Reincarnated To Evolve My Bee Empire

BACK TO AMBROSIA.

Six days passed since Nectus' disappearance now, and with each new day, the reports brought to the Empire Council became more and more grim.

"Humans have been more and more vigilant to our attacks, Mother-Queen. Now they never sleep alone or without a source of light. Last night, the Beemarines stationed there blinded another creature, but two full squads were lost as a result."

Bloodhero was speaking through jaw clenched in anger the entire time. Other Advisers scowled or frowned, too.

"Also, the scouts report that the warrior humans that were previously imprisoned by other humans are now free. It even looks like they are commanding others."

Ambrosia resisted the urge to pull on her hair in a gesture Nectus sometimes did in times of stress.

Instead of cowering in fear, humans united and resisted to the last. Perhaps "diplomacy" was a foolish idea from the start—at least without Nectus here to direct it.

Good thing that the Bee Empire attacked first.

"So, how many humans we've blinded in total, Bloodhero?" Ambrosia asked.

"Eight warrior humans and thirteen others. Those are pathetic numbers, I know. We can still send more Beemarines in to change that. Just give the order!"

"I protest, Mother-Queen!" Researchina said immediately. "These Beemarines use the research work camp as their base of rest. From what Bloodhero said earlier about the increasing vigilance of humans, if they keep flying in and out, the entire camp can be put at risk. And for what? The efficiency of this operation is clearly at its lowest point."

"I disagree with the low efficiency, sister," Health Adviser Tabletina spoke up. "Based on the information we had about humans, including that from Explanatory's team, as well as reports of the Beemarines forced to attack at night, I made some guesses."

"Tell us more, Tabletina."

"Bees ought to sleep at night, and so do humans. From the data I gathered, Beemarines that are forced to sleep during the day have their overall efficiency lowered by 5-30% based on how erratic their sleep schedule is. My assumption—humans suffer from the same thing. By continuously attacking them, we disturb their sleep, which will make them more and more weak and vulnerable."

Ambrosia rubbed her chin, thinking.

"A war of attrition… It brought us victory with minimal losses once already."

"Mother-Queen, there's one more thing," Bloodhero said. "Those strange appearances of humans near our borders didn't stop. I've already pointed them out on the wall map."

She gestured to the drawing in the wax. Now it was drawn with much more precision than before, and Worriesgone added symbolic drawings of Nectus and Ambrosia herself in the corners.

Several small wooden pegs were stuck near the borders. Each of them showed where a human was spotted, and among them, three pegs were new.

Only one of them was anywhere close to Camp Rich. Others spread liberally alongside the Empire's border closest to the human village.

"And they again didn't attack even after noticing the patrolling swarm, Bloodhero?" Ambrosia asked.

"No, Mother-Queen. They turned around and fled like cowards! Except, I'm sure they are plotting something. They always do. My Commander Commandos confirms it—she says that this looks similar to a typical scouting behavior."

"Humans are smart—Nectus always said so. Until now they were slow to do so, but they adapt to our actions. If they are scouting the Empire, this means that they prepare an attack, and when it happens, our old methods won't be as effective anymore," Ambrosia said.

Her frown was reflected on the faces of everybody present. Any mention of the beloved Father of the Empire hit hard.

"Then we just have to invent new methods," Researchina said decisively. "Father already taught us enough. When he returns to us, he will see only success."

"Yes!" Workharder pumped her fist in the air. "If humans are planning something, we must just crush them with our united might. If we gather every able-bodied bee and tell them to fight, no amount of plans will save these monsters!"

"No. This will cripple our economy. I'm well-aware how hard most of our Foragers work, not just foraging, but also carrying things from place to place. Bloodhero—is the army ready to move out today?"

"Yes, Mother-Queen. It will take two weeks for it to reach the village, assuming the weather is decent; but we won't need to build forts on the way. The supply carts will slow the army down by a lot, but they will allow the army to carry all its supplies at once. In two weeks, 15 thousand Warriors and 5 thousand Beemarines will crush these humans entirely!"

"Then give Commander Bloodimina the order, Bloodhero. And call me when they are going to set off—I will raise their morale with a speech."

"Yes, Mother-Queen!"

The messengers were sent; then, some less pressing topics were discussed at the council. Without Nectus, the girls even argued about resource distribution and stepping on each other's toes with less energy than usual.

When the Council ended, and with assurance that the army won't be ready for her speech for another hour, Ambrosia went to visit a new building, which was called by its inhabitants "The Oracler".

It was Oracles' new workshop, class for personal studies and training, and a living space all at once.

Until yesterday, there was only one Oracle in the Empire. Then, another young bee emerged, screaming about death and being unable to discern her dreams from reality.

This time, the Nurses were ready and calmed her down; now the second Oracle was living training with Undecided.

Ambrosia had visited Undecided every day since Nectus' disappearance. To cheer her up, mostly—the bee needed that a lot. But also in a foolish hope to hear something about Nectus' return.

News about where and how exactly the humans will attack would've been good, too.

"Mother, you are finally here. I almost thought I should send someone for you," Undecided said as a greeting. "My studies have been doing very well. My little sister had a thought to look in the dreams themselves for an answer—and, well. Would you like to know what we discerned?"