"What Random—ah, I rember," Undecided said, nodding like this wasn't the first ti she heard about RNG. "It's the reason we in the Oracler had so many dreams lately. They all split from the single point."
She tapped her palm to demonstrate, then lowered her head in sha.
"The future is defined by the Great Ceremony of Picking New Genes. Not only what *we* and *you* do, Father, but also what dangers co after us. Because of that, we couldn't see anything in detail… I'm sorry. If we saw anything clearly, we'd tell you already."
The other Oracle—Undecided's student, as far as I knew—nodded in agreent.
"So… No advice? That's too bad, but we can manage. Ah!" I cheered up. "At least this ans that RNG is really a thing, and I wasn't being tricked all this ti!"
"But why would the threats to the Empire depend on our genes?" Things-Things asked. "They are *our* genes!"
"You'd know if you listened better to Father's explanations upon his return, sister," Researchina said. "The 'gods' are watching us with their special gaze. It's only natural that they react to our actions."
Bloodhero scowled.
"It's a bad position to be in—our enemies will be ready for us, and we won't be ready for them. Father, we must prepare our genes for every eventuality. Place more points into strength and agility genes, so we could evolve powerful attack traits for Beemarines and Warriors!"
I shook my head.
"If no option was predicted to be better than the other, then I'm increasing my intelligence first. If there's even a chance, I *must* get telepathy for us! As soon as I can have it morphotyped, we might have this long-range communication we need."
As I spoke these words, I already tapped the buttons on my status, while preparing a prayer to holy random to be on my side.
〔For improving intelligence, you have a choice of next genes: 'Telepathy I', 'Advanced Pack Tactics', and 'Precognition I'.〕
〔Advanced Pack Tactics: dramatically improves coordination of attacks in small and dium groups.〕
〔Telepathy I: allows sending telepathic ssages for up to 10 ters.〕
〔Precognition I: allows sensing possible futures for 1 second ahead.〕
"Yes!" I threw a fist in the air. "I got it, first try—the telepathy!"
"Yay! Let's celebrate the good beginning of the Great Ceremony!" Worriesgone exclaid, raising a cup with sweet-slling nectar.
"That's right, don't leave all this food to waste!" Workharder said, shoving a piece of cooked at in her mouth.
I chuckled.
"Sure, sure. Eat while I actually take my pick."
In seconds, the Council Chamber beca full of chewing and slurping noises. Even the Oracles and the Attendants ca up to eat and congratulate , too.
The only difference between the least and the most dignified bees was in how slowly or quickly they ate. Forks and spoons were inventions mostly used for cooking, not for eating; and table manners weren't a concept at all.
It was noisy and ssy, but it felt very warm to . Although all these girls were my direct subordinates, they still were my family and acted like that—without fear of offending for approaching the table.
Nobody stole my favorite caterpillar cuts, though. They had too much love for their dad for that.
One of my hands put pieces in my mouth, two more wrote down information about my gene choices on a wax table, and the fourth was poking on system buttons that only I saw…
"Hey, Amby, that was *my* pollen pancake!"
Ambrosia slowly chewed the piece of a pancake, then frowned.
"It was lying closer to than to you… Well, if you want it, you can have it. Do you want to feed you while your hands are busy?"
I blushed, but before I could answer, Attendant Helping-Hands appeared at my side.
"Father, let bring you more pancakes! And we can feed you, too, so Mother-Queen doesn't have to bother."
I looked at her, then at the rapidly decreasing amount of food on the table.
"You know what? We *really* should finish with the business before we go to part two of this banquet."
With these words, I finally chose the telepathy gene, ntally bracing myself for weird sensations.
But nothing happened.
'Of course. My genes are suppressed by my morphotype, which I've yet to update,' I thought with so relief.
Bloodhero stopped eating and turned her full attention to . Other Advisers, one by one, did the sa.
"And now that you have the telepathy gene, you will try getting combat genes?" Bloodhero asked hopefully.
"Yes, of course. You are right that we must prepare for every eventuality, so I'm going to put a point in strength, agility, endurance and defense each. It will be a balanced spread."
"A rational choice," Researchina nodded in support.
"But defense genes are mostly useless," Tabletina protested. "Why not use this point for sothing else?"
"We will see when we get to it. Defense is last on the list," I promised, then tapped the system buttons.
〔For improving strength, you have a choice of next genes: 'Increased Venom Potency I->II', 'Shootable Stinger I', and 'Fire Breathing I'.〕
〔Increased Venom Potency I->II: increases damage of venom by 100%.〕
〔Shootable Stinger I: allows shooting the stinger to a distance of 20 ters.〕
〔Fire Breathing I: creates a special organ that passively generates liquid that ignites on contact with air and can be spat out at targets at a short distance.〕
As I read the descriptions, I suddenly heard the system's voice.
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