CHAPTER 461: DEVELOPMENT LEVEL 12 IS A GIFT FROM THE GODS

Congratulations! Your empire has spread far and wide and reached Development Level 12. You gain 5 attribute points and ’Increased Lifespan VII’ gene. You will gain ’Increased Lifespan VIII’ gene at Development Level 15.

〔Increased Lifespan VII: +8640 days to lifespan.〕

Did the Goddess of Bees just give me extra points out of her thick pocket?

I wasn’t going to question her generosity, either way. Instead, I returned into my body at last.

The headache hit me immediately. I felt as if I had been hit by a truck, or spent a night mixing drinks in the wrong order. Despite this, my health and stamina were full.

With a groan, I wiped the crusty blood from my face as much as I could and sat up.

Nobody outside had entered the room, although they must’ve heard that I woke up—they had their instructions. I used this peaceful opportunity to rest and think about how close to death—a final and only death!—I got today, the chances of me dying at some later date...

Then I remembered I had left a squad of very confused and alarmed Commandos without explanations. There was no time to rest just yet!

I didn’t project myself this time, just sent a telepathic message directly to Malevolence.

’Calm down your people—I’m alright and well, just tired.’

Her response came through a signaler ten seconds later.

’What?! Father, I just got a report that you were attacked by god-creatures! The scouts are—stop, don’t send this! Send, "yes, Father, I will tell them that of course you were alright, how else could it be?"!’

I smiled to myself. Malevolence and her signaler were so frantic that they sent me things they didn’t intend to, but Malevolence still tried to keep herself in check. Well, now I’ve fixed it.

A short while later, Malevolence sent another message:

’Father, I’m glad to report that the mega-nest was completely destroyed. I am waiting for your further orders; for now, I’ve ordered to make a camp where we are to watch out for any hornet stragglers.’

’Good plan. Do this for now—keep monitoring the area. And congratulate your people with a job well done. I will send you more orders later.’

With this, I fell back on the bed and let out a heavy breath.

It was time to return to Hive Supremo and tell my girls the good news—but before I suffered another uncomfortable journey on a dragon’s back, I would just rest some more.

Maybe this hangover will go away.

***

Nothing and no one could remove morose thoughts from my head better than the welcoming smile from my bee-wife. Everything I suffered through was forgotten at once as soon as I saw her open her eyes in a welcoming hug.

I still had to remember it a while later, when I announced to the Empire Council that the Bee Empire had reached the 12th development level.

"Although I’m sure there are more hornets on this continent, now that we know how they operate and their goddess is out of the equation (I hope), they won’t be such a danger. Eventually, we will exterminate them all. For now, we can make decisions about how to strengthen our empire more with better genes!"

Despite the pleasant note on which I ended this speech, the room erupted with protests.

"What?! Father almost died? Where are the god-creatures! We must kill them before this happens again!"

"I-I didn’t see this! It wasn’t in my dreams—how could I’ve missed it? What were the chances?.."

"Father, and you didn’t even visit a Physician after this? Your health might be in danger..."

"Enough, all of you!" Ambrosia said, cutting off the exclamations. "The last thing Nectus needs after what he has been through is your buzzing. I will arrange proper care for him myself."

I opened my mouth to say that I was feeling perfectly fine—which was true by now—but Amby raised her hand with so much of her royal presence that I was made speechless.

The only sounds in the room besides the background buzzing were those of breathing and rustling of clothing.

"This council session is put on a break until Tabletina and her chosen Physicians make sure that Nectus’ body is unhurt. When the council resumes, I want Attendant Helping-Hands to prepare the best dishes for Nectus... No, for everybody to eat while we discuss business. After this news, all of you need peace and comfort that the food can provide."

Although I was perfectly healthy, after looking at the tense and alarmed faces of my girls I could only nod.

At least my physical exam will give them some peace of mind!

***

The Empire Council gathered again later that evening.

The large table, which was usually full of documents, was now covered in plates of various dishes: honeyed fruits, honeyed pancakes, honeyed buns, honeyed jerky, fresh fruits, jugs of nectar, caterpillar soup and many more.

Just seeing this spread made me pause, and the smells were absolutely salivating! This was a sight that would’ve made a human’s teeth ache at the amount of sweets, but for a bee, this was a perfect amount.

Attendant Helping-Hands was standing at the side with a few helpers, watching everybody and ready to move dishes or refill cups at the first hint of a need.

"My girls, this looks so delicious—you’ve outdone yourselves!" I told them, grinning, then went to my seat and began chewing on fried nuts.

Others gathered as well, after which Tabletina stood up and made an announcement.

"The medical examination proved that Father is absolutely healthy! There are no wounds on his body, his reactions aren’t sluggish, and there are no other symptoms of illnesses."

She sat down and added less dramatically:

"Everybody can relax... Until Father puts his life in danger again."

Things-Things made a loud sigh of relief. Worriesgone smiled broadly. Researchina stayed stubbornly frowning. Others physically relaxed in their own ways.

"And now that this is out of the way, we can finally, *finally* start choosing the new genes," I said.