Finally, I am on my way back to Valera.

However, the sour mood hinders me a bit from celebrating.

Liseti hasn’t said a word since she had her remaining forces form a flesh carriage and begin carrying us through the dark tunnels.

Though, it would amaze me quite a bit if we'd encounter anything else.

The worm scoured the nearby tunnels thoroughly, and after those comes, according to Liseti, only tunnels that our swarm more tightly controls.

So with this, I'm finally completely back under the swarm's protection.

Which is the exact issue I'm contemplating now.

After everything that happened, I can consider myself lucky if I’ll be allowed to leave my quarters within the next century.

And with my apparently extended lifespan, I fear that sentence may be considered mild for a Formicea princess.

As the journey is still long and I'm woefully unable to maintain this dreadful silence between the two of us for the duration of the trip, I can't help but to speak up.

(E)

For a moment, Liseti looks me directly in the eyes.

Complicated, intense emotions are swirling inside her pheromones.

(L)

Oh shit.

This was predictable, but actually hearing that my worst concerns may have come true...

This isn't good.

(E)

I may not have spoken it directly, but foremost I'm thinking about humans, which she should've got from my pheromones.

(L)

Well, then I'm glad it didn't come so far.

At least the absolute worst case hasn’t happened yet.

(E)

(L)

Ouch, she's pissed.

(E)

"We were already focusing our surveillance on this area. While the current directive was to avoid human troops so they may concentrate on their other enemy, it didn't need much imagination to surmise that an army moving into the underground system would be something that needed investigation." (L)

"You mentioned a scent trace?" (E)

It kinda puts me in a difficult mood that my body odor is apparently so recognizable.

(L)

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The farm?

Oh my god, I hope they are fine.

I mean, if a horde of hunters arrived first this can't be good.

(E)

(L)

Hah, that soothes me.

I mean, I already killed their cattle.

It would weigh on my conscience if this, in addition, would've caused a hunter attack on them.

(E)

you could return the favor. As it was clearly your responsibility for this whole incident to happen.> (L)

Damn, she's really in a mood here.

Where did the Liseti go that readily offered her aid to me?

Though, considering my mistakes have apparently gotten her into trouble as well, I suppose her current state is quite understandable.

I can return the favor. I mean, I killed their livestock. This could be devastating for them. They need those animals if they want to live on.> (E)

(L)

(E)

(L)

(E)

(L)

(E)

(L)

(E)

Is this honestly how she sees Chera?

That princess who’s hive is slowly dwindling?

Chera’s ability to hide her problems must be more impressive than I first supposed.

Should I expose her?

I mean, she tried to be accommodating, and I know that her reputation is of the greatest importance to her.

On the other side, her lie isn't really helping her or the swarm, and she acted a bit problematic towards me.

(L)

Errh...

I'm seriously at a loss for words.

(E)

(L)

Oh my.

Perhaps it would be best for me to not give away Chera’s secret.

I should quickly change the topic before I let my pheromones slip.

(E)

(L)

(E)

(L)

(E)

(L)

No matter how she words this, the true intent to her statement is and remains: More for me!

Damn, this princess.

Though I wouldn’t mind a bit myself at the moment.

No, don’t get distracted!

(E)

What kind of mother would gift her own children as cattle to another person?

(L)

Did this insect I, only a few months ago, introduced to the concept of money, just now figure out a mercantile scheme by herself that would even impress Olira!?!

(L)

Sigh.

Wonderful.

Now I’m apparently expected to act more like that "perfect" sister.