- Erys -
Today another delivery arrives in the hive.
Until now I always took the time to personally welcome them.
It's not like I have much else to do and I consider this basic courtesy.
Also, it's always interesting to rummage through the goodies.
I always grow excited since Olira often adds things one wouldn't expect.
And is probably going to charge me for them in one way or the other.
However, getting little gifts has a princess-like vibe to it.
The driver is, as usual, quite nervous but not as badly as the first ones.
I guess they're getting more used to it the more time they spend around the giant insects.
There are the usual things like foods, fabric, tools, and similar necessities.
But only after the first crate gets opened I see what this delivery really is about.
Several blades in a glistening black are lying aligned in there.
want to take one of them to examine it closer, but before I can do so the coacher addresses me.
"Careful. Black iron is much heavier than normal iron. It makes up for this in durability, but you can hurt yourself if you're unaware of this." (coacher)
"Oh, thanks." (E)
Truly, the blade that I'm now carefully lifting is quite heavy.
But that should be no issue since I intentionally equipped my royal guard with more muscles than they would usually have.
Because this is so, they consume more food than other drones but this should pay off here as they form an elite unit.
The payment for Olira was agreed to either be the double amount of black iron or six times in normal iron.
Black iron is quite rare so there's not too much available and the latter has to suffice.
As far as I know, they're mining it close to the base by Osari.
Which is good since otherwise, we have to store it and then deliver it to Osari.
And I doubt that this much would fit in this cart.
I should put learning how to build carriages on my list.
"Ehk, please wait. We'll distribute the cargo here. Don't worry, I'll directly give the order to prepare the return cargo." (E)
"Please make it quick. Those things make me nervous." (coacher)
Well, maybe you shouldn't have become an underground coacher then.
Now, everything has to be brought to my district.
Especially the crates will have to be carried all the way up to my royal guard.
Regarding iron, Liseti has already a bit of a mining operation going, so there are some full storage halls.
"Also, she wants me to mention that nectar got quite popular and she'd appreciate receiving more of it." (coacher)
Enough for this carriage should be no problem.
But I should mention that Formicea are quite picky about their food, so I have to hold back on giving too much nectar away.
I still prepare eight vessels from my storage.
My own nectar unit isn't completely mature yet but already started producing a bit.
When it's matured, the output should be at one vessel every two days as a rough estimation.
The unloading and loading of the carriage proceed surprisingly fast.
The workers take everything off, without showing any strain.
Only for the crates of black iron, they have to work in groups to carry them, but they still perform this in perfect unison as if they practiced to do so.
After this, they bring as fast as possible the things we agreed upon in return.
The items that can't be loaded on the cart anymore will be carried separately by the workers to Osari, now that he's done here.
I hope he will report that everything went smoothly.
But right now he might still fear getting killed on the way back.
Eventually, all transactions are concluded.
All I have to do now is to head back up to see how my supposed guards fare with those weapons.
The place where my royal guard is located is basically its own facility within my district.
Something like a large barracks complex and a training field in front of it, which reminds me quite much of an arena.
Regarding my royal guards, they started training with sticks.
People on the surface may ask why so many trees in the area above the hive have no branches anymore, but that shouldn't cause greater issues.
It's kinda fascinating seeing my little child soldiers, or rather teenagers by now, dueling each other with four swords at once.
I need to say, they're developing quite well.
Not only physically, where some of them can be quite the impressive sight.
They're already as tall as humans and are still growing.
Also, they have four strong arms.
I wouldn't mess with them.
At the same time, they're still looking presentable.
The smooth face masks they have give nothing away and they can stand upright and somewhat elegant as the elite guards they are.
But what is for me more important is that some of them developed personality characteristics.
There's still this extreme devotion that I can't really get used to, yet now there are variants in their attitude.
For example, there's some competition going on between them for showing good results.
Using foreign weapons was new to them so they required some training.
And as it shows, they're very motivated.
Even more so when they notice that I'm there and seeing their performance.
Two who are fighting, accelerate their pace so much that both their sticks break when they clash.
I really should tell them that they shouldn't push themselves too hard.
"Ehk, hello. Please stay careful. If you get hurt this won't help anyone." (E)
I'd still wish that they would blink sometimes when I speak.
<Princess, you shouldn't prevent them from improving. They're still within the limits of their durability.> (Sk)
Skiras still surveys most of their training, even if, according to him, they already are quite independent.
I won't even pretend as if I l know much about the training of insect soldiers.
"I just came to say that the first batch of weapons arrived. We should see how well they'll fare with them. Ehk, and they really shouldn't use those against each other. Weapons are dangerous and we have to find a way to make safe use of them." (E)
<I understand that you treasure your royal guard, but this shouldn't prevent them from fulfilling their purpose.> (Sk)
"Sure, but I also don't want any avoidable injuries to happen." (E)
Skiras doesn't really retort, but I can literally feel the discontent oozing out of him.
I guess it's something along the lines of "don't treat soldiers like babies".
But they're still so young.
Anyways, while there are by no means enough weapons for all hundred of them, not to speak of their four arms, we are starting to get some equipped.
Skiras seems to be at least slightly interested in the new tools I've acquired for our troops.
I was a bit worried, but at least the shortswords are no problem for them to handle, and the medium-sized ones they're able to wield in some way but not yet effective.
However, they're still growing, so it should work out.
Personally, I think for the tunnels spears would do quite well.
Also, in combination with their flight, the slightly greater distance should make for a good combination.
"And? Do you think this might work out, Skiras?" (E)
<I am not familiar with human weapons. Removing their natural blade arms appears to be an estranging decision to me. However, those tools enable them to attack more fiercely, as they don't need to care about damaging their own bodies during the act.> (Sk)
That's as much approvement as I'll get from him.
"This isn't all they might get. We also could give them spears or bows. Versatility is one of the advantages of this approach." (E)
<I see. But the problem is that they naturally aren't as used to them as to their own bodies. Their spikes they could use very well, yet for those tools, they'll need time to get used to. And you just forbade any kind of combat application against each other with them. The "sticks" will have to suffice for practice. But I advise at least that they shall carry their new tools at any time with them to get used to their weight.> (Sk)
That sounds quite rigorous, always having to carry up to four very heavy weapons at once.
But on the other hand, I shouldn't sabotage my own guards.
Also, this is something that might save their lives one day.
I really shouldn't interfere too much here.
But one thing I should do before I leave it at that.
And this is asking for direct feedback.
I approach one of them who just got his short swords and currently tests their weight in his claws.
Due to the pheromones, he's directly aware of me.
"B-b-b-brooodmootheer?" (royal guard)
Ah, right.
I wanted them to be able to make human sounds, as they'll have to interact with them.
However, the pronunciation seems to be quite difficult since they lack a mouth.
Instead, they have quite complex vocal cords.
And as they're still young and didn't use them much yet they produce a deep humming sound.
But if not for that their voices are almost soothing.
Not a bit like the usual high-pitched screams of other drones.
Which makes it quite pleasant to have them around.
"Ehk, I wanted to ask, how are those weapons? Do you think you can use them well?" (E)
"Th-th-thank, youu, broodmoother. Wiith, thiies, I caan, protect, youu." (royal guard)
"Anything you'd like to add? Any improvements you would want to have? Sorry for the weight, but that makes them more durable!" (E)
"Nooothiing. Thoose, are, perrfect." (royal guard)
Well, if he says so.
The others as well seem to be doing fine, already practicing slashes.
I'm just glad that their carapaces protect them a bit from accidental cuts.
<This looks quite promising. It seems they're developing well.> (L)
"Ah, right. I was a bit worried that using something like this would be too difficult to learn and..." (E)
I stop mid-sentence, realizing whose pheromones I just received from behind me.
<I wouldn't worry. Learning how to use those sticks isn't too difficult of a task. And those new tools don't seem to be very different from those.> (L)
What is Liseti doing here??!
I get a feeling that in any dangerous situation Erys will try to protect her bodyguards rather than the opposite.
"Mum, stop running in front of us to shield us. We're here to protect you."
"But you're still so young!"
"That's not how this works!"
@expentio I know they already have natural chitin armor, but I wonder how extra tanky they could be with a properly fitted gambeson and plate armor combo. They’d make serious shock troops.
@A_lurker Alone an armored guardian would basically be a tank.
Editing
The driver is as usually quite nervous but not as badly as the first ones. > The driver is, as usual, quite nervous but not as badly as the first ones.
I want to take one of them, to examine it closer but before I> I want to take one of them to examine it closer, but before I
Enough for carriage should be no problem. > Enough for this carriage should be no problem.
When it's matured the output should be at one vessel in two days as a rough estimation. > When it's matured, the output should be at one vessel every two days as a rough estimation.
the carriage proceed surprisingly fast > the carriage proceeds surprisingly fast
a training field in front o it > a training field in front of it
The smooth face masks they have is giving nothing away > The smooth face masks they have give nothing away
Did Erys learn about all her new natural weapons yet? I seem to recall something about adjustments in her legs too.
the carriage proceeds surprisingly fast - I knew it, but the correction program insisted.
In theory, she could perform singing heel kicks, but it never came to a fight like this and she's lazy about physical training. (Though in her defense pressing out the eggs is quite exhausting)
Man i love this novel please don't stop, for me is one of the i read.
If they don't have sn enemy named kanobi. I SWEAR TO GOD.
Haha, you fell into my trap, General...
@expentio No, NO, NOOOOO! I, MUST, COMPLETE, THE JOKE. kanobi.
Very nice
Thx for the chap
Thanks for the chapter
Four swords sound kinda of silly to me it seems very unpratical.
Since they have four arms i personally would go greatshield and halberd but then again the halberd would probably be unpratical in the tunnels, it's not like all tunnels are large enough to make full use of the moveset. It would make more sense to go axe (against insect) and spear (against human) on one side and then the greatshield. It would also save on the black iron since the shaft can be made of wood for both weapons.
The spears are going to have an enlarged bladepoint, similar to a halberd, just no weight point at the end. But they're full metal so they can't break at length.
Personally, I think a great shield would take their ability to attack since it occupies all the space it covers and they're a high mobility unit.
Half and half i guess ?
Some who aren’t meant to make use of their mobility and instead be a wall to protect their mother using spears to keep the enemy at bay using shield/greatshield.
Others who are meant to make use of their mobility and wings to dispatch a threat as quick as possible. If so then weighting them down with too many weapons would be counter productive, two sword maybe while using their ranged weapons to pelt the enemy while approaching.
Well those are just some idea. We're not even sure if there will be any conflict going forward on the military aspect at least.
For ceremonial duties (they're meant to look intimidating) I think multiple scary looking weapons is great, even if impractical. For actual fighting, at least a medium shield or buckler is critical -- you use them in actual fights to deflect blows. I'm not sure how useful a shield wall is outside of field warfare, though.
Historically pretty much everyone used a shield, while multiple weapons (at the same time) was unheard of. My understanding is that dual wielding is basically impractical because you need to synchronize your weapon with your footwork, but carrying a bunch of backup weapons was definitely a thing.
@Tyrgle On the other hand, they're tall insect soldiers with adjusted muscles, flight, and a never know fervor that makes them train for their mother till it works out.
@expentio It seems like being able to use a short range and a longer range weapon at the same time at least would be pretty effective. If you get past the glaive, surprise! Sword and shield!
@Tyrgle Shields weren't universal. It depended on the combat role of the individual. Also sidearm weapons tended towards the smaller side like long daggers. Usually you didn't see people carrying several of what could be considered main weapons because just wearing them adds weight and also limits your range of motion after a certain point. They also snag on things when you start wearing too many weapons. Game logic doesn't work out very well in reality.
Also I would be leary of polearms in underground caverns in general. In fantasy they always make out caverns to be spacious and tremendous. Real caverns or underground tunnels... not so much. You see the more you clear out the more gravity and all that material wants to collapse and fill it all in. Gigantic chambers would be especially prone to it if they were particularly deep underground. This means that swords might be practical but spears or halberds would likely have limited use in realistic tunnels. You wouldn't have comfortable swinging space for large weapons. Its never a good thing if your weapon is hitting the walls when you're trying to attack an intruder.
@lightningshifter Thanks for the input. This is why I rather opted for spears than halberds. They still have a sharp edge at the end but are primary for stabbing. In a narrow tunnel a spear can be quite powerful. The ability to form a phalanx and keep everything at bay is very convenient. Yes, swinging won't be possibke, but blocking the passage should work fine with teamwork and it's their main job to keep the princess safe, not necessarily killing.