What exactly were the people of ages past thinking as they selectively bred these ugly creatures?
It's just like that idiot.
Of course, 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.
In any case, raising naked molerats is now my responsibility, whether I like it or not.
Well, 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.
You've got a visitor, Saki-chan!
Okay, I'll be right there!
In July of the year 237,
I turned 26.
UTW
Presents
UTW
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Episode Seventeen
Footsteps of Ruin
Department of Exospecies Control
Excuse me.
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?
No, we—
Actually, I'm here on business today.
Oh? Really?
I'll head out for some lunch, then.
Your boss has an eager imagination.
Well?
How may I help you?
Uh, it's about the queerats.
I have some... questions...
Figures.
This is the Department of Exospecies Control, after all.
Well?
Say, is there a colony at war somewhere right now?
There shouldn't be.
Are you sure?
No skirmishes, nothing?
Application for Intercolonial War
The queerats are obligated to hand in this application before they can go to war.
They risk annihilation of their colony as punishment if they don't submit it, 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.
Ridiculous, 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.
So, why would you think the queerats are waging war?
We often let the queerats gather samples for us.
You're using the Spider Wasp colony at the Lotus Farm, 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?
No, 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.
So we should suspect a foreign species, 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.
Hey, did the Spider Wasps come to the Lotus Farm to complain about the attack?
No, one of our men ran into the Spider Wasps in the forest.
They asked for help so he searched the area with them, but to no avail.
This isn't something we can ignore.
It's interfering with the samples I need collected, and above all it doesn't respect our authority.
All right.
We'll investigate the matter as soon as possible.
Once we identify the culprits' colony, we'll need to take disciplinary action.
In the worst case, we'll have to involve the Department of Pest Control.
What?
Nothing, 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.
However, 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.
We have a priority matter to discuss, so we will be skipping the reports from each department.
Sir Hino Koufuu of the Occupations Council.
Sir Kaburagi Shisei, consultant to the Security Council.
And lastly, Lady Asahina Tomiko, head of the Ethics Committee.
Welcome.
One week ago, six exospecies from the Spider Wasp colony were attacked by an unknown party.
Peace and Cooperation
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.
The queerats... "Exospecies," 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.
They, too, 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.
One by one colonies have gravitated to either of the two groups, leaving practically no independent ones.
So essentially, there is a high chance that the Spider Wasps were attacked by members of the Robber Fly group?
On careful analysis of the evidence at the scene, 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.
However, for all intents and purposes, they can be considered closely allied with the Robber Fly colony.
Okay! I got this!
So basically, 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!
Well, it's still too early to say...
I-I would like to summon the two exospecies representatives awaiting further instructions.
We have the supreme commander of the Giant Hornet colony, Kiroumaru,
and the representative of the Robber Fly colony, Yakomaru.
Which would you like to question first?
Both at once, I suggest.
If their stories do not match up, they can be made to confront each other to see who's telling the truth.
Peace and Cooperation
Well then, I shall address you first, 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!
By the deities of Heaven and Earth, I swear that no such order was issued.
But is the Goat Moth colony not affiliated with you?
Or, rather, under your rule?
Not quite.
We have approached the Goat Moths and labored to join forces.
However, our efforts have yet to bear fruit.
They still cling to the old way of thinking and cannot bear to leave monarchical rule behind.
Moreover, 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.
As for his first claim, I have been informed that the queen of the Goat Moths is already a captive.
As for the second, 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,
although she entrusts political matters to her very capable regent, Queachy.
What gall you have to lie in front of gods!
Perhaps I should rip your filthy mouth open!
Kiroumaru, you may not speak unless addressed.
Your name was Yakomaru, I believe?
I believe you said the Goat Moth queen is in good health but leaves the affairs of government to a regent?
Yes, 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?
Uh, you see...
As I explained earlier, we put considerable effort into building a good relationship with them,
so I am somewhat familiar with their inner workings.
But however close we may be, 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.
For the sake of argument, let us assume we gave the Goat Moths the order or they made a hasty decision.
Either way, attacking another colony without divine permission is simply insane.
But what if this was orchestrated by the Spider Wasps?
It would not be difficult for them to obtain the arrows, bows and armor of the Goat Moths.
Perhaps they split into two groups, staged an attack, 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.
Our colonies have embraced democracy, and every individual holds equal rights
and is considered an irreplaceable existence in the universe.
The old system considers only the queen integral, and her soldiers are merely pawns.
They are all expendable.
Do you think what Yakomaru says holds water?
Well, common sense would dictate otherwise, but his words cannot be immediately dismissed.
I must admit we did not consider the possibility of a charade.
Peace and Cooperation
In the end, 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.
Oh, Inui-san!
Their shields look just like the bamboo ones used during the Warring States period of the ancient civilization.
I knew they were smart, 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.
While ordinary humans are "gods," we are "gods of death."
Not all that surprising, I suppose.
At any rate, 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?
Don't tell anyone, okay?
They take a certain drug before each battle.
A drug? You mean, narcotics?
Something like that, at least.
I don't know what it is exactly,
but it seems that when they take it, their sense of duty is strengthened while their fear is suppressed.
As a result, 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...
Well, I can't say I'm surprised, since it happened under Kiroumaru's command.
What can you report, Chief?
Nobody quite foresaw it, really.
Are you saying...
that the Goat Moths won?
In a sense.
The Spider Wasps changed sides.
Surprising, 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?
Which reminds me, the Spider Wasps never filed a complaint about the attack.
I wonder if that's related.
Now, with one victory and one loss we're back to where we started.
I'm not so sure about that.
The Giant Hornets did win an actual battle, so I'd say they're still the superior side...
The Giant Hornet army was annihilated.
Nani mo iranai
何もいらない
I need nothing else
Anata ga ireba ii
あなたがいればいい
When you are by my side
Sotto yokogao iki wo korosu
そっと横顔 息を殺す
I look at you in profile and hold my breath
Mabataki sureba kieteshimaisou de
まばたきすれば消えてしまいそうで
I'm afraid it might vanish like an illusion if I blink now
Mitsumesasete suki da yo
凝視めさせて好きだよ
Let me look at you, I love you
Ah kigi ga furue furidashita yuki
ああ 木々が震え 降り出した雪
The trees shake in the wind and snow gathers on the ground
Ashiato futatsu shiroku
足跡 ふたつ 白く
Two lines of white footprints show
Toki yo tsumore
時よ 積もれ
Snowflakes of time, gather
Kami ni mune ni futari dake no yume ni
髪に 胸に ふたりだけの夢に
In our hair, our hearts, our dream
Sakenai hana no
咲けない花の
This flower cannot bloom
Tane wa yuki ni dakare
種は雪に抱かれ
And the snow embraces its seeds
Yorisou no
寄り添うの
As they huddle together
Shizuka ni wasureraretai
静かに忘れられたい
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.
Saki, were you able to see Maria and Mamoru?
Yeah.