Formicea
Epilogue: For a Brighter Future

Announcement Here is the first epilogue to Book 1. I have quite a number more planned and hope they'll at least help to cover the time till Book 2.

Also, I decided to open up a Discord server. It's mostly thought for discussing any topics about my stories you might be interested in. However, I can't promise I'll be constantly able to manage everything. Nonetheless, I hope we may have fun talking about stuff.

If you're interested, here's the link: .gg/DqZmng9G7X

- Alaric Fennec -

"Thus, my people, the war has finally come to an end! No longer will Tarsonan blood be spilled! As of today, peace is restored, and prosperity will once again make our great nation flourish!" (Kahan)

The voice of the king, carried by the amplifier's workings to the masses below the palace grounds, fulfills its purpose.

Many thousands hear the words and are in awe at this display of power and relieved at the good news brought to them.

None of them questioning for a moment the price we will have to pay for this "victory".

And why would they?

Citizens, peasants, and refugees all alike.

They only want to hear that their bad times are over.

It's the most convenient for them like this.

They are simply not in the mood to incur further hardships.

It's not uncommon that those who’ve experienced the effects of war and destitution aren't too keen to force a repetition.

However, in some few of them, I can see the growing seeds of unrest.

Not all of them have accepted the insects as their new masters but are ready to challenge that fate.

They will fail, of course.

At least if they go poorly about this and try to challenge them openly.

"However, I need to remind each one of you that this wouldn't have been possible without our new allies. They will continue maintaining the barrier that is to protect us from any Koresoan attacks in the future. The only exchange we need to grant them is to take it upon us to guarantee their troops' suppliance. For this reason, I hereby declare the great agrarian reform, with the goal of cultivating the central plains and turning them into the greatest and most modern plantation area ever seen! I think we all experienced how grim hunger and a lack of the most basic amenities can turn. As your sovereign, I'll take it upon myself to give my all to prevent you, my people, from experiencing such scarcity ever again." (K)

Lies and half-truths.

More of the latter though.

It might be true that the insects will continue to guard the border.

More so the southern, as they claimed that territory as their own.

Something that wasn't brought up to the people.

However, the truth is that Tarsona is going to pay tribute that goes far beyond what would be necessary to feed this garrison.

Tarsona's ruler is, of course, not going to mention such things.

It would make him appear weak and bear grounds for dissent.

"Furthermore, the laws that prohibit the harming of any Formicean will stay in place. If you have complaints about their actions, you may bring your concern to the responsible authorities, so they may take care of it. However, self-serving attacks won't be tolerated." (K)

This is actually something I believe might work.

As difficult as it may seem for humans to accept those creatures, they are not of the kind to act out by themselves.

You won't find the drones acting erratically without orders.

The princesses on the other hand...

Urgh, I already get shivers just thinking about who now settled their base right below Valera.

Only bad rumors about that one.

Particularly, her interest in children.

However, those stories are rather limited in degree.

The greatest issue I can see would be the retaliating actions of angry Tarsonans.

Yet that risk of escalation is substantial.

"I promise all of you that you won't have to go hungry or cold ever again. We will arrange housing for the destitute and the victims of this war. We will provide reputable work to anyone willing to do it. Not a single one will be left unable to feed themselves as well as their families and all will be given the opportunity to build their life up to shape their own future! Stay with me! Support me, and through my reign our country will experience its golden age!" (K)

Damn, the crowd grows ecstatic.

Well, in theory, the promise sounds good.

To everyone a job, no beggars, a full-on subsistence for anyone willing to do their part.

I don't even want to know how much of this will have to be tied to the insects to happen.

Probably even the provided housing.

I've got enough of that farce, and get to turn away.

Yet then a very troublesome individual shows up.

"Lord Fennec! I'm glad that you were able to make it." (Aaron)

"Yes, although I don't see much of a point. Why the invitation?" (Fennec)

"Oh, not much of a reason. I merely thought it might bode well to have you witness the festivities. I dare call them a success, are they not?" (A)

"They probably proceed exceedingly well, given the circumstances. This might mostly be because there are no ugly reminders of our current realities present." (F)

Like, the many-legged kind that would make the people remember a certain occupation.

Crying children wouldn't be great at this kind of event.

"Yes, it seems like the assigned princess of Valera didn't see a need to attend. Might be for the better though. She isn't the most social being." (A)

'Assigned', huh?

So they are still occupying the capital.

Just not as obvious.

"Anyway, what I wished to discuss was that, as we are currently still dealing with the aftermaths of a crisis, a number of policies will have to be enabled. Foremost, the new agricultural program. For this reason, in pursuit of my duties and with royal authority, I hereby assign House Fennec as its guardians." (A)

Did I just mishear!?

"You want me to do what?!" (F)

"The plantation project is going to span a particularly wide scale and will have to rely on maintained order on the premises. Your fief is rather close to one of the planned locations. Therefore it only makes sense that you and your men maintain the peace at those facilities. After all, I doubt I need to tell you that general approval is far from achieved yet, and we need to expect all kinds of quarrels from those who choose not to play by the laid-out rules." (A)

So they want my house to send its soldiers to do guard duty.

"So what happens if someone doesn't play by the rules?" (F)

"Then you throw them out. None of them are forced to do work they resent so much. However, their names will be marked for other national operations. Those who can't fit in shouldn't expect to reap any benefits. They'll likely end up starving. Yet fortunately, there are even jobs for this kind of troublesome individual." (A)

Do I even want to know what he has in mind?

"You seem to have it all laid out." (F)

"Me? Far from it. I'm merely navigating the troubled currents we find ourselves in, trying to reconcile a people of prideful men and women with the fact that we are indebted, dependent, and at the mercy of a faction that is controlling our fate. Therefore, I opt to give them the food they requested. Everything else would be foolishness." (A)

I'll give him that we certainly wouldn't last in a fight.

Yet this doesn't mean going along with their demands is any more reasonable.

They gave them fucking Caradis!

Relinquishing our jewel to insects!

Once that gets out, all eyes will focus on this one place, and if they don't like what they see the corresponding revolts will make sure things get messy.

"Do you seriously believe that things will run as smoothly as you imagine them?" (F)

"I assume not. As the newly assigned Master of Whispers, it will also be on me to devise our future agencies. As such, I can tell you that there are concerning rumors of movements in Ceranis. However, what I do know is that currently, things are looking much better than what they seemed a few months ago. Before the day of the Emergence." (A)

A fitting title.

Ever since these creatures showed up in the picture, things changed drastically.

I'm sure this time will go down in history for that very reason.

The greatest development our world has seen since the cataclysm.

Literally turning things upside down, as the underworld encroaches onto the surface.

"They may look better now, but who is to say that these creatures would not turn at us once they deem us too great of a threat to be kept alive?" (F)

"There's a certain factor that makes this unlikely. Even though they could completely obliterate us, I know for a fact that there are more insect factions than the one we interacted with." (A)

Oh shit!

Does he mean what he just said?

I know what this one horde can do.

What would it mean if there'd be even more of them?!

"I-is that true?" (F)

"Of course, it is. Yet it also means that our friends from below are in competition. A power struggle, so to say. And as it often is, a nation in such circumstances has a definite need of allies." (A)

"Are you saying that Tarsona might support insect wars in the future?" (F)

"I cannot tell what the future may bring, but for now, our policy is to support our new allies unconditionally. After all, it's not like we'd be in any position to even set conditions. However, given how things may develop, this could change." (A)

"So you're truly preparing for more war?" (F)

Be it with or against the swarm we cooperated with.

"By no means, no! We will merely make reasonable preparations and carry out the appropriate decisions. The kind to benefit the good people of Tarsona the most. After all, this is all the groundwork towards a brighter future." (A)

A brighter future, huh?

Yet currently, I see mostly more insects in it.

Many, many more insects.

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