GREED: ALL FOR WHAT?

He made it into a game and like any good game, he made rules for it to make it fun. Like the fact that they can only use one annihilator and no transcendents can be involved. He also stopped the demigods from trying to kill each other since this is a joint mission. He didn't specify if they can kill each other after the mission because it wouldn't be fun to watch otherwise. He was particularly looking forward to Helios and Tanya hashing out their rivalry.

It was supposed to be a fun game. The arrival of an army did not change that. Giants of order from 9 churches arrived soon after. They came with an army and waged war on the ant colony. The death of some giants and ants only made the game more fun to watch. Demigods arrived later. The target of the tree father arrived even later. The queen saw him through the eyes of multiple ants.

"The one you asked for has arrived." The ant queen informed the ant plant spirit.

The plant spirit had turned into a small burning tree. Its green light illuminated the central room in a ghostly light. But the aura from the tree is soothing instead of chilling.

"That is good." The plant spirit said curtly.

"He is shiny and confusing. What is he anyway? A mana entity or a transcendent?" The ant queen asked.

What she wants to know is exactly why this entity is after this demigod but she can't ask that. So she tried to get some other information about the target.

The plant spirit answered. "As long as he doesn't transform into a Colossus or a Behemoth then he is not a transcendent."

The arrival of the demigods didn't change much. The ants continued to fight the soldiers. Then the strike team was deployed.

"Let them pass through. Then you should focus on them when they are in deep." The plant spirit told the queen.

The queen asked unsure of such a decision. "Are you sure? What about the annihilators? I'll lose all my workforce if they are allowed to fire them."

"Yes, I'm sure. Don't question me again."

The voice of the tree father took on a cold reprimanding tone.

"I'm sorry. I was just scared."

The queen apologized quickly and made the ants increase their attacks on the frontlines while ignoring the strike team.

"I told you it will be dangerous. I assure you that I didn't sacrifice some of my divinity so that you can be killed so easily."

Then the ants turned their focus to the strike team and were about to crush them. All ten of her hearts were in her throat because of her anxiety. She knew that those annihilators cannot all be for show.

"I did as you said. The target is not even among them." She informed the tree.

"Don't worry. He will come. Meanwhile, you should bring your royal guards into the ant mounds for protection."

"If I might ask why should I do that? Surely they will be better used to kill the demigods if they come too close to the ant mound."

"Bring them in if you don't want the annihilator that is aimed at them to kill them." The tree warned then fell silent.

The ant queen did as the tree father told her. She had stationed royal guards at easily accessible entrances to prevent any intruder from gaining entry. It is not beneath the gods to prepare a stealth force to sneak past her army into her mound. But now she instructed them to withdraw into the ant mound. She found out it was the right decision soon after. The annihilator missed her royal guards entirely.

She sighed in relief. "That was close."

Her relief turned into joy when the target began to approach the ant mound in a flashy streak of light.

"You were right. They were aiming for my royal guards and the target is on his way." She told the tree.

The tree didn't speak. It remained silent.

"You should let up on the strike team now." The tree informed her soon after a short while.

"Why? I almost have them?"

A little more pressure and she will break their force domain. Then she will be able to swarm them.

"The gods will use the other annihilators if you don't let up. Let them come to the ant mound."

The queen found the situation very odd. First, it was to focus on the strike team then it is to leave them. But she didn't refuse. She understood her position to be a hired henchman. She has to follow orders because she has been paid to. It also helped that the tree hasn't been wrong yet.

Meanwhile, the target finally arrived at the entrance. The ant queen went according to the plan. To make a royal guard fight him and lose. The royal guard will pretend to be pushed back and withdraw into the tunnel. It is there that they will spring their trap on him. Then she will hand him over to the tree father and fulfill her end of the bargain.

She sent number 11 to do the job. He is one of the youngest and weakest royal guards. The odds of accidentally killing the demigod will be lower.

"What a proud privileged demigod. He was born lucky and yet he dares to call my hard work for strength foolish. What does he know about the struggles of survival?" The ant queen cursed because of what the target said.

She doesn't hate the target nor does she care about him. It is just a job for her to kidnap him. Then the privileged demigod began criticizing the creation of royal guards and how it has endangered the colony.

"He is a giant of order and yet he mocks me. What right does he have to mock me?"

The criticism really hit home. Being a giant of order is being privileged enough. Giants have subjugated the entire plane. Being born as a demigod is even more privileged. Yet, such a privileged giant is mocking her.