"Achhoo!" (E)
Damnit, did someone speak ill of me?
Well, the answer is probably yes, as I'm more or less the reason why this country is facing the greatest crisis since its founding.
At least I wouldn't know how to top an insect invasion overtaking the capital.
I'm pretty sure a couple of people are somewhat miffed.
And then there are the others.
(K)
(E)
Unfortunately, Kyska isn't entirely wrong.
Something I surely won't tell this worrywart.
While I would've liked to spend the night in the warm farmhouse, I am sure it would be the first place where possible pursuers would look for us.
This and the fact that we clearly weren't welcome speaks strongly against any notion of comfort.
However, this means we had to walk through the night.
Not only do I feel the fatigue building up, but also the night chill creeping under my carapace.
And yes, this is the first time I'm feeling it so present now that it's cooling me from beneath my skin.
To summarize, I'm feeling terrible right now.
Although the cold numbs the soreness in my back, I'm not even sure if I can fly in this state.
Nonetheless, I believe I made the right decision.
For now, the best thing I can do is gain some more distance.
Time is on my side here.
Not only did I send those assaulters to inform this northern princess of my predicament, but I also set up this spawn point at the farmhouse.
While I'm not sure if it will be discovered by pursuers, it should be difficult for them to deal with the beetles growing within the cattle carcasses.
If I can just avoid being caught for a single day, my brood will have sufficiently matured and be ready to come to my help.
I pumped a whopping forty-six of them into those poor animals so even if they send an army behind me I have enough in store to keep them occupied.
That is if they don't burn that barn.
This depends a bit on luck if they truly get there and discover what they're dealing with.
I left those farmers alive, which they hopefully see as a token of sincerity.
Also, I put that one beetle as a guard there with instructions to avoid detection from larger groups and to continue scaring off anyone else.
For this reason, pulling an all-nighter through the dark was worth it in my opinion.
Even if my feet now hurt like hell, I'm stiff from the strain and cold, and I might get sick, it’s worth it to not see any chasers yet.
The other beetle, meanwhile, is supposed to scout the way in front of us to avoid bad surprises.
(K)
You're one to talk!
Do you think I wouldn't notice that you're at your limit as well, Kyska?
But now that I think about it, assuring her would be the wrong approach.
(E)
I'm pretty sure Kyska is worse off than I am.
With her recently lost wings, smaller stature, and without convenient breast storage of energy, it's a miracle that she's still on her legs.
Though I notice the small signs.
How she occasionally uses her lower arms to support her while walking, the slower movements, and the tiny breaks she takes.
The moment she feels like she's holding me back she'll insist that I abandon her.
I have to avoid this at all costs.
However, pheromone speech has a grave issue for this plan.
I notice that Kyska stares at me, for a moment.
"Achhoo!" (E)
Damnit, did someone speak ill of me?
Well, the answer is probably yes, as I'm more or less the reason why this country is facing the greatest crisis since its founding.
At least I wouldn't know how to top an insect invasion overtaking the capital.
I'm pretty sure a couple of people are somewhat miffed.
And then there are the others.
(K)
(E)
Unfortunately, Kyska isn't entirely wrong.
Something I surely won't tell this worrywart.
While I would've liked to spend the night in the warm farmhouse, I am sure it would be the first place where possible pursuers would look for us.
This and the fact that we clearly weren't welcome speaks strongly against any notion of comfort.
However, this means we had to walk through the night.
Not only do I feel the fatigue building up, but also the night chill creeping under my carapace.
And yes, this is the first time I'm feeling it so present now that it's cooling me from beneath my skin.
To summarize, I'm feeling terrible right now.
Although the cold numbs the soreness in my back, I'm not even sure if I can fly in this state.
Nonetheless, I believe I made the right decision.
For now, the best thing I can do is gain some more distance.
Time is on my side here.
Not only did I send those assaulters to inform this northern princess of my predicament, but I also set up this spawn point at the farmhouse.
While I'm not sure if it will be discovered by pursuers, it should be difficult for them to deal with the beetles growing within the cattle carcasses.
If I can just avoid being caught for a single day, my brood will have sufficiently matured and be ready to come to my help.
I pumped a whopping forty-six of them into those poor animals so even if they send an army behind me I have enough in store to keep them occupied.
That is if they don't burn that barn.
This depends a bit on luck if they truly get there and discover what they're dealing with.
I left those farmers alive, which they hopefully see as a token of sincerity.
Also, I put that one beetle as a guard there with instructions to avoid detection from larger groups and to continue scaring off anyone else.
For this reason, pulling an all-nighter through the dark was worth it in my opinion.
Even if my feet now hurt like hell, I'm stiff from the strain and cold, and I might get sick, it’s worth it to not see any chasers yet.
The other beetle, meanwhile, is supposed to scout the way in front of us to avoid bad surprises.
(K)
You're one to talk!
Do you think I wouldn't notice that you're at your limit as well, Kyska?
But now that I think about it, assuring her would be the wrong approach.
(E)
I'm pretty sure Kyska is worse off than I am.
With her recently lost wings, smaller stature, and without convenient breast storage of energy, it's a miracle that she's still on her legs.
Though I notice the small signs.
How she occasionally uses her lower arms to support her while walking, the slower movements, and the tiny breaks she takes.
The moment she feels like she's holding me back she'll insist that I abandon her.
I have to avoid this at all costs.
However, pheromone speech has a grave issue for this plan.
I notice that Kyska stares at me, for a moment.
