The chamber of knowledge comes into view.
It's still rather weird that this super important structure looks like all the other caves from the outside.
Aside from a larger gateway and the domed shapes of hardened applicant, which protrude out of the earth, it isn't much different from a storage hall or barrack.

The first thing I notice is the strong presence of guardians in front of the building.
I think they might have increased the security because of the humans.
Other creatures would probably have no interest in something not related to food but the humans might become curious.
Naturally, my giant escort draws their attention long before I'm even close.
On the other side, it could be the princess pheromone.
Either way, a short time later I'm together with Olira at the entrance.

 

<We want to enter. This human was granted access to this place. Would you please make way?> (E)

 

I tried to sound friendly since those guardians are still much larger than me and born killers.
Being intimidated by this is all too understandable.
All the more strange is it when they after a short pause do exactly as I say and move to the sides.
I'm not sure if I'll ever get used to such creatures obeying my every word.
However, it's time to get Olira inside.
As soon we enter the large entrance hall, a scholar approaches us.

 

<Welcome, princess Erys. I see you brought the human with you.> (scholar)

<Yes, as I announced. This is Olira, and she is interested in our... system. So I wanted to help her to receive information so she can understand us better.> (E)

 

I wanted to say culture, but I don't even know if that concept exists within the swarm.
It's usually a word that describes a nation not only based on their discoveries and patriotism, which the Formicea certainly have, but also their art and style.
And for sure I haven't seen any Formicea painters or singers.
Now that I think about it, pheromone singers would be interesting.

But I should return to the scholar.
This one seems to have processed my answer and responds.

 

<I understand, princess. In this case,  we will assign her a scholar proficient in receiving human speech to look after her.> (scholar)

 

A babysitter?
Are they going to observe us?

 

<Is this really necessary> (E)

<Absolutely. When using a pheromone pod it's indispensable that always a scholar is present to note the access. Also, it can guide the direction of the investigation the princess is conducting and provide contemporary insight.> (scholar)

 

Seems like there's no way around this.
Olira turns to me.

 

"Ehm, and now?" (O)

"Ehk, regarding the nature of your interest I thought about a certain room we should visit first." (E)

 

She nods and I head with her to the room where I once met up with Liseti here.
On our way, I notice that there's already a new scholar behind us.
I guess it's the guide we just talked about. He was barely to perceive, as aside from his pheromones he almost seems to glide on the ground.

And then it's in front of us.
The great map of the system!

For the untrained eye, it's an artsy chaos of countless strands, growing to every corner of the hall.
It's still fascinating.
Even Olira is totally stunned.

There are currently scholars working on it.
Some are restoring and reinforcing the weak or cracked parts of the map by adding more of the applicant, which they expel through their mouths, applying it with their long, spindly arms.
Another one tries to form some accumulation, not too far away from the hive but far higher.
After some pondering, I decide that this must be the newly established base below Osari.
Yet it's worrisome that the clump looks comparatively much bigger than what my impression from my time there would indicate.
Maybe a wrong conveyed information?

 

"E-Erys. What is that?" (O)

"You could call it a map. It depicts roughly the underground of Tarsona." (E)

"Than those are..." (O)

"The tunnels, caves, and bases strewn across the underworld." (E)

<As far as they're currently known.> (scholar)

 

It's the new scholar who followed us.
I guess he's already at it to give advice.

 

<Ehk, skri!/Sorry. Could you tell me your name?> (E)

 

I start to get confused about who is who if they frequently switch who's speaking.

 

<Certainly, princess. This one is called Likriades.> (L)

 

Okay, weird name.
But who am I to judge?

 

<Currently known? What does that mean?> (E)

 

The passages should be dug by Formicea drones, right?
So it should be properly relayed to the hive how they were dug.

 

<The system is in permanent change. Tunnels collapse, burrowers hollow it out on their search for food. Waterways form cavities. Then there are the other swarms that won't transmit their own ventures. Not to speak of what a terrorworm could cause.> (L)

 

Okay, I'm not sure if he actually said "terrorworm", but the term worm was absolutely certainly accompanied by a pheromone which conveyed deepest dread.
I can't tell for sure, but this intricate description by using scent is a special skill of scholars.
Olira still looks fascinated at this giant construct of countless hardened strands.
And I can understand why the access is restricted.
If a human would only stumble here and fall into the structure it would permanently destroy one of the greatest treasures the swarm has.
The value of this map is truly unmeasurable.

 

"This is incredible" (O)

 

Yep, I second that.

 

"I thought it's a good thing for you to see this. Regarding trade routes and such I thought this might be of interest." (E)

 

It takes a moment but she falls out of her stupor.

 

"Yes, certainly. Uh, I don't know what exactly I'm seeing there." (O)

 

Ah, yes.
It's not like one can exactly just lay another map above the detailed underworld.

 

"You can roughly estimate the surface to be at this height. So, if that's Osari, then here would be... Ehk, the eastern border to Koreso." (E)

 

It would be a bit weird to tell her that our farm used to stand there.
And it's not like she could relate to it.
Nonetheless, she seems to think.

 

"Okay... then... Here! This, this point could be around where Madrea lies. So if... If the tunnels would be built to this place... Yes, that could work!" (O)

"You're saying we could create trade routes with the country?" (E)

"I won't lie, it's an almost impossible project. Only to think about convincing the local authorities makes it sound farfetched. But this place isn't too far away from a good exchange point for wares. Assuming that the relations stay peaceful it might be possible to expand those tunnels and create valuable passages. Already this has some value." (O)

"That's great. And I would do everything to grant you access and further support this project in any way possible." (E)

"The problem is if I'm interpreting this correctly, that while spreading very far, most of the tunnels are still quite a distance away from the surface. Those who are close would still afford extreme detours downward. I only see how we could do something very basic at the moment. How we would extend this to the whole country, I don't know." (O)

"We could simply dig new tunnels." (E)

"How shall this be possible? Do you have any idea what would be necessary to make this happen? To what kind of lengths we'd have to go?" (O)

 

It sounds doable.

 

"So, how many do you think we need? Thousand? Two-thousand? Ten-thousand?" (E)

"Wh-what?" (O)

"Even I, who's basically a novice as a princess have already some considerable man-, excuse me, dronepower at hand. It should soon be possible to assign around a thousand of them. Ten-thousand before the year ends. They even ask me to assign them. I'm not sure how many of them will have to stay to support my own... ehk, realm. But it should be no problem to dig those tunnels. Wherever they shall lead to." (E)

 

Uh, I shouldn't have said that last part.
Now I again gave a reason to suspect that I'm preparing for a possible invasion.

 

"If you say so. I have no reason to doubt your possibilities. But it's a kinda crazy thought to believe that you're planning to excavate the whole underground below Tarsona." (O)

"It would be a good thing if our side could provide something the people of this country would benefit from. I believe that could become a base of mutual trust." (E)

"Try not to be too idealistic about this. But you could be right. However, regarding trade routes, there would be problems regarding the vision underground. This might deter caravans from taking such a route." (O)

"I am sure I can do something about this." (E)

"Well, then I won't complain any further. Would it be fine if I start looking through this... library? Sorry there are no books. It's confusing." (O)

"The information is stored inside the pods. It's only possible to access them with pheromone sense. You'll have to ask a scholar for the contents." (E)

"Oh, okay, that's novel." (O)

"You called?" (scholar)

 

At our mentioning the scholar that was assigned to Olira comes close.
That came quite surprising, but much more astonished I become when I realize how he answered.

 

"You can speak human words?" (E)

 

And this apparently fluent.

 

"Naturally. As a measure to provide proper service it was indispensable that I leearned those patterns of speeech." (scholar)

"We've only recently made this appointment and you already speak fluently?" (E)

"Naturally. Receiving knowledge is my purpose. So this was no difficult task." (scholar)

"Good to hear. This will surely help us a great deal... Excuse me, could you tell me your name?" (E)

"Naturally, princess. This one is called Perakides." (Perakides)

 

Another strange name for my taste.
But who knows, this might apply to all scholars.

 

"Great! Then I'd like to know if you have anything here about special materials or plants or objects with particular effects." (O)

 

As I thought, she looks for goods she can buy from us.
The scholar contemplates.

 

<Hmm, there might be fitting samples in the general compartment. Historic reports wouldn't be adequate.> (P)

"O-okay." (O)

 

And with this she lets herself guide off by this scholar.
I contemplate following them, but wouldn't want to get in the way of her studying.

Instead, I might use this chance to pursue a project of my own.