Originally, the first Queen-class cha was going to be modeled after Ambrosia. However, when I first got an idea of using it for diplomatic relations, I gave an order to prepare different decorations for it.
The cha modeled after my wife and empress was going to be the next one.
So the first cha was a steel and stone visage of . It mostly looked exactly like an average Princess-class cha, but much taller—its height reached 280 ters. Princess-class chas looked like children next to the Queen-class one.
It also didn’t have a pronounced "chest", since it was modeled after . Instead, its torso was more even.
This affected the cha’s balance—on other chas, the chest held supplies and fuel while also acting as a counterweight to the tail. However, the Researchers led by Engine-See managed to keep the overall volu of the torso the sa even with a different silhouette, so the construction didn’t suffer.
And of course, the decorations. Almost the entire surface of the cha was covered with blue and green scales, imitating my Forever Greatest armor. The chest also had a sun-like image inlaid with gold.
To make the likeness with even more clear, the cha even had a face. Where Princess-class chas had an open window from the cabin (with shutters that usually were pulled down only when the cha was in danger or when it was powered off), this cha had a tal covered shaped to look vaguely similar to my face.
This mask’s eyes even had lanterns attached to it, which bees inside could turn on to make the cha "look".
Of course, this cover terribly diminished the visibility from the inside.
The "face" had a lot of small windows through which bees inside could see their surroundings without being seen from the outside, but they still depended on extra information from bees sitting outside the cha to not stumble on sothing.
Even more, there were decorations on the inside of the cha, too!
Small engravings on the stone with common images of killing enemies, a lot of "well-wishes" for a good work of the cha and blessings for the bees inside...
This cha was special inside and out—unlike others, that were only decorated on the outside, while inside were kept utilitarian with only a few decorations added by the crews working there.
This was definitely not a cha made for heavy work, although it definitely was able to do it! Its four arms could attach and use all the standardized cha tools, although they also had custom-made pincer-like manipulators for holding regular things.
And also...
"It’s even more beautiful than I imagined!" I said, making another circle over the wooden "hair" and the bone crown placed on top. Judging by the size of this bone, it belonged to a large animal or a human. The dragon scales embedded into it mimicked the ones in my own crown.
Engine-See’s team, which trailed after while trying to pretend that they weren’t dying to hear what I thought, erupted with quiet smiles.
Next to them, the team of Artists that took part in the decorations—twenty young Artist Bees, all full of youthful enthusiasm and creativity that didn’t co from tragic origins—erupted in open cheers.
"Thank you, Father!"
"We worked so hard—"
"We knew it was sothing special! It had to be!"
Next to , Ambrosia—who left the Hive Supremo for this special mont—smiled, too.
"It is special," she said, looking at the masterful work with open awe. "More than deserving of any na we can give it. But I think that calling *this* cha ’Ambrosia’ will be very confusing."
I chuckled.
"Yes. But what about—Nectus II? Oh, this will be totally *royal*!"
"Ah, what a perfect na!"
"Father honored us!"
"Fa—sister, don’t faint! Ah, we barely caught you!"
I almost fainted myself when I saw that a Researcher—of all people!—went weak with excitent and stopped beating her wings for a mont. Thankfully, the bees nearby caught her before this beautiful sunny day could turn tragic.
Then...
〔Nectus II〕
Doubles the integration speed of humans into the Bee Empire.
Culture: 5000
〔〕〔〕〔〕
I laughed louder. Well, this was official, and an unexpected bonus.
I turned to the Artists who were responsible for decorating this cha. They directed hundreds of other workers, of course, but these bees were the main designers of everything. And they, at least of them, had the inspiration that led to this thing.
"Thank you again, my girls! I know you didn’t do this for a reward, but I want to thank everybody who did this amazing job sohow. What would you like?"
Ambrosia flew slightly closer to .
’You are going to spoil them... Perhaps they will even start expecting a reward for their work, like humans...’ she ssaged telepathically. Despite her words, her tone was fond. ’And you made a mistake by asking. They are probably going to ask for...’
"Will you praise us so more, Father?" an Artist asked shyly.
"Please?"
I let out a breath.
"Of course! But this is too small to ask."
"Then... headpats to everyone?" another Artist asked more boldly.
Several Researches almost demonstratively cringed, but none protested out loud.
I *knew* they were always pretending to not like headpats! Those brats!
’Yes, sothing like that,’ Ambrosia ssaged, smiling wider.
I chuckled and grinned at this.
"You will get this, too. But how about... okay, you all hate humans—but do you want to look with your own eyes at how they bow to this cha? See sitting in it? Be its escorts?"
Engine-See’s eyes lit up imdiately.
"Yes, of course. Father, can I be the lead pilot?"
The Artists were much more unsure about this idea. However, the more they conversed with each other, the more enthusiastic they beca.
"We want to see the best of the human lands, too. We heard that humans have so art of their own—we want to see it and then show it to our sisters!"
"Then it’s decided, girls. Except for one thing..." I turned to Amby. "Will you be there, too?"
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