"Buzz buzz buzz~"
"Buzz buzz buzz~"
The enormous hive, almost as big as a castle, hung on a tree that was definitely not big enough to support it. The tree was of normal size but clearly not suitable to bear the weight of a giant beehive.
*Tree: "Why am I burdened with this?"*
This was a detestable magic beast, as big as a calf, with venom that was intensely and rapidly effective, they lived in densely packed swarms. These traits are why they were considered dangerous magic beasts.
They built huge nests and attacked passing beasts and intelligent creatures, without any reason.
"Woo woo woo"
"So hungry"
"Someone, save"
"Us"
The little fairies, watched closely by the giant bees, complained and worked quickly inside the gigantic hive... Their begging and groaning were naturally incomprehensible to the bees.
Although magic beasts were smarter than ordinary animals, they were still beasts nonetheless. The fact that they refrained from eating the little fairies and actually had them work helped indicate their higher intelligence.
"Woo woo"
"So tired"
"Bees"
"Bad"
Besides the constant buzzing of worker bees, the hive was filled with the complaints of countless little fairies... While these little fairies were naturally fond of work, it did not mean they enjoyed being forced into labor.
Moreover, Tiger Striped Giant Bees exhibited a complex social structure. They were omnivorous, collecting tree sap and pollen to make honey, while also catching weaker magic beasts for food.
To them, there was no distinction between intelligent beings, demons, and magic beasts.
"Woo woo woo"
"Sister"
"Nooo"
"Being eaten"
The fairies cried out word by word as they watched a slightly larger fairy, silent and tearful, being dragged away by the giant bees.
She awaited a fate as food, her limbs torn apart, her body dismembered, her innards and flesh meticulously sorted, all to survive the winter.
But the eaten fairy wouldn't see this winter; this was the reality of survival of the fittest.
Yet Yila despised this concept of survival of the fittest. He understood it was a natural rule but refused to accept a non-intervention stance. He wanted to intervene, to choose a stronger path.
"Anyone"
"Save us"
"Please"
"Please"
"Woo woo woo"
"..."
Despite their pleas and cries, none of the little fairies held any hope. Their homeland was occupied, captured by strange beasts, and they had no hope left.
Some fairies who previously escaped were caught again, some were killed, and after that... a whole day passed without incident, as if everything was as usual.
For the foreseeable future, they saw nothing beyond visible enslavement.
Anyone, please rescue the fairy community, save everyone.
...
The so-called *wishing* was bound to be answered at some point.
"Boom boom boom~ Boom boom boom~ Boom boom boom~"
Something seemed to be rushing closer, like a great beast or a thousand-strong army, shaking the entire hive.
The hive swarm visibly grew restless.
Did something happen?
As the little fairies remained uncertain, countless giant bees surged out from the hive's passageways, seemingly alarmed by something they had noticed.
"???"
The confused little fairies sensed this could be a chance to escape... Even though they risked being caught and eaten again.
Because without escaping, there would be no opportunities at all.
"Whoever it is"
"Thank you"
"Probably"
"Help is here"
"Is it the Demon King?"
"Maybe"
The fairies, whispering among themselves, dodged the bees' view and ran, but it didn't matter anymore. Because... the bees were facing a true catastrophe.
"Headless Knight Squad One! Begin encirclement, wide-scale enemy encirclement, eliminate scattered units, hold the cleared ground! Squad Two! Soul Fire prepare!"
An unfamiliar man's voice reached the fairies' ears, and as they exited the hive, they felt intense heat. They saw the burning forest.
Headless Knights and Insect-man Clan soldiers fought against the giant bees.
The most conspicuous was an unfamiliar man, likely a new leader in the Demon King Territory, with crimson demonic wings spread wide, commanding the troops.
"Insect Squad One charge! Advance toward the main hive! Squads Two and Three prepare for flanking! Squad Four Sharp Spur ready!"
The man directed them, looking at the direction of , commanding the Demon King's army while stating, "Soul Fire Needle prepare!"
Following his command, sharp exoskeleton spikes grew on the insect men, and the Headless Knights gathered blue soul fire. Coincidentally, some giant bees began circling from above.
Or maybe... the man had foreseen this moment?
"Fire!"
As the man commanded, countless flying needles and chilling flames surged towards the sky, dismantling the bees' aerial advantage instantly. Standing beside him was a small female Crimson Dragon with similar wings, watching everything intently.
Observing this calculated slaughter.
"Advance!"
Yila commanded.
"Advance!"
The bee swarm crumbled like a tide.
"Advance!"
The wild blue and black torrent swept through the enemies.
"Advance!"
The Demon King's army bypassed the stunned fairies, continuing the one-sided battle.
"Advance!"
The repeating commands from the male figure... Was he human? Crimson Dragon? The fairies didn't know. But they saw this man, leading the advancing army to their side.
"Insect-men, begin free combat! Prepare to invade the hive! Capture the Queen Bee! Protect the remaining fairies who haven't evacuated! Headless Knights, start the blockade, don't let any giant bees escape!"
Saying this, the man concluded the final command of the battle, crouching to soothe the trembling wild fairies, gently speaking, "It's okay, you're safe now."
"From now on"
"I am your"
"New leader"
A fairy sitting on the man's shoulder spoke.
The man echoed the fairy's words, extending his hand towards the wild fairies, saying, "From now on, you are citizens of the Demon King Territory, and you won't be harmed anymore."
The leading wild fairy hesitated, but inexplicably... placed her hand on the man's finger.