No!
This can't be!
I must've misheard.
The capital can't have fallen!
Why else would we be out here, holding back the Koreso?
We would've noticed any force walking past us.
But... I need to think logically.
There's just one other option left to be considered.
"ssenger, what exactly happened in the capital?" (St)
"The insects, general. One of their princesses has been abducted, and in retaliation, they took the whole capital." (ssenger)
The general's mood turns dark, as is to be expected at such a revelation.
It was one of our greatest fears that the insects could turn against us.
But hearing that a princess went missing, it's not too hard to figure out which side caused this outco.
An argunt only a few here will allow to stand.
"Quiet, soldier! Not a single further word out here. Report in my tent." (St)
A bit too late.
The damage is already done.
The murmur among the ranks is spreading and soon the whole camp will know.
And next probably the whole army.
Yet it's still better than discussing such things out in the open.
The general gestures for to follow and I obey.
So it cos that only seconds after leaving I'm once again in the general's tent.
With visible unrest, its owner ushers in the even more distressed ssenger.
"First things first. What is the exact situation within the capital?" (St)
"The insects have full control over it. They decide who enters and leaves, and traffic is a re trickle. Fortunately, most people survived." (ssenger)
Sothing about this has to be elaborated on.
"You're saying thee capital was taken and wieth it all our leaders. If that ies thee case, then who sEnt you?" (T)
There are so particular noble figures who'd like to take advantage of this situation and who I'm not willing to serve.
"Lady... The king, he's still alive. The insects force him to act in their stead. So I'm bringing the king's orders which..." (ssenger)
...Essentially are the insects'.
"So the ssage you bring cos from these monsters?" (St)
"Y-yes. They're saying that they'll abstain from killing the people in the capital. Also, I'm supposed to say that they'll guarantee ongoing deliveries for the army as usual and abstain from impeding our war effort as long as we don't threaten their efforts in retrieving their princess." (ssenger)
Makes sense.
Why would they want to keep us from stopping an enemy that might very well be theirs?
Even more, as long as they can maintain this situation we won't be able to send any troops back to the capital.
That's a fine plan.
Which kinda confirms that the one missing is Erys as I doubt very much that she would be capable of such strategic thinking.
At this revelation, the commander grows increasingly irritated.
"I wish for a full report. How could it happen for the whole capital to fall just like this?" (St)
"Sire, they took it as a flood, spreading from the center and continuing outward. After they controlled the palace, the rest followed swiftly. By the end of the day it was already over." (ssenger)
"They managed to bring down the capital in re hours? How could they accomplish such a thing?" (St)
While I have no doubts about the insects' capabilities, this seems truly to be quite a feat.
Several places within the capital can act as fortresses and we had a considerable garrison there.
The different districts are separated by massive walls.
Which probably doesn't an too much with these tunnels.
However, I'm still sowhat doubtful they could achieve such massive coordination to use their troops so effectively that they could overco any opposition.
Wait, maybe the reason is that there was none!
"You said thee king is still alive? Does this link to how thee capital was conquered?" (T)
"The king ordered everyone not to resist. His very own guards spread this command to all the soldiers stationed outside. It prevented most of the bloodshed." (ssenger)
"So there wasn't any resistance against them conquering our very ho!?" (St)
Not good.
It might beco a problem if he becos too emotional about this.
"All of the limited resistance was quickly snuffed out. Most of the nobles were present in the palace on the day of the incident and are now under house arrest. Currently, everyone who fought back lost their life." (ssenger)
That's astonishing.
I saw more than once how on edge the insects were when it was about their princesses.
Even if it was for the purpose of taking all of the population hostage, I need to ask myself how this frenzy was prevented.
The only explanation I can co up with is that the other princess is exceptionally scary.
"So what are their demands now that it has co so far?" (St)
"None. Only that the capital will remain under their control until they retrieve their princess." (ssenger)
Pretty clear demands if you ask .
Not like it helps to hear this.
The people we are obligated to protect are at the rcy of another power, the very thing we were trying to prevent with our battles in this place.
After those first questions, we ask the man in more detail about the current state of the country and whatever he knows about the incident.
The summary would be nothing too dire, nothing too great.
The insects don't care about oppressing people or committing any atrocities that don't align with their purposes, but they also don't care about trade, traffic, supply lines, or even the necessary administration.
This corresponds to the current state of affairs in the country.
Everything's continuing on in so way.
Things aren't too dire but neither are they great.
However, now we need to figure out how to work with this situation.
The general doesn't look too pleased.
"This is a disaster. Commander, your thoughts on this?" (St)
"Sir, I think thies is the culmination of the attempts to use the insects for our war. Soone abducted the princess and they reetaliated in accordance. I doubt thEy'll do anything else other than look for theeir princEss. What we do is of no interEst to them, as long as wee don’t interfeere with that. Theeir upper caste may veery wEll hold a grudge against us now, but if thEy didn't slaughter us yEt, I doubt it wiell happen without further provocation." (T)
"I see... Whoever holds the princess captive decides how long this will go on. I don't like being dependent on such outer factors. As of now, all we can do is prevent the Koreso from gaining any room because of this." (St)
I guess I worried too much.
The general's reaction is composed enough.
"However, you need to take care of another issue." (St)
"That would bee, sir?" (T)
"Your unit. First, we need to confirm their loyalty. It's questionable at best to proceed using an unreliable tool, yet the sa applies for not doing so when they're doing so well. But this brings us to the second problem. After this revelation, the 'regular' soldiers will have reservations about fighting at their side. As their commander, it will be on you to quell any turmoil. An ungrateful task, I know, but it has to be done." (St)
Sigh, he's right.
I'm the one in charge, so it is my duty to take care of this.
I need to reach the compartnt of the army camp where our troop was placed.
Now it pays off that our leaders were wise enough to make arrangents to avoid unnecessary tensions.
Yet when I arrive there's already a commotion.
Foremost from the human personnel against the insects.
"Damned creeps!"
"What are you planning?!"
"Out with it!"
From what I'm looking at the guardians seem to be fine, which is good in a way, as they're confused but not aggressive yet.
What worries more is how they treat the nurses.
Those are a little too frail to really endure an inquisitory hearing.
I gather my breath and shout at them.
(T)
Oh shit, that was the wrong kind of speech.
Particularly wrong as the insect didn't even say anything.
At least I now have their attention.
"Everyeone at attEntion! I don't want any of you acting out heere!" (T)
Well, if nothing else they stopped harassing the insects.
"What ies thee eaning of thies?!" (T)
Damn, controlling my voice while shouting is still tricky.
Yet albeit intimidated one soldier steps forward.
"You know exactly what is wrong! Those things attacked the capital! My family is there and they're the ones holding them captive!" (soldier)
I kinda suspected an answer like this.
Not like I can say much to alleviate such worries.
"Coming from our intEl the civilians aren't targeted at thee mont. Yet that could change if you do sothieng stupid. Asiede from that, those are ere subjEct. All they know ies to follow instructions. Iet's stupid to expEct them to know anyething at all. How did you even intEnd to make any sEnse of their screeches?" (T)
Stupid imbeciles!
"She's even talking like them! What if they're conspiring?"
Oh, for fucks sake!
"Ie have thieees voice beeecause I drank a potion for thee sake of myee peeople! If thies iz what qualifieees as conspirieeng I'm goieeng to shove ieet down your throat as wEll!" (T)
Not like I have anything left of it, but seriously, these people!
"Wee'll now cleear up where their loyalty liees!" (T)
I turn towards the middle of the field and shout the command.
(T)
The simple reason for this act is that I as well need to confirm if our insect troop is still on our side.
After all, it's almost impossible for them not to have heard about what happened.
A mont later the workers and guardians have assembled.
It's a good sign that they're still listening to .
Now I should ask them specifically.
These insects can't really lie, especially with the transmission of their corresponding emotions.
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