Re:Ant Lord-Chapter 79: Power Rules

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Shock struck him deep. He struggled to find breath. "So he will escape punishment because of his mother’s rank?"

Mia’s expression steeled. "Because his mother is Seven-Star, and because our kingdom holds power above all else. We honor birthright more than any act of treachery. His mother’s lineage shields him. I grieve your losses, Kai. I share your fury. But I must follow the ancient statutes. If I pressed his wrongdoing here, the war hall might side with birth rather than deed. You and your comrades could be branded as liars. You could be punished instead of him."

Kai and Mia, they exchanged disquieted glances. Kai felt his world tremble. He felt time’s slow weight bear down upon him. "But this... this is injustice!" Kai whispered. "I almost lay down my life for this kingdom... yet a traitor lives because of his birthright! Princess, if you cannot punish him, then what hope is left?"

Mia’s eyes filled with compassion and sorrow. She reached out, but no one dared break ranks. "I know this stings. Fate seems blind when old laws choke fresh blood. I promise you, Kai, and all who suffered—that I will seek the Queen’s counsel. I will argue for change when the time is right. But today, we must not press the matter. Our people need hope, not scandal. They need unity, not civil strife."

Then she whispered into Kai’s ear, "If you are strong enough then deal with him outside the ant kingdom. No one will question you. I will make sure of that. You have my full support."

Kai closed his eyes and felt the distant echo of Darius’s laughter in his mind. He ground his mandibles in frustration, then bowed his head. There was nothing more he could say.

Mia continued, voice gentle. "Now... There is another matter. The star crystals you retrieved, now they belong to the Royal Treasury." She raised her hand. Instantly, two crystalline screens shimmered to life at her side, each glowing with pale blue runes.

"Listen well, Kai." she said. "When I sent you all to the star crystal mine, it was under the seal of secrecy. The Queen did not grant me permission to send an expedition. But I took that risk for all our futures. I asked your team to bring back as many crystals as you could, for my personal reasons. You believed in my cause and you labored in the shadows to fulfill it."

As she spoke, her tone softened further, drawing images of hidden labor and midnight departures behind enemy lines. Kai’s chest burned with guilty longing. He remembered the harsh climb down the hill, the cave’s dripping crystals, the searing cold that cut through his shell. He had spilled sweat and blood for these stones.

"Now that my secret is out," Mia declared, "the Queen’s edict is clear: all crystals must be turned over to the Royal Treasury. Not a single fragment may be kept outside her vaults. Those who currently hold any crystals must deliver them immediately... no questions asked. A royal custodian will come to collect it."

Kai’s thoughts roared, "My Soul Cube holds the liquid essence... Hundreds of liters. I also have over fifty star crystals. I don’t care what the queen order is. No one can take my things. I don’t have to worry about anything."

"Kai, you already showed a crystal in the War Hall," Mia said, gaze resting on Kai. "That piece will be collected by the Crown’s envoy. Do not argue. Do not hide. Hand it over with your name and rank. Failure to comply is treason against the throne." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Mia sighed, remorse brewing in her voice. "I am sorry for burdening you with this change. I know you risked all for me. And I can only promise that... I will do what I can to ensure Renna survives his injuries, and somehow heal his arms. I cannot right every wrong today, but I will try to make amends."

Kai felt tears sting behind his eyes. He swallowed hard. He must comply, there was no choice.

"My Princess," he said formally, voice vibrating with emotion, "I... I have only a few crystals. We managed to carry three small shards, and Darius seized the rest. Those he buried in the mine to keep behind us."

He forced words carefully. "I... I wish to give you two. As a gift for your courage, for your faith in us. Please, take these. You can use them as you see fit. I know you want them for some reason. Please use them. I won’t tell anyone about it. It will be a secret between us."

Kai reached into his worn leather pouch and produced two luminous star crystals. Each no larger than a ping-pong ball, yet it glowing with deep inner light. Their facets caught the torch‑gleam and shimmered with promise.

Mia’s eyes widened in surprise. She bent, letting one crystal float into her palm. She did not slip it into her robe or pass it to a clerk. Instead, she studied it like a stray star.

Kai added with a blush face, "I... I gift these two to you. May they aid you in turning your fortune back to our people."

Mia’s lips curved in a small, sad smile. She lifted the crystal to her forehead, murmuring a silken wordless prayer. Then she said softly, "Your generosity honors me, Kai." She pocketed two crystals in between her melons. "I will keep your gift to remind me of your comrades’ sacrifice."

As she spoke, a gentle chime sounded deep inside Kai’s mind:

[Ding! Princess Mia’s Impression +5. Current Impression: 20]

A warmth blossomed in his chest—pure, fervent. Mia’s eyes flicked up to meet his, and for one brief second, he saw more than courtesy: he saw pride and gratitude. He also saw her melons shine like stars. Kai lost his calm mind. Kai’s Ant rod tries to rise from slumber. It wanted to play with her jade-like body.

For a second his hormones let him forget all the pains. But his mind was interrupted by Mia’s voice. "Thank you," she whispered. "That... means more than you know. You... acted like a true knight."