"The insect swarms across the continent are all retreating, and the Great Locust Wall has weathered its most difficult stretch. The commanders are planning a counterattack. They intend to drive the swarms all the way back into the Gray Desert and confine them there permanently.
"Given that the swarms can't be completely eradicated, this is a very reasonable solution."
On the bridge of the Scarlet Dawn, Murphy's personal intelligence officer, Adele, was briefing him on the latest developments. She said:
"If the Gray Desert's ecosystem remains as it is, the swarms will have access to less and less biomass. According to the two entomologists, Hive Zero will become an ordinary large hive in about ten years.
"The threat here has been completely eliminated, but the real problem isn't Hive Zero, Master.
"The swarms have already begun to spread, especially the underwater swarms that the merfolk encountered earlier.
"They may have been preparing in advance.
"By Miss Nova's most pessimistic estimate, the people of this continent will probably have to learn to coexist with the insects for a long time. The good news is that Scale Father is dead, and Hades's timely takeover will ensure that the swarms don't produce another Scale Father. Their mysterious hive mind will also be completely dispersed. After that, the swarms will divide into regions and evolve and reproduce in different forms.
"Perhaps, in the distant future, they'll become one of this world's civilizations.
"The people of Sangha would be happy to take care of that. Prince Khufu just suggested that I discuss the matter with you."
"Khufu can talk to whoever he wants. Just don't let it be me."
Murphy sat in the captain's chair, looking as if he were slacking off. In truth, he was using the Creator's observation system to survey the situation