Chapter 196: Chapter 196

The bumblebee soldier stood before Juosiutik’s house. She began to groom herself, if only to have something to do. The little queens had asked her to fly here with the little soldiers, and that she had done. Now, the little soldiers asked her to stay here. So, that’s what she did.

The bear-King things were watching her, but she paid them no mind. She could smell the King’s mana on them, though fainter than on her sister bees, so she knew they were part of the same hive. So, she focused on her grooming, brushing her hair and antennae with her legs.

But then, one of the bear-King thing made a move. It was smaller than the others, though still taller than herself. The bumblebee soldier might have thought it was a worker but there weren’t enough bear-King things its size for that to be true, unless the bear-King hive was preparing for a winter hibernation. That was a bit confusing, since the bumblebee soldier didn’t notice any signs of the seasons changing, but she was just a soldier so winter preparations weren’t her job in the first place.

And neither was figuring out what the small bear-King thing was, so she went back to her grooming. At least, until the bear-King thing got closer.

The bumblebee soldier turned towards the bear-King thing, the King’s mana telling her this was a greeting. She responded in kind, buzzing her wings and releasing friendly pheromones. The bear-King thing tilted its head. The bumblebee soldier wasn’t sure what that meant, so she went back to grooming herself.

Then, the small bear-King thing slowly crept forward, reaching out her upper legs. The bumblebee soldier paused as the bear-King thing touched her hairs.

The King’s mana indicated the small bear-King thing was expressing happiness as it began to help the soldier groom, brushing her hairs. The bear-King thing’s upper legs were warm and felt pleasant. The bumblebee soldier knew that mutual grooming could help clean spots she had trouble reaching, so she began to groom the bear-King thing as well, rubbing her legs across it. The bear-King thing made a noise that was also translated as happiness.

“We would be honored that you would trust us to that degree, Sacred Den Master. If you and your bees wish to dwell if us, I swear to ensure their comfort and safety.”

Belissar was about to reply…but someone else beat him to it.

New mission received: Teach the karnuq the art of beekeeping.

His eyes widened. Chief Rohsuak tilted her head.

“Sacred Den Master? Is something the matter?”

Belissar shook his head.

“No…just the opposite, in fact. It seems the God of Bees approves of this…and wants me to teach you beekeeping.”

Now it was Chief Rohsuak’s eyes that opened wide. Then, she knelt down and bowed her head.

“We would be most honored.”

Belissar rubbed his chin.

“In that case…maybe we should do more than just one hive? Um, the God of Bees said she wants the karnuq to learn, so maybe more of your people can help too, then.”

Chief Rohsuak nodded.

“This is your area of expertise, Sacred Den Master, both beekeeping and fulfilling the will of the gods. Please, instruct us as you see fit and we will do whatever you say. If you wish, I will gather as many of our people as you need.”

At this point, Niobee flew before him.

“King! Bees help too!”

Belissar smiled and held out his hand for Niobee to land on.

“Thanks, Niobee, I know you’ll always help.”

Belissar then rubbed his chin with his other hand.

“Ok. I think…I’d like a bit of time to think about how to do this. You, um, are also talking with the skunk people again tomorrow, right? Um, is there another name for them besides skunk people?”

Chief Rohsuak nodded.

“Yes, we plan to work out the final details. They have not named themselves yet but perhaps they will once the final agreement is in place.”

Belissar nodded back.

“Ok, maybe we’ll start the day after, then?”

Chief Rohsuak hummed.

“About that…Sacred Den Master, I do need to ask you something. You are aware that you and King Ratuatapi will need to confirm the final agreement, right? And since it is supposed to include you promising in the name of the God of Bees…you will likely need to invite them into the Sacred Den to complete the deal in-person. Would you agree to this?”

Belissar paused, and then his face fell. So, he would have to speak to them himself after all. He had hoped that Chief Rohsuak might be able to handle everything, but apparently not. He was about to agree…but then he had a thought.

“So, they have to come into the Tower before agreeing? Could that be dangerous? There’s a chance they were planning to attack us, right?”

Chief Rohsuak nodded with a solemn expression.

“Indeed. And since you will be there before them, that would be their best chance to attack as well. It is indeed dangerous.”

She then glanced back at the bumblebee soldier and smiled.