From nearly three hundred meters away, both Pitou and Youpi held the confidence that they could instantly tear Law apart.
However, they remained rooted in place, only coldly staring at Law hovering in the air.
This was partly because Pouf's words made sense, and partly because they understood their limits.
There truly was no need to take the initiative. As long as the enemy dared to attack, they were confident they could end their lives.
This intention was conveyed through the Aura capable of shattering one's perception.
At this moment, the three Royal Guards' eyes were fixed solely on Law.
Not because Law was strong enough, but because he was the closest.
In their eyes, enemies had no distinction of strength, only distance.
If they were to act, they would only target the nearest enemy.
The combined Aura of the three Royal Guards, like a gale whipping up countless grains of sand, slammed into Law, making him narrow his eyes.
Such a concentrated, malevolent Aura was enough to shake the spirit of an ordinary Nen User. That utterly evil Nen could even invade the body and crush the will to fight.
Yet, Law remained completely unaffected.
His will had been tempered through the dream of the Mirage Tick and the bells of Hellbell, not to mention witnessing the many terrifying things of the Dark Continent. How could such an Aura shatter his fighting spirit?
Because the Aura was focused on Law, Morel and Knov in the distance were relieved of the pressure, their eyes fixed on Law confronting the three Royal Guards.
"Sigh."
At that moment, they heard Netero sigh softly.
Seeing Netero sigh, Morel and Knov couldn't help but glance at him.
"I need to warm up, find the feeling from my youth."
Netero's tone carried a faint trace of regret.
Those in their twilight years often lack a specific 'vitality'. This was his sigh and regret upon seeing the scene before him.
If necessary, he might need to retreat into seclusion for a while to consolidate his essence, energy, and spirit, restoring his condition as much as possible.
Otherwise... any slight lapse could become a reason for defeat.
At the nest, a high fighting spirit shone in Pitou's ruby-like eyes.
How she wanted to fight this human before her...
Youpi harbored the same thought.
However, Pitou wanted to test how strong she was, while Youpi wanted to kill Law.
Their starting points differed, but the outcome would be the same.
In contrast, Pouf remained frighteningly calm, like a block of cold stone.
Law remained hovering in front of the three Royal Guards for about two minutes. Then, suddenly, he turned, deliberately exposing a flaw.
In that instant, Pitou and Youpi's pupils contracted to pinpoints. The urge to attack was so intense it sharpened their Aura.
Yet, they still didn't move, their restraint sending a chill down one's spine.
With his back to the three Royal Guards, a faint trace of concern flashed across Law's brow.
'Even such a good offensive opportunity couldn't lure them into action?'
This abnormality made Law consider the worst-case scenario regarding the King's birth.
He wondered: 'Was it because the King was about to be born that the Royal Guards wouldn't easily leave the nest at this critical juncture?'
'If so, could the King be born before Ging arrived with reinforcements?'
Once the King was born, the situation would become even more troublesome.
Right in front of the three Royal Guards, Law returned to the mountaintop.
"Any different sensations from up close?" Netero asked.
"Their Aura Capacity is extraordinary."
Law glanced back at the three Royal Guards and said calmly, "Anyway, let's first get out of their sight."
No one objected. They descended the mountain to the other side, using the mountain to block the Royal Guards' line of sight.
Then, Knov raised his hand. The Nen on his index finger condensed like black ink as he slowly drew a circle on the ground.
The pattern around the circle resembled Divine Script, obscure and profound.
Law roughly knew the effect of Knov's ability, but this was the first time he'd seen it up close.
Seeing the circular pattern, his eyes flickered slightly.
After drawing the circle, the space within turned pitch black, like a black hole.
"Come in."
Knov jumped into the circle, disappearing from sight as if falling down a drain.
Morel and Netero knew Knov's ability well and entered the circle with practiced ease.
Law followed.
Once everyone entered the Hide-and-Seek space through the entrance, the circle drawn on the mountainside automatically vanished.
Inside the Nen Space, Law quickly scanned the surroundings.
Nothing special. A square room. The floor, walls, and ceiling seemed built from white bricks. Its advantages were the bright lighting despite no apparent source and the ample space.
After observing the square Nen Space, Law noticed Knov visibly relaxed.
That reaction was like encountering danger outside, then returning home to embrace an irreplaceable sense of security.
Indirectly, it showed Knov considered his Nen Space absolutely safe.
As long as the ability holder held such an unshakable belief, the ability would respond to the user's conviction.
Absolutely safe!
Law couldn't help but feel envious of Knov's ability again.
Hide-and-Seek was a Nen Space with 4 floors and 21 rooms, each independent.
Since the exit closes upon entering a room, to return to the real world, one must leave through another exit.
Entrances/exits could be created repeatedly, but the number of doors was limited by the room's size.
The key point was Knov's Master Key, which could connect a room's exit to any location.
This was Knov's Hide-and-Seek.
In Law's vision, with the Hide-and-Seek ability, in a perilous environment like the Dark Continent, one could escape danger anytime, anywhere, and rest without psychological burden.
If injured, there was an absolutely safe place to recover. The ample space could store enough food and water for a team.
That ability could indeed be called irreplaceable.
Thinking this, regardless of whether Knov had any intention of going to the Dark Continent, Law privately resolved to ensure Knov came to no harm during the upcoming operation.
In the quiet atmosphere, Netero suddenly opened his Aura Nodes, releasing his Aura to its maximum extent, swirling around him.
That Aura, tempered a thousand times over, flowed with needle-like sharpness.
Morel and Knov silently watched Netero, unsure why he suddenly released his Aura, but feeling the gap between their strength and his.
"Although there was a gap of over two hundred meters, it shouldn't affect a basic judgment, right?"
Netero looked at Law, meaning he wanted Law's direct, impression-based judgment.
Compared to the Royal Guards, who was stronger?
"In terms of Manifested Aura Capacity alone, they are far stronger than you."
Law understood and answered without hesitation.
Netero chuckled indifferently and pressed, "And compared to you?"
"The same. But the gap between me and them isn't large," Law replied calmly.
This was fact.
In terms of Manifested Aura Capacity alone, it was an innate gap between species.
However, the crucial point was that Manifested Aura Capacity couldn't determine strength.
'You've got to be kidding...'
Morel and Knov took a deep breath.
'The Chairman's Aura was actually weaker than the Royal Guards?'
'And Law was saying he was stronger than the Chairman?'
Netero evidently trusted Law's judgment. He pondered for a moment and said, "Preparations before battle are unavoidable. So, when will Ging arrive?"
"He said seven days, but he might not be on time."
…
The nest, the Queen's chamber.
The Chimera Ant Queen lay on her throne cushioned with velvet, lovingly stroking her swollen, ball-shaped abdomen.