- Erys -

Today another delivery arrives in the hive.

Until now I always took the time to personally welcome them.

It's not like I have much else to do and I consider this basic courtesy.

Also, it's always interesting to rummage through the goodies.

I always grow excited since Olira often adds things one wouldn't expect.

And is probably going to charge me for them in one way or the other.

However, getting little gifts has a princess-like vibe to it.

The driver is, as usual, quite nervous but not as badly as the first ones.

I guess they're getting more used to it the more time they spend around the giant insects.

There are the usual things like foods, fabric, tools, and similar necessities.

But only after the first crate gets opened I see what this delivery really is about.

Several blades in a glistening black are lying aligned in there.

want to take one of them to examine it closer, but before I can do so the coacher addresses me.

"Careful. Black iron is much heavier than normal iron. It makes up for this in durability, but you can hurt yourself if you're unaware of this." (coacher)

"Oh, thanks." (E)

Truly, the blade that I'm now carefully lifting is quite heavy.

But that should be no issue since I intentionally equipped my royal guard with more muscles than they would usually have.

Because this is so, they consume more food than other drones but this should pay off here as they form an elite unit.

The payment for Olira was agreed to either be the double amount of black iron or six times in normal iron.

Black iron is quite rare so there's not too much available and the latter has to suffice.

As far as I know, they're mining it close to the base by Osari.

Which is good since otherwise, we have to store it and then deliver it to Osari.

And I doubt that this much would fit in this cart.

I should put learning how to build carriages on my list.

"Ehk, please wait. We'll distribute the cargo here. Don't worry, I'll directly give the order to prepare the return cargo." (E)

"Please make it quick. Those things make me nervous." (coacher)

Well, maybe you shouldn't have become an underground coacher then.

Now, everything has to be brought to my district.

Especially the crates will have to be carried all the way up to my royal guard.

Regarding iron, Liseti has already a bit of a mining operation going, so there are some full storage halls.

"Also, she wants me to mention that nectar got quite popular and she'd appreciate receiving more of it." (coacher)

Enough for this carriage should be no problem.

But I should mention that Formicea are quite picky about their food, so I have to hold back on giving too much nectar away.

I still prepare eight vessels from my storage.

My own nectar unit isn't completely mature yet but already started producing a bit.

When it's matured, the output should be at one vessel every two days as a rough estimation.

The unloading and loading of the carriage proceed surprisingly fast.

The workers take everything off, without showing any strain.

Only for the crates of black iron, they have to work in groups to carry them, but they still perform this in perfect unison as if they practiced to do so.

After this, they bring as fast as possible the things we agreed upon in return.

The items that can't be loaded on the cart anymore will be carried separately by the workers to Osari, now that he's done here.

I hope he will report that everything went smoothly.

But right now he might still fear getting killed on the way back.

Eventually, all transactions are concluded.

All I have to do now is to head back up to see how my supposed guards fare with those weapons.

The place where my royal guard is located is basically its own facility within my district.

Something like a large barracks complex and a training field in front of it, which reminds me quite much of an arena.

Stolen novel; please report.

Regarding my royal guards, they started training with sticks.

People on the surface may ask why so many trees in the area above the hive have no branches anymore, but that shouldn't cause greater issues.

It's kinda fascinating seeing my little child soldiers, or rather teenagers by now, dueling each other with four swords at once.

I need to say, they're developing quite well.

Not only physically, where some of them can be quite the impressive sight.

They're already as tall as humans and are still growing.

Also, they have four strong arms.

I wouldn't mess with them.

At the same time, they're still looking presentable.

The smooth face masks they have give nothing away and they can stand upright and somewhat elegant as the elite guards they are.

But what is for me more important is that some of them developed personality characteristics.

There's still this extreme devotion that I can't really get used to, yet now there are variants in their attitude.

For example, there's some competition going on between them for showing good results.

Using foreign weapons was new to them so they required some training.

And as it shows, they're very motivated.

Even more so when they notice that I'm there and seeing their performance.

Two who are fighting, accelerate their pace so much that both their sticks break when they clash.

I really should tell them that they shouldn't push themselves too hard.

"Ehk, hello. Please stay careful. If you get hurt this won't help anyone." (E)

I'd still wish that they would blink sometimes when I speak.

(Sk)

Skiras still surveys most of their training, even if, according to him, they already are quite independent.

I won't even pretend as if I l know much about the training of insect soldiers.

"I just came to say that the first batch of weapons arrived. We should see how well they'll fare with them. Ehk, and they really shouldn't use those against each other. Weapons are dangerous and we have to find a way to make safe use of them." (E)

(Sk)

"Sure, but I also don't want any avoidable injuries to happen." (E)

Skiras doesn't really retort, but I can literally feel the discontent oozing out of him.

I guess it's something along the lines of "don't treat soldiers like babies".

But they're still so young.

Anyways, while there are by no means enough weapons for all hundred of them, not to speak of their four arms, we are starting to get some equipped.

Skiras seems to be at least slightly interested in the new tools I've acquired for our troops.

I was a bit worried, but at least the shortswords are no problem for them to handle, and the medium-sized ones they're able to wield in some way but not yet effective.

However, they're still growing, so it should work out.

Personally, I think for the tunnels spears would do quite well.

Also, in combination with their flight, the slightly greater distance should make for a good combination.

"And? Do you think this might work out, Skiras?" (E)

(Sk)

That's as much approvement as I'll get from him.

"This isn't all they might get. We also could give them spears or bows. Versatility is one of the advantages of this approach." (E)

(Sk)

That sounds quite rigorous, always having to carry up to four very heavy weapons at once.

But on the other hand, I shouldn't sabotage my own guards.

Also, this is something that might save their lives one day.

I really shouldn't interfere too much here.

But one thing I should do before I leave it at that.

And this is asking for direct feedback.

I approach one of them who just got his short swords and currently tests their weight in his claws.

Due to the pheromones, he's directly aware of me.

"B-b-b-brooodmootheer?" (royal guard)

Ah, right.

I wanted them to be able to make human sounds, as they'll have to interact with them.

However, the pronunciation seems to be quite difficult since they lack a mouth.

Instead, they have quite complex vocal cords.

And as they're still young and didn't use them much yet they produce a deep humming sound.

But if not for that their voices are almost soothing.

Not a bit like the usual high-pitched screams of other drones.

Which makes it quite pleasant to have them around.

"Ehk, I wanted to ask, how are those weapons? Do you think you can use them well?" (E)

"Th-th-thank, youu, broodmoother. Wiith, thiies, I caan, protect, youu." (royal guard)

"Anything you'd like to add? Any improvements you would want to have? Sorry for the weight, but that makes them more durable!" (E)

"Nooothiing. Thoose, are, perrfect." (royal guard)

Well, if he says so.

The others as well seem to be doing fine, already practicing slashes.

I'm just glad that their carapaces protect them a bit from accidental cuts.

(L)

"Ah, right. I was a bit worried that using something like this would be too difficult to learn and..." (E)

I stop mid-sentence, realizing whose pheromones I just received from behind me.

(L)

What is Liseti doing here??!