Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree-Chapter 515: Cleanup

The Duke landed at the command post on the defense line, conveying the news that the Nest had been destroyed by Wizard Herbert to Earl Hardy, Vivian, and others.

Upon hearing the news, everyone finally relaxed their tense nerves, showing expressions of relief.

Although they knew that other threats might still lurk on the Florence Continent or even the entire Wizard Plane, at least, in the battle of Maple Hill County, they had achieved a stage victory.

They were just ordinary members of the Wizard Plane and did not have much capability to do more.

What the Duke and the others could do was merely to protect this piece of home.

The destruction of the Nest significantly reduced the pressure on the border, but the Duke did not rest at ease.

The scattered Insect Race, lacking unified command and spread across Silver County and surrounding territories, might not pose a major threat, but if left unchecked, they would still pose a continual threat to civilian safety and territorial security, even potentially forming new, small-scale nests in some corners.

The Void Insect Race always seized the opportunity to build nests so that even if the main Nest was destroyed, the species could continue to develop.

Those Nest embryos were like sparks, keeping their hope of continuation alive.

Once a Nest embryo remained undiscovered, the Void Insect Race could revive from the ashes.

Based on known information, the will of these Nest embryos is a collective consciousness with previous memories.

According to limited research, the will of the Void Insect Race’s Nest can "see" everything seen, touched, or smelled by each Insect Race.

The Nest’s will is equivalent to being able to see everything all Insect Race sees, as long as they hatch from that Nest.

This is another characteristic of the Void Insect Race, information sharing.

This also explains why a Nest can command so many Insect Race simultaneously, as each Insect Race serves as the eyes and ears of the Nest, which acts as the brain for each Insect Race.

Each time a new Nest embryo appears, it inherits all the memory information from the previous Nest, acting as a clone.

However, unlike a clone, it is indeed a new Nest, only inheriting all the information of the previous Nest.

These Nests are also connected, communicating and passing information among each other.

However, there seems to be some distance limitation, unable to conduct remote command like a Nest commanding Insect Race.

The exact communication distance of a Nest is still unknown and requires further research.

What is confirmed is that distance and the level of the Nest are directly related.

The higher the level of the Nest, the more it can transmit information over long distances to Nests in other locations.

If a receiving Nest’s level is not high enough, it likely cannot transmit information back.

When Herbert was purging that Level 2 Nest underwater, that Level 2 Nest likely transmitted a broad range of information before it died, informing all Nests within its communicable range.

This is something Herbert is very aware of; he cannot prevent the Nest from sending this information.

At least until obtaining a thorough understanding of the Void Insect Race, it’s unknown how to intercept such transmissions between Nests.

Herbert specifically reminded the Duke to complete the cleansing work attentively as the Nest development strategy of the Void Insect Race is very strong.

Upon receiving the information from the underwater Nest, they would inevitably alter their development strategy, likely shifting from rampant expansion to discreet, concealed development.

This development speed would be much slower, but safer, also more conducive to the growth of the species on this Plane.

"We must seize this opportunity to completely cleanse." The Duke stated in the war room, his finger sweeping across the regions of Silver County and surrounding territories on the map. "Our legion will take proactive actions, plowing through and rooting out these hidden threats."

Orders were swiftly issued through the Control Talisman, prompting the already prepared Slave Creature Legion into action, like efficient killing machines stepping beyond the defense lines of Maple Hill County.

This time, it was not about holding the fort but about attacking.

The battle group swept across the devastated Silver County like a comb, operating by squads.

With the Rock Armor Heavy Army as the main force marching with heavy steps, crushing any sporadic resistances that dared to stand in the way, the Shadow Hunting Dog and Blade-winged Demon were tasked with scouring mountain forests and caves, finding and eliminating hidden Insect Races.

Various slave creatures spread like a tide, orderly conducting the cleansing operation.

Without the Nest’s consciousness, these Insect Races were completely scattered and powerless against the well-organized and commanded Slave Creature Legion, making the sweeping actions progress exceptionally rapidly.

As the Slave Creature Corps advanced toward other adjacent territories, the Duke also arranged to clearly communicate his actions to the still-shaken lords.

This was not a negotiation but a notice.

The lords, who were previously distraught over sporadic Insect Races appearing in their territories, responded in surprisingly uniform agreement upon receiving the Duke’s firmly worded notice.

They might have felt a bit upset about their territorial sovereignty being ignored or full of fear toward this powerful, inhuman legion, but more so felt relief and gratitude at having survived a disaster.

"We will follow Duke Wizard’s arrangements wholeheartedly!"

"We will fully cooperate!"

"Master, thank you for your hard work; we entrust the remaining Insect Races in our territories to you!"

...

Flattering, submissive, even slightly ingratiating responses quickly came from each lord’s manor.

Not only did they not dare to obstruct, they proactively dispatched familiar guides and officials in charge of coordination and opened limited supply points, hoping that this mighty legion would promptly eliminate the threats within their territories.

Thus, in this corner of the southwest Florence Continent, a peculiar scene unfolded.

Led by the Duke himself or under his commanders, the Slave Creature Legion roamed freely through territories traditionally belonging to different nobles; wherever they went, the lords cooperated respectfully, and the populace watched from a distance with fear tinged with a glimmer of hope as the silent, mighty army drove out and destroyed the rampant Insect Race monsters from their homes.

This sweeping purge lasted for several weeks.

Millions of scattered Insect Races were completely eradicated, and numerous Nest embryos, which could harbor new threats, were nipped in the bud.

The Duke’s name, following the footsteps of the Slave Creature Corps, was indelibly imprinted into the hearts of every survivor on this land with a blend of awe and gratitude.