November 5.
Gelman was summoned to Granny Lin Nie's room. A maid then left the sitting room.
Granny Lin Nie sat in her wheelchair on the balcony, basking in the sun. Hearing someone arrive, she slowly turned her head, narrowed her eyes, and gave him a kindly smile.
"Sit." Her withered fingers pointed to the chair across from the tea table.
Gelman sat down, then looked at Granny Lin Nie. "What did you want to see me about?"
Actually, he already had a pretty good idea.
In all of Rimuru Castle, there were only two people who had never asked him—or tried to sound him out—about his thoughts on the Chimera Ant Extermination War. One was Shizuku, and the other was Granny Lin Nie.
He could set Shizuku aside for now. Why hadn't Granny Lin Nie said a word about it? That was what had been bothering Gelman, and he expected to get his answer now.
"The Ant Queen is dead." Granny Lin Nie didn't bother beating around the bush. Her expression was calm. "The Ant King has been born. It happened far earlier than expected. Something is very wrong."
She opened her eyes and smiled at Gelman.
"This is still classified, but with the Ant Queen dead, the Chimera Ants have lost their restraints. It's only a matter of time before they invade the countries and territories around the NGL Autonomous Region."
"In other words, in two or three days, word that the Chimera Ants are out of control and spreading will reach the whole world. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to die or be injured in the months ahead."
"And that's not even considering the Ant King and his three Royal Guards, whose whereabouts are unknown. They're the most terrifying of the Chimera Ants. Isaac's estimate