Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 479. Starting your own family?

The weariness from their journey settled upon them, and to their surprise, no one awaited their arrival at the gate. Only Alfred appeared, a solitary figure amidst the expectant silence.

Clara prepared a final cup of tea for Theo. Afterward, Elias departed for the attendant’s living quarters, while Clara headed back to her own residence.

Upon returning to his room, Theo was enveloped by a profound sense of security.

And, indeed, the familiar pulsation of the Hive Link was palpable nearby. The instant his body relaxed onto the bed, his consciousness smoothly transitioned into the vast network of the hive.

As he hadn't sought prior permission from the Ant Queen, Theo found himself gently guided into a more secluded sector of the hive, an arrangement made to forestall any unforeseen complications.

Soon, a cascade of emotions emanated from the Ant Queen, stirring within Theo an immediate impulse to embrace it.

The overwhelming warmth and the sheer abundance of joyous emotions, not solely from the Ant Queen but also from countless familiar minds, surged through him, leaving Theo feeling as though his mind was awash in an exhilarating tide of excitement and happiness.

"I have been exceedingly well, Ant Queen," Theo conveyed, projecting a sentiment akin to a tender pat on the head. The response was instantaneous; the Ant Queen's happiness intensified visibly.

Theo understood that while the Ant Queen possessed remarkable intelligence, this very intellect enabled it to process emotions with a depth far surpassing that of ordinary worker ants. It could perceive and express feelings in ways unattainable by others, a characteristic Theo found deeply admirable.

"And how have you been faring?" Theo inquired.

The Ant Queen responded with a wave of tranquil emotions, assuring him of its well-being.

Theo nodded, a quiet sense of pride blooming within him. Even during his prolonged absence, away from both the castle and the forest, they had managed to maintain their safety. Observing the palpable pressure and the expressions within the hive…

The collective consciousness had undeniably expanded.

Across the hive's vast emotional spectrum, one distinct presence commanded his attention, subtly drawing him in. Theo followed this emergent connection, deciding to investigate this particular member.

The moment he focused his intent, an effervescent burst of excitement greeted him.

"Spider, how fare you?" Theo inquired, extending another familiar mental caress, reminiscent of the gesture he used when the spider resided in its glass enclosure.

The spider's reply was a torrent of emotions, some turbulent and difficult to interpret due to its sheer excitement, while others were pure and unadulterated, a true testament to its happiness.

Theo couldn't suppress a chuckle. These creatures offered him a warmer reception than any human ever could. They possessed an innocence that he fervently hoped would remain untarnished.

"Very well, I shall visit all of you tomorrow. Come to the surface to meet me then," he declared before disengaging. The spider conveyed its eager agreement through a series of enthusiastic mental nods.

Scarcely had he withdrawn when the Ant Queen's presence beckoned him once more.

This time, he found himself before two immense, towering structures, symbolic representations of other Ant Queens and the intricate network of connections they had forged.

Each of these conduits led to unfamiliar ant minds, new consciousnesses previously unknown to Theo. A restless curiosity began to stir within him.

"Are these a newly developed variety?" he queried, prompting a nod of affirmation from the Ant Queen.

His gaze then shifted to another distinct cluster, one that immediately seized his focus.

At its periphery resided a formidable presence.

Theo recognized it with instant clarity.

The crawler.

Yet, it was not solitary. Several other substantial presences, unfamiliar to him, surrounded it.

However, one fact became unequivocally clear: he could not penetrate that specific cluster. Neither the crawler's domain nor those of its companions were accessible to him.

Those minds possessed a significantly superior cognitive capacity. Although they supported the Ant Queen, attempting to connect would merely impose an undue burden upon Theo, as he had not yet attained their level of mental fortitude.

This realization ignited a cyclical thought process within him.

To fortify his hive, the inhabitants would need to evolve in tandem, developing greater intelligence and strength. Concurrently, Theo would be compelled to advance alongside them… and then surpass them… continuously.

It presented an unending progression.

Nevertheless, it was an imperative undertaking, one that demanded his unwavering commitment.

For the present moment, his focus remained on the myriad worker ants within his awareness. There was no discernible strain on his mind; it felt as though his recent breakthrough had sufficiently fortified his mental capacity to manage them with effortless ease.

Then, from the periphery of his consciousness, he perceived something novel.

Additional minds, exhibiting distinct characteristics.

Instantly, Theo felt an urge to investigate these emerging changes.

However, recognizing the lateness of the hour and succumbing to encroaching drowsiness, he resolved to postpone his exploration until the following day.

"Very well, I am retiring for the night. I shall see you tomorrow, Ant Queen," he communicated, before extricating himself from the connection. As he stirred, something brushed against his legs.

Glancing down, he observed the mantis nestled close on the bed, its abdomen twitching subtly. Its forelegs rested near Theo’s feet, as if protectively entwining around them.

Theo offered a smile and drifted into sleep. It had indeed been an exhausting day.

_____

The subsequent morning, Theo awoke spontaneously and early, preceding Clara's rising. After partaking in some tea, he proceeded to find his father.

"Young Master Theo!" one of the knights exclaimed with joy at the sight of him after such a long absence.

Theo did not recognize the knight, yet he returned the smile. "How has your day been?" he inquired, causing the knight's grin to widen even further.

"Everything is going well. It will be even better now that I've seen you," the knight responded, his smile broad and genuine.

Theo let out a soft chuckle. However, the knight's gaze soon shifted, drifting past Theo's head and shoulders, which left Theo pausing in confusion.

Sensing Theo's puzzled look as he scanned the area for what had captured the knight's attention, the knight quickly spoke up.

"You've grown taller and more built since our last meeting. That's excellent!" he declared in his usual firm, military tone.

Theo acknowledged this with a nod and continued forward. He then encountered another knight who greeted him with a smile, exchanged a few brief words, and stepped aside. A third knight followed suit.

Theo couldn't quite grasp the reason behind all these greetings, but a smile naturally bloomed on his face. It felt wonderful to be back after some time away, and even more so to realize that he had been missed, at least to some degree.

Upon reaching the baron’s study, the two knights stationed at the entrance brightened considerably at his arrival. They promptly opened the doors and gave him a respectful nod.

The baron looked up from his work, anticipating the identity of his visitor.

The instant their eyes met, Theo felt a surge of warmth, expecting a similarly welcoming reception from the baron.

Yet, to his utter surprise, the baron's expression abruptly soured.

"You scoundrel!"

"????"