Side Story 23
Training grounds in the depths of the dungeon.
There, Ann trains relentlessly with the next generation of queen species.
『Your attack is too weak!!』
If the attack of the queen species becomes soft, Ann’s scolding immediately flies.
By the way, the situation is four armed next generation queen species vs Ann (not the Magic Sword Ridill but an ordinary degraded version of the Sacred Sword Leviathan), and Ann is overwhelming them.
The combination of the queen species is also wonderful, but still not a match for Ann, who amusingly knocks them down to the ground.
Looking at their physical specs, there isn’t that big of a difference between Ann and the next generation queen species.
However, the amount of magic power supplied from Earth as the head follower, and the combat experience gained from hellish battles so far greatly enhance Ann’s power.
By the way, Earth is unaware that his magic power is being supplied to his followers daily.
That’s because it’s a miniscule amount compared to Earth’s magic power.
「Kishi!!」
One of the queen species performs an extended slash attack with the degraded version of the Sacred Sword Leviathan.
However, Ann easily dodges it and lands a counterattack.
The queen species struck by the peak attack rolls on the ground.
『You made the wrong judgment again! In this case, rather than expanding the slash, it would have been more effective to fire an acid bullet and restrict the opponent’s movement! Plus, your coordination is slow! Your movement speeds are uneven, and your formation gets messed up right away! Understand after how many times I have to tell you!』
With anger mixed in, Ann scolds the queen species sprawled on the ground.
Previously, due to her monopolistic desire towards Earth, Ann kept a certain distance from the next generation queen species. But after the death match with the Giant Lizard and her homecoming, her perception of them changed, and she made a complete transformation into a Spartan education mama.
That training horrifies not only the recipients but even the spectators, and the dungeon monsters – especially the skeleton army exploited daily by Elibel – can’t help but sympathize with the next generation queen species.
One by one the queen species fall, until finally the last one collapses.
Exhausted and fatigue from magic power depletion. The queen species can’t even move their tentacles satisfactorily.
『You still have a long way to go. At this rate, you would never be able to defend the dungeon properly. Let alone become independent as queen species.』
『『『『…………』』』』
No reply.
They look just like corpses.
『Are you listening!? Reply!』
『『『『……………』』』』
No reply.
They look just like corpses.
Ah, their necks moved slightly.
It seems they barely managed to nod with their last bit of strength.
『Sigh… this is so disheartening. Let’s stop here for today. When you can move, return on your own.』
Saying that, Ann left the training grounds.
The queen species left behind were treated thoroughly by the skeleton army.
◇◆◇◆◇
After leaving the training grounds and separating from the queen species, Ann made sure no one was around and sighed deeply.
『…Did I go a little too hard on them…?』
In stark contrast to her stern appearance earlier, Ann now wore a dejected expression.
In truth, Ann still couldn’t grasp the proper distance with her daughters.
She had barely even spoken to them until now.
On top of that, the reason stemmed from her own complex – that Earth’s interest would shift from her to the daughters – so she felt immense guilt.
How should she interact with them?
What words should she say to them?
Ann couldn’t come up with a clear answer.
『…I want you all to grow strong. To become powerful queen species who don’t suffer miserably like I once did…』
Back when she was Killer Ant, Ann led an extremely wretched, secluded life. Shutting herself in the nest day after day, doing nothing but eating the provisions of the soldier ants and sleeping.
As a result, she was abandoned by her mother and forced to desperately fight for survival.
It was in a sense her own doing.
But…she didn’t want her daughters to taste such misery.
Her weak self. Her lazy self. Full of nothing but regrets and failures.
Feeling that way was enough for her as the parent.
She wanted her daughters to find happiness. To become strong.
To lead their packs as dignified queens.
Was it just a parent’s ego to think that way? She wanted to believe otherwise.
『…I should try to converse more with them, right…?』
Wanting them to become strong, she ended up going overboard and putting them through hellish training.
Moreover, during the training she spoke to them in the tone of an instructor rather than a mother.
It was true that allowed her to give instructions more accurately and train them efficiently without personal feelings getting in the way.
―――But other than that, there was no conversation.
Once training ended, that was it.
No conversation whatsoever.
This wouldn’t do.
At this rate, the distance between me and my daughters would only grow wider
How could I get closer to my daughters?
Like any mother facing the universal challenge of parenting, Ann now confronted the issue of finding the right distance with her children.
The way to interact with one’s children is an eternal puzzle for any parent.
◇◆◇◆◇
「―――So…you came to me for advice, huh…」
Cradling a teacup in one hand, Elibel rested her cheek in her palm and looked at Ann.
『…Yes.』
Ann nodded firmly.
Without touching the magical stones prepared as tea snacks, she let out a sigh with hunched shoulders – the very image of a mother struggling with parenting.
Seeing Ann like this, Elibel smiled slightly.
「Advice on getting closer to your daughters, is it… Well, let me just give you the conclusion upfront, Ann.」
『Yes.』
Putting down her teacup, Elibel took a deep breath and-
「As if I’d have any clue about thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!」
The room shook violently, with cracks running along the walls.
It was a most reasonable scream.
After all, she was Elibel.
She had never had daughters, nor done anything to make daughters.
A thorough old maid who had gone through countless arranged marriage meetings, sabotaging every single one, and eventually modifying one suitor’s right hand into a pile bunker.
How could someone like her possibly have the wisdom to resolve worries about parenting?
No, impossible. Of course not.
『Oh, that’s right…! How could I forget something so obvious…!』
And Ann finally realized this simple fact, far too late.
It seems in her distressed state, she had failed to comprehend something so basic.
And her attitude was grating on Elibel (Single)’s nerves.
「Hey, you, what’d you just say?」
Even her usual tone of voice had collapsed.
Swaying unsteadily, Elibel rose like an ominous spirit.
Inky black negative aura oozed out.
『U-um, Elibel…?』
Ann fearfully spoke to her.
Elibel wore a very refreshing smile.
Ah, could she not be that angry after all?
「―――’The law of the bright star separates Heaven and Earth,’ ‘Seven nights end, twelve gods rise a nation’――」
No such luck.
She was chanting.
The name of the woven magic formula was Sanctuary Interference.
Her eyes were murky and pitch-black.
I’m not mistaken, it’s the world that’s wrong, a rotten society full of normies, everything is the fault of those damn normies, so let’s destroy this world, kill every last normies, let’s do it, die normies die―――she emitted a feeling along those lines.
『―――! E-excuse me!』
Ann fled.
Throwing appearances to the wind, Ann fled.
She had consulted the wrong person for advice.
Ann keenly realized the shallowness of her own actions.
Incidentally, it seems the battered forms of Berg and Robun were later discovered in the depths.
It looked like they’d been on the receiving end of her pent-up frustration. May they rest in peace.
◇◆◇◆◇
After leaving the research lab, Ann thinks again.
This time she has to properly discern who to consult.
『But who can I ask for advice?』
Ann envisions the dungeon’s follower.
What about Una?
No, that’s no good.
Just picturing her, Ann immediately shakes her head.
Despite appearances, that child is quite unreliable.
Ann can’t imagine her solving this kind of problem.
Then what about Tres or Pururu?
Out of the question since they’re still children.
What about Elja?
I heard she had several candidate dragons vying for her before coming here.
She might have unexpectedly abundant romantic experience.
But when it comes to giving birth and raising children?
『Ch-children!? You mean children with me and Master Earth!? Huff! Wonderful! Marvelous! If that’s decided, I’ll go to Master Earth right away―――』
Yeah. Ann can easily envision herself stopping Elja as she goes out of control like that.
Oh dear.
Come to think of it, aren’t there no monsters in this dungeon besides herself who have experience raising children?
In that case, she has to look outside the dungeon.
『…If only I could ask my mother for advice…』
When it comes to parenting, it’s best to ask someone with experience after all.
Ann’s mother, the Killer Ant Queen.
But of course, that’s impossible.
Currently, that forest has become a middle layer dungeon area through Elibel’s extensive remodeling, and combined with Earth’s magic power and gardening hobby, it has been reborn as a massive monster habitat.
Within it, Ann’s mother has become one of the major powers among those creatures.
While she hasn’t evolved, meeting Earth has made her clan stronger too.
Given their standing, they live busy lives. Ann can’t just casually visit.
Incidentally, the goblins Ann saved and the puppy (technically a Gray Wolf) she picked up are also living mixed among them.
The puppy’s growth has been remarkable, it seems. I look forward to seeing him again one day.
So for those reasons, she can’t consult her mother either.
Truly, whatever is she to do?
『Parenting really is difficult…』
While worrying, Ann wonders if there might be a good way to talk with her daughters.
『Oh, that’s it! How about inviting them for a meal after training next time they do well? But suddenly inviting them may seem unnatural… Although if we use the premise of going to gather food from the Deep Forest, it could work… But still…』
Ann continues muttering to herself after that.
Gone was the form of the head follower of Earth, replaced by that of an ordinary, troubled mother found anywhere.
◇◆◇◆◇
I am an Imperial Ant queen.
My name is San.
It’s the name granted to me recently by Lord Earth, the dungeon master my mother serves under.
I was overjoyed when I received my name.
My other younger sisters who also received names – Nan, Ran, and Yan – were extremely delighted too.
Apparently the naming has to do with resembling our mother’s tone and cadence.
I wonder what that’s about?
But with receiving names, Lord Dragon’s magic power started flowing into us, allowing us to become even stronger.
I’m happy.
Now I can be of even more use to my mother and the dungeon.
Yes, my mother.
The great queen ant who gave birth to me.
I still remember when I was born.
Breaking through my shell, the first sight to meet my eyes – that great figure.
A dignified veteran who must have persevered through countless fierce battles, possessing magic power unthinkable for one of our kind.
My mother who birthed me was a magnificent creature.
…Well, enough bragging about my impressive mother. To tell the truth, my sisters and I have a bit of a concern.
More than a concern, it may be better to call it a desire.
―――Namely, we want to converse more with our mother.
From the day we were born until now, we’ve never had a proper conversation with her.
Of course, I believe I understand it’s because we are still immature.
Because we are weak, because we are inexperienced, our mother doesn’t look upon us – that must be why.
That’s why we strive in our training.
During training our mother becomes loquacious.
No, to be precise, she instructs us to encourage us incompetent daughters and guide us to greater heights.
『―――Your attack is too weak!!』
Today as well my mother’s voice resounds through the training hall.
The one scolded was Yan.
Ah, that child was admonished for the same thing last time too, wasn’t she?
Honestly, such an inept little sister.
To cover for her, I immediately use the slash extension ability of the degraded Sacred Sword Leviathan.
By the way, this sword is seriously amazing.
I heard it was made by Lord Dragon Earth in around two hours. Casually.
…He’s even more of a monster than my mother, that one.
Ah, mustn’t get distracted. Focus on the task before me.
In order to cover my useless little sister, I leap to attack Mother―――
『You made the wrong judgment again! In this case, rather than expanding the slash, it would have been more effective to fire an acid bullet and restrict the opponent’s movement! Plus, your coordination is slow! Your movement speeds are uneven, and your formation gets messed up right away! Understand after how many times I have to tell you!』
I got super scolded.
That’s right!
In this situation, acid bullets are more efficient than the sacred sword that takes time to charge!
Ohhh, I let my judgment get dulled, fixated on the sword’s performance.
After that, as usual, my sisters and I got beaten to a pulp and collapsed on the ground.
Ahh, Mother is so strong…
When training ends, her gallant retreating back is truly a queen’s dignity.
I might be biased as her daughter, but I believe our mother stands apart even among Lord Dragon’s kin.
There’s no comparing her to that oddly maidenesque Arc Skeleton or the Holy Dragon who’s in heat all year round. She’s of a different caliber. A different caliber.
Our mother really is an incredible person.
But exactly because of that, I end up thinking…
Even if it’s an impossible wish―――
『I want to converse more with Mother…』
I can’t help thinking that way.
『I know, next time training goes well, why don’t we try approaching Mother?』
Go digging for magic stones together, or go to the Deep Forest to eat some fruit.
Might it be too presumptuous? But we’re family so…it should be alright?
Yeah, thinking about it is making me a little excited.
My sisters’ eyes are also shining at my proposal.
My dreams expand. I’ll do my best. I’ll do my super best!
I’m going to become even stronger, and grow into a proper queen species!
And have a normal chat with Mother.
Please wait for us, Mother!
We will definitely catch up to you!
After that, they trained extremely recklessly.
The next generation queen species.
San – Eldest daughter. Competent but somewhat slow. Loves her mom.
Nan – Second daughter. Laidback. Has the best combat ability among the sisters. Loves her mom.
Yan – Third daughter. Timid. Better at commanding others than fighting. Loves her mom.
Ran – Fourth daughter. Happy-go-lucky. The most energetic of the sisters. Loves her mom.
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