Dust is sent flying as Calamity’s beautiful wings approach the ground. Waiting at the entrance was Elchi, instantly filling Ari with guilt. She forgot to hide the fact that they were flying.
“Your highness, while I am disappointed, that can wait. Her majesty would like to see you. Follow me,” sharply chirps Elchi, waiting for no response. Left with no choice but to follow, Ari travels to the Queen’s chambers. “Your highness, please enter. The Queen has instructed your monster to come with me,” she chirps, but Calamity kept following Ari.    
“Calamity, listen to Elchi, please,” chirps Ari after hearing Calamity’s footsteps behind her. Obeying the order, Calamity stops instantly and goes to follow Elchi instead. Ari has a nervous shake before crossing the threshold to meet with her Majesty.

“Ari, did you enjoy your disruptive day outside?” asks the Queen, holding back her disappointment as her only rule was broken. With a guilty nod, Ari agrees as she tries to find something to say. “Having experienced a day outside in your new body, do you have any questions?” chirps the Queen, worried about her daughter.            
Shocked by the shift in tone, Ari replies, “N-no, your Majesty. Wait, no, that’s not right. Something weird happened; a shock ran through my head. Ever since I saw strange things and heard voices…” Queen Aritsu’s expression appears truly confused as she racks her brain. Unable to quite find the answer she wants, the Queen decides to educate Ari till she drops. This singular meeting stretches on for hours. Ari’s understanding of the world completely shatters, and her awkward stutter disappears for good.

“Princess, do exercise caution, or you may be injured,” requests Elchi as she decapitates a big rat.
Shrugging off the issue, Ari chirps, “It’s just a big rat, they can’t even scratch me now, right?” Elchi’s face is visibly disappointed with this arrogant answer. “Why are you here, Elchi? I thought you couldn’t leave unless there is an emergency,” inquires Ari, confused why Elchi has replaced Calamity.
“The Queen rightly judged sending you with Calamity is an emergency. You’ve grown complacent due to its influence, worse than a worker,” scolds Elchi, making Ari realise what she’s done. “At least you realise your shortcomings. Imagine what would happen if something killed you because of arrogance,” says Elchi, reinforcing the lesson she seeks to teach. The pair’s antenna vibrates, signalling another group in danger.            
“Ari, are you up to saving this group alone? Without anyone there to babysit?” questions Elchi, her question answered by Ari’s determined advance towards the pheromone signal.

A hopeless, yet common struggle between a group of ants and a bird happens once again. The ants struggle to survive the merciless trap while the bird enjoys its meal. The last surviving worker looks on in horror, the beak of death coming for her. In place of eternal slumber, the ant hears a pained tweet. Her body is covered in warm crimson; the sparrow backs away fearfully.
“Everything will be fine now,” comes a soothing chirp which slowly fades away. The worker watches in awe as the princess fights; she deflects every death-bringing peck. Her elegant slashes cause the bird’s wings to limp and its talons to crack.              
As the sparrow falls before her, Ari thinks, “I can’t depend on Calamity to protect me. I’ll try my best; I'll use all the advice I’m given, even something as simple as crushing,” before smashing the bird’s head in.              
“Level 11 Imitator Sparrow Defeated. 20 experience obtained,” echoes the mysterious voice. Ari starts for the worker to comfort her, when the powerful screech of a defiant ring out.

Elchi’s screech rings out, stunning those who hear it, especially the unprepared Ari. Once she recovers, she looks at Elchi. The defiant has grown exponentially and is fighting a creature Ari has never seen or heard of. This creature flaps wings covered in black skin; its forehead hosts a strange, glowing pattern. It swoops down and clashes with Elchi’s legs by using its powerful claws. Blood drizzles from the defiant as the battle rages on. Ari realises the danger she is in but does nothing to save anyone. This hesitancy, this slothful attitude, allows the bat to stun Elchi with its own shriek. In that opening, Elchi’s hind legs are clawed at and fall to the ground. Without a stable footing, Elchi begins taking repeated blows, failing to defend herself.  
“ARI! Don’t just stand there like a newborn worker. You were a soldier! Whether you run away or fight, decide before it’s too late,” roars Elchi while being attacked, freeing Ari from her hesitant state. 

Freed from her hesitation, Ari decides to help. Rushing forward, she recalls the tactics she learnt as a soldier, and a power the Queen explained to her.    
“Elchi! I’ll fight, so let’s do this together. I’m scared, but I’ll give it my all!” chirps Ari with all her soul, causing her skill ‘Motivate Lv. 2’ to activate. This, in turn, temporarily enhances Elchi’s abilities, allowing her to fight once again. The pair get within range, causing their species skill ‘Ant Spirit’ to activate. Ari slams into the bat, preventing it from landing a blow on Elchi. The pair proceed to work together, covering for each other’s weaknesses. When Elchi catches the bat’s leg, Ari seizes the opportunity to break it. This causes the bat to scream out in pain. Breaking from Elchi’s grasp, it stirs up a large dust cloud, blinding the ants. When the cloud cleared, the bat was gone. Elchi suggests returning to the nest, believing herself insufficient protection with her missing legs.