That solution was to take the seeds from someone else who does agriculture—the humans.
By now, the trade channels we established with the nearest human village—Krisha, as it was called in their language—were reasonably stable. And we had spare gold to trade.
The Council had arranged the movement of provisions to support the unevolved beehives and hunt for extra meat supplies, and I rode on Scourge's back to Krisha research camp, planning to return on the same evening.
It has been a while since I talked with humans, and I was looking forward to finding out how their attitude toward us changed in the last two months.
"We kept them in appropriate fear and respect toward our power, Father. All as you instructed," Chief Researcher Explanatory said. "A few humans tried to show anger or even threaten us, but several warning stings have silenced their unrest. But it was all in my reports."
"Of course." I nodded as if I read them all.
Explanatory sent stacks of wax tables to the archives every other day! No one could've read this all, and I had an entire Empire to deal with. I just asked Researchina and Bloodhero for a quick summary at every Council meeting. I knew Bloodhero would tell me if humans got aggressive again—she'd love to have a reason to kill them all.
Not that I didn't understand her reasoning…
"If there are no problems with humans, then it won't be a problem for me to alter our trade agreements a little. I want to speak with the village head—can you arrange that without me having to sneak around?"
"Yes. He comes to a certain spot every evening to send telepathic messages to faraway beings. At this time, he's receptive to our messages, too. He doesn't attack even if he sees one of us with his eyes, which is convenient for our thought-senders."
Maybe I should've read the reports better.
"Sending telepathic messages?… Wait, you mean, he prays to gods?"
"'Gods'? I don't know this word. The village head begs unknown beings for things, most often forgiveness for his 'sins'. From his thoughts, we concur they listen to everything everyone thinks or does. So far, we recorded no confirmed instances of them responding, though."
I suddenly realized that Explanatory didn't even know what gods were. The concept was shared among the high command of High Supremo, and Explanatory was a remote Researcher Bee. Less remote now that the Bee Empire spread, but there was still a tremendous gap in knowledge.
Which included cultural knowledge.
I assumed that if Researchina didn't fix Explanatory's confusion, Researchina didn't realize that the village head was praying, either.
After all, what I have explained to my girls about gods was related to their power, not to the traditions of worship.
I didn't want to give them ideas.
"Explanatory, arrange someone to lead me to this place when the man is there."
"Of course, Father. I will bring you there myself. Oh, Father—I also got a report that the village head got news from the other human settlement today. You should know."
"News? Yes, this might be very important."
"Very well. You won't need a telepath with you, Father, but what about a military escort?"
"The regular amount for visits like these. And most importantly, before I go, I'm going to share some knowledge about humans. For one thing, I'm positive that humans aren't telepathic, and that their messages aren't heard by anyone who cares…"
Anad Shach, the village head, was sitting on his knees near a shrine built around a pillar mountain. The shrine wasn't anything complicated: just an arrangement of colorful cloth ribbons tied in intricate braids and put around the tree. There were also some flowers tied to the ribbons, which looked tiny next to the size of the construction.
The man's hook-like fingers were raised like those of a prayer mantis, his eyes were closed, and his mandibles moved silently. His thoughts were so loud that I heard them as soon as I got close enough to his head—I didn't even need to focus.
'…and though I've sinned, forgive the people under my care, at least. So many of them have been taken overnight, and I pray for their souls to travel smoothly to your eternal palace. But why, why didn't you take instead those who deserve it more? Like those who threaten to come after this land, after my people…'
Anad was so deep in thought that he didn't even hear me fly right in front of him. Even though I told Explanatory and my bodyguards ("This is already a large enough combat group, Father," she had said) to wait a couple dozen meters away.
Despite how loud my wings were, Anad only *now* had opened his eyes and looked at me.
Next moment he let out an ear-rupturing yelp and jerked away, only to lower his head in a deep bow with apologetic words in his language.
I flew closer and assumed my most theatrical tone and focused my thoughts. It was easier without needing a translator.
'Raise your head, human, stay in place, and speak to me with your heart, not your crude tongue. Be not afraid—I came here not because you or your people have angered me.'
'I apologize, I apologize, Spirit Emperor!' Anad thought, assuming his prayer position again. He clearly wanted to inch away from me when I boldly sat on his shoulder, but didn't dare to, instead watching me with wide eyes. 'I didn't expect to see you here in the flesh, Your Majesty, instead of your Spirit Messengers.'
Explanatory really didn't like when she said that diplomacy was blooming. I smiled—but this smile waned quickly.
Was his prayer just now related to the news that Explanatory mentioned? It didn't sound good at all!
'I came to the sound of your woes, Anad Shach. My messengers have carried your prayers to me, and I was affronted. Is there truly someone who wants to take over this place when it's under my protection?'