Knov activated his Four-Dimensional Mansion Nen ability, allowing the doctors and nurses who had been waiting inside to step out and start treating everyone's wounds.
Surprisingly, the ones who should have been in the fiercest, most brutal fights—Germain and Netero—had no visible injuries.
One of the senior doctors, familiar with Netero's body, even noticed that some of his recurring old injuries were completely gone.
Germain didn't say a word about it, and Netero skillfully changed the topic. So, the matter was left unresolved.
Later, they learned it was the effect of the Breath of Archangel. For now, though, they could only focus on treating the others while looking puzzled.
At the same time, the Chimera Ants were deep in thought about what Germain had said.
"Starting over, starting over? Isolation, isolation? Redemption, redemption? It sounds like... we still have many futures to choose from, doesn't it?"
Welfin, being naturally suspicious as always—even in his past life—didn't immediately believe Germain's words. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Netero.
"Is what he said what you mean as well?"
Welfin had always believed Netero was the true decision-maker here. Germain, at most, might have some influence over Netero's judgment.
Only words directly from Netero's mouth would count as a truly reliable promise.
Netero stood there, one hand stroking his beard and the other crossed over his chest, as if pondering something intriguing.
When he heard Welfin's question, it seemed to snap him out of his thoughts. He glanced at Welfin, then turned to Germain.
"Germain, didn't you say earlier that we must 'eliminate evil completely'? Why have you suddenly changed your mind and shown them mercy?"
To everyone's surprise, Germain nodded without hesitation.
"Before, when the Ant King and the Royal Guards were still alive, we had no room for mercy or tolerance. But now that the battle is over, we have to consider their complexity."
The complexity of the Chimera Ants lay in the fact that after their birth, they committed numerous atrocities against humans. Later, however, they regained memories of their former human lives.
If they had been nothing but ruthless beasts from beginning to end, it would have been simple—the solution would clearly have been to wipe them out completely.
But the problem was, they weren't.
They were once victims themselves. Without their memories, they committed acts of violence. Then, when their memories returned, could they still be considered the same cold and heartless Chimera Ants?
Take Palm, for example. If she hadn't regained her human consciousness in time and ended up harming or even killing humans before waking up, how should that be handled?
No matter what is done, it feels like punishing the victim.
However, the crimes have already been committed. For the rest of their lives, they can only atone in various ways. This is also a form of protection for them and an explanation to those who know the truth.
Netero understood what Germain meant. He chuckled a few times and then turned to Welfin.
"Isn't this a good arrangement?"
"Let me first tell you what happened to the Chimera Ants who surrendered to humanity early on."
"Octopus, Bear, and Koala, for instance—they will work for the Hunter Association after a period of surveillance."
Welfin was surprised.
"Work for you? What kind of work do you need them to do?"
Netero placed his hands on his hips, showing off muscles unusual for someone his age.
"All sorts of things. The Hunter Association never runs out of tasks or jobs."
"At first, it will be tough and challenging. But if they perform well, it's possible that one day their status will rise, and they could even guide others in the Professional Hunter Exam."
Netero wasn't making baseless claims. There was precedent—one of the guides in the Professional Hunter Exam was a fox beast skilled in transformation.
Perhaps the Chimera Ants could do the same.
Welfin was skeptical but allowed Netero to continue.
"Next are Colt and Shidore siblings. They want to return to their hometown, which is possible, but they'll be under the Hunter Association's surveillance."
"In reality, Colt and Shidore's home, the NGL Autonomous Zone, has no proper government left after the Chimera Ant invasion."
"The NGL Autonomous Zone will most likely come under the management of nations like the V5. Eventually, it might even fall under the direct control of the Hunter Association."
"In that case, monitoring Colt and Shidore would naturally become part of the process. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, they will never be allowed to leave that place."
"The Republic of East Gorteau will follow the same principle. These two regions might end up becoming the backyard of the Hunter Association."
"Chimera Ants living here cannot avoid dealing with the Hunter Association."
On this point, Welfin and the other Chimera Ants had to agree. This layered sense of surveillance was definitely something humans were capable of.
They were once human themselves and understood this very well.
"And finally, it's about all of you."
Netero said this as he swept his gaze across the group of Chimera Ants. The Chimera Ants immediately tensed up.
"Palm has always been one of our allies. Meleoron and Ikalgo are the heroes of tonight and will undoubtedly receive rewards and special treatment from the Hunter Association."
"As for the three of you, Welfin, Bloster, and Hina, since you've surrendered, we won't wipe you out completely."
"However, complete freedom is out of the question. You have three choices: work for the Hunter Association, stay within a controlled area under the Association's supervision, or…"
Netero raised his hand and pointed to Germain.
"You follow him. He may find a use for you. But this also means you'll be under his watch and management."
Follow him?
The group of Chimera Ants turned to look at Germain in surprise.
Germain himself looked at Netero with mild surprise before quickly understanding his intentions.
Netero intended to send this group of Chimera Ants to Greed Island.
Welfin, in truth, wanted complete freedom. He believed Hina wanted the same, or she wouldn't have tried to escape tonight.
In his previous life, his boss was Gyro, the actual ruler of the NGL Autonomous Region.
It was said that Gyro had also been reincarnated as a Chimera Ant but had left the Queen at the earliest opportunity and vanished without a trace.
Welfin had originally planned to search for Gyro's whereabouts, but Netero's words shattered this hope entirely.
Yes, for a group like us, both victims and perpetrators, we are far too dangerous. The Hunter Association could never allow us to roam freely.
But… following Germain?
What's the benefit of that?
********
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