Epic of Caterpillar
chapter-293

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After gifting Amiphossia with her first Dungeon, and leaving Athos's Soul Copy with her, I finished breakfast with my family as everyone went to their respective daily activities.

Nephiana stayed in the room with her eggs while Rimuru and Ailine went to the Kitchen with Chokumotsu to polish their cooking proficiency.

Brontes and Vudia went to have a small trip around town, as Brontes wanted to buy new clothes for the girl.

Zehe had magic classes with Ryo today, so she grabbed him with her Shadow Manipulation and went to the library with Herbell. Yiksu also followed her "adoptive mother" and wanted to know what was learning Shadow Magic all about.

Nesiphae went to the Dungeon to level up accompanied by Nixephine and Valentia, hopefully, they don't wreck things too much and scare the normal adventurers or knights trying to level up in peace.

Nanako and Kaguya were especially excited about meeting the new influx of Yokai citizens for some reason, Nanako wondered if there were some Dodomeki and Kaguya wanted to meet with beastfolk-like Yokai.

Alice played around with Jonete and was currently still learning her new powers, Jonete was about to reach max level, so she wanted to bring her to the dungeon and level up.

Lilith and Charlotte went towards the workshop that they had missed for very long, Charlotte immediately wanted to resume her investigations while Lilith wanted to finish her equipment set.

Mady went with the Rin Sisters like always, assessing all kinds of complicated subjects, which I'm very grateful for her to help me out with.

Gaby stole Aarae from my grasp and went to have a trip in Aquaria, Adelle decided to accompany her as she wanted to see how things were going there.

Altani, Ismena, and Acelina remained at my side, while Nefertiti was nowhere to be seen she wasn't even in my bed this morning. Yesterday I installed her palace behind my castle, and she remained there while being attended by her servants, she didn't even care about exploring the world she was so expectant to see before. Her change of personality gave a big twist, her mind is just filled with maternity and taking care of the slowly growing child in her belly.

Altani, Ismena, and Acelina followed me around as if they were my tails. Were they expecting something? I mean, I don't mind spending time with them, but they are just silently following me… I went towards Nefertiti's Palace and found her in the middle of her palace bathing in the sun, which came from the open ceiling, her servants served her delicious snacks.

She reminded me of a Neet… She is just lying there, eating and resting, she's just missing the computer or game console.

"Ah! What a nice surprise~ Kireina, my wife~! The sun is so delightful, I can't stop bathing on its light… As an Ancient Light Spirit, I have missed bathing in the Sun to regain energy"

"So, you were here, why didn't you go to sleep in my room?"

"I-I… D-Don't get mad… I'm just… Comfy in here"

"Weren't you excited about exploring the outside world? Sigh…"

"Well, I am…! I really am… It's just that it's hard to get out of the comfort zone…"

I offered Nefertiti my hand.

"Come, get up, let's take a trip around, being in here doesn't suit such a beauty… We can go around town and have some fun, it will be a nice change of phase for you"

Nefertiti was suddenly flustered by my sudden compliment and grabbed my pale white hand with her light brown, chocolate-colored hands, which were perhaps more delicate-looking than mine.

I noticed some fear of Nefertiti's behavior, but her fear wasn't directed to me, but the outside world. Did she develop some kind of asocial behavior because of being enclosed in the Dungeon for so long?

"B-But the child…!"

"The child hasn't even developed yet… It's barely a lump of light, I'm sure that moving a little bit won't do anything to it! I already had a child with a Spirit, so I know such things, believe me"

"Okay… Huh? Are these your other wives?"

"Ah yes, they have been following me around. She is Altani, Acelina, and Ismena. I think you may remember them, but not their names as they are too many"

Altani, Acelina, and Ismena greeted Nefertiti as if they were her friends, breaking down on Nefertiti's social anxiety.

"It is nice to meet you again, Nefertiti. As we are all Master's women, we should get along… Are you perhaps interested in learning Spear Techniques?" Said Altani, trying her best to move away from her serious behavior and sound friendly.

"N-Not currently…"

"It is my honor to meet an Ancient Spirit, I am the current Princess of the Athetosea Kingdom… I mean Nation, Ismena Athetosea… I have never imagined on my short life that one day I would have the grace to meet such a mystical being, your appearance and abilities are truly intriguing"

"H-Huh… It is nice to meet you as well, Ismena, you are an adorable young human~"

"And last but not least, I am Acelina Athetosea! The youngest sister of the previous Queen and also Ismena's auntie, although I am very young and such title should really change to her big sister, right? Oohohoho! It is nice to meet you, Nefertiti san"

It seems that Acelina's powerful personality flustered Nefertiti a tad bit.

"A-Ah… I-It is nice to meet you, Acelina sama"

Acelina waved her pale white hands, which nails were painted with gold.

"Ah, don't worry, dear. No need to use such formalities, just call me Acelina. Now, shall we go around the town? We can show you around. Oh! Various restaurants sell heavenly teas and pastries! You will love it~!"

It seems that Acelina was the best person to take Nefertiti out of her shell, her personality is both overwhelming but also kind, making Nefertiti relax even though she feels a little bit flustered.

"Alright, let us go. Much fighting it's making me go insane. I just want to relax and drink some good tea" I said, grabbing on Nefertiti's right arm with my own, chaining them together. Acelina did the same with her left arm, while Altani and Ismena remained at our sides.

Ismena had various themes of conversation regarding Skills and Magic, but also Poetry, Music, and Sports that were practiced by the Royalty in Athetosea. Altani was rather silent, but from time to time, she would talk about the arts of surviving in the wild, raising animals, and polishing spears.

We went around town, mostly the citadel, as the Grand Forest is too big, and we are occupying around 3/5 out of it, so the main city was already incredibly large. Well, it's our superhuman strength its completely possible to go around all of it, but we were in a relaxed atmosphere, so we calmly walked while inspecting the different shops and restaurants.

Most of the streets in the central city were being remodeled with beautiful roads and the houses were also being expanded, some gaining over five floors, I wonder if someday we will reach giant buildings and edifices in the city.

Over the modern-looking medieval town, there were countless of floating carriages going all around the Forest and the City, transporting goods and people. Thanks to the carriages made with bones and floating slimes, traveling around through the sky have never been as easy for my citizens. Some of the newer citizens like the Yokai, Blazing Ashura, and Fire Oni were taken aback by the wonders of my place.

Of course, because I am the Empress, most people recognized my presence and called for my attention, it was troublesome, so I ended up covering myself with an Illusion spell so my presence would resemble that of an ordinary citizen.

My city was harmonious and peaceful, although there was a lot of people going around with their lives and works, there was a certain feeling that Earth's towns and small cities gave to me, it felt a little bit nostalgic that I've managed to reach this far in my home. And it made me truly happy to see my citizens living fulfilling lives.

We visited several pastry shops where we tried out the new cake flavors and teas. New Tea flavors can be made by mixing their flavors and adding new seasonings, so there will always be some new flavor to try. We found a special Tea Shop was an old Monkey sold his tea, he had the rare Class [Beverage Master] and was an amazing Tea Brewer, but not only tea but other beverages as well, like flavored milk, juice and even coffee imitations.

There were several beverages made out of different times of grains, generating their own unique flavors that all reminded me of coffee due to them being roasted before being pulverized into dust and then pouring in the boiling water and honey.

Some of these coffees were extremely sweet, and others had floral flavors alongside the classic bitterness. Some were creamy and comforting and others had both saltiness and sweetness.

Aside from this the old Monkey also had special liquor he had made, and I was incredibly delicious. All of this old man works was outstanding and I just wondered how could it be that he hasn't been noticed yet?

Due to my Illusion Spells, the old Monkey assumed that I was just a rich citizen buying tons of his creations, but after taking my Illusion out and calling over the Rin Sisters, he discovered that I was the Empress herself.

When he was about to kneel for being a little bit rude or grumpy with me before, I stopped him and told him that there wasn't any necessity to be so humble.

With the backing of the Empress herself, the small and ignored shop of this Monkey old man would be able to flourish. With the possibility of him branding his products and selling them everywhere.

Suddenly, Secretary Succubus appeared in the shop and showed the Old Man several contracts. Seeing the big numbers and how due to these riches, is life would turn upside down, the Monkey began to cry with tears of happiness… Sigh, he doesn't need to be so dramatic, I just like to promote my people.

Nefertiti was surprised over such a course of events and got to know different sides of me. When we bought some new clothes and more delicious teas and pastries, the night was about to fall, so we decided to go back to the Castle.

The Castle is of course protected with large walls and in the entrance, two intimidating Skeleton Giants guard the place with their lifeless eyes. However, as they saw us, they lose their serious demeanors and greeted us with their cracking voices.

"Ah! The Empress and her Concubines are back"

"Oh, welcome back, Empress Kireina, did you have a good day?"

"Indeed, it was enjoyable. Thanks for guarding the entrance, you guys can take the rest of the week"

"Uaah! R-Really, Empress?!"

"Aah! Thank you so much for your generosity, Empress!"

"It is nothing, but make sure to guard the rest of the day!"

"Yes!"

"It will be as you said, Empress!"

These two guys are Klaton and Jerke, they are perhaps one of the first Giant Skeleton Warriors that I summoned some time back. After leveling enough, they developed their own souls and gained personalities, much like the other Skeleton Giants as well, they usually do guard jobs, so they have very calm personalities.

But these two guys are exceptional in being different, having very human-like personalities, they enjoy the hot springs and delicious liquor and because they work very diligently, I decided to reward them with giving them the rest of the week, of course with payment included. I was in a good mood, going on dates with my wives always makes me cheerful.

I showed Nefertiti the castle as we were greeted by a group of beautiful Arachne Maids, led by the recently evolved Sakura, who had become a special Species of Jumping Spider Arachne. Her appearance didn't change much, her height grew a tad bit and her pink hair was longer now, reaching her hips.

She had grown small pink horns on her forehead and her beauty and adorableness increased a lot. Her exoskeleton seemed flexible but held immense sturdiness as well. Her new species was named Orchid Half-Demon Jumping Spider Arachne.

Due to her [Leading Maid] Class and her [Master Tailor] Subclass, she can gain Experience Points by doing Maid and Tailor duties, without the need of hunting monsters, although she levels up way slower than a fighter, due to being so diligent with her work, she was the first Arachne to reach a second evolution.

"Welcome back, Master Kireina and Lady Altani, Acelina, Ismena, and Nefertiti. Was your trip good enjoyable?"

"Indeed, it was Sakura. Here I've brought some gifts for you girls"

Saying these words, I opened my Item Box and began to gift small bags filled with tea and pastries tightly packed. It was enough for the main Maid Group led by Sakura, who were fifteen girls.

"M-Master… You didn't need to…!"

"We don't deserve such generosity…"

"Such expensive Teas! And look at these high-quality pastries! Goodness!"

"It is nothing, enjoy them. It's the least that the diligent team of Maids deserves. If possible, start the preparations for dinner"

"R-Right away, Master!"

"Immediately!"

"It will be done as you say, Master Kireina!" (Sakura)

As Sakura led her team of Maids, I showed the castle to Nefertiti, going around most of the rooms and workshops, and at the same time gathering my family for dinner, when everyone was together, we enjoyed a family dinner with delicious preparations and amazing tea and pastries. Vudia and Ailine were in love with the fruit and cheesecakes, the two little princesses sat down on my lap while eating to their heart's content.

Aah~ being with my little daughters is the best.

Nefertiti also enjoyed the dinner while being together with everyone and slowly opened up. It was a nice and relaxing day.

But I think I forgot something…

In the Dark Moon Empire Training Grounds, a pair of Twin Centaur Girls trained against a small army of Skeleton Soldiers and Knights.

Both of them were doing their best, with determined looks in their emerald eyes.

"We must reach evolution…" (Sofarpia)

"An reclaim our Kingdom!" (Sofelaia)

"It doesn't matter if Master's didn't come today, we must still train and do our best! Right, Sofelaia?" (Sofarpia)

"Hyaaa! Yes, Sofarpia!" (Sofelaia)

Indeed, these two young Centaur Girls were doing their best to become stronger and proclaim the Kingdom that belongs to them. Their home, where they were exiled from.

However, in their innocent and determined glares, they couldn't predict what atrocities were being committed in their former home…

In the distant Cilane Kingdom, were its always winter due to being close to the Snowy Mountain Walls, in the middle of a cold night, inside the royal castle, two human figures stood, in the middle of a pool of crimson liquid.

They had white, almost transparent skin, while their hair was crimson red, and so did their eyes. As they talked, small fangs could be visible from their upper jaws. The two figures wore dark and royalty-like clothes.

The two figures bathed in the blood of a young Centaur boy, who had died with his eyes wide open, the agony of his death could still be seen on his innocent, emerald eyes…