BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM-Chapter 1288: The bugs (14)

Besides, the battle that raged at the cave entrance changed everything. Thaids fought among themselves, transforming the landscape into a killing ground. But the aftermath left most likely the queen's army weakened, and not a little.

The bug queen survived, as she didn't join the fight; maybe she feared the monsters that decimated her children, or maybe she simply didn't care. She likely retreated deeper into her domain.

That meant she had some time to strengthen her defenses, breed more of her chitinous soldiers, or reshape the tunnels themselves, and the abundance of corpses was going to help her in that endeavor.

The team had a simple goal—to explore the caves, kill the bug-like thaids, and search the underground city.

They were looking for important documents left behind by the Silver Line Corporation, hoping that would help them find the research centers where Erik believed the blackguards were.

Besides, these papers could tell them more about what the corporation was doing in their early research stages. He already had a picture based on what the second division commander told him during their battle at the Law Gate.

If Erik had to believe his words, mana and powers had spread throughout the world far earlier than their official appearance.

There were people able to see the future in the past, and these told humanity the end was approaching.

Apparently, that was the reason behind the Silver Line Corporation starting their search to control mana.

Erik turned to one of the clones. "We are leaving," he said.

"You have your orders. Rick needs those reinforcements."

"Yes, Master. We'll reach him before sunset tomorrow." The clone stood straight, his posture reflecting years of training and battle Erik went through.

"Remember to follow the path I cleared for you. It runs through the forest, heading southeast." Erik pointed the way.

"The flying thaids won't see anything below the canopy. So, don't rise above the trees. Stay down and do anything necessary to avoid being spotted. Once at the shelter, make as many neural links as you can. The more mana you have for your abilities, the better it will be."

The clone nodded. "We'll take bird forms suited for quick, low flight."

"Good. Those eggs are our future army. Without them, we won't stand a chance on this continent, not as we head toward the Lorogia Region." Erik crossed his arms.

Since the Blackguards had shown interest in the Lorogia Region when his father visited Mur, they likely remained there.

The problem was that to reach the area, Erik had to cross a mountain range, and God only knew what he was going to find in a mountain range on Mur.

"Since I told Rick to focus on protecting the eggs and making neural links, it is likely the number of thaids around the shelter increased. I don't know how much, but regardless, the sooner you reach him, the better."

"What about you, master? For how long are you going to stay in the caves?"

"For as long as it is necessary, but we will come out of the caves to restock and rest."

"You know the queen won't let you enter without a fight, especially not after what we did, right? Besides, some of the thaids might have gone inside the caves. Maybe they are there resting and feasting on the bugs."

"That's why we're taking a smaller group. Twenty of your brothers, plus the girls and me." Erik glanced at Amber, who checked her gear nearby.

"This is the best time to strike. I think the queen needs new troops, so this is the time their numbers will be at the lowest."

The clone's expression darkened. "The queen won't leave her nest unprotected. Even if there are less thaids, they are likely enough to flood the tunnels with patrols."

"I know," Erik said with a grim smile. His expression hardened as he considered the clone's warning. He was right.

Though the queen lacked human intelligence, Erik knew better than to underestimate her. Despite Amber's negative reports about her capabilities, the queen had shown tactical awareness during the battle outside the cave.

Her army learned and adapted during the fight. When they lost soldiers, they changed how they fought to avoid more losses.

The queen had probably changed how she defended her territory too—sending out bigger groups of soldiers and placing guards throughout all the tunnels.

"But I've faced worse odds before, and this time we're better prepared. We need to strike before she builds up her forces again." Erik placed a hand on the clone's shoulder.

"Go now. Keep Rick and the eggs safe."