After abandoning everything, the body of Shaiapouf, fueled by lingering resentment and the twisted blessing of posthumous strength, had become far more powerful than before.
It was beyond what they could handle with Knov alone.
Though their abilities could still target Shaiapouf's now lifeless corpse, the risk was too high.
As the saying goes, those who have nothing to lose are the most dangerous.
Shaiapouf was already dead. From Morel's perspective, all they had to do was stall for time until the condensed aura surrounding his body dissipated. He couldn't last long in this state.
Their only concern now was evasion and survival.
After completing most of their objectives, with success within reach, there was no need to gamble their lives against a dead enemy.
Losing everything at the last moment? That would be unbearable.
...
Boom!
Buildings crumbled as Shaiapouf barreled through, his body instinctively smashing through obstacles in his path. Debris scattered as he kicked aside the wreckage—just as Ronnel and Gon arrived on the scene.
Morel and the others were retreating, but their movements weren't aimless. They deliberately lured Shaiapouf toward Ronnel.
If anyone could handle this, it was him.
And if even Ronnel couldn't stop it… then they'd just keep running.
But realistically, that scenario was impossible.
Ronnel had already defeated an opponent like Youpi with ease. Even though Shaiapouf was now enhanced by his lingering resentment, he still wasn't on Youpi's level.
Moreover, his current state—driven by emotion rather than intellect—made him easier to deal with.
With this in mind, Morel and the others pressed forward, retreating as fast as they could.
Soon, the one they had been hoping for appeared.
"Ronnel!"
At the sight of him, Morel and the others let out a collective sigh of relief. Even their movements unconsciously picked up speed.
"Looks like Morel and the others have already taken care of the other Royal Guards."
Gon and Killua, standing behind Ronnel, studied Shaiapouf intently. Remembering the mutation that had overtaken Neferpitou, they quickly realized that Shaiapouf was being controlled by the lingering aura of his own hatred.
As Morel sprinted toward them, Ronnel stepped forward, closing the distance himself.
Morel and the others immediately adjusted their path, splitting left and right to avoid blocking Ronnel's way. They left the battlefield to him.
...
"Kill 'em, kill 'em, kill 'em!"
Shaiapouf's lifeless body, animated by resentment, twitched and staggered forward. His lips moved in a subconscious, ceaseless murmur.
"You want to kill us?"
Ronnel barely acknowledged the attack. Raising his arm, he flicked it lightly.
"Then try again in your next life."
Boom!
At his words, Shaiapouf's body collapsed, lifeless once more.
Darkened aura scattered into the air, vanishing like smoke.
And with that, the final Royal Guard had fallen.
...
"Hah… It's finally over."
Morel and Knuckle exhaled, relief washing over them as they confirmed that Shaiapouf's aura had completely dissipated.
"No," Ronnel said as he stored Shaiapouf's body away. "There's one left."
His gaze turned in a certain direction—the place where Netero and the Chimera Ant King had gone.
Morel and the others fell silent.
They all knew the real outcome of this battle depended on what happened there. If Netero won, everything would be fine.
But if he lost…
Morel glanced at Ronnel.
Then Ronnel might be their last hope.
...
"So," Ronnel finally asked, a smile on his face, "is anyone willing to go with me to see how things turned out?"
"We're staying," Morel said with a wry smile, shaking his head. "A battle at that level… there's nothing we can do. If we go, we won't be helping—we'll just be liabilities."
He sighed. "We'll stay behind and clean up the palace, make sure no Chimera Ants slipped through."
Shoot and Knuckle nodded in silent agreement.
Though they had managed to take down a Royal Guard without casualties, they were fully aware of how narrow their victory had been.
When they had faced Youpi earlier, his overwhelming power had left them shaken. The experience had been sobering.
They understood their limits.
...
"I'm not going either," Gon said quietly. "Like Morel-san said, I wouldn't be able to help. Instead, I plan to leave soon and head for Greed Island."
His urgency to save Kite made it impossible for him to wait any longer.
"I feel the same way," Killua agreed. "After Greed Island, if I still can't find a way to save Kite, I might have to ask my brother for help. It's about time I picked him up."
Ronnel nodded. As they said, those without the power to make a difference would only be in the way—unless they had a special ability to hide themselves.
Finally, his eyes landed on Meleoron.
"I'm coming with you."
Meleoron's expression flickered with uncertainty before solidifying with determination.
"I have to see the King's demise with my own eyes."
Morel and the others didn't object to his choice.
Meleoron had a deep, personal grudge against the Ant King. And with his powerful ability to conceal himself, he wouldn't be a burden—he might even be able to make a difference.
And so, under the moonlight, Morel and the others watched as Ronnel and Meleoron disappeared into the distance, heading toward the final battlefield.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)