After the day’s purification, Belissar considered whether or not to make another DP store purchase. He was just shy of five thousand DP at this point and his DP income had even started to increase further now that the sigmaka had started sending challengers. Ultimately, though, he decided to hold off.
He didn’t feel the need to purchase more monsters, features, or room types at this stage until the bees had finished adjusting to the latest additions. On the other hand, if he waited a bit longer he could start affording some of the more expensive options he had previously discounted. In just a day he could purchase either an extra room slot or additional mana, allowing him to implement even more options. If he waited for his DP to hit ten thousand, he could also purchase a perk choice, which could strengthen his Tower without requiring additional mana from him or effort from his bees.
So, he decided to wait until either a need arose, his bees finished up with all of their current efforts, or he hit enough DP to afford anything in the shop. With no other further business, the day came to a close with the usual small celebration.
Tamosmed arrived at the Tower first thing the next morning. Belissar greeted him and found out he was here for their first exchange. Since he’d be here for a while, Belissar then went to finish his normal morning routine before meeting up again with Tamosmed.
“So, what would you like me to help with first, Belissar?”
Belissar hummed to himself. There was actually quite a bit Tamosmed could help with, now that he thought about it.
“Well, the karnuq have a blacksmith who’s still learning, so he could use your help. The thermal mining bees have been making wax with metal, maybe you could take a look and give them advice on mining? I was also having trouble finding a suitable room for mithril…”
Tamosmed stepped forward and leaned into Belissar’s face.
“I’m sorry, did you say thermal mining bees? Bees that are…mining metals and building hives with it?!”
“Hm…I’d have to see exactly what she can do but that might work…”
At this point, the Fourth of the Seventh’s workers that had been helping with construction began to fly between Belissar and Tamosmed. Workers that had since evolved to either breeze or nomadic variants.
“King, can help! Like queen now!”
“Why don’t you show him what you can do?”
The Fourth of the Seventh’s workers began to buzz as they beat their wings faster, causing a gust to pick up. Tamosmed’s hair began to sway about and the black elf hummed.
“That could work, maybe if there are bigger types of this kind of bee? The golem should be capable of gliding with how light it’ll be, so if you have bees riding it to provide the wind, it should be doable. Hm…I’d recommending enlarging the wings in that case. You’ll want them to catch the wind.”
Belissar and the bees followed along as Tamosmed began to observe the wings more closely and made specific recommendations on size and shape. Fortunately, since they hadn’t made the core yet, they could still adjust the wings as recommended.
“Thanks Tamosmed. I’m glad you caught that before we finished.”
Tamosmed shook his head.
“This is nothing. Once you and your bees have some more experience with normal golems, I’ll start teaching you the tricks for more advanced features. You’ll have to start learning enchanting too, once you can carve magic into your golems you’ll open a whole world of possibilities.”
He then glared at Belissar.
“Now, show me those mining bees!”
Belissar led Tamosmed to the thermal mining bee hive. Tamosmed said nothing, just stared in silence as he went around observing. He watched the workers as they bit off little chunks of ore with heat and vibration. He watched them carry them back to the honeypots, who processed the chunks in their abdomens. He watched the workers take the resulting products and mold them into additional wax comb to add to the growing trays. He, like Belissar, poked the comb. Finally, he slowly turned around to face Belissar.
“Is it possible to cross-breed the different types of bees?”
“That’s where these came from, actually. They’re digging monster bees crossed with burning monster bees.”
Tamosmed slowly began to smile…and then he started cackling. He made a full blown laughter for a bit. When it finally died down, he marched over to Belissar and clasped both hands on Belissar’s shoulders.
“Belissar, you have to try and cross them with the slime bees!”
Belissar jumped at the sudden contact.
Tamosmed looked him in the eyes.
Only for Niobee to take off and hover in between their faces, waving her stinger towards Tamosmed. Tamosmed quickly released Belissar and held up his hands as he backed away.