Time proceeds smoothly, and things calm down again.
While I'm very busy with general preparations and breeding many drone variants I will have to rely on for my future hive, nothing out of the ordinary happens, and I could get into a rhythm.
The progress I made was, even to Liseti, ultimately "agreeable", which is like the highest praise she's willing to hand out.
So, having taken care of everything that would directly come to my mind about building a hive from scratch, eventually, there's just the last step to make for me.
To actually go.
I get a heartfelt farewell from Dad and Toris.
In some way, it helps to know that they'd soon depart as well to Valera, where they'll reunite with Mum.
It's nice to know they'll have their place to be.
I'm already making plans to visit them.
Yet before that happens, I'll have to board my carriage to my very own destination, where I'll have to take care of my own business.
My flesh carriage, to have it noted.
Though, I got quite a lot better at not freaking out about this.
It helps that this carriage completely consists of drones that originate from me.
However, it's absolutely off for me to step upon my nurse daughters to climb into it.
Not to speak of that I have to sit down on them as well.
As it's still open, I take a glance at our whole expedition once I’m seated.
Not just a severely oversized escort, no, this is the emergence of a princess, which means that every single one of my drones is coming with me, many of them transporting either eggs, larva, or material.
That Uma got a good deal on transportation carts helps a lot with this, and may just be the factor that allowed me to hoard enough supplies to dare heading out this relatively late in the year.
The thought that every single one of this wide mass of drones considers me their mother again brings home what great a responsibility I'm carrying here.
Ten-thousand-eight-hundred-seventeen lives, willing to follow their mother till the end.
I know I can't let them down.
It is my duty to create a hive where they'll all be able to live content lives as they find it appropriate.
Thus, our convoy starts to move.
Trying not to hurt the daughter I'm sitting on, I find it hard to get into the right position, until Kyska points out that I'm only making it more difficult for her this way.
Not just because of my shuffling right on top of her back, but also because she takes my unease as her failing.
An argument that convinces me to sit still.
I just hope the ovipositor isn't poking her.
Though, that might be considered an honor.
Suki, meanwhile, will stay with my family.
She has the most experience on that matter and always performed great in that role.
While she wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea that I wouldn't rely on her service to my person anymore, the fact that I would entrust my loved ones to her served to appease her on that matter.
Our convoy first leads out of the hive proper.
Past the current workings, I can still see humans, working alongside workers.
Yet by now most of them were assigned to the upper levels, where it's also a bit brighter.
Also, according to my knowledge, the first groups were already released to go their way.
I hope they'll be alright as winter is coming, and I doubt all of them have quite figured out how to continue from here on out.
That is to say, none of them gets really kicked out.
All of them are basically free to stay if they desire so.
If they do, they'd be among the first to get quarters in the superstructure on the surface.
They'd also be assigned new jobs, but doing so on a voluntary basis makes this lot in life seem quite a bit better.
Funny enough, Liseti is also planning on taking in humans from outside if they desire to work for her.
Once the necessary structures are built, they'll be open for quite a number of people if they agree to the terms.
She's even looking into seeking out means to pay them.
Given the number of refugees in Tarsona, a place that willingly takes care of them and provides for their basic needs is quite something.
Even if it's the Formicea, I wouldn't be surprised to see people actually taking that offer.
Eventually, we leave the outskirts of the grand hive, in favor of the tunnels of the system.
It seems we're on some kind of major route, given the width of this passage.
This is rather logical, considering what kind of masses we intend to move through here.
Once we got some distance covered, I notice how my carriage passes some of my drones.
Also, the carrying workers get, without halting, exchanged with fresh ones.
This only makes sense, as we'll have to travel quite the distance.
Many units won't be able to walk without stopping.
While everyone is doing what is possible, we'll have to slow our pace so we won't lose anyone.
On the other side, it doesn't really pose an issue if we don't arrive all together.
Coming in droves works just as well.
At some point, our way starts leading upwards, right to the surface.
Due to my research, I know why.
In this region, especially so close to the sea, the underground system isn't very developed.
Therefore, there's no direct path to Caradis.
While workers created a path in advance, it isn't quite finished yet.
Some smaller tunnels maybe, but no routes feasible for our troop.
Which for us means that we'll move above the surface.
As this part of Tarsona is among the safest and I have a literal army with me, I'm not all that concerned about leaving the underground.
However, while I would like to enjoy the sight, Miru and my royal guard take the exposure as a reason to create walls and ceiling of this vehicle with their bodies.
Slightly off-putting, this means I'm ending up with some of my royal guards staring from the ceiling right at me, at attendance for possible orders.
At least, it shouldn't be very far anymore.
And, as excellent as always, Kyska decides to distract me from being fully enclosed.
(E)
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Just thinking about how many of my eggs are currently carried by workers makes the severity of this issue clearly apparent.
After all, it would surprise me if the formally assigned governor wouldn't get his own housing with the job.
My royal guard commander gives me a stern look at this.
Thank you!
I know this isn't ideal.
It might be a blow to my reputation if I just claim some place that is occupied for myself, straining my relationship with the people of Caradis.
In addition, I still don't know how this body of mine will react to the cold seasons, but it's simply the best available solution.
Also, I always wanted to try living in a beach house.
In my situation, I'm allowed to live out some of my dreams, aren't I?
At one point, one of my messengers approaches me.
Finally!
Thus, I can take in the surrounding area.
The lush grasslands, flowing in the mild wind.
The long mountain range in the south that marks the Ceranian border.
The grand Garanas parting the lands, setting most of my drones on edge.
And not to forget the sea, whose salty smell hits my nostrils long before the grand blue comes into view.
Then, finally, our destination comes into view.
Caradis, also known as the jewel of Tarsona.
I take the chance to step out for a moment, to make some final preparations before we enter the town.
While getting up, I look back down with mixed feelings, contemplating that those below me had my weight on them the whole time.
It's really something else, knowing you're related to the drone you're, well, using.
Suddenly, there's a little head poking out of my former seat.
Uh... I know that one.
That was one of the nurses I sent to Olira for merchant training.
How did that one end up below my butt?!
Oh my god, I was sitting on someone I know personally!
Pushing my difficult emotions into the back of my mind, I leave the carriage to take a better look at the town.
I instantly recognize how this place got its reputation.
Brightly colored, with an emphasis on white walls.
The roofs of the town shining in numerous colors in the sun.
And behind all of it, the blue sea, glimmering in such serene beauty that one might forget the dangers lurking inside its waters.
Just good that most monsters are too big to approach the coast.
Would be really bad if they could just crawl onto land to take people.
This place truly looks peaceful, which is supported by the wall around this place.
More for show than strength, I’d guess even an average person could, with some effort, climb right over those two meters.
It's probably only to keep out the critters.
In general, the town is on the smaller side, compared to cities like Osari or Arkona, which are major trade centers.
This is because, while Caradis is apparently a major anchor point for all the ships traveling to Valera, its true specialty is something else.
Vacation!
Everyone who can afford to do so is spending their spare time in Caradis.
At usually exorbitant prices that is.
It seems the king even had to place certain limiting laws to prevent the depopulation of this place due to all the rich people driving the prices for local estates up.
This should show how much of an outrage it must have been that this place was given away to insects.
From afar it looks like the ideal place to live.
Though, now it's the swarm's very own seaport, my seaport.
The idea that I’ll soon be responsible for this entire place in addition to my new hive still doesn’t quite feel real.
I look around me again and ultimately point at a spot right next to the main road, on the side that is closer to the Garanas.
Immediately, they get to work.
Not just the workers, but also hunters, nurses, messengers, and even guardians start digging. It's still mostly on the workers to transport the mass, while the guardians for example can only loosen the ground, but with the help of all the mining tools, carts, and even buckets, the already ridiculous digging speed of my brood is even further accelerated.
We are talking here about those who built the great Tarsonan wall within a few weeks.
Enough said!
Refocusing away from the starting works, back to the town, I spot some people on the street in the distance, but they seem unwilling to approach.
If they aren't fully informed about us, I imagine they're having right now a full-blown panic attack.
I mean, I have here several thousands of my drones, which to the average person are probably insect monstrosities.
I just hope nobody comes to harm in the ensuing panic.
Yet then I realize that this is one of the things that I, as the newly appointed governor, should take care of.
First, I send out Miru, her troop, and a number of messengers to announce my coming.
They may also inform, and hopefully calm down the populace.
Dozens of casualties on my arrival wouldn't make for a good start.
After what I deem an appropriate amount of time, I take my place on my now opened carriage, with a proper escort that I have had take up formation.
As everything is about first impressions, showing them how coordinated my masses of brood can move with their military precision will both serve as a demonstration of power as well as a sign that we're not savages who are about to raid them.
So I approach the small gates.
Guardians in front, workers as carriers directly below me and to the sides, messengers taking the sky, and my loyal royal guard having taken cautious position all around me on the flesh carriage.
Thus, it gets serious.
I'm at least sure that this won't be a day any of the inhabitants will ever forget.
Though, the same goes for me.
So much has happened to me since I was forced from my home those months ago, all things I never would have thought possible before the Formicea took me.
Changed from a mere farmer girl into an insect princess and everything that involved.
Kidnapped by a noble of my former homeland while trying to secure peace.
Giving my best effort to protect all the others who dwell here.
Constantly going from one place to the next.
And now I'm standing here in front of this town with a gigantic horde, consisting of my very own children.
While I doubt that after seeing my army any of the local nobles and politicians will be keen on messing with me, there are certainly a lot of other challenges in store for me.
My head already hurts when I imagine all the issues that will arise from this field of politics I'm plunging into here.
There's going to be conspiracies, troubles, challenges, and possibly quite some violence till things calm down again.
However, this will be a story for another time.