Athena in Tower Defense Game! [LitRPG]

Chapter 78: The Queen Among Queen Bees

The tree monster seized the opportunity, greedily devouring the corpses of the giant bees with immense satisfaction. It was so pleased that even its trunk began to quiver slightly. The solitary pale green flower on it began to bloom gently.

The battle in the sky remained fierce. Despite losing so many of their kind, the bees fought on, oblivious and emotionless, driven solely by commands like unfeeling machines.

When the black and yellow giant bees initially clashed, their queen bees signaled the battle. Now, however, the queen bees only watched each other warily, refraining from any aggressive moves after the initial attack. They were not just cautious but also overseeing the collection of the fallen bees, watching as the corpses were absorbed and as the flower bud gradually bloomed.

This war was ignited for the sake of the tree monster's fruit. To nurture this fruit quickly, the bees' corpses were essential. This was the fastest and most effective method; any delay would result in failure.

Unlike the ordinary bees, which mindlessly obeyed commands, the queen bees were intelligent and obeyed the queen's orders for the sake of their species. They were ready to die calmly if the queen commanded.

The tree monster was a nightmare for all creatures but a gift for the strong. Its fruit not only enhanced various abilities but also had the power to grant intelligence. Each queen bee was the pinnacle of their species' combat strength. The two bee tribes had maintained a peaceful coexistence for a long time. Whoever obtained the fruit could create another queen, drastically altering the balance of power. If the fruit matured successfully, it could be used by the queen, greatly enhancing the entire hive.

Mikmik crept along the tree stealthily. From a distance, he could see the sky swarming with giant bees. Corpses continuously fell from the sky and were swiftly ensnared by the tree roots. He had to watch out for falling bodies and sudden changes on the ground, making his journey perilous and nerve-wracking. But he finally reached the central area.

At first glance, the tree was no longer the withered sapling it once was. It had grown into a towering giant, and the budding fruit on it radiated an extraordinary allure.

Mikmik punched himself with a cat paw, shaking his head to stay calm. He spotted the two largest bees, one black and one yellow, directly above the tree monster.

Heeding Athena's warning, Mikmik knew better than to provoke these formidable foes. He lay quietly for a long time, unnoticed by anyone.

After observing for a while without gaining any useful information or finding an opportunity, Mikmik realized the two giant bees nearly encircled the tree monster, and many other bees swarmed around.

Initially, he watched the fight with interest but soon grew bored. However, he noticed that the number of bees didn't decrease despite the constant fighting. He observed that bees continuously joined the fray from two different directions.

Mikmik followed the bees into the forest, realizing he didn't need to chase them frantically. The bees didn't notice him, and he didn't have to worry about losing track. If one batch was gone, another would follow.

Athena monitored Mikmik's marker. Since entering the Black Forest's central area, Mikmik hadn't moved much, occasionally heading in another direction. It confirmed Athena's belief that a cat's curiosity was indeed insatiable.

As Mikmik ventured further, he arrived at the outer edges of the Black Forest. Here, he encountered a cliff. The yellow giant bees disappeared as they crossed the cliff's edge. Mikmik raised his paw to touch the space ahead and found a transparent barrier.

Placing his paw forward, he realized there was indeed a path. Passing through the invisible barrier, the cliff vanished, revealing a breathtaking sight.

Instead of the expected forest, massive beehives loomed on the horizon. They resembled colossal beasts in a dark world, or perhaps even larger giant bees. Majestic and imposing, they radiated an overwhelming pressure that almost suffocated Mikmik.

Soon, he saw about a hundred yellow giant bees emerge from one of the hives, flying in batches towards the battlefield. Mikmik quietly bypassed them, discovering a distinct yellow hive.

This hive was significantly smaller compared to the others but was exquisitely crafted with remarkable intricacy. There was only one entrance. As he approached, he noticed four or five queen bees guarding it.

However, what truly terrified him was the sight beyond the queen bees: the queen herself. She lay on the ground, her massive body seemingly on the verge of bursting. Countless eggs filled her enormous abdomen, and she was the lifeblood of the hive, its most crucial member. Yet, she could barely move.

Worker bees collected the eggs she laid, and during this vulnerable egg-laying period, the queen bees protected her diligently.

The queen bees spoke in an unknown language, but Mikmik understood everything, even if Athena couldn't. Observing the queen's swollen belly, Mikmik knew the egg-laying process wouldn't end anytime soon.

Mikmik exited the hive and rushed back to Athena's dwelling.

Despite not being adept at long-distance running, Mikmik pushed himself, pausing only briefly before resuming his sprint.

When he finally reached the cave, he found Athena waiting like a concerned mother awaiting her child's return.

Athena sighed in relief upon seeing Mikmik, a bit disheveled but otherwise unscathed. Mikmik, eager to communicate, gestured frantically with his paws, but his urgency made it hard for Athena to understand.

"Don't panic. One thing at a time," Athena urged.

For the first time, Mikmik resented his inability to speak human language or write. His frustration grew as he struggled to convey his message, eventually swatting Athena's face in exasperation.

Finally, Athena pieced together Mikmik's message, "A hive... a heavily pregnant queen... only queen bees guarding... intelligence?"

"...We should kidnap the queen..."

It was a crazy idea, but upon reflection, not entirely impossible.