Formicea
Chapter 204

The journey to the main hive proceeds expectedly uneventfully.

By now, the established underground route below the Drega Mountains, towards the wall, is so frequently traversed that it would be truly surprising if anything could have established itself in our way.

So we reach our destination without issues.

Not that the arrival wouldn't be a thing of its own.

I quickly take note of the changes when we're still at the outer layers of the hive.

A different pattern of patrol movements, more guardians, and... humans.

Not all that many, but some, which is already a thing in itself.

Given their plain grey clothes... those must be the slaves Liseti captured.

It looks like they have to perform menial tasks, mostly carrying stuff.

Which they interrupted, now that they noticed us in our flesh carriage.

And me, courtesy of Liseti opening the upper half now that we reached the security of the hive.

Yeah, I guess a half-insect woman is still a sight.

Especially, if it's quite obvious that we are important, considering the way we're escorted.

Suddenly, a woman jumps in front of the carriage.

"Please! Help!"

Only a quick pheromone signal of mine prevents her from getting rolled over.

Though, what would actually have happened to her would've probably been far worse than if a normal carriage drove through her.

I notice Liseti being slightly annoyed, or rather offended, but decide to engage nonetheless.

"What is wrong? Ehk, sorry, I mean, I know there are circumstances, but how can I help you?" (E)

I seriously have no idea if I even can, but I certainly feel empathy with these people.

I need to at least hear them out.

If I hear now that they're treated poorly, I'll do everything in my power to change this.

If not for that fateful day when the emergence at my farm happened, I could easily be now in their circumstances, or worse.

Moreover, those are exactly the kind of people I deem innocent victims of this war.

The last who should have to suffer for the decisions of those in power.

I am in power, so I bear responsibility.

"L-lady... We, we were brought here by these creatures and made to dig and carry dirt. I haven't seen any light in weeks. We are scared and distraught. Please, help us!"

She's visibly intimidated by how my escort reacts to her.

"I, I'll see what I can do, but I can't make promises. My influence here has its limits. However, you have my word that no harm may befall you, and I will see to it that you are freed." (E)

I look at Liseti for confirmation.

After all, she wanted them as workforce for her project.

Yet once that is over, I don't think she's going to have much need for humans.

Aside from this, I don't think she would intentionally mistreat any of her workers.

When she doesn't object, I see this as confirmation enough to continue.

"Is there anything else? Are you treated well? Can I do something to help you people?" (E)

The poor woman is visibly shaken.

Obviously, she didn't think this through and didn't believe she would even get this far.

"The, the Koresoans have my little girl. I, I was told if we kill an opponent I, I could have her freed. But now..."

Yeah, doesn't seem feasible.

On the other hand...

<Liseti, we took prisoners, right? Could we exchange them for slaves of Tarsona?> (E)

<A transaction. Humans and their deals. Yet how would this benefit our side?> (L)

<Freeing children would improve our reputation. Relations are not the best since we basically took over the country, so putting in a bit of work to get it better would serve us well. Not to speak of that it would motivate these people.> (E)

<This is a convincing argument. I'll look into it. Yet at the very same time, I wish to ask you how much longer you intend to delay our arrival with this meaningless interaction.> (L)

I don't find it meaningless at all, but it might be better to give in to her.

Liseti is far more favorable if she's in a better mood.

The woman meanwhile is completely out of it because of our insect talking.

"Ahem, it might be better if you move out of the way. Please, don't act rashly. If you can endure this just a little longer, I promise things will improve." (E)

While she's clearly overwhelmed, the urging of a guardian is hardly ignored by her.

Thus, the carriage sets back into motion.

Yet now I have questions.

<Liseti, how are you treating these people? I know what you told me, but are you at least treating them well?> (E)

<The way you're saying this implies a fault with my actions. Yet I don't see any particular issue. These humans receive the same treatment as any other worker drone. With obvious recesses due to their limitations.> (L)

I guess that means she isn't working them to death, expecting the same quantity as a worker would be capable of.

<What about their basic needs?> (E)

<I had Chera and Honiu inform me about their experiences in this field. The humans have shelter, food, and respectively decent access to sufficient water to serve their needs both for consumption as well as sanitation. The service of our nurses found only limited appreciation in this regard.> (L)

Don't think closer about the implications, Erys.

At least, you now know that the people have what they need to survive.

But that doesn't cover possible mistreatment.

<But what are you doing if they don't want to work? You made it pretty clear that that's your objective. Yet you captured them and brought them without closer information to this unfamiliar environment. I can't see them being very cooperative. Are, are you using force?> (E)

Slavery is wrong in itself, that's what I've been taught, but hitting them into compliance would be even worse.

<You mean violence? Nothing of this sort. Causing physical harm would diminish the performance of the worker for too long, while bringing unpredictability in its concrete results. Instead, I reduce their food supply to the bare minimum. They are given enough to survive and if a change in performance is found, the amount will be increased in accordance. Strength replenishes particularly fast if sufficient nourishment is given. Does that satisfy you?> (L)

It's certainly not ideal.

Especially, the part where it's still slavery.

Nonetheless, Liseti seems to pay attention to their needs.

One thing stands out to me about her explanation.

<So you're even feeding those who do not perform?> (E)

<Despite you apparently thinking differently, I'm aware of the impact dead humans make to other of their kind. It would both diminish the efficiency of the workers, as it would influence our diplomatic relations very negatively. Something that I, despite your differing opinion, pay attention to.> (L)

This she says with a certain sense of contentment.

The kind one displays if they're satisfied with their own deeds.

<What about after your project is finished? I know, you want to build some kind of overland structure, but the way you said it, this won't take forever. Will you just let all of them go?> (E)

<I may even start doing so gradually. Maybe on an achieved results basis. This should motivate the others, Yet not all at once. Presumably, it won't even happen once the work is finished.> (L)

What's that supposed to mean?

<Erys, I can sense your irritation. But where do you think these humans will be going? You should be aware that a considerable amount of them lost their dwellings during this conflict. Not few of them right in this territory we're claiming. Where will they leave to? I am aware of how this country fares with humans it can't process towards a purpose. I can. I will develop this area and use their capabilities to achieve greatness.> (L)

Greatness?

Why do I feel concerned?

<What kind of greatness are you talking about?> (E)

<What is built above won't be just a purpose-oriented fortification. I'm designing here the future of our kind. Formicea will dwell on the surface as our rightful territory. We will claim this land around the hive and turn it into something beneficial for the swarm.> (L)

Yeah, okay, now there are shivers.

<You plan to claim everything above us? What about the cold? You never experienced winter on the surface. Believe me, that won't be pretty. It's going to become terribly cold.> (E)

<You can be assured that the structure I'm creating will account for that.> (L)

<But how would this territory even be more beneficial than anywhere underground?> (E)

<I find the idea of surface fields very fascinating. We already know that human crops can sustain our drones. It's only a matter of figuring out what works best. While the temperatures on the surface aren't overly favorable for our kind to dwell in for long, we now have humans to mitigate this issue. One day, all of the surrounding environment of our new territory will be filled with a harvest abundant enough to feed the hive as well as the additional humans. I'll make sure there'll be stored enough to never worry about a shortage again.> (L)

Anyone else I'd accuse of being megalomaniacal.

However, Liseti is the kind to think things through.

She makes objective plans and acts upon them.

Not to speak of that she has the power to back it up.

So if she's saying she's going to reshape the whole landscape according to her wishes, I fear that's not just a pipedream of hers.

She's actually going to put this surface insect nation into reality.

Right where my old home once stood.

Our transport eventually reaches the center of the hive, where the fairly overwhelming sight of the gigantic pillar in its center greets us.

It looks even more stunning than I remember it.

Probably due to the light stones and glow moss, which I'm very sure increased in number, making for a far brighter welcome.

Might be to have the outer layers more accommodating to humans.

And I need to say, it works.

It's hard to describe, but somehow it feels like coming home.

To think I came to accept this place as such.

Yet the relief I'm currently feeling is evidence enough.

I can't wait to be back at my old princess district.

Oh, not to forget about Dad and Toris.

I didn't see them for so long.

Yes, I sent them messages, written as pheromone pods, which Toris for some reason prefers and asked for, but actually seeing them again is so much more.

<We are almost there. Are you ready?> (L)

Ready?

I hope she means ready to lay down in my dwellings to get a good rest.

Though, somehow I doubt it.

<I, I hoped we would go back to our places?> (E)

<Hardly. Much happened, and we weren't here for a significant number of activity intervals. So first we'll report to mother.> (L)

I probably should've expected that.