After gradually wiping out five of the Coalition Army's detached units, Rowan's forces had killed some 120,000 to 130,000 Red and Black Ants. Rowan's own troops had lost around 10,000, but with Mobile Squads steadily arriving to reinforce them, the Swarm's numbers hadn't decreased—in fact, they'd grown by more than 20,000.
The Coalition Army finally realized something was wrong and hurriedly recalled its troops, gathering its forces back together.
But after just half a day, the reunited army had already shrunk by several rings when viewed from above.
Rowan no longer felt much of a threat. He'd been so wary of the Red Ants at first because he hadn't understood them. Now that they'd laid all their cards on the table, dealing with an opponent that was so slow-moving and had such limited scouting methods was easy.
As they continued their march, the Red and Black Ant Coalition Army gradually realized they seemed to have walked into a cage. Any scouting team sent out would mysteriously disappear as soon as it got some distance from the main force.
Confusing landmark pheromones were everywhere along the way, making it impossible to tell which direction they should go. They didn't dare split up again, so they could only grit their teeth and press on.
Day turned to night, and a whole day passed in no time. The Coalition Army was astonished to find traces of its own passage from the previous day. And indeed, after a full day's march, Rowan's constant guidance had led them in circles.
As soon as their scouts left the main force, Scout Bugs spotted them. Mobile Squads riding Transport Bugs then lay in ambush ahead of them and quickly wiped them out.
Afterward, the Spy Bugs accompanying the troops would erase the scouting teams' tracks and set