I’ll first cover her eyes with leaves and rope.
Since ants struggle with delicate tasks, I sent Little Pupil to fetch a goblin from the Second Ant Nest and gather supplies. Hopefully, the girl won’t wake up—or my daughters will have to knock her out again.
