Formicea Chapter 213

Ti 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 co to my mind about building a hive from scratch, eventually, there's just the last step to make for .

To actually go.

I get a heartfelt farewell from Dad and Toris.

In so 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 .

However, it's absolutely off for 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 ergence of a princess, which ans that every single one of my drones is coming with , 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 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 their mother again brings ho 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 argunt that convinces to sit still.

I just hope the ovipositor isn't poking her.

Though, that might be considered an honor.

Suki, anwhile, will stay with my family.

She has the most experience on that matter and always perford 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 ans 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 sothing.

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 so 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 so distance covered, I notice how my carriage passes so 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 so 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.

So smaller tunnels maybe, but no routes feasible for our troop.

Which for us ans that we'll move above the surface.

As this part of Tarsona is among the safest and I have a literal army with , 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 ans I'm ending up with so of my royal guards staring from the ceiling right at , at attendance for possible orders.

At least, it shouldn't be very far anymore.

And, as excellent as always, Kyska decides to distract from being fully enclosed.

(E)

(K)

(K)

(E)

It's really sothing else, knowing you're related to the drone you're, well, using.

Suddenly, there's a little head poking out of my forr seat.