---
Akayoroi followed him in, guiding the final placement of a few more eggs.
"The last of the eggs are placed, as you told us to do." she said, bowing slightly. "Thank you for giving me the chance to rebuild. These eggs are my mothers last batch. I am really grateful for that. The hatching environment is stable. They will begin absorbing essence tonight."
Kai nodded, his gaze sweeping over the dozens of gleaming eggs. "It's nothing. I need more people. They will be the citizens of my mountain. It's the least I can do. I need people."
Then he whispered more to himself than anyone else. "Nine hundred liters of pure essence… Gone. They better hatch soon. The population of my mountain is low."
Akayoroi gave him a sharp look. "You can invite nearby species to come serve you."
"Easy for you to say. But I don't want anyone untrustworthy. They need to earn my trust first. You and your sisters were special."
