Formicea
Chapter 205

During our ascent to the upper dwellings, where also the queen's chambers are located, I noticed that the number of active guardians has increased.

They are particularly present at all the critical infrastructure.

Perhaps as an answer to having all these humans wandering around in our halls.

As usual, the greatest density of guardians one finds right at the queen's chamber.

Not like I even think anyone would dare to challenge Uma.

Having just now successfully recalled her oversized frame, as so many times before, I become uneasy when entering the great hall, where she usually receives people.

I don't need to wait for long before I already hear her pheromone breath.

<Shuuoooooh!/Little Erys, you are back! I have been waiting for quite some time and can't wait for you to tell me what transpired with your project.> (U)

So she wants a first-hand report?

I think back to all the noteworthy events.

How well the building phase worked, the return of the enemy army, our failed attempt at negotiation, the siege, and finally the trap... as well as what followed.

So I recollect everything for Uma that could be of the slightest relevance.

Uma is clearly interested in those stories, so I can't really dodge this talk.

<I feel like there's something you don't wish to convey.> (U)

Why does this insect titan have to be so damn perceptive?

<I swear, I didn't leave anything out on purpose. There was just quite a lot that happened at the wall.> (E)

Like the fact that we leveled a whole landscape.

<Still, I can sense some unease at your recollection. Was anything to your dissatisfaction? I was informed that everything transpired within our strategic expectations. So would there be any reason for concern?> (U)

Sigh.

I doubt there's much of a point to continue trying to keep this to myself.

<The others decided to attack after the trap already achieved its purpose. As bad as the cavein was, what followed was much worse. How Inati's drones finished off people who weren't capable of fighting back anymore. I, I feel like going this far wasn't necessary.> (E)

Uma continues staring at me, the immense pressure of her sheer presence lingering almost palpably in the room.

<Liseti, do you have anything to add in this regard?> (U)

<The decision followed rational inspections. We deemed that, as determined as the enemy humans were on accomplishing their goals, a simple setback wouldn’t suffice. We had to deliver a blow they wouldn't easily recover from. One they wouldn't wish to ever court again.> (L)

<Why wouldn't a simple setback suffice? Couldn't you just allow them to attack again as they did? After all, our arrangement with the humans relies on dependency. If they don't fear their other enemy, they might reconsider the nature of this relationship.> (U)

Is Uma doubting Liseti and taking my side?

No, something is off about the way Uma just said this.

It's doused with the strength of her pheromones, but there is an intricacy to them.

By now I can figure her out to a degree.

She didn't truly find fault with Listi's acts.

Rather, she gives her a chance and room to explain herself.

She's basically in teacher mode.

<No, this wouldn't have been recommended. It might be true that the new border now should be hard to overcome, yet the enemy was willing to go to the greatest lengths to overcome our defense. However, this is not our concern. The true issue is that any future attack would likely be directed at us.> (L)

<Please, elaborate, Liseti.> (U)

<Because the defensive line is too good and our presence is likely far more of an issue to this human nation, we would in all likelihood be the natural target for their next attack. By the nature of our plan, we weren't able to fortify the southern border at the river. It would have meant a direct clash with the enemy forces, which due to their existing fortifications as well as their focus on distance weapons wouldn't have been a favorable fight. Now the enemy still maintains a presence on their side. I don't doubt our victory were we to battle them, but with a cost to our brood. Our interests were best served by impeding their ability to lash out again. Now we have time for raising structures in our favor, thus, the enemy ought to realize the vanity of a new offensive.> (L)

<I see. As always you put much thought into the matter. Yet you still lack the ability to convey your various concerns properly.> (U)

Yeah, I am on a sinking ship here.

Not a chance to convince anyone here that massacring enemy soldiers is wrong.

<Also, I took action to capture as many humans from our opponent's side as possible, despite Inati's rampage. As Erys mentioned to me before, living humans have a value. To varying degrees this increases by a potential magnitude if there is an attachment to them. I deem those specific humans to possess a greater value for the enemy human nation.> (L)

She did?

I only saw how Inati's troops were massacring everyone they could.

But I doubt there were all that many she could reach through all this chaos.

<It seems with this, both sides now conveyed all they could. As things were presented to me, I'd judge Liseti's stance on the topic as the more favorable one.> (U)

What did I say?

It was so obvious she'd react like this.

<That is to say, Erys' way of thinking comes from her deep compassion for all living beings. However, Erys, you are a broodmother. Your first priority should be those you carry responsibility for.> (U)

I get it.

It's not like I plan on sacrificing them.

They are all so important to me.

But does this really mean that it would be wrong to choose less drastic measures?

Is being effective truly all that matters if you regularly have to resort to such extreme acts?

As if reading my mind, which she probably does, Uma addresses just this with her next pheromone wave.

<Yet from another viewpoint, despite not sharing this sentiment, I can acknowledge the thinking that sometimes the protection of those we ought to protect may not outweigh the price that is paid to make it happen. Who is to judge if you were to prioritize a greater good for more than those who would give their life for you? I may not think like this, but I won't rebuke Erys for doing so.> (U)

I never said I would think like this either.

Yet the fact that Uma is even genuine about this makes it even worse to be confronted with this idea.

I truly care for my brood, but I also do so for all the innocent people affected by war.

<I, I, don't intend to sacrifice them.> (E)

<Which brings us right to the last point. All this goes only under the condition that you are making a conscious decision, and your acting does not stem from the incapability of taking the best solution you can take. Erys, you are about to found your own hive in a swiftly approaching time. Once you do so, that place will be your responsibility. A princess' hive is largely independent. All the decisions you make WILL bear great consequences. I hope once this time comes you will think about what is dear to you and what you're willing to do to preserve it. And never, never let indecisiveness control your fate. Be the master of yourself. Only then will you be a broodmother capable of deciding the fate of your brood. The kind your brood deserves.> (U)

Huh.

She has a point I guess.

It's difficult, but "I can't decide this" is perhaps truly not something one should settle for.

Thinking about it, could I have found a better solution?

What about killing the enemy commander or even assassinating all the decision-makers in Koreso?

Not being indecisive is actually quite difficult if you can't fathom how well your ideas will work out.

<I'm not sure if this is possible. How would one always find right away the right solution in any extremely complicated situation? Especially, with lives at stake?> (E)

<Well, in the case of doubt, I'd like you to always prioritize your own brood first. This is an appropriate direction to settle for when no other choice appears clearly advantageous.> (U)

Yeah, as if that is so easily done if relations are getting complicated.

<But wouldn't the humans living in Caradis not also become my subjects?> (E)

<Ahh, a fascinating concept. You may have a point that your adopted children are not to be treated as lesser than your original brood.> (U)

She didn't really say "adopted" here, but the meaning of taking on subjects as a princess is apparently the same to her.

<Ehk, I'm not sure if this fits.> (E)

<Why wouldn't it? Take Honiu's new brood. The way she refers to them it seems they are already completely assimilated into her brood. I greatly enjoyed talking to her little messenger. That one is deeply loyal to her. Naturally, there are still peculiarities, but she did a fine job at guiding their young minds in the right direction. They make for a great addition in versatility to her brood. So I'm not against this idea. It's even similar to our relationship, don't you think? I love you all the same as I do Liseti or Inati. However, Inati is quite the problem child. Not to speak of Chera.> (U)

Ehk, what!?

<Chera?> (E)

<This may not be the appropriate context to discuss this.> (U)

Wait, was there just a little glance at Liseti?

Did Uma just omit her thoughts in front of Liseti?

That's akin to lying!

So Uma basically just lied!

<Back to the topic. Taking risks with your subjects is unavoidable. But you should always make sure that those you are taking responsibility for deserve this. Humans can be very fickle creatures and their loyalty may be questionable at best. That is to say, as individualism reigns supreme among them, only a fool would make a general assessment of such erratic creatures. There are many with considerably different characters. It will be on you to judge who deserves your love.> (U)

I feel like her analogy of adopting all the citizens in Caradis is reaching its limits here.

But as much as I tried to distract myself from this task that lies ahead, the management of this city is going to be quite a challenge.

Who would have thought?

As I have nothing to respond to this, it seems we are now finally done.

<This was a fine talk. I always enjoy our little talks, Erys. I will miss those once you are gone to establish your own hive. You have always such a unique perspective on things.> (U)

<In this regard, Mother, Erys had a fascinating proposal. What would you think about the idea of having each cycle a council of the broodmothers? I'm sure such an exchange of the newest events would be beneficial for us.> (L)

<Ahh, such a wonderful idea. Yes, this might even improve the swarm's unity. I would finally be able to see all of my loved ones together. Truly, I can see this happen.> (U)

Once again, I feel like I said too much.

Despite barely having said a thing.

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