For a mont, I watched Rulia's well-planned attack. While a part of bees slowed humans by attacking their eyes and making them flinch, others aid at their legs. Even those who won't die from stings imdiately won't be able to flee after their ankles were stung a few dozen tis.
Still, they were fighting, and I was not!
"I must help them," I declared. "Where's my armor? My spear, at least?"
"Father! They are all in your chambers, but I've already ordered to bring them here!"
I jolted and turned around to see Destroyer and her squad of bodyguards who landed near . They all saluted, and although their faces were stoic, their bodies almost vibrated with emotion.
"Destroyer! And the rest. How long have you been here?"
"Father, in your absence, we guarded the hive and waited for you. But we failed to protect you, and for that, we will accept any punishnt!" Destroyer said.
Ambrosia clicked her tongue, but didn't comnt.
I waved my hand at them.
"You weren't at fault. Nobody here was! Oh, I'm glad to see you, too. Just get my armor, alright?"
"Yes, Father! We will let you prepare for battle in peace," Destroyer nodded and turned to the bees who surrounded us. "Sisters, why are you idling? This isn't the ti to celebrate yet! Where are your Foren?"
As she said this, the bodyguards surrounded and Ambrosia in a ring. Now the overly enthusiastic bees couldn't get too close, although they still shouted with joy from a distance.
"We will *absolutely* celebrate later, girls!" I shouted, waving my hands. "But first, we must finish this battle!"
Although I said this, it turned out that I basically ca here to make one kill. By the ti I got and put on my armor, six n had escaped the battlefield, limping and clutching their stings; fourteen giant bodies were scattered all around Hive Supremo. Dropped torches were lying on mostly bare ground, so of them still burning.
And many, many more bees, dead or wounded, were there as well.
Squads of bees were helping whom they could, Physicians worked in the hospital and in the field, but it all felt like a drop in the ocean.
It was a terrible sight to look at, but everybody's mood was more cheerful than anything.
However, as I watched, I also saw how well-organized all this was. If I didn't appear, Ambrosia and other Advisers could've handed everything herself.
As it was, I joined her to reintegrate myself into the Empire's life, and to listen to reports—and congratulations on my reappearance.
Tabletina was first, and she looked the least shaken by everything. Just intensely focused.
"Father, I was sure that you will return when we need you. I report—we won't have enough space in the hospital for everybody, but we are placing the people with the worst injuries there. The rest can heal in their personal cells."
Bloodhero approached us right after. Her face was covered in soot, but her salute was straight (and her health was almost full).
"Father! And Mother-Queen! We've killed all the wounded humans. The losses among our soldiers are still being counted. Evolved squads have already reported to . We've lost ten acid-spitters, but the rest have minor injuries at most."
Then Rulia, with her chin raised high, pushed her way through the crowds of bees and approached us, too. As soon as she saw , she imdiately lowered her face and beca a picture of demureness.
"Father has returned to witness the heroism of my daughters! We killed many, and I only wish we could kill more, so we make him even more proud!" she chirped.
"Good job, all of you," Ambrosia said with a regal nod. "Nectus, since you are here, you can give them the reward headpats personally."
The three girls perked up imdiately.
"Huh? Reward headpats? This is so formal! I can give headpats to anyone, anyti!"
Which I did, to their delight. Now the three girls beca targets of countless envious glances.
I sighed, anticipating how tired my hands were going to be, but I was still smiling.
***
The cleaning of the battlefield and other things took several hours and until they were done, there was no point in gathering Council. I spent most of this ti greeting my girls, which, as Amby put this, "increased their morale and improved productiveness".
To my delight, I found Undecided was doing well, and even teaching several younger Oracles. After I gave Undecided a hug and patted the heads of her more shy sisters, they told all about the things I've missed in my absence.
Yeah, Amby has *sothing* to explain, soon.
I also had the ti to look at upgrades gods gave , and listen to the (minimal) information system told about the current state of Earth-Oga-0048 in the Ga of Evolution.
By evening, small beasts and various dragons—not only the familiar Scourge, Disaster and Woe, but also many others of different colors—ca to feed on fresh carrion. The bodies of bees were put away, but humans were given to them—it was better they get eaten than rot.
And finally, the Empire Council gathered in full for the first ti since my disappearance.
After we all gathered at the table in Council Chambers, I raised my hands high and began talking with a smile.
"My girls, I can't put into words how glad I am to see you again. A lot! And it's been a long ti here, I know. I've already heard about things I've missed—thank you, Undecided, you've been really thorough."
She smiled and nodded from her observation seat near the wall. I nodded back and turned to my Advisers again. Now, I wasn't smiling. Instead, I was pulling on my head in frustration.
"But how, *how* can you explain starting this war in the first place?! We had humans almost eating from our hands! They gave us more gifts—we were supposed to give them more favors, not attack left and right!"
Bloodhero paled. Researchina frowned.
Ambrosia bit her lip. The last one cald down—a little, at least.
"Really… Why, Amby?"
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