Formicea
Epilogue: An Unparralleled Being 2

- Teron -

Ever since the mining business started, things have become a lot livelier in this place.

Workers and earth mages tirelessly work on expanding the deeper layers of this reservoir that holds so much wealth.

Of course, security is ridiculous here.

The sheer amount of insects on guard duty makes it pretty clear that you won't get to smuggle anything that doesn't belong to you out of here.

I won't lie, the idea to try and take control over this place with the combat forces I've been given came to my mind and is still entertained by some of the men, but it's simply not feasible.

I have to grant that princess that she barely has any openings.

While it became clear to me pretty early on that her position is weakened, as anyone with eyes can see how she's struggling to fight off the threat at her doorstep, this certainly doesn't mean her remaining forces were weak.

Furthermore, attack her, and you won't be happy in life afterwards.

There are simply too many important figures backing her for you to get far with any fortune you could acquire in a coup.

No, the current job is still the best way to drain as much money from her as possible.

Fighting those crabs is probably even safer than confronting her troops.

Also, as I mentioned before, one can quite easily convince her of almost anything.

The tricky part is actually getting to her.

Since she brought humans into her home, she apparently also drastically raised the general security.

You'll find constant patrols on any possible routes.

There isn't a single blind spot, and they, on principle, don't let humans through.

It seems the princess is concerned with a possible human uprising.

Yet given all her prevention measures, pulling off something like this would be rather difficult.

However, what else is difficult would be actually walking past them if you do have official business.

The current system of sending a liaison messenger to request an audience is highly inefficient.

And even if you actually get approved, walking to the respective meeting location is highly bothersome.

Eventually, I manage to force my way through the patrols, clashing more than once with the insects in a way that could have devolved into an open conflict.

The reception hall is just one more open cave, with a bit of a roundtable in the center.

It's also fitted with several entryways for guards to come rushing in if the princess deems it necessary.

I won't say that it's inappropriate, but one can't easily shake off the impression of her being paranoid.

There she is.

The insect princess in question.

I came to know her a bit better during the recent times of my employment.

She is haughty, overconfident in her abilities, and a perfectionist beyond measure.

On the other side, she's unanimously loved by her subjects, is the greatest authority in this realm, and is quite keen on improving her territory.

The last one is something I can get behind.

I got to know so many nobles who were content with only living off of what their fief provides them, without lifting a finger.

This princess instead is a workaholic.

Never satisfied with what she has, she strives to build up and expand her base, eager to prove herself.

It bears risk, as it is likely what got her in a bad position, but hell, I am a goddamned mercenary lord.

I'm not one to talk here about incurring risks.

"Human, I was informed that you wished to speak to me about recent developments." (C)

"Well, yeah, we just got a massive attack by those crabs and barely managed to hold them off. Nonetheless, they did do some damage." (T)

"Then you will receive your compensation at the usual rates." (C)

That's a lot of money, but not quite what I had in mind.

"Sure, but I rather wanted to talk about what comes next. After all, we got attacked by hundreds of them." (T)

"And you prevailed? Magnificent!" (C)

That's as well not quite what I thought in this regard.

"Did I misspeak? I didn't take this for good news." (T)

Our lines of defense are strained after the recent attack.

One more and we might break.

"But it is! Now we can go on the offensive! If the Crusteans truly attacked as you described, then now seems to be the perfect opportunity to delve into the mycelium and harvest what we can. They won't be there if they expedited their numbers to attack." (C)

That's it again.

Her precious mycelium.

By this point, I understand that she's referring to some kind of underground field from where her units bring those edible mushrooms we already got as army provisions.

It seems like there's no greater objective on her mind.

"I'm not going to send my men out there! In fact, I ordered a retreat towards the inner hive." (T)

"You did what?! On whose authority?!" (C)

"My own, as the one responsible for my people, I have to make sure to bring as many of them back alive as I can. And I certainly won't do so if I put them in the first line, behind broken barricades." (T)

"So you're intending to say you wish to repair those barricades?" (C)

"It won't be done with this. We need to rebuild them completely from scratch. Not to forget equipment. The weapons we got are basically scraps at this point. Making them fight under such circumstances with such bad morale is going to get them killed." (T)

"Then they will have to be restored." (C)

Wait, what!?

"So you will directly support my troop?" (T)

That's not quite common.

Usually, mercenaries are expected to make use of the received contract money to get the equipment they need.

"I will. New barricades and weapons. Anything else?" (C)

We can even put up requests?!

"For the time being, the men can't stay behind the broken barricades, waiting for the next attack that might kill them. In the first place, we need a proper headquarters to coordinate our troops that isn't so close to the combat zone." (T)

"As you say. So I will take care of this issue as well." (C).

"And you're going to fulfill my request just like this?" (T)

"Why wouldn't I? You humans posed to be of greatest value in protecting my hive. It only sounds reasonable to maintain an overall positive situation. I lost far less brood in these past activity intervals than before and was even able to replenish my numbers to a degree. Overall, this seems to be a positive trend." (C)

At the cost of my men, that is.

"So how, in detail, are you planning to help us?" (T)

"As you said, you require more material. Fortunately, this only requires a short expedition outside my hive, which becomes even more convenient with the new transportation route I am currently establishing on the surface. We should be able to acquire more weapons for you in the same way. In addition, building a shelter is a trivial task for my workers. So it shouldn't cause problems." (C)

Simple is the keyword.

She isn't quite thinking this through.

These measures will be only temporarily effective, and if by now merchants have lost their fear, I doubt the prices will be favorable.

"I'd like to make a better suggestion." (T)

"What?! How dare you?!" (C)

"I only want to say that you are sitting here on the raw material for exactly what we need. So why not just use this?" (T)

"How would I know anything about processing these materials?" (C)

"You, of course not. But you could simply hire someone who does." (T)

That got her thinking.

Deeply it seems.

At least she looks like she is contemplating.

"I see. Yes, this sounds like an appropriate solution. Then you shall find me someone." (C)

"While we're already recruiting, we may just as well get ourselves more soldiers. Our numbers are depleting, and I'd like to get the unit back to strength." (T)

"No." (C)

"Ehm, no?" (T)

What is 'no' supposed to mean!?!

"I faced humans in battle and stay every day informed about your progress. I know what humans can be capable of and keep due track of the potential strength they possess with the weaponry I provided them. I know that I possess something of immense value to you humans. Therefore, I would be quite foolish to allow you to bring as many possible new threats as you like." (C)

It seems she doesn't want to have herself get outnumbered by humans.

This puts a limit on how many troops I can raise.

Quite a bummer.

"You still control the weapons, and I certainly require more soldiers if you want to expand." (T)

That got her.

There's nothing she wants more than this.

And I want my mercenary band to be again at full strength.

"Fine. But only in moderation. Also, I will half the payment for them. Let's see how many will agree to this." (C)

Actually, half an adamantite slab is still generous.

Especially, for newbies in our mercenary band.

I should probably reduce it even more, or we'll get swamped by scum, ready for quick money. The problematic kind if you want to remain in control.

"I understand. Well then, let me fetch all I need and prepare for my departure." (T)

I turn around, ready to leave, but suddenly, there's a shout.

"One more thing." (C)

And I thought I could finally get out of here and be on my way to Arkona.

"Yes?" (T)

"Here. I want you to drink this." (C)

"Is this what I think it is?" (T)

I already heard from others about this.

If I were to drink this, not only will I experience moderate agony, but it will also permanently change my body.

Coming from the sniffing stuff that was mandatory to take for the officers, otherwise we couldn't follow orders properly, this will certainly be anything but pleasant.

"It has become inconvenient that you lack proper means of communicating within my hive, despite your greater management role. Thus, I decided to remedy this issue. As I was told by now numerous times that direct application severely clashes with your human, inefficient, customs, I deem oral ingestion to be the proper way to proceed in this regard." (C)

I look at the murky, viscous, violet liquid.

Already from the sight, I'd probably prefer poison over this.

"There is no need for you to fret. I'm not a lunatic like Honiu, who would give you a mutation inducer. This is merely a lesser version to modify your throat for basic commands. It shouldn't interfere with your speech in the slightest." (C)

That's not quite reassuring.

This vile drink is going to do something irreparable to me if I were to take it.

That was certainly not part of the assignment.

"As I see it, you have a choice to make, human. I'm offering you a position of great importance at my side. It will grant you power and standing, and, because you humans favor them so much, riches. If not for this, why would you still be here?" (C)

She got a point.

In comparison to my men, the money I already made would be enough to finance a retirement in luxury till my last day.

But different from my men, I didn't bail out yet.

This whole endeavor is too valuable to just let it go.

I always thought one should seize opportunity when it comes.

So why am I hesitating now?

I take the flask with an iron grip and chug down its contents, numbly bracing myself for what comes next.

Not like anything could've actually alleviated what happens next.

The burn reminds me of a wound I received in the past when I was sure I was done for.

Liquid agony spreads everywhere from my throat.

I saw men break down from less, but I have a reputation to uphold.

Therefore, I don't drop to my knees. I'll endure this upright.

Fortunately, my hope for release soon becomes reality, when the pain actually does lessen.

<Seems like you made your choice, Theron. Now allow me to do the same.> (C)

A moment later, I feel the wet touch of her claw on my forehead.

Despite my weakened state, I may have been able to shove her away, but something tells me that would've been a monumentally stupid act.

Yet now there's this weird smell that lingers.

The same does her gaze on me when she finally pulls away.

<I expect your report during the next activity interval. Make use of my brood if you require further assistance. I want my mycelium back and am confident that you can make this happen. From there on, we will see to come through with your other suggestions.> (C)

A tall request.

However, given what I know, not an impossible one.

The areas outside our current positions can be taken, securing them is the issue.

Yet if I were to apply the policies I requested, it should be doable.

If I understood her right, she's giving me free hand to a degree.

That makes her one of the smarter employers in my book.

<Theron, I am willing to show a moderate sense of trust to you for staying at my side. As my representative, I offer you a position of power beyond measure once my hive is consolidated.> (C)

Seems like I'm going to be the military commander here.

Quite the rise in status for a street urchin out of the slums of Diroen.

Things are looking up.

For me, as apparently for this princess.