We went all the way to the base.
And the working speed of the drones is as always absolutely astonishing.
Yes, okay, there were around twenty thousand of them at that task, and that's only those I saw leaving the hive, but still, to be able to create such vast caverns in only a month.
They already built so many facilities.
Storage halls, some of them holding a great number of nectar units, improvised nurseries, sleeping halls, and not to mention our quarters.
The latter isn't even comparable to Osari.
Already completely fitted out with the building agent, they're probably gonna last centuries now.
As much as I'm aware, the supply is a bit of an issue at the moment.
Water isn't plentiful enough for a permanent operation and we can't completely drain the capital of its reserves.
Though it seems they're doing fine with deliveries for now.
In this environment, I can lay my eggs without issues.
Sigh, why does that sound so normal?
Though it troubles me that I have to sleep now.
And that while we're in such a tense situation.
Yet the built alcoves are making it much easier to sleep.
Truly frightening facilities.
I wake up again and am still completely lost regarding what I ought to say when I get back up there.
Fortunately, Honiu also finished early and we meet up at the junction where we split, which leads to the palace's courtyard.
Now we have to get back up there.
That's certainly going to be a walk of shame.
(E)
(F)
(H)
And apparently, the ego to fit it.
I look down at myself.
Currently, I'm wearing a dark blue gown that's leaving my back free to make room for the wings.
The skirt isn't too heavy, just wide enough to cover my ovipositor without it bulging out the fabric, and long enough to cover my calves.
Speaking of that area, I'm using those terribly uncomfortable dancing shoes.
I wouldn't say I'm much of a looker, but I guess it's decent enough to make a good first impression.
At least we can now get going.
As usual, my royal guard forms our escort.
And they seem to be extra attentive today.
Maybe they're excited cause we'll visit the palace?
It's a great and impressive building, that's for sure.
And although I'm not really a denizen of this country anymore, it feels like an honor to be invited to this place.
Even Honiu shows at least some interest in the palace complex.
It might not be as vast as the hive, which is a stupidly large city in itself, but the structure here is a towering monument of stone.
There were some guards posted in front of our freshly established tunnel.
Though they only leave for a moment to call some officials.
More precisely Aaron, who is apparently solely responsible for us.
I guess they didn't want to risk switching him out.
Even if I don't have a particularly fond impression of him.
The part with that planned attack certainly didn't help their point.
Still, the demon you know.
On another note, the impression I have of the palace doesn't waver when we finally manage to enter.
Everything here is showing off the luxury only a nation built on trade can achieve.
The gold adorning even the walls might still be the cheapest factor.
Much more pricy would be all the pictures, statues, adornments, and maybe even the high-quality stone surrounding us everywhere.
But it's a certain thing that claims all our group's attention.
Above us, hanging from the ceiling is light.
However, it's not originating from a fire.
This thing shines by itself, yet it's certainly not lightstone.
Rather it seems to be some kind of machinery.
"Ah, I see you spotted one of our lightbringers. Personally, I think it's a bit too big of a name, but that's what it does. Those are the newest innovations in the field of magical technology. A special enchantment, based on lightning magic. I'm certain there are only one or two mages capable of creating them. However, his majesty set his mind on obtaining those and directly ordered six hundred for the whole palace. At the moment I'm uncertain if the decrease in used candles and torches will ever make up for their price." (A)
Yes, okay.
I was only fascinated for a moment.
No reason to brag endlessly about your money.
That ruins the experience.
At least, it's clear now that those are no alternative for the tunnels.
Not even considering that they would get stolen at the first opportunity by whoever passes by, they're also far too expensive to acquire at a greater scale.
And I doubt the worker's ability as law enforcement.
Yet one or two for personal usage might be fine.
They're still much brighter than lightstone.
We are guided through the hallways, deeper into the palace.
While there isn't as much of a formal welcome as yesterday, a greater number of official-looking people and supposed nobles are curiously looking from the sides.
Which makes it a bit complicated that my escort still follows the directive to check every corner in front of me before I get there.
And yes, they show a slight aggressiveness while doing so which puts some people off.
Especially, I'm concerned about the guards.
Finally, we reach another huge gateway after a long hallway.
I'm pretty sure that this must be our destination.
Suddenly, Honiu talks to me from the side.
We went all the way to the base.
And the working speed of the drones is as always absolutely astonishing.
Yes, okay, there were around twenty thousand of them at that task, and that's only those I saw leaving the hive, but still, to be able to create such vast caverns in only a month.
They already built so many facilities.
Storage halls, some of them holding a great number of nectar units, improvised nurseries, sleeping halls, and not to mention our quarters.
The latter isn't even comparable to Osari.
Already completely fitted out with the building agent, they're probably gonna last centuries now.
As much as I'm aware, the supply is a bit of an issue at the moment.
Water isn't plentiful enough for a permanent operation and we can't completely drain the capital of its reserves.
Though it seems they're doing fine with deliveries for now.
In this environment, I can lay my eggs without issues.
Sigh, why does that sound so normal?
Though it troubles me that I have to sleep now.
And that while we're in such a tense situation.
Yet the built alcoves are making it much easier to sleep.
Truly frightening facilities.
I wake up again and am still completely lost regarding what I ought to say when I get back up there.
Fortunately, Honiu also finished early and we meet up at the junction where we split, which leads to the palace's courtyard.
Now we have to get back up there.
That's certainly going to be a walk of shame.
(E)
(F)
(H)
And apparently, the ego to fit it.
I look down at myself.
Currently, I'm wearing a dark blue gown that's leaving my back free to make room for the wings.
The skirt isn't too heavy, just wide enough to cover my ovipositor without it bulging out the fabric, and long enough to cover my calves.
Speaking of that area, I'm using those terribly uncomfortable dancing shoes.
I wouldn't say I'm much of a looker, but I guess it's decent enough to make a good first impression.
At least we can now get going.
As usual, my royal guard forms our escort.
And they seem to be extra attentive today.
Maybe they're excited cause we'll visit the palace?
It's a great and impressive building, that's for sure.
And although I'm not really a denizen of this country anymore, it feels like an honor to be invited to this place.
Even Honiu shows at least some interest in the palace complex.
It might not be as vast as the hive, which is a stupidly large city in itself, but the structure here is a towering monument of stone.
There were some guards posted in front of our freshly established tunnel.
Though they only leave for a moment to call some officials.
More precisely Aaron, who is apparently solely responsible for us.
I guess they didn't want to risk switching him out.
Even if I don't have a particularly fond impression of him.
The part with that planned attack certainly didn't help their point.
Still, the demon you know.
On another note, the impression I have of the palace doesn't waver when we finally manage to enter.
Everything here is showing off the luxury only a nation built on trade can achieve.
The gold adorning even the walls might still be the cheapest factor.
Much more pricy would be all the pictures, statues, adornments, and maybe even the high-quality stone surrounding us everywhere.
But it's a certain thing that claims all our group's attention.
Above us, hanging from the ceiling is light.
However, it's not originating from a fire.
This thing shines by itself, yet it's certainly not lightstone.
Rather it seems to be some kind of machinery.
"Ah, I see you spotted one of our lightbringers. Personally, I think it's a bit too big of a name, but that's what it does. Those are the newest innovations in the field of magical technology. A special enchantment, based on lightning magic. I'm certain there are only one or two mages capable of creating them. However, his majesty set his mind on obtaining those and directly ordered six hundred for the whole palace. At the moment I'm uncertain if the decrease in used candles and torches will ever make up for their price." (A)
Yes, okay.
I was only fascinated for a moment.
No reason to brag endlessly about your money.
That ruins the experience.
At least, it's clear now that those are no alternative for the tunnels.
Not even considering that they would get stolen at the first opportunity by whoever passes by, they're also far too expensive to acquire at a greater scale.
And I doubt the worker's ability as law enforcement.
Yet one or two for personal usage might be fine.
They're still much brighter than lightstone.
We are guided through the hallways, deeper into the palace.
While there isn't as much of a formal welcome as yesterday, a greater number of official-looking people and supposed nobles are curiously looking from the sides.
Which makes it a bit complicated that my escort still follows the directive to check every corner in front of me before I get there.
And yes, they show a slight aggressiveness while doing so which puts some people off.
Especially, I'm concerned about the guards.
Finally, we reach another huge gateway after a long hallway.
I'm pretty sure that this must be our destination.
Suddenly, Honiu talks to me from the side.
