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"Kai… Kai… Kai…
A mere worker ant, a weak and pathetic loser, an insignificant newcomer, had not only disobeyed my command but had also drawn the interest of Princess Mia. It is unacceptable."
Darius had spent years proving his worth, rising through the ranks, fighting, bleeding, and conquering enemies for the Ant Kingdom. His one and only wish was to make Mia his girlfriend or wife—or at least bed her once. Yet, in one day, a low-level ant who hadn't even transformed had managed to take the spotlight from him and also humiliate him.
Mia's words echoed in his head again and again: "He managed to impress me twice within a single day. Something you haven't done in years, Captain Darius!"
Darius's mandibles ground together in rage. He could not allow this. Kai had to be removed. He had worked so hard to get into his position.
Captain Darius was only a few steps away from his goal—a secret task given to him by someone very important. He only needed to get into Princess Mia's close circle to get some information. If he completed his task, that person would remove Princess Mia from the Ant Kingdom and let Darius have fun with her.
Captain Darius thought, "I am only a three-star rank ant. I will never be able to make Princess Mia my woman. But if I complete my task..." He laughed with a perverted face, "Hak! Hak! Hak! She will warm my bed every day. I can't let anyone else get close to her. I must remove this lowly and pathetic ant, Kai."
But he couldn't be killed directly; Mia had already taken an interest in him. If Darius attacked openly, it would only make her more curious.
"Yes… I need a way to get rid of Kai without suspicion," Darius murmured to himself. And he knew exactly how.
Darius turned to his personal guards, two of his most loyal subordinates, Vice Captain Lior and Vex. They were both two-star soldier ants—strong and utterly devoted to him.
"The newcomer is a problem," Darius said coldly. "He needs to be... relocated."
Vice Captain Lior, a hulking brute of an ant, smirked. "You want him gone, Captain?"
Darius nodded. "Yes. But we can't act too openly. Princess Mia is watching him. If we strike now, she'll suspect something."
Vice Captain Vex, leaner and more cunning, narrowed his eyes. "Then we send him outside the kingdom."
Darius's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Exactly. The next hunting expedition is in two days. We'll assign Kai to the team as a mere porter."
Lior laughed. "A worker ant carrying supplies in the wild? He won't last a day."
Darius folded his arms. "That's the point. He will be dead—or at least badly injured."
The hunting grounds outside the kingdom were dangerous, filled with wild beasts, rogue ants, and far more deadly predators. If Kai was sent out with the hunting team, there was no guarantee he would return.
And even if he did survive... he would return injured, weaker, humiliated, and exhausted.
The next morning, a gentle golden glow illuminated the corridors of the Ant Kingdom. The colony hummed with activity as ants of various ranks prepared for the upcoming expedition. Captain Darius paced impatiently within his chambers, his mind swirling with dark thoughts and bitter envy.
Suddenly, a knock interrupted his brooding. Vice Captain Vex entered swiftly, a delicate scroll clasped in his hand. His lean figure carried the same sinister calmness as always, eyes sharp and calculating.
"Captain Darius," Vex said respectfully, bowing slightly. "A message came from Princess Mia."
Darius's brow twitched nervously. He took the scroll hastily and unrolled it, scanning the elegant handwriting of the princess. His eyes widened slightly as he read:
Captain Darius,
I have observed that Kai possesses significant potential but lacks proper battle experience. Assign him tasks which will help develop his combat skills. Ensure that he gets genuine training. I expect him to get stronger.
-Princess Mia.
Darius stared at the letter, grinding his teeth audibly. For a moment, rage surged through him, but then a slow smile formed on his lips. This was exactly what he needed.
"Perfect," Darius muttered darkly, glancing at Vex. "The princess herself wants him tested. If he perishes during battle, no blame can fall on me."
"Hek! Hek! Hek!" he laughed.
Vex's eyes glinted with understanding. "Precisely, Captain. You're merely following royal orders."
Darius chuckled cruelly. "Indeed. And if he dies out there, the princess's curiosity will fade, and my path will clear once more."
Vex bowed his head. "Shall I summon Kai now, Captain?"
"No," Darius said, straightening his posture. "I will fetch him myself. I want him to understand exactly how serious this is."
Without another word, Darius strode out of his chamber, flanked silently by Vex. The corridors parted swiftly as ants recognized the feared captain. Darius's mind churned with twisted satisfaction. Soon enough, Kai would vanish, and Mia would be his to pursue once again.
It wasn't long before Darius reached the worker ant quarters, a simpler area bustling with activity. Most ants immediately lowered their heads respectfully, quickly retreating upon seeing his approach. Near the far end, Darius spotted Kai, quietly preparing equipment under the supervision of senior workers.
"Kai," Darius barked loudly, his voice dripping with contempt.
Kai turned sharply, clearly startled by the sudden appearance of the captain. He quickly lowered his head respectfully, though suspicion danced in his eyes.
"Dari... Ahem! Captain Darius." Kai's voice was steady, but Darius noted the faint quiver of unease.
Darius folded his arms arrogantly. "You have caught the attention of Princess Mia. She wishes to see if you have what it takes to survive beyond these walls."
Kai stiffened, his antennae twitching slightly. "What does that mean?"
Darius's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You will accompany the next hunting expedition tomorrow morning. You'll serve as a porter, but Princess Mia expects you to participate in combat when necessary."
Kai's mandibles clicked together sharply. He thought, "Darius. This bastard... This bastard thinks he's sending me to die. We'll see who survives."