After hearing Netero's explanation, Ron finally pieced everything together.
On the surface, the Chimera Ant incident appeared to be a disaster originating from the Dark Continent, but in reality it was a deliberate design by humans. Based on Oster's experiments, they had developed the Ant Queen. From beginning to end, the entire affair had been under human control. The Queen's continued presence in NGL was nothing more than a choice made by NGL's ruling elite. The people killed by the Chimera Ants were not truly their victims alone—the higher-ups of NGL had abandoned them.
The Ant King's invasion of the Republic of East Gorteau was also not a matter of coincidence. That country had rotted from within, and the V5 merely used the opportunity to conduct a complete purge. Every human death was part of another human's design. The Chimera Ants were nothing more than tools.
The true orchestrators of the catastrophe were the V5, who sought to open the curtain on a new era, to better explore the Dark Continent, and to bring back more resources. Revolution always required sacrifice, no matter the world or era.
Ron did not know how to process such a plan, but from the perspective of an individual, he felt many of the people caught in it were pitiable. Too many innocent deaths had been written off.
There was also Kite. To call his encounter with the Ants unfortunate was true, yet in a sense it was also fortunate, after reincarnation, Kite's very life level had transformed. Before, his ceiling was that of an A-rank Nen user. After reincarnation, he could reach even greater heights.
But the great tide of humanity was something Ron could not stop, and he had no desire to try.
"Every era has its tragedies. Perhaps this is simply what it means to be human. All I can do is focus on what lies within my own hands."
He glanced at the crystal ball before him. Its progress had already reached forty percent.
"Now that I think about it, when Netero told the King to 'experience the malice of humanity,' it was not only about the Poor Man's Rose. After all, the Rose was just a weapon. What he truly meant was the entire Chimera Ant affair. The King believed himself to be a sovereign, yet he was nothing but a pitiful, ignorant tool. Humanity was the true mastermind. This matches what happened in the original storyline."
Before coming to NGL, Ron had many doubts. Why did the Hunter Association, and Netero in particular, bring only Morel and Knov—both with support-type abilities—when the Association had many stronger Hunters available? Why did the V5 not send a single representative to such an event? Why did Netero proceed against the Chimera Ants in gradual stages? Why, when humanity knew the King had already taken East Gorteau, did they not intervene decisively, but instead allow the entire nation to collapse?
"I wonder how Gyro will feel once he realizes this. If nothing unexpected happens, sooner or later he will. But even then, opposing the V5 would be nearly impossible for him. And yet, perhaps it is not impossible. The old era is ending, and a new one is about to arrive. Nothing remains unchanged forever."
Ron turned to Netero. "Netero-senpai, when do we act?"
"Not yet. Wait a little longer."
Morel and Knov had already contacted a medical team, which was flying toward NGL as fast as possible.
.............
.....
.
Meanwhile, Colt had returned to the nest. But the number of Chimera Ants remaining there was very few—only a handful of division leaders and squad captains. An octopus Ant had given the Queen some preliminary treatment, barely keeping her alive, but there was little more it could do.
"Where are the others?"
"They've all left." The polar bear Ant showed a helpless expression. "Once they decided to go, we couldn't stop them. Not just them—even most of the squad captains and grunts followed. Now, in the nest, only we remain.
Colt, how are things on your side?"
Colt replied, "The humans agreed to my request. They will be sending a medical team soon. I can only hope their technology can save the Queen."
"And what terms did you give them? Humans will not help us for nothing."
The ox Ant asked. Colt nodded. "Of course. I promised that from now on we will not kill humans without reason. I will also give them information on those Chimera Ants who have gone off to claim their own territories. And everything I know about the King and the Royal Guard."
The reason he agreed to such terms, and declared them openly, was twofold. On one hand, such a deal was attractive enough to ensure the humans cooperation, and the other Ants would not suspect his motives. On the other, it served as a warning to the Ants who had not yet left: if they abandoned the nest, he would hand their information over to humanity.
Whether to stay or leave was for each to decide. Many had already gone, and Colt did not want to see more departures. The Queen needed people here.
Soon, Morel and Knov arrived before Netero. "Chairman Netero, the medical team has arrived."
The sound of an airship's engines filled the air. Ron looked up.
Netero nodded. "Ron, I must ask this of you again."
"It's fine."
The four of them bent their knees and leapt skyward, landing on the deck of the airship. The medical staff were ready, and their equipment was stacked nearby. Knov opened his dimensional space and sent the supplies inside.
Ron drew out a Zodiac card. "Accompany, Colt."
In an instant, aura wrapped around them all. They soared higher into the sky, accelerating rapidly toward the nest. Before long, they closed in.
The division leaders in the nest seemed to sense something and looked upward.
Boom!
Ron and the others landed before Colt. The Ants tensed, but only Colt showed a look of relief.
"You've finally arrived!"
Netero gave a slight nod. "We brought the medical team. Where is your Queen?"
"This way, please follow me," Colt said quickly, taking the lead.