Chapter 214: Bee Committed!

    Belissar, Tarwantrad, and Chief Rohsuak were all sitting around as the celebration wore on. Belissar nervously picked at his food, eating just enough that the bees wouldn’t stop to check on him. He was trying to enjoy the taste of the honey, but he could not help his worry. The God of Bees said it was handled and he trusted her but he still really wished he knew what was going on. He’d probably remain anxious until Tarwantrad could speak with the Oracle of Flowers and hear from one of the directly involved parties...

    Suddenly, a wave of hot mana surged through his Tower, and a wave of messages surged across his vision.

    New mission received: Help one bee queen receive a full blessing from the God of Fire

    New mission received: Share a monster bee queen with a dungeon patronized by the God of Flowers

    The God of Flowers wishes to offer you a quest. Accept?

    Belissar blinked repeatedly. He glanced over at Tarwantrad and found she had stiffened and was gaping at the air.

    “Um...”

    Chief Rohsuak looked at him with concern.

    “Tower Keeper? If I’m not mistaken, that was the power of the God of Fire, was it not? Has something occurred?”

    Belissar slowly nodded. He glanced throughout his Tower and found the God of Fire’s braziers now present in both Lava Fields.

    “The gods have done...something. I just got new missions from the God of Bees relating to the God of Fire and God of Flowers. The God of Flowers also wants to offer me a quest...but...”

    Belissar hesitated, given that it was a reward from the God of Flowers that had triggered this whole affair. What if she wanted him to do something that would antagonize the God of Fire? Fortunately, Velebee was riding on Niobee’s back as she always did at the queen meetings, and immediately began to glow.

    “Hive-Builder! Queen of All Bees says accept mission from Queen of All Flowers!”

    Belissar furrowed his brow. If the God of Bees was asking he was going to accept...but that didn’t mean he wasn’t worried.

    “Sorry, I’ll do as the God of Bees ask, but...if she’ll have mercy on me...could I ask a question first?”

    “Queen of All Bees says can!”

    Belissar bowed his head.

    “Thank you. Will this mission...upset the God of Fire?”

    Velebee immediately danced the negative.

    “Queen of All Bees says won’t!”

    Belissar let out a sigh and then smiled.

    “Thank you. And thank you Velebee.”

    He reached out and gently brushed Velebee’s back with a finger, then accepted the mission.

    New mission received: Complete the God of Fire’s mead mission as soon as possible.

    Belissar slowly let out another sigh, letting all the tension drain from his body. He took another deep breath before he looked up at Chief Rohsuak.

    “Ok, I think it’s settled. The God of Flowers just tasked me with completing the God of Fire’s mission, so I think they made up?”

    Chief Rohsuak didn’t hide her own smile as she let out a deep sigh of her own.

    “That is a sincere relief.”

    Belissar could only nod at that before turning to Tarwantrad.

    “Did you hear from the gods too?”

    Tarwantrad snapped out of her stare to look at Belissar. She slowly began to smile.

    “Yes, yes I did. The God of Flowers wishes for me to support you...as does the God of Bees.”

    Belissar beamed as warmth filled his chest. The God of Bees really did take good care of him, he’d have to thank her again. He resolved to ensure she had a steady supply of mead offerings from now on.

    Since the situation with the gods was seemingly resolved, Belissar was able to walk into the post-celebration meeting with confidence. He had a big smile on his face as the bee queens assembled and saluted. While the possibility of a god fight had been incredibly stressful...there was no doubt that Belissar had profited greatly today.

    “So, we have a lot to discuss tonight. First of all, the God of Flowers upgraded her blessing. Here are the new effects.”

    Vitality: Below Average

    Strength: Small+

    Speed: Average

    Magic: Minimal+

    Defense: Small+

    Resistance: Minor+

    Special: Minimal+

    Notable Skills: Poison Thrust, Death Blow, Harden Chitin, Brood Offspring

    Evolves From: Monster Bee Soldier, Monster Bee Lancer

    Spawner Upkeep: 40 (20 with Blessing of Bees)

    Description: A monster bee lancer evolution. This lancer is no longer content with purely hit and run attacks, and so has evolved to stay in the fight. Tougher chitin, larger size, and greater vitality allow it to take blows other bees cannot, while strengthened muscles allow for powerful thrusts even from up close. These characteristics also make it no less capable at the powerful dives its ancestors utilize, though its heavier body does take more time to move.

    Belissar furrowed his brow. He regretted reading this one, because now he wanted it. He really wanted it. An even bigger lancer with tough, heavy chitin plates? One specifically built for durability while still retaining the powerful stingers of the lancers...that they could even use up close? These bees would be perfect to both shore up the bee army’s defenses while also improving its ability to fight back...

    That the battle meadow queens immediately ceased all discussion on the reed bees and were now buzzing their wings and spinning about in circles did not help.

    But, with a great effort of will, Belissar tore his eyes away from the description and the beautiful preview the Tower tempted him with. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, slowly unleashing it in a dramatic sigh.

    “I’m sorry everyone but...we need the butcher bees for the Death room.”

    In an effort to distract himself from what he was giving up, he read out the butcher bee description.

    Butcher Bee Queen

    Vitality: Minimal

    Strength: Minor

    Speed: Average

    Magic: Minor

    Defense: Minimal

    Resistance: Minimal

    Special: Minor

    Notable Skills: Bite, Brood Mother, Command Offspring

    Spawner Upkeep: 20 (10 with Blessing of Bees)

    Description: A vulture bee that has accumulated enough mana to become something more. No longer content with scavenging the dead, this bee’s sharp mandibles shred through living flesh to gather sustenance for the hive. A swarm can pick a body clean in minutes...whether dead or alive. This one is a queen, and capable of building a hive of butcher bees.

    The effort worked...partially. Belissar groaned. He shouldn’t have read the monster bee knight description. He really wanted them, and had it not been for recent circumstances probably would have chosen them.

    But...he needed butcher bees to deal with the rabbits and get a Death room going, lest he let Hesfalle’s advice and boons all go to waste. The alternative was to let his regular monster bees face the dangers of Death mana and suffer the casualties that would result, rather than the bees built for killing and scavenging. Not only that, the God of Bees had gone out of her way to give him this option specifically. If he did not choose it now, who knew how long it would take before it showed up again? He hadn’t seen bloodsucking bee queens or stingless bee queens ever since passing them up.

    He reminded himself of all the God of Bees had done for him, and quickly made his choice before he could change his mind.

    Butcher Bee Queens are now available!

    He turned to the battle meadow queens and was about to apologize, only to find the Firstborn dancing.

    “Amazing, incredible! Will make hive of hives stronger!”

    He could only make a helpless smile and gave her a nod. That was Tarwantrad had told him, right? The point wasn’t how great an option was, but how it fit into the Tower and what they did with it. He had made his choice, now they just had to make the best of it.