The next morning starts eventually.
This is the last day before all the humans will return to Osari.
I can only hope that no one got a negative impression of us.
Since I haven't gotten any negative reports I'm somewhat confident that the people who stayed here will spread a more positive picture than the impression of dread we spread at our first appearance in Osari.
After all, any kind of established familiarity is already a great improvement.
Every bit of understanding elevates us from common monsters.

The thing is, today also the great negotiations with Liseti and Olira will take place.
I'm a bit anxious.
Which, more troubling, acts out in an early laying session.
The one good part about this is that now I'll be empty during the talk and don't have to worry about something really embarrassing happening while I'm at it.
Liseti's entry isn't hard to miss, as the amount of guardians drastically increases with her appearance.
Also, as the number of drones related to me increased I can now tell that there's a difference between them and those of other origins.
It's something like a mark or so.
Which again causes some distress because it reminds me of slavery.
Voluntary slavery, the individual willingly accepts in this case, but still.
I think even without her escort I would have noticed Liseti as her presence fills the whole courtyard.

What surprises me is that she's dressed in a wide red gown.
One of those mum bought her.
I quickly send out Suki to fetch Olira while Kyska stays silently by my side.
Can't start human-insect trading negotiations without the sole human willing to trade with us.

 

<Ehk, sk-skreo!/Good morn... Activity interval? Liseti?> (E)

 

What even are the common introductions and pleasantries used in the hive?
Hope you had a good laying? Urgh.

 

<It's average.> (L)

<N-nice dress.> (E)

<I deemed it to be appropriate. It will show the other party that I can respect their customs and will convince Olira that I'm not... How was it? Barbaric? If we could proceed now. I want to speak as soon as possible about this proposal.> (L)

 

Should've known that there's no need for my greeting.

 

<Please, let me guide you.> (E)

 

I lead Liseti from the courtyard to a special room I asked Kyska to have built.
We're leaving the large cavern that forms the plaza in my district and enter a smaller cave that leads to a circular space.
In its center is an accumulation of hardened earth that forms a table, surrounded by a smaller line of the same with regular gaps that creates benches and stools.
This place has no real purpose and the only reason for its existence is the atmosphere.
It's a conference hall.
I thought it would appear a bit more professional to have something like this.

 

<Thank you, Kyska. That was a great job.> (E)

 

While I think that it was a simple task to excavate this room, pile up earth and place some glow stones for better light conditions it's again fascinating how fast it was done.
I haven't even noticed how they worked.
If anything we could provide some kind of building service.
At least caves we can do really well.
Yet the builder's guild might object.

 

<Oh, my princess. There's no need. Your workers might be young, but as soon they heard it's your wish they showed the greatest effort to please you.> (K)

 

Uh, never underestimate this mind-control bordering loyalty the insect show.
It seems now that it's my own brood this will only get worse.
The thought is a little hard on me, as I don't want to take advantage of their crippled free will.
Knowing how dependent they are it's too easy to abuse them.
Whatever I do, I shouldn't forget their own needs.
Even if they have none yet.

 

<I already called Olira. It seems she's willing to trade with us if we can sort out the issues.> (E)

<Could you inform me in advance about these "issues"?> (L)

<Ehk, crik, screa!/Well, in the first place that we don't have a thing to share in return. I mean, we have some stuff but nothing we could really give on at a large scale. For example, our food we need to a great deal for ourselves. Many interesting things like the glow stones are limited in number and we don't have any industry going for stuff humans would have a demand for.> (E)

<Industry? Demand?> (L)

<Uh, I mean, I told you that humans would go to great lengths to obtain valuables, right? Sometimes that means not only a single limited effort but creating structures on a large scale to continuously get more. A bit like our fields but specialized on the desired object. Demand simply means that humans are willing to give more for things they want. The more they want it the more they give.> (E)

<Ah, if I remember right this is the same concept you were worried about regarding Princess Honiu. A favor for a favor, was this it?> (L)

<Yes, I think so. We can't just demand that Olira gives us weapons. Especially as it's a difficult situation.> (E)

 

Now she finally starts to also take notice of Olira.

 

"Dieffiecult? Ien what wayieee?" (L)

"In the way, that there are humans who see the Formicea very negatively, Princess Liseti. So if I trade with you my reputation might suffer. And this is equal to a great loss, in my role, as a merchant." (O)

 

I am pretty sure I never used that name in Olira's presence.
So it's very likely that she learned about it in the chamber of knowledge.
Liseti meanwhile musters our future trading partner with her gaze.

 

"Ieeee, wass told youu want to Exzchaeenge gooodzz!" (L)

<Skrikic!/You don't need to force yourself. Olira got a bit of this Honiu's agent and can understand what you're saying.> (E)

<Skreak!/Advantageous. I appreciate the commitment. Also, your willingness to risk such a penalty from your kind is remarkable.> (L)

 

I guess allowing inducing physical changes on one's own body can be counted as commitment.

 

"Thank you for the kind words, princess. I am sure, with your help and princess Erys' efforts for better relations this will eventually turn out advantageous." (O)

 

I guess she's mentioning our roles intentionally to appeal to her.
Regarding the diplomatic talent, I consider her to have, she should know by now that roles are important for the Formicea and like this thinks it's polite to respect them.
If I think about this, it's not too different from dealing with nobles.
And something tells me she already had that pleasure.

We take our seats around this table.
I'm a little closer to Liseti.
Even if she can be a little intimidating we are on the same side here as representatives of the swarm.

 

<Yes. Your openness and sense of effectiveness will prove beneficial for the future. For all sides, that is. This is what your "role" is thought for, isn't it?> (L)

 

The way she said "role" was on one side typically Formicea, but on the other side there was a twist that indicates Liseti doesn't see it as quite the same.
Kinda interesting those nuances in Formicean communication I find.

 

"I'd even consider this speech changing thing. After talking to princess Erys' mother it seems like an acceptable exchange." (O)

Woah!
Is that an excessive lie, knowing we don't have more of that stuff?
I really cannot believe anyone would volunteer for this.
Even Liseti blinks at her in slight, not-hostile irritation. And when the hell did she talk to my mother?
Do I need to be concerned?
However, my family matters aren't the subject right now.

 

<I don't know about this, but why don't we start with what we came for?> (E)

"Ah, yes. You wanted weapons, right?" (O)

<We are aware this is no simple request. The question is, what would you consider a sufficient exchange? The simple fact that you are here means you deem it to be worth your time. So what is worthy enough you'd go to such lengths to obtain.> (L)

 

I again find Liseti incredibly perceptive.
How she without access to human mentality can look through someone with those sharp piercing eyes.

 

"Oh, it was a gamble. A low-risk one maybe, but still. I didn't know what you have to offer nor what you're willing to share. The thing is, that your whole kind poses pure foreignness. And foreign means exotic, which again means rare for the people who don't have the access to obtain it. And the rarer something is, the higher the price. In the end, I hoped you would have something I don't know or that's not so easy to obtain. All my doubts about this were lifted yesterday when I could visit your chamber of knowledge. You have indeed valuables which will certainly be enough to cover the losses I'll have for collaborating with you. So to answer your question, I want to trade all of these." (O)

<Collaborating? Explain.> (L)

 

Ah, I guess this word in this context was never translated for her.

 

<Collaborating means the same as having an alliance, but in this case more in a bad way where you're working together against someone.> (E)

<So you're seeing it negatively, merchant?> (L)

"The people will. They are terrified about you and will see every kind of support as the plotting of nefarious acts in their paranoia." (O)

 

Liseti contemplates the words for a while before readdressing Olira again.

 

<And what is it that you want now in exchange for our order?> (L)

"In concrete? Do you know a material known as "black-iron"? (O)

<Difficult to answer with just this. "Iron" is this substance humans use to make their tools with, if I'm right. And for those shiny carapaces or their swords.> (L)

 

I am extremely worried about how excited she seems to be about the latter.

 

"Yes. The word to describe this and similar substances would be metal. What I'm looking for is a certain "metal" which, as indicated, is black. It's not easy to find, only found in the deepest layers of the earth. Easily overlooked. The advantage, aside from its rarity, is that if processed it proves to be far more durable than the usual material. Naturally, I'm speaking here only about the ores which I would want to obtain from you. I don't demand that you establish any advanced processing facilities." (O)

 

And so you can pay less on your side, huh?

 

<I think I might know what you are referring to. There certainly are places where the walls consist of such harder material. We usually dig around those as, as you mentioned, they're harder than the environment.> (L)

<But why do you want exactly this.> (E)

"Is it so difficult? Think about it. We have a war going on. For what do you think is in the highest demand at the moment?" (O)

<Weapons that are superior to the usual. You want to profit from the situation.> (E)

"Exactly. And not only this. If I can tell the officials that I'll support our country's military this will make it far easier to get the general approval." (O)

<Don't we already have a trade agreement, at least in Osari?> (E)

"Do you really think this will keep the superiors from prohibiting trade with goods that could be used against them? Any merchant too bold might face repercussions. It's not like decisions made by our own leaders would mean I violate our contract." (O)

 

It might be a bit sneaky, but if I remember the contents right it's really not against the agreement to do such a thing.
Yet maybe a bit sneaky.

 

<So it shall be black iron. I understand.> (L)

"Great! If you arrange, let's say, two tons of ores I will deliver the requested amount of weapons plus a bonus for our esteemed princess Liseti since I doubt she'd want to miss out." (O)

 

Two tons.
It's not an excessive amount if I look at it from the point that thousands of drones will certainly be able to mine that much in a reasonable time.
Still, it's stupidly much from the viewpoint of a poor farm girl.
Yet there's something else bothering me here.

 

"Hey! I'm no expert, but I'm certain this is not a fair trade. Forging stuff with this black iron will result in far better products than any common weapon. The prices should barely be comparable to normal weapons. Yet you want something of far greater value than what I've asked for." (E)

 

I don't even know why I switched back to human speech.
Probably because I think it would get better through to her.

 

"You are certainly right. At the moment a weapon made of black iron is something only nobles afford. Mostly as status symbols. Aside from magically enchanted weapons, those fetch the highest prices. Even considering that the value will decrease with their rarity they should still easily be worth ten times the price of a normal weapon of similar quality, just because of the material." (O)

"Then what is this?!" (E)

 

One of those "take it or leave it" offers because we cannot ask anyone else?
I thought she would be better than this, after all the time she spent here.
Even if the ore isn't processed it should be worth much more.

 

<Is this extortion?> (L)

 

Now Liseti's pheromones feel displeased.

 

"I don't think it's unreasonable. Especially if you consider that I'll only keep half of it in the end." (O)

"Half? What do you mean?" (E)

"The first batch will be smithed into four-hundred swords, one-hundred spears, as well as daggers and some bows." (O)

"You, you're saying..." (E)

"Something as grand as a royal guard should wear proper equipment. So I couldn't allow myself to deliver any less than the finest weapons, made of black iron." (O)

 

And in the end, she has only to pay for the processing.
And something tells me she knows how to keep it cheap.
I guess she isn't too unhappy with this.
However, this is far less unreasonable of a trade.
Next, I notice how Liseti stares in my direction.

 

<I want to hear your opinion. Is this proposal acceptable?> (L)

<I, I don't know. I have no idea what the prices on the market for those things are. Especially how much she will pay for smithing the material to weapons and how great profit it will be in the end. Probably quite much, but we aren't treated too badly here. I honestly think we won't get much better.> (E)

 

Damn, insect speech isn't helping much now that she can hear my thoughts.

 

<I see. I am willing to accept this trade but there's one minor issue.> (L)

 

What is it now?

 

"Ehm, please tell." (O)

"Forcing through such areas often leads to the workers damaging their claws.> (L)

 

I kinda worry about what happens to workers with damaged claws.

 

"So you'd need tools?" (O)

<Oh, that would be an idea. Stuff like pickaxes and such. Metal to mine metal. I think this would work well if our workers can use them.> (E)

<This sounds terribly roundabout.> (L)

<Sending some old pickaxes should be possible, but not for free.> (O)

<You want to charge us for gathering the things you want?> (E)

"Nothing is for free. That's a rule you should never forget. To build a business one has to prepare funds and effort." (O)

<You know that we have no funds!> (E)

"Then I'd suggest you provide something else you'll have no problems to prepare. There are many things I'd pay for or directly exchange for goods you want. Aside from the ores, which you already used to pay with, there would be hides, food, the building agent, or even this nectar. Of all those should at least a decent amount exist." (O)

<But we still don't know what those would even be worth.> (E)

 

At this Olira gets a kinda creepy smile.

 

"I thought that's what we're here for? So let's get started." (O)

 

Oh no, what did I get myself into?