Lucius finished his paperwork and stretched, the weight of planning and calculations heavy on his shoulders.
The settlement was stable for now, but he knew better than to grow complacent.
With the pests under control and Mira handling them, there were still countless other aspects of survival demanding his attention.
He decided to walk through the village, inspecting what had changed during the time he had been cooped up in his office.
The first to greet him was Mira. She came running, almost tripping over her own feet in her rush, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
"Lucius! Look!"
She called out, her hands cupped around a small group of the tamed insects. With a sharp whistle, she directed them toward a patch of dirt.
The bugs crawled in a neat formation, scouting the area as if on command. Mira beamed proudly.
"I can even use them to sense vibrations in the soil. If something big starts moving underground, they'll warn us!"
