On the outskirts of the NGL Autonomous Region.
The extermination team's temporary camp stood in a relatively open patch of woodland.
Morel rested his enormous pipe on his shoulder.
The purple smoke rings he had just exhaled slowly faded in midair.
Knov adjusted the reflective glasses on his nose.
The two had just cleared out a wave of grunts roaming the perimeter.
They were about to return to camp and report to Chairman Netero.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps came from the bushes ahead.
Accompanied by the rustle of leaves.
Morel immediately tightened his grip on his pipe.
His muscles tensed.
A sharp scalpel silently appeared in Knov's hand as well.
The leaves were roughly shoved aside.
A Chimera Ant with enormous bird wings stepped out.
Squadron Leader Colt.
But he made no move to attack.
In his hand, he held a white flag made from a ragged strip of cloth tied to a branch.
The white flag fluttered limply in the night wind.
Colt dragged his feet.
He approached Netero and the extermination team.
His legs suddenly gave out.
With a thud.
He dropped heavily to his knees on the dirt.
"I surrender."
Colt's voice was terribly hoarse.
It carried a despair that made their scalps prickle.
"Please."
"Save Her Majesty the Queen."
Morel froze.
His pipe hand hung in midair.
For a long time, he couldn't lower it.
A Chimera Ant Squadron Leader.
Was actually kneeling before a human extermination team, begging for medical help.
The sight was even more absurd than pigs flying.
"Big Bird."
Luo Ye's voice drifted lazily from behind them.
He had both hands tucked into his Hawaiian-patterned trouser pockets.
He sauntered out of the darkness with his feet splayed.
"You really are a die-hard romantic."
Luo Ye looked the kneeling Colt up and down.
He