With B568-114's help, the journey on the Scourge's back was easier than usual. Instead of relying on throwing threats, B568-114 could tell him directly where to go.
Scourge still loudly complained if he didn't get a threat, and an optional scratch between the wings.
Since I didn't know where exactly Bloodimina's army was at this point, I ordered us to fly to Explanatory's research camp and land on the ground nearby.
"Invincible-13, I leave Scourge to you. Please, don't let it fly away too far… B568-114, you are going with me."
"Yes, Father!" they said in unison. My bodyguards didn't need any orders at all—they just followed me.
The research camp hid from the sight of humans, so there were no guards posted outside—only a few small patrols of Commando Bees. If I didn't know better, I'd think the camp's cave was empty.
One of the patrols that stumbled upon my group led us inside.
There, I was greeted by way more bees than I expected to see. The cave was built with combs from top to bottom and left to right, and bees packed the place so tightly, it was a wonder they all fit!
"I see that Bloodimina's army has reached this place," I said, addressing no one in particular.
"Yes, Father," a Sergeant Commando leading us replied. "She arrived just last evening, and she doesn't know yet—"
The bee's words were interrupted by collective gasps of bees who just noticed my arrival. Since I was wearing my Forever Greatest armor, I was hard to miss, or mistake with anyone.
"Father has returned to us!"
'Oh, this is going to slow things down…'
The Bee Empire would take a lot of time to recover from my disappearance, it seemed.
Then, an even louder shout cut through the clamor.
"SILENCE! SILENCE AND DISCIPLINE! Or do you want humans to hear us all the way from here?"
When I raised my eyes to the source of the voice, I saw Bloodimina push through the parting crowd. She landed in front of me and saluted.
Her face was steely, but her body and voice were shaking with emotion.
"Father, words can't describe how happy we are with your return. Will you lead us into battle?"
"Yes, this is what I came for. But before we start—I need to hear what has been happening in the village since yesterday. The Beehounds must've reported to you or Explanatory already, right?"
"Of course. We shared reports between each other—she helped us a lot in deciphering human actions. If you want to hear this, Father, then we should come inside and I will show you the report archives."
"Great idea. Lead the way. Girls," I turned to the rest of my 'retinue', "you can rest after the road for now."
Reports gathered by Beehounds had some good news and some bad news.
Good news—there were almost no people in the village who were eager to fight the Bee Empire. Only some women, old men, people still barely able to see, and the survivors of the last battle. Humans must've been in despair before it, too.
It looked like the human I killed—Zash Meresh, that was an important name—united the village in the last weeks. He was pretty charismatic… But without him, the spirits of humans would fall immediately, and I already saw it happen.
Another news—not good and not bad—was that said attackers didn't return to the village yet. I half-expected it—unless they went on horses, humans would take a day or a bit less to reach the Bee Empire. And they didn't have that many horses—instead they had wounds that would slow their journey.
Finally, the bad news—humans got reinforcements just this morning.
"Ten warrior humans, like the ones that came there earlier. But not exactly like them—the Beehounds claimed they had different clothing and armor," Bloodimina told me.
Explanatory, who sat in this room with the two of us, nodded and added,
"I'm unsure about the meaning of the differences, but the repeating pictures on their armor likely mean that they belong to a single group. The pictures could mean a profession, a rank, or having the same father."
The news made me scowl.
"A repeating picture? It's most likely a coat of arms, or an emblem of an organization. So the help from the outer world came here, after all. Although… What have they been doing since arrival?"
"Not much, apparently—rested, ate, and talked loudly with locals."
I rubbed my forehead.
Involvement of guards or soldiers from other settlements meant that the Bee Empire could make new enemies too easily and too soon. Perhaps it already did.
But since Zash and his surviving fighters hadn't returned to the village yet, perhaps… Perhaps there was still a chance. All thanks to B568-114.
"Explanatory, do we know which of the humans in the village was their leader before Zash? The village head."
"Yes, one of the old men. Even now, others come to talk to him a lot and show signs of respect. I estimated he had to have at least an Adviser rank."
"Great. Then, I need someone to point me at him… And two camouflage suits that Commandos wear. I and B568-114 are going to have a diplomatic conversation with this man, and it requires utmost stealth."
I remembered that there was no way Destroyer would let me go without bodyguards.
"Make it thirteen camouflage suits. And swiftly!"
"But… What about a battle? Won't we crush the enemies of the Bee Empire and set their houses on fire like they set ours?"
We would (probably) win a battle like that, but the losses of bees would be as awful as during the defense of Hive Supremo!
"We will fight when, and if, I say so. If it will be necessary, I will say so. If not—then these soldiers will fight another war, another day. Until now—bring me the suits and the guide, before it's too late!"