Re:Ant Lord-Chapter 80: Council Chamber

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Mia inclined her head, then turned gracefully toward the dais. The courtyard torches flickered as she passed. Kai exhaled, feeling the weight of the crystals lessen his spirit. He wanted to shout that this was wrong, that the law must change! But when think about the wounded figures of Vexor and Renna in the back of his mind, he knew silence was safer.

Before Kai could linger further, Mia’s voice rang out one final time: "Please, go and rest. You have earned every breath. When the Queen’s custodian comes, do not be afraid. You have my word that no further punishment awaits you—for your courage, for your service, and for your faith in me. I will call for you when it is safe to speak again."

Those parting words were a double‐edged promise: they freed him from immediate risk, yet shackled him anew to political secrets and fragile loyalties.

Kai bowed deeply. "Yes, Princess. Thank you."

He turned and, legs unsteady but spirit unbroken, he started to walk from the courtyard. Kai carried a secret spark, a single star of hope that, with Mia’s help, he would one day shatter the ancient law and redeem justice for every ant who bled in these halls. Once he reaches three star rank, he will kill captain Darius no matter the cost.

"Princess?" Kai called her for one last sentence.

She looked back at him, her figure framed in moonlight.

"Thank you... for believing in me. About Darius... I will do what you told me." His voice cracked.

Mia’s lips curved in a gentle smile. She bowed her head, her hair catching the lamplight. "In you, I see the change our kingdom needs."

With that, Kai turned and padded away down the polished marble path, each step echoing softly in the hush of night.

Behind him, Mia watched until he rounded the final arch. Then she whispered to the silver vines, "May truth find its way, even in darkness."

Next day...

The chill of dawn crept through the windows of the Healing Hive. Kai awoke on a cushioned mat of woven grass, sunlight filtering through golden resin panes. His limbs felt heavy but whole. Renna and Vexor rested on adjacent mats, wrapped in pale healing gel.

Meanwhile core area of ant kingdom, The Hall of Elders lay silent beneath rows of carved pillars, each etched with the storied victories of the Ant Kingdom. Twin crystal lanterns cast a pale, silver light along the stone benches, but the dais at the far end remained draped in near‑complete shadow.

It was here, at the very heart of power, that Princess Mia sought an audience with her mother, the Queen of the Anthill Realm.

Mia’s footsteps echoed softly on the polished floor as she led Kai to a side door, its frame inlaid with mother‑pearl. Beyond it lay the private Council Chamber which was reserved for the most delicate matters of state.

She entered first, pausing just inside the arched doorway. Kai followed, his antennae dipping respectfully. The air smelled of jasmine oil and distant incense, an unusual luxury in this austere wing of the palace.

A single bench stood before a large, shadowed throne. In the dimness, only the sweep of a golden wing and the shimmering outline of regal robes could be discerned. When Princess Mia spoke her mother’s name, "Mother", the hidden figure inclined her head, like a queen acknowledging battle flags on a distant plain.

"Mama," Mia began, her voice firm but soft, "I have brought Kai before you because his deeds merit your attention." She paused, adjusting the folds of her emerald robe. "He returned from the Star Crystal Mine with truth and courage. He saved lives, led his companions, and stood for justice even when betrayal stared him in the face."

The Queen’s wings rustled with quiet amusement, but not a word escaped her lips. Her face remained unseen, an unmoving mask of authority framed by shadow. Her figure was much more refined than Princess Mia. Her curves were like a river where a person could dive for eternity. Kai could only see the faintest glow of eight starlights forming a crown above her brow and those lights, as ever, held no warmth.

Mia swallowed. "Your Grace, in his hands we have a weapon one forged by loyalty rather than by blood. He could serve our Kingdom as no ant ever could. He wants justice for his loss. I request you to listen to his story."

For a long moment, the only sound was the soft drip of a hidden water feature beyond the throne. Finally, the Queen spoke, her voice low and cool as river water over stones.

"Your praise is eloquent, Daughter," she said. "But it cannot bend the laws of blood and birth."

Mia’s heart sank. She took a quiet breath. "Mother, Darius..."

"Captain Darius," the Queen corrected, her tone distant. She always values rank. "He was born of the House of the Seven Stars rank. One of the oldest noble lines in our kingdom. His mother’s petitions touch my hand with threads of unbreakable promise."

Mia’s eyes flickered. "But his betrayal..."

"A momentary flaw in a proud line," the Queen interrupted. "He will not face any punishment because his birthright stands above worker ants. Nor will I undermine the nobility of that line for a single act of treachery. There are millions of worker ants. It doesn’t matter if few of them died. It’s your fault that they died. You send them without my permission. You should take responsibility for what happened. You understand this is the way of our Kingdom."

The words fell like stone in Mia’s chest. She bowed her head, expression pinched by disappointment. "Yes, Mother."

The Queen gestured once, dismissively. "This council ends. Worker ant Kai, you may take your leave. Don’t cross your line. Remember one wrong move could be the end of your life." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

Mia turned to Kai. "I am so sorry," she whispered, voice breaking. "I tried to save you. I tried to save justice. But it was not enough."