South of the Insect Nest lay steep cliffs, while lakes and rivers blocked the east. Even so, with only the west connected to the fan-shaped region to the north, the Swarm's territory was rapidly expanding as the three armies continued their advance.
As the days passed, Rowan sent out more than a hundred Ant Queens, one after another, to guard and develop new territories.
The Swarm continued to grow, but it was still a long way from being able to face the Earth-Yellow Ant army head-on.
The monotonous days dragged on. No internet, no phone, no games, no newspapers—not even a living creature he could talk to.
Loneliness enveloped Rowan. Gradually, the reports sent back by the three armies every three days became what he looked forward to most. They were the only diversion in his dull life.
Unfortunately, although the Ant Queens had some intelligence, they were only intelligent compared with ordinary Worker Ants and Soldier Ants. They couldn't write about what they saw and heard along the way in a vivid, engaging way. They didn't even use a single unnecessary word. Their reports were always plain and simple, leaving Rowan with little to go on.
Rowan was so bored that he felt he might die of depression if he didn't find something to do. Sometimes he would lie on a tree trunk, looking at the lake in the distance, and even get the urge to try swimming to see if he could evolve the ability to breathe underwater.
Fortunately, his reason still held the upper hand, barely suppressing these suicidal impulses.
But as his restlessness grew, the high ground of his rationality would gradually be worn away.
Just as he was getting more and more restless, eager to try some new way of courting death, good news finally