Chapter 541: Wildmen
The villagers watched helplessly as Malevolence’s humans carried sacks of grain from their stores, but other Malevolence’s humans, alongside bees, were already calming them down. They were planting the first usnea plants on their empty fields.
Like always, a large crowd gathered around the planting area, this time both from villagers and from recruited bandits. They all watched with shocked gasps and wide eyes how usnea trees grew from a tiny seed to a towering plant within minutes, while a dozen bees breathed fire at it to make it grow faster.
When the usnea tree began growing fruits, the human demonstrating its safety picked them up and demonstratively put one between his jaws. There were more gasps.
One of the bandits shouted something, which the other bandits supported; this caused loud reactions from the villagers. One of them shouted back, and a few others began waving their hands and stomping angrily.
Malevolence, who was watching this from an observation post on a branch of nearby pillar mountain, scowled in annoyance and turned to her signaller.
"What are they doing? Tell Eloquence that she should restore order before they start killing each other!"
The signaller nodded, and soon returned the answer:
"Agent Eloquence says that her people are already doing it."
’Her people’ turned out to be a few humans who moved to intervene. Malevolence didn’t like that Agents used humans for social tasks like these, but she admitted that in some cases, it was more effective. The barbaric humans of the Ashida continent weren’t used to obeying the telepathic voices of bees.
"What was this even all about? The usnea trees?"
"Agent Eloquence says that the Wildmen were praising nature that gave them such a gift as usnea trees. The villagers disagreed and started blaming nature for killing them with poisonous crops in the first place."
’Wildmen’ was what the bandits called themselves. This was a fact Malevolence remembered from Eloquence’s reports, but didn’t bother using.
"Hm. Tell her to keep a closer eye on the bandits until we leave this village. Then I want her to help me speak with their leader myself. I need to get a feel of him before we move out."
***
The meeting was held in the largest tent set in Malevolence’s army—a tent that belonged to her human Lieutenant. Right now, the man respectfully left, and the bandit—Wildmen—leader was standing in his place.
He was looking very much like any other of Wildmen kind: a man in simple clothes, with simple weapons, but covered from head to toe in tokens and trophies from beasts. However, he also had a crown made out of mandibles.
Malevolence recognised their shape: they must’ve belonged to wolves or similar creatures.
She also recognised the proud and wilful posture of the human, and the way he looked around the tent when he thought nobody was around.
The man didn’t know about two dozen bees watching him from the shadows—Malevolence, Eloquence and several dozen battle-ready Beemarines that served as their bodyguards at the moment.
He was wondering why he was invited to this large tent, only to be left on his own, without the guards, and wondering if he could use this time to snoop around.
Which were facts Eloquence whispered in Malevolence’s ear.
"...also, it would be more convenient for both of us if you allow me to say these things to you telepathically, sister Grand Commander," Eloquence added at the end. "You don’t have to forever stay so... old-fashioned."
"It’s distracting," Malevolence replied. "Now, come on. Let’s show ourselves. Until now, most of the ’Wildmen’ didn’t see bees properly."
"They saw some of us, and they already talk about magical spirits that help... Right, this isn’t important right now. I follow you, Grand Commander."
Malevolence nodded sharply and flew out from her perch.
For this moment, she made sure that her combat uniform looked its best.
Typical uniform consisted of a tunic and pants made from simple undyed fabric and leather, and was light brown or greyish-green. Once it had metal or bone armour as a part of it, but Beemarines didn’t need it.
Although this uniform was simple-looking, many sub-hives sent requests to Artists to paint well-wishes on it. Officers also wore coloured belts or headbands to be more noticeable to their people on the battlefield.
As the Grand Commander, Malevolence wore the most noticeable uniform, which was painted with yellow and black stripes. It also invoked the natural fear of bees in her enemies. She easily overshadowed much plainer-dressed Eloquence.
When Malevolence flew out of her cover, the Wildmen leader couldn’t miss her! Especially when Malevolence hovered only a hundred meters away from his giant face.
It was a good distance to see the human fully while he could focus his eyes on her. The eyes were wide with surprise, and only grew wider the more he took in Malevolence’s appearance.
"Human! I am Grand Commander Malevolence and, by the love of my Father, Emperor of the Bee Empire, leader of this army. Tell me, why should I trust you and your people and feed you, instead of killing all of you? You are outlaws!"
Eloquence let out a loud breath. Malevolence knew that she would be translating her words to the human in a way that made them more effective, whatever this meant. But this was an Agent’s job. Malevolence’s job was to lead the army to victory.
In the next second, the man bowed reverentially and let out some clicking words.
"Grand Commander, he says that his name is Ramwill. He swears that he won’t go back on his promise of service given to you earlier, and wants to know what this magical ’Bee Empire’ is, populated by talking bees. He also mistakenly calls you a Princess," Eloquence giggled.
Malevolence huffed.
"Princesses are Queens, and Father’s most loved ones at that... I’m not even close to any of them. Be serious, Agent—are the things this human says even true?"
"Not really. This man has no principles and will betray you easily. But please!.."