The Ant King remained silent for a long time.
The crimson eyes that had once burned with hatred and murderous intent were gradually losing their brilliance. The enormous wound through his chest continued to pour out purple blood. Every labored breath came weaker than the last, and his body had long since lost the overwhelming majesty that had made the wasteland feel too small to hold him.
Only after a long while did he slowly raise his head and look at Gabriel, who stood only a short distance away.
In a hoarse, weakened voice, he finally spoke.
"I... do have one final request."
Gabriel did not interrupt him, nor did he urge him to continue. He simply stood there, patiently waiting for the Ant King to finish what he wanted to say.
The Ant King slowly shifted his gaze toward the rear of the battlefield, where the swarm had waited in tight formation before he had drawn their life into himself. A complicated emotion surfaced in his eyes.
There was no anger.
No hatred.
