Formicea
Chapter 203

The next steps proceed agonizingly slowly but without a hitch.

It seems like Inati's troops aren't able to return this instant, since, as one might've surmised, the passages to the other side are mostly blocked now.

Of course, this doesn't impede the flying units, who are scouring the fields for any materials that might find their use, as well as possible survivors to take as prisoners.

The latter rather to collect bargain material than anything else.

Those who can't fly either need to take a longer route around, return to Inati's hive, or work on creating a new passage through the deeper layers, heavily complicated by the sunken river.

All of this is rather hard for me to watch.

We're taking advantage of the loss of so many lives here.

Collecting spoils we made by most drastic measures, just as planned.

Is it really so much more morally high to loot a corpse only because you're at war?

No, mere looting wouldn't even get to this.

I know perfectly well what Chera plans to do with the corpses she's salvaging.

However, aside from the aftercare, it truly seems like this battle was won, which ends the siege on our new wall.

For this reason, aftertalks have to commence now, to go over everything once again.

The meeting happens in a more or less casual way on the small plaza behind the main gateway.

However, a certain degree of severity comes from the fact that all our respective escorts are present.

The poor Lord Stormheart looks a little lost in this environment.

As Inati can fly, she actually has no problem heading back in time from the battlefield to partake.

<Inati. I see you managed once again to return unscathed from your most reckless outings.> (C)

The princess in question doesn't even appear to be bothered by that obvious frown about her person.

No, if anything she looks extremely self-content.

<Ah, for a long time I didn't have the chance to experience a battle of such a scale. Although, it was a little bit too easy. Your plan was very well executed, but it removed all the challenge from this event.> (I)

<You are aware that conflict doesn't have the purpose to entertain you?> (C)

<Maybe not. Not solely. However, one should find the time to enjoy the opportunities that present themselves once in a while.> (I)

Once again I'm asking myself if this battle maniac should really be the one at the frontline when it comes to interaction with the other swarms.

The back and forth between Inati and Chera continues for a while without any real results.

Once there's the chance for a break, it's Lord Stormheart who speaks up.

"Ahem. I'd like to express my gratitude for your aid in this war. After today, Tarsona might truly be free from Koresoan incursions. At least, I don't see them crossing the border again anytime soon." (St)

That might truly be the case.

Not only did the cave-in expand the river by quite a bit, but it also lies now quite a bit lower, with a steep drop at the shores, compared to before.

Not to speak of the wall itself.

Without significant preparation, and not to forget a new army, Koreso won't be able to do anything about this situation for the longest time.

<Human, don't misinterpret the situation. We solved this matter. This much is true. However, our mother declared that this human country will be, in your terms, our "vassal state". As such we only protected our very own assets.> (L)

That's one way to ruin the mood after a victory speech.

"Well, that might be true. Nonetheless, you helped us and fought at our side. This is something, isn't it?" (St)

<I guess one might say so.> (L)

<I, on my side, am rather content with this arrangement. I gained a lot from those interactions and may be interested in future cooperation. There's a particular point that I'm rather interested in. Tell me, human. Is it true that now that this conflict can basically be considered concluded you don't require as many of your soldiers anymore and would seek to reintegrate them into other fields?> (C)

Oh my, I can see where this is going.

"Uh, well, partly. We'll probably maintain our army for a while till things calm down in Koreso, to make sure the border is secure. In addition, it can pose a problem to disarm an army too quickly. Also, the mercenaries are probably just going to return to the warring states." (St)

<In this case, I'd like to propose an alternative. I'd like to take over as many fighters as possible. Naturally, they'd receive the payment you humans fancy so much.> (C)

At least that's something.

<Why would you need fighters, Sister?> (L)

<Especially such lousy ones?> (I)

<I have my reasons. If you need to know, I plan to expand my hive. Yet the direction I have in mind is infested with a particularly nasty lifeform that tends to assault my workers. This impedes my processes. Therefore, instead of producing more guardians, I may just employ human fighters to do the same. After all, why should I sacrifice my brood if humans are so conveniently willing to take their place?> (C)

She could've worded this more diplomatically.

On the other side, it's kinda impressive how she managed to convey a need for soldiers without admitting how royally screwed she is.

I mean, did she seriously think nobody would pick up on how she the whole time already grabs any resources she can get her claws on to distribute them to her hive?

I mean, I did!

However, the next to speak up is Inati.

<As fun as it was to be together with you all, I should return to my hive. The treaty might still be in place, but leaving our frontier vulnerable like this would send the wrong impression. Greet mother from me.> (I)

<I will. As well as mention your reckless behavior.> (C)

<That's just our 'little' Miss Perfect. Some day you will realize that there's more than doing things 'orderly'.> (I)

Damn.

She said the "little" part with exactly the same connotation as Uma.

The princess in question is now literally fuming her pheromones.

Inati, on the other side, just leaves the irritated Chera behind.

<I may as well return to my hive now. I’ve left it unattended for too long.> (C)

It's quite clear that she wants to leave so we don't see her all emotional.

I turn to Lord Stormheart.

"Will you be alright on your own here?" (E)

"I wouldn't see why not. Defending this place won't be much of a hassle. Yet having a dedicated communication officer of your side at the ready would be recommended for properly planning out our efforts." (St)

"I'll see what I can do." (E)

"For now, I may make use of Lady Lorata, who should be stationed close by. But a reasonably fluent link to enable communication between our sides would be better." (St)

<There's a simpler solution to this.> (C)

"Stck"

"Ackh!" (St)

Now all of us stare at Chera and her extended stinger.

Well, all but Lord Stormheart, who is rather occupied now with cramping on the ground.

<What?! Humans always make matters unreasonably complicated instead of opting for the straightforward way. This might enable them to come up with outlandish solutions, but it can also clearly be a detriment as you see here.> (C)

I honestly have no idea how to respond to this.

I doubt berating her will do any good.

As the atmosphere lies tense in the air, I decide to ask what's on my mind, if only to switch topics.

<So... what now?> (E)

Liseti is the first to answer this.

<Now we'll return to our hives. While a moderate garrison should remain to secure this relevant area, and we'll establish information lines to here, having a princess permanently stationed in this area only for this reason would go too far. You agree, Sister?> (L)

<I do. Yet I hope this duty won't solely fall on me.> (C)

<No. Protecting this border is a matter that concerns the whole hive. Therefore, the duty will fall to the main hive. Yet there are also many other areas we'd have to spend resources on, like the fortification of our surface position we are currently establishing.> (L)

<Good. I'll first seek to take care of the matters in my own hive. Once they are settled, I may take a part of the load on me.> (C)

Yeah sure.

Once you settled the looming doom of your whole hive.

Just a small issue to solve.

<Very well. Then consider this our parting. It might take a while till we see each other again.> (L)

<Yeah, one would think that a meeting of the broodmothers should happen more frequently if the swarm should stay informed as a whole.> (E)

Ehm, why are the two now looking so strangely at me?

<What an outlandish idea. To think that all of the broodmothers would leave their respective bases solely to partake in a meeting.> (C)

<Yet it might have its merits. Erys is right that we are in a time of change. I presume that merely relying on messengers won't suffice in the long run to maintain functionally effective information of all broodmothers. I can't even say if Xumia and Havi have been fully informed about all of the recent developments.> (L)

<There is a point to this. It might be true that convenience is keeping us from undertaking actions that would serve our kind better. You may inform me about further developments in this regard. Naturally, with proper announcement in advance. I'll now depart as well. Right after I found my human scholar unit.> (C)

With this, Chera also apparently takes her leave.

I look to the ground.

<What about him?> (E)

I point at Lord Stormheart.

<Leave him. If I judged my sister right, she used the weak version. In this case, he should recover any moment.> (L)

<Scrak, skriak!/D-don't mind me!> (St)

If he says so...

<Well then, Erys. While we depart, you may elaborate to me about all you have in mind about this regular meeting of the broodmothers you thought of. I'm sure Mother would be interested in this subject.> (L)

Wh-what?!

I don't know!

I just blurted out a half-thought-through idea of mine!

Again!

Help!!!