The day after the envoy left, I saw how an expedition of drones left for Valera, twenty-thousand from what I was told.

Fortunately, they won't move in a way that any humans will see them.

I can only fathom how much of an effort it was to prepare this.

Not only gathering and storing this much food but also diverting so many units from the general workforce to a completely different project.

I know they're now going to build a base below Valera.

Which is unsettling in some way.

It's certainly a difficult topic.

But also quite an accomplishment to establish it out of nowhere.

"By the way Kyska, how do they even transport all the food they'll need? There are no fields below Valera yet and the nectar units aren't moving too fast. I know they took some stocks with them, but it won't last them forever." (E)

Maybe we should introduce carriages.

"Oh princess. Naturally there will be further deliveries. While we'll try to build a mycelium at the location this certainly won't be enough. So the other hives will send food to cover our needs." (K)

"The other hives?" (E)

It's always weird hearing about other settlements of the insects.

Of other princesses who aren't too different from me and live independently.

"Yes. Especially Princess Chera's hive would be rather close. It should be... north-east of the particular location? But the main hive alone should already suffice. When the nectar units are empty they can move faster or be quickly transported by others and will be brought to a nearby hive where they'll be fed till they're filled and can again resume to their duties." (K)

As moveable supply bags.

How enviable.

"And when will we go?" (E)

"This depends on you, my princess. I'd advise you to first move to Osari. If the local sovereign has useful information about the nature of this invitation it is vital for you to gain this insight." (K)

Something's weird here.

"Is everything alright? Since when are you so supportive when I plan to do something dangerous?" (E)

"Oh, I am terribly concerned. But I know I can't stop you. Also, your royal guard won't leave your side even for a moment. As that's their nature. Anything that comes too close has to be annihilated. I could convince myself that they're very sophisticated. And if the humans truly plan on harming you, the queen's wrath will know no limits." (K)

Great.

I know already that the queen is protective of those she considers her own.

And that includes me.

She already told Honiu to level the capital in case something happens.

And I doubt she would stop there if she wants to make a point that one shouldn't mess with her.

But I kinda doubt this would happen.

What would be the point?

They'd have no way to take real advantage of my breeding ability since they lack the necessary structures and proficiency they have in the nursery.

Also, it would be incredibly difficult to perform such an act, and afterward, they'd all die as they have no means to defend against the full force of the swarm.

There's simply no advantage for Tarsona in harming me nor a chance to gain anything from this.

As long as my overprotective escort won't cause an incident that is.

"I don't want anybody to get hurt. I mean, just because a human servant unintentionally comes too close or says something offending they shouldn't directly get killed." (E)

"Princess, you certainly shouldn't lower your security standards. But you may talk with your guard. They're very capable of understanding directives." (K)

Well, it can't hurt to talk with them about their job.

I move to my royal guards' quarters.

Recently they're sometimes patrolling my courtyard.

And it's certainly weird that those small kids from some weeks ago are usually a head taller than me now.

Not to speak of their far greater physique and straight posture.

Unfortunately, different from my initial intention, the blank face masks they're having don't make them look more human, but rather give them rather eery looks.

One kinda gets the impression that they wouldn't abstain from emotionlessly slaughtering humans while their stiff masks get sprinkled with blood.

Even though those are their actual faces.

Which isn't making this all that better, to be honest.

While there are some in the courtyard, the royal guards' quarters are still very busy.

In this little arena, they fight continuously with each other to gain proficiency in using their weapons.

I kinda get the idea they're going to be underwhelmed once they realize that the opponents they hopefully never have to face only have two arms, are smaller and weaker than they are, lack their natural body armor, and in general, won't pose much of a challenge.

Even if they have sword and shield, I don't see how they would fare against four shortswords at once, or two spears, or one spear and two swords, which are all present here as variations.

Especially spear and swords seem to work well for them, as they have some range and are able to lash out if the opponent can cross the distance past the spear.

But also exchanges with eight blades in total look fairly impressive.

However, the display ends as soon as they become aware of my presence.

There seems to be some kind of unspoken rule that I can't be ignored when I'm there.

"Mo-ther." (royal guard)

They do quite well with human speech for having no real mouths.

"Ehk, hello. So... I'd like to talk to you all. We're soon going to leave for some kinda very important mission and I want that everyone knows how to guard me." (E)

(royal guard)

Another one just now spoke to me.

It's actually a bit hard not knowing which of them I should focus.

"Ehk, do you have any leaders I could address directly?" (E)

"Leaders?" (royal guard)

Figures.

Who needs leaders if one can just give an order to a greater number and hope they'll fulfill it?

The swarm isn't too much into independent thinking, situation assessment, and flexible reactions.

However, I believe that this will become extremely important for my elite guards.

They're hundred and like this quite the troop.

"You see, leaders are... Well, they decide things. Give orders regarding how the units should react." (E)

(royal guard)

Basically, in some way, yes.

But that's not really my specialty.

"Ehk, kinda. But not on those matters. I mean, yes. I'm giving you the order to protect me, but I'm certainly unfit to tell you in what specific way. Not only because my strategic knowledge is basically non-existent, but also because I shouldn't be close to the danger and like this can't see what happens. Someone like Skiras who trained you would be better. Because he already knew this stuff for your training." (E)

"So Skiras is our leader?" (royal guard)

Nothing against Skiras, but I think he already does a good job at his post as my main messenger, advisor, and kinda military chief.

For the royal guard, I wish them to be more independent.

"No, not really. I want you to be able to decide on your own what's the best course of action. So, what I want you to do is to choose your leader. If possible the smartest among you who is most likely to make good decisions and then that one will lead the others. Would you know someone who would do well?" (E)

At this moment, all the royal guards simultaneously draw back, except for a single one which remains at their position, sticking out of the edge that the now anxiously watching elite soldiers formed.

"So, do you think you can do this? By the way, what's your name?" (E)

Introducing each other is the foundation of basic courtesy.

I know I'm asking much of this drone.

Forcing it to be responsible for the lives of her comrades and mine while we're at it.

But someone has to do it.

And this one was staying, which at least means that it's not stepping back from this challenge.

"My, designation, is, Miru, broodmother." (Miru)

Miru speaks human words but in an... interesting way.

It's almost as if she's breathing the words out in short, separate packages.

By the way, is Miru a girl?

Well, obviously not.

Even Kyska and Suki aren't truly female, but rather they have no gender as they can't get children.

But I described them as such nonetheless, since it fits their appearance and attitude.

Yet if my guard is now like this then I am at a loss, regarding how to refer to her, him, it?

"Okay... Miru. I really hope you can take on this task. You see, I believe that someone of the royal guard will know best to judge what you all are capable of." (E)

"Everything, for, you, mother." (M)

Right.

I forgot about their total obedience.

Also, while her words sound pleasant she talks quite stuck up.

"Ehk, is there any reason why you're talking like this?" (E)

"Human, words, are, difficult, to speak. I'm, forming, them, separately, to, speak them, right, broodmother." (M)

"Okay, but don't push yourself too hard." (E)

"There, is no, limit, if it's, for you, broodmother."(M)

"No, I need a realistic assessment of your capabilities. I'll rely on you for telling me what you can and cannot do! For example, we're going to interact with humans. Ehk, they look quite much like me, or my family. You should've seen them already somewhere around here. That's actually the most important thing about your job. There might be situations which look as if they might be dangerous for me." (E)

"Then, we will, eliminate, what, threatens, you." (M)

"Yes, and that's exactly what you shouldn't do. In the first place, deadly violence is only okay if you have no other choice. You need to learn to read a situation and what's the best way for you and your siblings to deal with it." (E)

"Mother? I am, not, sure." (M)

"Okay, that's a start. It's good to accept that there are issues and you can't do everything. Now we just need to figure out how we can solve them. Do you maybe know what is the problem, so we can work on it?" (E)

Is it good or bad that I one by one repeat the life advice my mother gave me in the past?

Well, she has more experience than me on that matter.

"I, cannot, survey. all units, by, myself." (M)

"It might be a good idea if you split them into smaller units with one leader each. Do you know your siblings well? Are some of them fit to do this? The best would be those who can make quick decisions and think flexibly." (E)

At least, that's all I know about human troops.

Or hope to know.

Make smart decisions and think quickly so that hopefully none of your subjects die.

"This sounds difficult. I am not sure." (M)

I feel a little guilty.

Objectively, Miru is barely two months old.

I'm certainly asking too much from a young child.

Not even if I try to tell myself that they might have a different relative life span.

There's the reason why the others are so anxious about taking responsibility.

At least I should try to assure her somehow a bit.

So I come a little closer and pat her shoulder.

"You're doing great. Already that you show such initiative is awesome. We can surely figure something out, together." (E)

"Skrrrrrrrr"

Oh my, she's excited.

And maybe I made her siblings jealous.

"Ehk, okay. For now, I want you to be in charge here. Maybe Skiras can as well help you get into this... role! Yes, it's a role! A very important one. I mean, I basically put my life into your hands. Ehk, claws." (E)

Now Miru is fairly overwhelmed.

It was probably a bit too much responsibility I pushed onto her within this last minute.

I think I kinda like her.

She didn't say much but the pheromones I receive from her tell me that she takes everything I say to heart.

If I ever had a best friend, I wouldn't have had any issues with someone who's far stronger, dexterous, and taller than me.

Ignoring that part where she's also some kind of insect mutation I pressed out of my ovipositor and the leader of a super elite killer troop.

And I think I properly screwed that gender thing since I'm now unable to refer to her differently than a girl.

After this, I figure out with my family how we'll go about our departure.

Toris will proceed with his studies here in the hive.

I believe a semblance of routine should be good for him.

And dad might not do well on a long journey.

On the other hand, visiting Osari again could be nice.

Hopefully, the trip will go well.