Chapter 286

Chapter 286: Repairing the Castle?

I… What am I so nervous about?

Didn’t I just gain the upper hand this time?

Setting aside her lingering unease, Magic Rainbow smiled at the members of human race before her and gestured toward the sofa in the parlor with a wave of her hand.

"Please have a seat."

The group nodded silently and settled into their chosen seats.

Though the parlor appeared to contain only Magic Rainbow and the human visitors, they all sensed invisible observers surrounding them – an unsettling feeling of being scrutinized from every shadow.

Those gray ants. The ones capable of hiding within darkness itself.

These elusive ant warriors might currently be concealed within their Queen’s shadow, lurking in the parlor’s dim corners, or perhaps even… within their own silhouettes. Philid surmised they undoubtedly infested the town’s hidden spaces too, possibly even inhabiting the estates of every person present.

He’d never have noticed unless countless watchful gazes had remained fixed upon him.

"Care for tea?"

The white-haired woman across from them spoke, her gentle smile never faltering.

Perhaps her pregnancy contributed to this unexpectedly soothing aura.

The visitors relaxed marginally.

"No need to trouble yourself."

"But I’d like some."

"Well, that…"

"Pity. All my daughters are occupied with duties, so the tea preparation falls to—"

Magic Rainbow extended her alabaster finger toward the man opposite her.

"Simon. You’ll handle this."

"Such trivial matters should be my duty! We mustn’t inconvenience Master Simon."

Noticing Simon’s discomfort, Philid interjected with an ingratiating smile.

"Philid? I believed you wiser than this."

The rebuke froze Philid’s outstretched hand mid-gesture.

Ultimately, Simon – the town’s former lord – prepared the tea service.

Only after serving Magic Rainbow and the assembled nobles and merchants, receiving her approving nod, did the deposed ruler finally raise his own cup.

"Ah! Excellent tea!"

The beverage’s aroma swiftly dispelled the earlier awkwardness and lingering discontent.

"After decades of tea appreciation, I can say only a few rare blends in my collection rival this!"

"Truly? This comes from leaves my… mmph, my daughter discovered in the forest. Plentiful yield. Should it prove popular, we might consider commercial distribution."

Magic Rainbow remarked nonchalantly.

Then she shifted to the main agenda.

As Philid had surmised, Magic Rainbow’s invitation held three primary purposes.

The first concerned the investigative report on the town’s population.

With the Ant Tribe’s assistance, no member of the human race evaded scrutiny. The survey revealed several humans who had entered unlawfully—mostly criminals from other settlements.

Additionally, spies dispatched by duchies and neighboring towns to Aowenduo Town were identified. Having signed binding contracts, these individuals now served the Ant Tribe. Henceforth, most intelligence relayed to their original masters would affirm "all remains tranquil in Aowenduo Town."

The second matter involved concealing the truth of "Aowenduo Town’s occupation by the Ant Tribe."

As a frontier settlement, Aowenduo’s transient population had departed with winter’s onset. Remaining residents—bound by property and familial ties—posed minimal risk of betrayal.

The scant few temporary dwellers still present were confined within town limits under travel restrictions.

Furthermore, checkpoints would be established along all major roads encircling Aowenduo Town to inspect travelers and conveyances.

Thirdly, she showcased the Ant Tribe’s marketable resources—minerals, monster-derived materials, and similar commodities—to the assembled merchants and nobles.

Beyond these points…

"A construction team?"

"Precisely. Numerous sections of this castle require restoration. I seek master craftsmen capable of flawless repairs."

Magic Rainbow offered a faint smile.

"For those dwelling in opulent estates, such arrangements should pose no difficulty?"

"Naturally."

Simon responded with practiced ease.

His greatest passions were exquisite teas and beautiful women.

While the entity before him possessed striking features, her classification as "beauty" remained debatable. The tea’s quality, however, proved beyond dispute.

His spirits lifted markedly when Magic Rainbow consented to supply attendees with tea for commercial purchase. Providing construction workers amounted to trivial effort—his estate maintained a permanent crew of skilled artisans for mansion upkeep.

…

Their discussions concluded at dusk.

Magic Rainbow escorted the group from the parlor to second-floor chambers.

The Worker Ants had prepared these guest quarters resembling standard town inn accommodations, though peeling plaster marred walls, ceilings, and floors with pockmarked unevenness.

"Forgive the modest lodgings."

"We’re deeply grateful…"

No discontent dared surface—not merely due to Magic Rainbow’s demonstrated authority during negotiations, but also because of the Ant Tribe sentries now patrolling the corridor.

These specimens loomed larger and more formidable than any previously encountered.

"Refresh yourselves. Supper will be delivered shortly."

Magic Rainbow departed after finishing her words.

She proceeded toward a bedroom situated at the end of a third-floor corridor.

Upon arriving at the door and preparing to knock, it swung open abruptly before she could act.

Before her stood a petite girl with an expressionless demeanor, her head barely reaching Magic Rainbow’s chest.

“Where are the human race? Gone?”

“My daughters escorted them to the guest quarters.”

“Hmm…”

*The guest room…how dreary.*

“Additionally, Mother, I’ve already briefed the human race regarding the castle renovations. A construction crew should arrive shortly.”

“Is that so? Well done.”

*Splendid!*

Since winter began, drafts had seeped through every crevice of the castle, particularly along the corridors. Each stroll left me pierced by icy drafts.

*Ah, in my ant form, the cold scarcely bothers me—but this human guise is another matter.*

Thus, this winter I’ve diligently layered myself in woolens.

I replaced the flimsy quilt with a heavy one and upgraded the mattress, ensuring such cozy slumber that rising each morn feels torturous.

Nor can I tread barefoot as before in this bitter chill, so I’ve donned insulated knee-high boots.

*Ah, I’m digressing.*

Regardless, the priority for renovations must be sealing those drafty gaps!

Next would be…

*Hmm…*

*Ah! The bathhouse!*

The first floor holds a cavernous chamber resembling a communal bathhouse—a space where my daughters can soak together.

*Me?*

Naturally, I’ll join them! While I can’t risk my daughters glimpsing me unclothed, simply securing a bath towel around myself suffices.

Yet the bathhouse also demands repairs.

Foremost, the central pool lies half-shattered and requires the construction team’s attention.

Then there’s the matter of the water inflow and drainage systems… *Well, such technicalities elude me. Best leave them to the professionals.*