Evolution begins with an ant colony-Chapter 270: No Choice

As Hestria approached the massive gates that surrounded the castle and other important sections of the city, she felt a mix of nerves and seriousness. With each step closer, the weight of her mission pressed heavier on her shoulders. She squared them, resolving herself, and approached the guards stationed at the entrance.

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With a calm voice, she introduced herself, stating her name and her purpose. "I am Hestria, one of the magic knights sent to retrieve cores to save the capital," she explained, her tone firm but respectful.

The guards recognized her, their expressions shifting from initial suspicion to recognition and respect. They exchanged a brief glance before nodding in acknowledgment. "We’ve been expecting you, Lady Hestria," one of them said, his voice echoing against the massive walls.

The guard looked around and noticed she seemed to be alone, finding that odd he asked, "Unless I’m mistaken, didn’t you go with a small squadron of 50?"

As he spoke, Hestria was physically shaken. Flashes of how she and her squadron were wiped out by Leandor played before her eyes, sending chills down her spine. Pausing for a moment, she then spoke up, saying, "That also includes part of the news I wish to deliver to the king."

The guards glanced at each other, understanding her meaning. Moving at the same time, the guards operated the mechanisms, slowly opening the massive gates. The heavy iron structures creaked as they parted, revealing the path to the castle beyond. Hestria nodded gratefully, her heart pounding with anticipation.

As the gates swung open, she stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the inner sanctum of the city. Two other knights, stationed by the castle doors, approached her with calm expressions. Without a word, they fell into step beside her, their presence a silent reassurance as they escorted her towards the massive castle doors.

As Hestria walked into the castle with the guards by her side, Oliver couldn’t help but mutter, "So now both of us will just stand around and wait, ’hoping’ she comes back with good news."

Leona felt the sting in his words but chose not to reply. Oliver then suggested, "Just standing around is boring. Let’s take a walk in the city."

Leona firmly responded, "No, we should wait for Hestria."

"And... what exactly would be the point of that?" Oliver asked Leona as he leaned in close, hoping she would explain why she had not only decided to waste their time but also bore him to death.

"Oliver, this isn’t the time for one of your games," Leona said, directing her piercing gaze at him. She added, "We are here for a mission. It would be best if you directed all your attention to ensuring we can infiltrate the castle if Hestria starts to waste too much time."

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"Why infiltrate? Why don’t we just break in? It’s not like anybody here would be able to stop us if we decided to," Oliver asked in a nonchalant tone, as if he were silently challenging Leona’s decision to make Hestria have an audience with the king.

Leona sighed and mumbled, "Well, it doesn’t matter. Once it’s time to do what we have to do, then we will do it."

"Are you sure you’re ready for it? Even if blood has to be spilled?" Oliver asked as he leaned in. For a moment, there was absolute silence. Leona didn’t utter a word, yet she and Oliver were locked in an intense gaze.

Oliver then sighed and mumbled, "I agree, it doesn’t matter. After all, you’ll be making a decision soon." He smiled at then end, while he turned around to face the crowd of people going about their activities in the city.

Suddenly, sounds of footsteps could be heard along with voices yelling, "Clear the area!" Leona was slightly caught off guard, wondering what was the cause of the sudden commotion, Oliver’s small smile widned.

As they turned their sights toward the source of the sounds, trying to find out what was going on, they could see a group of guards charging toward them, knights holding spears, swords, and shields.

Seeing the group of guards approach, Oliver’s smile widned yet again, knowing this was his doing.

Leona silently noticed Oliver’s smile. She then mumbled, "What are you up to now?" She asked, knowing Oliver somehow had a hand in whatever was going on.

"Me? I didn’t do anything," Oliver replied in a smug tone, hinting at the fact that he was being sarcastic.

Leona narrowed her gaze at him as she added, "And that’s the thing. You doing ’nothing’ is most likely what led to this scenario."

The guards approached, stopping and then surrounding Oliver and Leona. Among the knights, Aron emerged, now with a healed shoulder. He pointed his sword at Leona and Oliver as he said, "Now let’s try this again. Both of you are under arrest. Come quietly or else we will have to use force."

Despite the situation they were in, Leona still remained calm. Oliver suddenly broke out into laughter, causing the guards to narrow their gazes as they felt Oliver was looking down on them. Oliver then placed his hand on Leona’s right shoulder as he spoke in a playful tone, "Ah, decisions, decisions. What should we do, Leona? We are surrounded, and these guards want to arrest us.

Do we go with them and let our mission fail, or do we cut them down? It’s your call."

Oliver had finally put Leona in a scenario where she had to make a choice. It was either she listened to her liege’s orders to use force if necessary or risk being arrested and fail the mission her liege had sent her on. Either way, she was basically left with no choice in this senario.

Seems I’ll have to see those kinds of faces again, Leona mused inwardly. She was referring to the faces of the Kingins and evolved ants that died in the alternate timeline during the Crimson Blooming. Due to the cosmic entity favoring Akun, only the guardians that survived along with the guards who were alive in that timeline retained their memories when the timeline was combined.

Leona had developed a slight weakness for seeing such powerless faces of the people as they faced a mindless massacre and hoped she wouldn’t have to see such faces again.

But it seemed she had no choice but to revisit such a scene again for the sake of her mission. Slowly reaching for her katana on her waist, she spoke to Oliver in a calm, commanding tone, "Oliver, assist me in removing these humans. They are getting in the way." She swiftly pulled out her katana.

Aron then yelled, "What do you think you are doing? You are surrounded! Stand down now!"

Oliver smiled, reaching out his hand and pulling out his bow from his inventory. He wore a smug grin as he mumbled, "I thought you would never ask," his eyes shining slightly with his green mana.