"What exactly were the people of ages past thinking as they selectively bred these ugly creatures?" "It's just like that idiot." "very few species of mammals exhibit eusocial behavior like that of worker bees obeying an almighty queen." "If a mammalian species that lived in underground communities was what they were looking for then surely meerkats would have been less revolting candidates." "whether I like it or not." "I suppose it is not my main responsibility." "My true responsibility is the investigation and regulation of queerats at the Department of Exospecies Control at the communal Health Care Center in the village of Hayring." "Saki-chan!" "I'll be right there!" "In July of the year 237" "I turned 26." "\1aH10\3aH10\bord1.7\blur0.6)}UTW" "\1aH10\3aH10\bord1.7\blur0.6)}Presents" "\blur0.6)}UTW" "\blur0.6)}Presents 900)}ＳＨＩＮＳＥＫＡＩ" "900)}ＹＯＲＩ 900)}ＳＨＩＮＳＥＫＡＩ" "900)}ＹＯＲＩ" "195)\blur0.7}Episode Seventeen 195)\blur5\bord2}Episode Seventeen" "566)\blur0.7}Footsteps of Ruin 566)\blur5\bord2}Footsteps of Ruin" "271)}Department of Exospecies Control" "Excuse me." "147)}Department of Exospecies Control 23)}Department of Exospecies Control" "Satoru." "He says you two used to be in the same class." "Y-Yes." "That's right." "Why don't you two go out and have lunch?" "we—" "I'm here on business today." "Oh?" "Really?" "then." "Your boss has an eager imagination." "Well?" "How may I help you?" "it's about the queerats." "I have some... questions..." "Figures." "after all." "Well?" "is there a colony at war somewhere right now?" "There shouldn't be." "Are you sure?" "nothing?" "521)}Application for Intercolonial War" "The queerats are obligated to hand in this application before they can go to war." "so it's unthinkable that they wouldn't." "Application for Intercolonial War." "Do they have to fill this out even if they want to launch a surprise attack?" "It's not like we'd leak the information to their enemy." "Intercolonial Reorganization Notice." "Whelp Transfer Application." "I see." "I guess that's why they need a literate member in every colony." "Hey." "isn't it?" "This must be so dumb to you." "All this pencil-pushing isn't doing anything." "What you do is different and actually helps the villages." "That's a bit harsh." "It's just..." "How do I put this?" "The choice of words is peculiar." "Why do we call the queerats "exospecies"?" "Don't you think "Department of Queerat Control" has a weird ring to it?" "You have a point." "why would you think the queerats are waging war?" "We often let the queerats gather samples for us." "right?" "Yeah." "They've been gathering slime molds around Oakgrove for us lately." "It seems they were attacked yesterday morning." "Attacked?" "They said they were fired upon suddenly." "Maybe some hunters made a mistake?" "the attackers hid themselves and ambushed them." "It was on purpose." "I wonder if they knew they were attacking the Spider Wasps." "Why?" "I'm surprised the Spider Wasps were attacked." "They're close allies of the Giant Hornets." "It's like sending a declaration of war to Kiroumaru." "shouldn't we?" "We haven't seen any around here in a long time." "I see." "I was hoping someone in your department would know." "did the Spider Wasps come to the Lotus Farm to complain about the attack?" "one of our men ran into the Spider Wasps in the forest." "but to no avail." "This isn't something we can ignore." "and above all it doesn't respect our authority." "All right." "We'll investigate the matter as soon as possible." "we'll need to take disciplinary action." "we'll have to involve the Department of Pest Control." "What?" "you just seemed like the real department chief around here with the way you talked." "Satoru and I fell out over something petty a while back so I was happy that some stupid colony gave us the chance to make up." "despite being the person in the villages most wary of the queerats" "I could not even begin to imagine what terrible events this would foreshadow." "so we will be skipping the reports from each department." "Sir Hino Koufuu of the Occupations Council." "consultant to the Security Council." "head of the Ethics Committee." "Welcome." "six exospecies from the Spider Wasp colony were attacked by an unknown party." "62.143)\cH0E0E0C}P{\cH0F0F0D}e{\cH10100E}a{\cH11110F}c{\cH121210}e {\cH141412}a{\cH151513}n{\cH161614}d {\cH191816}C{\cH1A1917}o{\cH1B1A18}o{\cH1C1B19}p{\cH1D1C1A}e{\cH1E1D1B}r{\cH1F1E1C}a{\cH201F1D}t{\cH21201E}i{\cH22211F}o{\cH232220}n" "Two have perished from poison arrows." "The various exospecies colonies in the wider Kanto area can be grouped into two factions." "Presently their power is in balance." "The first group consists of all colonies under the Giant Hornets." "Their own forces number roughly a hundred thousand and thirteen more colonies such as the Spider Wasps are affiliated with them." "Their total forces are five hundred thousand warriors." "They have proven extremely loyal to humans and are entrusted with important physical labor." "May I ask a question?" "Please." "you called them?" "What sort of bond holds their colonies together?" "Can their groups be considered monolithic?" "Each colony in the Giant Hornet faction serves their own queen and they have established a feudal system of masters and servants." "Additionally they go to some lengths to strengthen blood ties between colonies." "Treason is therefore highly unlikely." "I see." "Please continue." "The others can be grouped under the Robber Fly colony." "Their own forces amount to roughly fifty-five thousand and eight more colonies are associated with them." "Their collected forces are believed to number three hundred thousand." "show dutiful allegiance to humans and have suggested for some time now that they be allowed to share the work given solely to the Giant Hornets." "The integration of these colonies is far more advanced." "What do you mean?" "They have all overthrown the rule of their queens by means of revolution and their decision-making is carried out by elected representatives." "The duties of their queens have been reduced to reproduction." "leaving practically no independent ones." "there is a high chance that the Spider Wasps were attacked by members of the Robber Fly group?" "the Goat Moth colony was identified as the attacker." "The Goat Moths?" "The Goat Moths have repeatedly declared their neutrality for over a decade now." "they can be considered closely allied with the Robber Fly colony." "Okay!" "I got this!" "the destruction of only one colony might not suffice!" "This could be taken as a direct opposition to human rule if all the Robber Fly colonies were involved in this conspiracy." "We might have to stamp out half the queerats around here!" "it's still too early to say..." "I-I would like to summon the two exospecies representatives awaiting further instructions." "Kiroumaru" "Yakomaru." "Which would you like to question first?" "I suggest." "they can be made to confront each other to see who's telling the truth." "254.143)}Peace and Cooperation" "Kiroumaru." "I believe you are aware that Spider Wasp soldiers have been attacked." "Yes." "Do you hold anyone guilty?" "Based on what the survivors have relayed to me the party immediately responsible for the attack is the Goat Moth colony." "So it is your suspicion that they received an order?" "Yes." "The Goat Moth colony is merely part of the Robber Flies now." "We can assume the former received orders from the latter." "Let us hear Yakomaru then." "Is Kiroumaru's accusation true?" "Absolutely not!" "I swear that no such order was issued." "But is the Goat Moth colony not affiliated with you?" "under your rule?" "Not quite." "We have approached the Goat Moths and labored to join forces." "our efforts have yet to bear fruit." "They still cling to the old way of thinking and cannot bear to leave monarchical rule behind." "the Giant Hornets have had their eyes set on the Goat Moths for a long time now." "Threatened with immediate repercussions should they ally with us it appears to me their options were awfully limited." "Is this true?" "It is completely absurd!" "It is the nonsense of one who masks lies with lies!" "I beg you not to trust the words of this treacherous snake." "I have been informed that the queen of the Goat Moths is already a captive." "I must make it clear we have never threatened them in any way." "Yakomaru!" "I must profess my surprise." "What could be the source of such prattle?" "The queen of the Goat Moths is in good health and ruling over her colony" "Queachy." "What gall you have to lie in front of gods!" "Perhaps I should rip your filthy mouth open!" "you may not speak unless addressed." "I believe?" "I believe you said the Goat Moth queen is in good health but leaves the affairs of government to a regent?" "that is correct." "But if you are that familiar with their colony's inner workings doesn't it imply that your own colony has a more intimate relationship with them than Kiroumaru's?" "you see... we put considerable effort into building a good relationship with them so I am somewhat familiar with their inner workings." "it is unthinkable that we would order them to defy the will of the gods considering that divine punishment would quickly befall us." "So you are suggesting the Goat Moths acted rashly and on their own?" "That does not make much sense to me either." "I have my own theories regarding that." "May I elaborate?" "Certainly." "Go on." "Gladly." "let us assume we gave the Goat Moths the order or they made a hasty decision." "attacking another colony without divine permission is simply insane." "But what if this was orchestrated by the Spider Wasps?" "bows and armor of the Goat Moths." "and played the victim?" "My alliance and the Giant Hornet group are well balanced at present so a direct confrontation would result in grievous losses for both sides." "I am afraid to even suggest this but perhaps the Giant Hornets themselves may have wanted to rely on divine assistance to destroy us without having to expose themselves to danger." "But didn't the Spider Wasps lose two workers in the attack?" "I assume the loss of a few lives amounts to nothing for them." "In this they are fundamentally different from us." "and every individual holds equal rights and is considered an irreplaceable existence in the universe." "and her soldiers are merely pawns." "They are all expendable." "Do you think what Yakomaru says holds water?" "but his words cannot be immediately dismissed." "I must admit we did not consider the possibility of a charade." "206.143)}Peace and Cooperation the meeting was adjourned without a decision." "Within the hour you shall witness the annihilation of our enemies." "May the fortunes of war favor you." "You command the main force of the Giant Hornet army numbering a hundred thousand." "You face allied forces numbering a hundred and forty thousand." "Why is the Robber Fly colony's main army not included in the allied forces?" "That is something you should ask that silver-tongued coward." "I suspect they dare not face our strength directly even with superior numbers." "Very well." "Please fight as you desire." "We shall." "Watanabe-san!" "You should step back a little." "Inui-san!" "Their shields look just like the bamboo ones used during the Warring States period of the ancient civilization." "but..." "I find it very unlikely that those are all the product of their own ingenuity." "What do you mean?" "I'm convinced they have some source of knowledge." "Amazing..." "Every now and then their intelligence frightens me." "Do you know what they call us Wildlife Protection officers amongst themselves?" "No." "we are "gods of death." "I suppose." "I've seen a number of colonies myself so I can confidently say that none can stand against the Giant Hornets in such confrontations." "Why?" "okay?" "They take a certain drug before each battle." "narcotics?" "at least." "I don't know what it is exactly their sense of duty is strengthened while their fear is suppressed." "they become extremely aggressive and the ultimate soldier is born." "That's how it goes." "I am deeply ashamed I could not do as promised." "It took more than an hour to crush this conglomerate of weaklings." "I'm back!" "Good evening!" "How did it go for you?" "The Giant Hornets won an overwhelming victory." "I see... since it happened under Kiroumaru's command." "Chief?" "really." "Are you saying... that the Goat Moths won?" "In a sense." "The Spider Wasps changed sides." "isn't it?" "The Spider Wasps left the battlefront without warning so the others that came to support them were thrown into disarray." "The Goat Moths won quite easily." "Wait a moment." "Didn't this all start when the Goat Moths attacked the Spider Wasps?" "Why would they join their mortal enemies?" "Isn't it an intriguing mystery?" "the Spider Wasps never filed a complaint about the attack." "I wonder if that's related." "with one victory and one loss we're back to where we started." "I'm not so sure about that." "so I'd say they're still the superior side..." "The Giant Hornet army was annihilated." "340)}Nani mo iranai 340)}Nani mo iranai" "340)}何もいらない 340)}何もいらない" "340)}I need nothing else 340)}I need nothing else" "340)}Anata ga ireba ii 340)}Anata ga ireba ii" "340)}あなたがいればいい 340)}あなたがいればいい" "340)}When you are by my side 340)}When you are by my side" "340)}Sotto yokogao iki wo korosu 340)}Sotto yokogao iki wo korosu" "340)}そっと横顔 息を殺す 340)}そっと横顔 息を殺す" "340)}I look at you in profile and hold my breath 340)}I look at you in profile and hold my breath" "340)}Mabataki sureba kieteshimaisou de 340)}Mabataki sureba kieteshimaisou de" "340)}まばたきすれば消えてしまいそうで 340)}まばたきすれば消えてしまいそうで" "340)}I'm afraid it might vanish like an illusion if I blink now 340)}I'm afraid it might vanish like an illusion if I blink now" "340)}Mitsumesasete suki da yo 340)}Mitsumesasete suki da yo" "340)}凝視めさせて好きだよ 340)}凝視めさせて好きだよ" "I love you" "I love you 340)}Ah klgl ga furue furidashita yuki" "340)}Ah klgl ga furue furidashita yuki 340)}ああ 木々が震え 降り出した雪" "340)}ああ 木々が震え 降り出した雪 340)}The trees shake in the wind and snow gathers on the ground" "340)}The trees shake in the wind and snow gathers on the ground 340)}Ashiato futatsu shiroku" "340)}Ashiato futatsu shiroku 340)}足跡 ふたつ 白く" "340)}足跡 ふたつ 白く 340)}Two lines of white footprints show" "340)}Two lines of white footprints show 340)}Toki yo tsumore" "340)}Toki yo tsumore 340)}時よ 積もれ" "340)}時よ 積もれ gather gather" "340)}Kami ni mune ni futari dake no yume ni 340)}Kami ni mune ni futari dake no yume ni" "340)}髪に 胸に ふたりだけの夢に 340)}髪に 胸に ふたりだけの夢に our dream our dream" "340)}Sakenai hana no 340)}Sakenai hana no" "340)}咲けない花の 340)}咲けない花の" "340)}This flower cannot bloom 340)}This flower cannot bloom" "340)}Tane wa yuki ni dakare 340)}Tane wa yuki ni dakare" "340)}種は雪に抱かれ 340)}種は雪に抱かれ" "340)}And the snow embraces its seeds 340)}And the snow embraces its seeds" "340)}Yorisou no 340)}Yorisou no" "340)}寄り添うの 340)}寄り添うの" "340)}As they huddle together 340)}As they huddle together" "340)}Shizuka ni wasureraretai 340)}Shizuka ni wasureraretai" "340)}静かに忘れられたい 340)}静かに忘れられたい" "340)}Quietly they wish to be able to forget 340)}Quietly they wish to be able to forget" "I'm sure of it." "She was there." "What about the ones who left the villages a long time ago?" "Those two have nothing to do with it." "were you able to see Maria and Mamoru?" "Yeah."