Chapter 38 (1/2)

Translator: Atlas Studios

Editor: Atlas Studios

To System’s surprise, his lies and suspicion earned him Foolish’s loyalty.

Foolish had not hesitated to attack the mouse even after System had revealed that the was not the ant queen.

System examined Foolish’s crippled body, shattered head, and the bleeding wounds where its legs were supposed to be, and felt touched.

“Why did you do that?”

For some reason, System sent a telepathic message to Foolish once again. “I’m not the ant queen. I’m a grasshopper.”

“…”

Foolish did not reply and remained silent. It opened its mouth and showed its mandibles, staying in its position to protect System. However, the remaining antenna on its head trembled slightly, proving it had received System’s message.

“I’m a grasshopper, not an ant queen.”

System kept sending the same message to Foolish.

“No, you’re, ant… queen.”

Finally, Foolish responded to System. Its telepathic message was firm, and it seemed like it did not want to admit that System was not its ant queen.

“… I’m not.”

System sighed and tried to explain again, though he also was unaware why he insisted on telling this to Foolish. Although he was aware Foolish would likely turn against him if it understood, he still did it anyway.

“You’re… ant queen.” Foolish seemed to be reluctant to admit the truth.

However, in the next moment, Foolish said something that exceeded System’s expectations.

Foolish seemed to have figured something out and sent a message to System, “You are, ant… queen, no, you are, queen.”

System was stunned for a second. Then he recalled speaking to her a lot after their encounter because he had been lonely and had not cared whether she would understand or not.

Probably, that was when Foolish had learned the word queen.

“… Why do you think I’m the queen?” asked System.

This time, Foolish did not send him a telepathic message. Instead, she used [Spirit Connection] to show him several images.

Amongst them was the image of System giving Foolish the transparent stone, the image of System chatting with Foolish using [Spirit Connection], the image of System ordering Foolish to eat plenty of food so that she would not starve anymore, and the image of System gently petting Foolish’s head using his foreleg…

Several scenes, which were insignificant to System, connected, and he sensed Foolish’s gratitude and excitement from them.

“Is that why you think of me as a queen?” asked System through a telepathic message.

“Yes.”

Foolish gave an affirmative response, and System knew that if his body could move, he would be smiling.

“Nonsense! How can I be called a queen when I’m a male?” asked System in a relaxed tone.

Foolish did not seem to understand what he meant. She slowly turned her body using its remaining foreleg and showed System a puzzled look.

System looked at Foolish and the ant larvae curled next to him before he suddenly came to a realization. Be it Foolish or those ant larvae, he could earn their trust without lying about his identity.

He did not have to lie about being the ant queen!

System said, “Don’t call me Queen, that’s for females. Call me, King. As long as I’m still here, I’ll be your King.”

“King?” asked Foolish, confused.

Obviously, she could not fully understand what exactly System was talking about.

“The king is someone that has been elected as the highest administrator by the people of the world because of his wisdom and ability.”

System remembered the explanation of the concept of king in his previous life. Whether or not Foolish could understand, System still sent the telepathic message.

Evidently, Foolish did not quite understand its meaning. She pondered for an extended period before sending a message again. “You, are the King, then, what am I?”

“You, you’re a soldier ant… No, since I’m the King, it’s not suitable to call you a soldier ant anymore, so you…”

System fell into contemplation when he suddenly recalled a class—knight!

In System’s previous life, knights abode to eight principles, and Foolish seemed to fulfill the criteria for most of them.

Humility!

Foolish was born not to be arrogant. Although she had the power to command normal worker ants, she had never been malicious towards them.

Sacrifice!

Did you have the courage to sacrifice yourself when it required you to pay a price to serve the majority’s interests?

It might be difficult for a normal, intelligent race, but it was an insignificant matter to the soldier ant, Foolish.

Bravery!

Undoubtedly, cowards were not worthy of the honorary title of knighthood. Those without courage could not even pass the test of knighthood.

And Foolish was born to fight bravely!

Faith!

As the human knights believed in religion and kings, the ants believed in their queen, and Foolish believed in him—System.

Honesty!