Bofuri (The Strongest Shield Of Tensura)

As it turned out, Acer was right. Kaede ended up naming the spider. On the sixth day, she received a message that the creature had given birth, and she finally gave in to the urge, christening her Charlotte.

With the naming process complete, Kaede decided to inspect the progress the queens had made on the colony's new home.

Accompanied by Ari and the three queens—much to Acer's chagrin—Kaede made her way toward the Kyusha Mountains. Well, not quite; from the colony's vantage point, the mountains were still visible several miles ahead.

Kaede stood on the ridge, gazing at the bustling colony site. The Kyusha Mountains rose sharply in the distance, their peaks catching the late afternoon light. This area, nestled within the forest's edge, struck a balance between ruggedness and vitality. Towering trees framed the scene, their leaves shifting in the breeze, while clusters of hardy shrubs and moss clung to the rocky terrain. It wasn't as lush as the deeper sections of the Great Forest, but it was vibrant in its own way, alive with the resilience of nature and the hum of activity from the Antari.

The air smelled of fresh timber and faintly of sap, mingling with the earthy scent of disturbed soil. Kaede let out a breath, appreciating the rugged charm of this new home. "Not quite the forest's heart, but still part of it," she murmured, her voice filled with approval.

Ari stood beside her, her gaze steady. "It's close enough to the forest for resources and cover, yet far enough into the mountains to be defensible. The queens chose wisely."

Kaede nodded, her eyes shifting to the bustling construction site below. Hundreds of Antari moved with purpose, their humanoid forms a blur of activity. Each worker had four arms, and it was mesmerizing to watch them wield tools or carry materials with unmatched efficiency.

A team of Antari worked on shaping massive logs, their powerful claws moving with precision. The logs were stripped of bark and expertly notched, ready to be fitted into place. Nearby, a group of Antari worked with woven bundles of thick grass, their four arms weaving the strands into roofing mats at a remarkable pace.

Kaede's attention shifted to the structures taking shape. She stepped closer, marveling at the progress. The structures were simple for now -rectangular frames supported by sturdy logs- but there was an elegance to their design. The Antari worked with a level of precision that rivaled any craftsman she'd seen.

"They're efficient," Kaede remarked, turning to Aurina, who stood nearby with an air of quiet pride.

"Of course, Master," Aurina replied. "We Ants are built to serve. Now that we have names and purpose as Antari, our efforts will only grow stronger."

Kaede smiled. "You've done an incredible job leading them, all of you," she added, glancing at Hachi and Crimara, who stood a short distance away, observing their workers with regal poise.

As they moved deeper into the construction site, Kaede noticed several Antari carving intricate patterns into the wooden beams. She crouched down, watching as one of them carefully etched what looked like a stylized emblem of a leaf. "Are they decorating?" she asked, her tone curious.

Aurina stepped forward, her tone slightly hurried. "Do you not approve, Master?" The nearby Antari slowed down, worried that their master might not like their additions.

Kaede's lips curled into a soft smile. "They're more creative than I expected. Let them continue, it'll make this place feel more like home."

Further along, Kaede spotted an area where the Antari had established a rudimentary production line for crafting tools and assembling smaller components. The rhythmic sound of metal striking stone echoed through the air as one Antari sharpened a crude axe, while another wove thick vines into sturdy rope with precise movements of their four arms.

"Where did they learn to do all this?" Kaede asked, her eyebrow arched as she turned to the queens. "Until now, I didn't think any of you had much use for tools."

Ari inclined her head. "You are correct, Mother. However, the ideas came from me. I shared the knowledge with Aurina and the others."

Aurina stepped forward, adding proudly, "And we, in turn, passed it along to the colony."

Kaede folded her arms, her gaze sweeping over the industrious scene. 'Must be one of those random things she just knew when I named her. Wait a minute. Did Ari pull this knowledge from my memories? Or was it something else?' she wondered, though she kept the thought to herself.

"It's incredible how much they've accomplished in such a short time," she said, her tone tinged with admiration. "At this rate, the colony will be fully operational far sooner than I expected."

As she walked further into the site, Kaede's gaze swept over the various projects underway. A group of Antari was weaving thick grass into mats for roofing, while others were experimenting with mixing clay and stone to create more durable materials.

Kaede frowned slightly. "We're going to need a lot of metal, and a blacksmith too. The mountain is a good spot, but first…" She turned her attention to Crimara. "Before you head off on your hunt, take a few Antari with you to your old colony. I want you to set up a mining station there."

Crimara straightened, her fiery eyes gleaming with understanding. "Our metal may not be magiore, but as you wish, Master."

Kaede's expression softened into a smile. "It's more than enough. Thank you." She turned to Hachi. "Hachi, you'll take your own group to your old colony location as well. The area around should be suitable for farming."

Hachi bowed deeply, her antennae dipping low. "It shall be done, Master. I will ensure the area is cleared and prepared for cultivation. As previous leafcutters, we are adept at gathering plant material, we will make quick work of the task."

Kaede nodded approvingly. "Good. Focus on setting up a sustainable system. We'll need to establish crop rotation and irrigation eventually, but for now, prioritize clearing the land and identifying what grows well there. Take some projection devices if you need any explanation."

Turning her attention back to the group, Kaede clasped her hands. "Aurina, I need you to oversee the defense operations. Ensure patrols are regular and the perimeter is secure. We can't afford any surprises while we're still in the early stages of construction."

Aurina straightened, her army ants clicking their mandibles in a synchronized motion. "Consider it done, Master. No threat will come near without us knowing."

"As for the blacksmithing, Dwargon seems like the ideal place," Kaede said, her tone decisive. She turned to Ari, her gaze firm. "Select four Antari skilled in crafting and have them meet me at the alcove." With that, she turned to leave.

////

Kaede glanced up as Edward stepped into the room. His composed demeanor was reassuring, even if he sometimes came across as overly formal.

"Edward," she said, straightening. "Thanks for coming. I need to ask you something."

He gave a small bow. "Of course, Lady Kaede. What is it?"

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "Have you ever been to Dwargon before? Or heard much about it?"

Edward's expression didn't change, but she caught a flicker of interest in his eyes. "I haven't traveled there myself, but I know it is a city built into the mountains, famed for its craftsmanship and trade, and the hero king Dwargo. The dwarves are skilled blacksmiths and artisans, and their city is a hub for merchants from across the region."

Kaede nodded, her fingers tapping lightly on the map. "That lines up with what I've heard. And they're open to trade, right? As long as you have something worth their time?"

"Exactly," Edward confirmed. "They value quality and fairness. It's unlikely they would refuse a deal."

Kaede smiled faintly, a flicker of confidence in her expression. "Good. Then I'm sending you there."

Edward tilted his head, waiting for her to elaborate.

"I want you to take a batch of Magiore and head to Dwargon," she continued. "Sell it and use the profits to hire a skilled blacksmith, and some artisans. Someone who can teach the Antari how to forge tools, weapons, crafting, even sewing, anything we'll need going forward. The city's coming together fast, but we're still missing the basics when it comes to working with metal."

Edward's posture straightened further, his tone steady. "Understood. I'll ensure the trade is successful and find someone capable of teaching us."

Kaede smiled again, but this time it was more thoughtful than confident. "I'm trusting you with this, Edward. From what I've read, they mostly do trade with human nations, but are not against non humans. You'll take four Antari with you, they can help carry the Magiore and assist if anything comes up."

Edward nodded. "I'll prepare immediately. Is there anything else you need me to do while I'm there?"

Kaede leaned back, crossing her arms as she thought. "Yeah, actually. Keep an eye out for anything unusual, rare materials, interesting tools, stuff like that."

"I'll make note of everything," Edward replied.

As he turned to leave, Kaede let out a slow breath. "Dwargon…" she murmured. "I wonder what kind of people he'll meet there."