Chapter 261

Chapter 261: Egg-Laying Matters? Let the Daughters Handle It

The relationship between Red Pupil and Yellow Hair appears to have significantly improved during this period.

Not only with Red Pupil, but Yellow Hair also seems to have fostered better connections with the other daughters.

It seems my previous concerns were unfounded. At this rate, the daughters might eventually come to regard Yellow Hair as family.

Moreover, with Yellow Hair’s recent involvement, our exploration progress into the depths of Granville Monster Forest has accelerated considerably.

Remarkably, Red Pupil advanced another level within a mere dozen days, reaching Class A LV.4, while Yellow Hair ascended to Class A LV.3.

Level progression already slows dramatically after Class B, becoming exponentially more gradual at Class A. Thus, gaining a level within two weeks is exceptionally swift.

Hmm, me?

Though I consistently finish off weakened monsters daily, the next level remains distant.

Capturing Class A monsters alive proves particularly challenging, hence I typically eliminate Class B monsters.

However, leveling has become less crucial since discovering alternative methods to restore Magic Value.

My Magic Value has fully regenerated multiple times during this period.

Initially, I allocated the restored magic to bestow potent skills like "Immortality" and "Magnification" upon my daughters – particularly emphasizing "Immortality."

But after only several applications—

"Shouldn’t Mother commence egg-laying?"

Magic Rainbow posed this unexpected question during what should have been a routine communication.

"Why this sudden inquiry?"

Wanting a younger sister, perhaps?

"Don’t we require expansion of the ant nest network in the southern hills? Moreover, establishing colonies near the town necessitates more ants."

"…True."

Her reasoning holds merit.

Though our ant population now exceeds thirty thousand, the existing eight nests scattered through Granville Monster Forest already strain to maintain numbers, let alone support further expansion.

Indeed! We can’t afford to carry on so leisurely!

Therefore—

Time to produce more daughters!

But how exactly?

Naturally, I won’t be bearing them myself.

Ahem… Matters of pregnancy and childbirth aren’t my forte, you understand. Wouldn’t delegating this task to the daughters be wiser?

Red Pupil demonstrated exceptional capability recently, producing numerous Iron Armored Ant offspring.

Though perhaps other daughters possess greater oviposition aptitudes?

They should absolutely attempt it! Not that this stems from any peculiar inclination of mine!

This experimentation is genuinely essential, I assure you.

For instance, if other ant species lay eggs, will they produce more eggs of that specific type? And will the total number of eggs still remain five hundred?

When I had Red Pupil lay eggs previously, she produced five hundred eggs with two hundred being Iron Armored Ant eggs. But what would happen if we tried this with different ants?

First, starting from…

Among the daughters with A Qualification, it appears only Little Liquor remains in the castle while others are away.

Though perhaps we shouldn’t restrict our focus to A Qualification daughters alone. Testing those with B Qualification might also yield useful results.

"Stealth Eleven."

"Mom?"

A shadow slid through the door crack at the summons, materializing into a large gray ant within the bedroom.

With Army Lady, Lvzi, Stealth One, and Magic Rainbow having taken over twenty Stealth Ants on their mission, Stealth Eleven currently holds the highest numerical designation in the castle.

During Stealth One’s absence, she’s been handling various tasks – like when I want fresh red fruit but can’t be bothered to move, I have her pick some from the ant colony.

"I need your assistance with something."

Hmm… wait. Should I have her transform first?

But according to the original plan, the "Transformation" skill was scheduled for Darkling Stalker next.

Regarding Darkling Stalker… well, transformation can wait. Our priority now is expanding the ant population.

"What is it, Mother?"

Stealth Eleven tilted her chitinous head in puzzlement.

"I want you to lay eggs for me."

"Eh?"

The gray ant’s antennae twitched in confusion.

"Like how Red Pupil assisted me before."

"Oh, that? But… why me? And… am I even capable?"

"You are."

Honestly, any of them would do.

The white-haired girl soothingly stroked the ant’s head before reclining on her bed. Activating "Unique Skill – Queen Ant," her consciousness merged with Stealth Eleven’s – the world abruptly shrinking to insectoid perspective.

Success!

Complete control established over Stealth Eleven’s form.

"Stealth Eleven."

"…"

"Stealth Eleven?"

"M-Mother! What’s happening?!"

The sudden shared consciousness with Lin Yu seemed to overwhelm her neural pathways momentarily.

Are you alright?

I’m… I’m fine…

Are you certain?

Your breaths are heavy…

Yet.

Lin Yu’s gaze drifted toward the bed.

The girl lying there had closed her eyes after activating her skill, entering a sleep-like trance.

Truly… she remains breathtaking no matter how often I behold her.

Perhaps it’s understandable why my daughters become entranced by this beauty.

Though the impulse to leap onto the bed and explore her own physical form surged within her, Lin Yu restrained herself.

"I shall activate the skill now."

"Y-yes…"

…

Thus, after considerable time, she invoked the "Oviposition" skill once more.

Her Magic Value diminished by a third.

When the skill took effect, Stealth Eleven’s abdomen…

No visible alteration—the Ant Tribe’s form concealed changes more effectively than the human form.

Nor was there any sensation of distension.

It appeared several days’ wait remained still.

Well, regardless—mission accomplished! Time to return this vessel to Stealth Eleven.

With that thought, she terminated the possession, her consciousness flowing back to its original body.

Upon returning, Lin Yu’s fingertips immediately rose to caress her own flushed cheeks.

The memory of observing herself through Stealth Eleven’s eyes painted her face crimson.

"Mother…?"

"Rest now. Inform me when movement occurs in your abdomen."

Having dismissed her daughter, the silver-haired maiden sprang from the bed.

Her petite feet carried her to the floor-length mirror acquired through Army Lady’s procurement in the human race settlements.

The glass revealed a vision of ethereal beauty—snow-white tresses framing crimson eyes that glowed like rubies.

"Though forbidden from touching my daughters… my own form remains permissible."

As the murmured words escaped her lips, the mirror’s enchantment mirrored her actions—slender fingers tracing porcelain cheeks in perfect synchrony.

The sensation… still feels inadequate. My daughters’ vessels would provide richer texture.

After all, possessing their forms before indulging in self-exploration would yield entirely different pleasures.

Perhaps… opportunities may arise?

Regardless—with the Stealth Ant daughter’s oviposition complete, other ant species await attention.

Next in sequence: Worker Liquor of the Worker Ant tribe.