Reincarnated To Evolve My Bee Empire

Chapter 159 - 159: Epic research montage

In parallel with the road-building, some heavy furnace-working was going on, too.

At Re

I shook my head and went to deal with other things. My oversight was needed in many places; the larger the Empire became, the more grease, honey and headpats was needed for it to run smoothly, even with the love and loyalty of my adorable daughters.

However, when I had a free hour, I found my Chief Artist Bee, Worriesgone, in the art workshop.

***

The place was one of the most interesting ones in the Hive Supremo. Artist Bees have gathered materials of all kinds and experimented with various kinds of arts here.

Wax tablets were still the most popular, but I saw many drawings on more durable materials: mostly wood carvings, but there were a few attempts to paint on leather with coal. There were also wax, clay and wood figurines made in a similar style.

Besides the symbolic images of me and bees, there were more detailed pictures of various subjects, although overall, it still looked like child drawings.

Music wasn't forgotten, either—drums and crude bone flutes were carried by Artist Bees and lying on shelves.

"Father!" Worriesgone greeted me. She looked like I interrupted her in the middle of an art lesson to Lieutenant Artists. "I'm so glad you came to visit us. We all missed you."

The Artists sure looked like it—all full of cheerful smiles despite the sickly appearance that made me want to wrap them in a blanket, give them some hot cocoa, and never let them meet the cruel and scary word outside.

"I'm sorry for not dropping in more often, girls. But I've seen your works all over this hive and even outside of it, so I know you were doing a great job. Hell, the Empire even has a culture stat now, and I bet it's all *your* doing!" I said, patting Worriesgone's head. "Now, I see you are really doing well."

As much as I tried to be a good father, I'd have to be a literal god to give all my daughters enough attention. The least I could do was to make their efforts feel appreciated when I could.

Worriesgone blushed a little and looked down shyly.

"Thank you, Father. It's very little compared to what Craftsmen or Researchers do, but we try our best. And I know it will take too long for you to give headpats to every Artist, but can you pat heads of my Lieutenants, too, please?"

I was going to die at this moment despite having many days of lifespan left—die from the cuteness overdose.

"Of course. *Of course* I can!"

I gave a vigorous headpat to every eager Lieutenant Artist, and this was when I saw my undoing.

A dozen of Sergeant Artists stopped drawing and just watched from the sides like homeless children watching toys in shop windows during Christmas.

I took in a deep breath and flexed my hands.

…Half an hour later, my hands were tired, but I finally got to my actual business here.

"Worriesgone, every bee is a hard-working one, but Researcher Bees at the Project Hotwheels work especially hard. Yet they won't accept my praise! Can you make something that will boost their self-esteem a little? Inspire them, perhaps?"

It'd be nice if this little art project gave Researchers not only a morale boost but also an inspiration to complete their work faster.

Worriesgone smiled.

"Of course, Father! We heard that 'Project Hotwheels' will be vital for the hive… it's an honor to take part in it, even so indirectly. We will do our best work."

"I know you will, my dear."

And they did—before the end of the day, a massive pale green caterpillar leather banner was hanged in front of the main laboratory.

Instead of the usual symbolic images, there was a picture of my face that was recognizable as a face. Below it was written, "FAZER LOVS YU VERY MUCH".

Regardless of spelling, it did what it had to. I spied a few Researchers actually glancing at the banner and smiling. And this was just one of the several dozen pictures and figurines made over the next few days.

And, whether it helped the actual research speed, a week after Project Hotwheels' start, Researchina's forceful ways produced results.