Reincarnated To Evolve My Bee Empire-Chapter 270: The true form of the guardian

'My faith is stalwart. After all this… I'm ready for anything, my guardian! Should I sacrifice a dozen bulls in your honor? Or take a vow of silence? Or seclude myself with only bread in water for a week—no, this would be just a joke compared to being in the High King's prison, not a trial.'

Farini shook his head, feeling foolish over all these suggestions. But he really wanted to express his devotion somehow.

'Your trial is to accept your guardian's true appearance,' the guardian replied. 'If you do, the truth will open to you, and I will tell you my name. If you don't, you won't hear my voice again.'

Farini was confused. What could a divine guardian look like? In holy books, they were described as powerful and fierce men in ornate armor, with massive jaws, spikes protruding from their shoulders and hips, and the brightest green chitin.

They looked like mighty warriors, because they fought evil spirits that hunted humans. Of course, this could intimidate mortals… was Farini's guardian expecting Farini to faint like a coward? This would be truly shameful, and the guardian already said that walking the gods' path required courage. No wonder the guardian considered it to be a trial.

'I won't disappoint you, divine guardian!' Farini swore.

'Alright. Then behold me.'

Farini heard buzzing over him—right next to his head! When he looked up reflexively, he saw…

'Is this a bee? No, wait, this—This is *that* bee!'

He almost forgot about this, but now he recognized it. After all, could there be another bee wearing clothing?

It hovered close enough to Farini's nose that he could make out every detail of its appearance. The bee, ordinary in all other aspects, was wearing simple leather clothing and even wearing a miniature weapon belt and a travel sack. It was the strangest sight Farini ever witnessed.

Two of the bees' hands were folded over its chest, and if bees could have an expression, this one looked tense.

'I am not a mere bee. I am your divine guardian,' the voice in Farini's thoughts said.

He gasped, stunned speechless by shock.

No, not just speechless. Farini was so stupefied he couldn't even think!

A powerful and wise divine guardian that helped him uncover schemers in his court and guided him onto the road of rebellion was tiny enough to squash between Farini's knuckles!

If Farini wasn't already on his knees, he'd fall.

This had to be a joke, or a mistake, or a work of evil spirits—

'No! NO!' Farini thought fiercely. 'I can't let these thoughts crush me. When doubt assaults you the most, this is when one must hold on to the faith the strongest!'

Farini already thought that the priests in the temples didn't know all that much about gods and divinity. They could even be wrong about the appearance of divine guardians!

With this thought, Farini steeled his heart, and felt his devotion burn brighter than before. He bowed until his forehead touched the praying mat.

"Oh, the most holy divine guardian, I was given a great honor… I will never forget this. I pray and hope that you will keep guiding this humble man."

'Don't speak to me with your mouth. Your mouth is not holy enough, only your thoughts are,' the divine guardian said.

Farini caught himself.

'Of course… I apologize!' He dared to sit up again and look at the guardian. 'But you speak with me—does this mean I'm still worthy of your guidance, the most holy guardian?'

The bee's mouth stretched to the sides. Was this an expression?

'Yes, Farini. You are very devout, and devotion to the divine is the best quality a mortal can have. My name is Whisper, because I carry divine whispers to men like you. And the priests truly don't know what they talk about—all divine guardians are women.'

Farini put a hand to his chest, holding the holy name dear in his heart.

'This revelation must be shared! I can write a new holy book, instruct the priests in my province—'

'No, Farini. Think about your position—your province is attacked by enemies, and the High King wants your head. Your people can live in ignorance, just like before. What matters is that now you can lead them in the right direction with my guidance.'

Farini nodded. All these revelations made him overly emotional, but Whisper's words reminded him he was still the lord of his province. He had a responsibility.

'I will, divine guardian… Whisper.'

Perhaps it wasn't too late in the day to start now…

'There are more truths I will uncover first,' Whisper said. She flew to Farini's shoulder and sat there, while Farini froze.

He suddenly wondered how much time Whisper spent actually sitting on him… all these times he thought there was something tickling his back—they couldn't be her doing, right?

Farini shook his head, throwing off doubtful thoughts.

'What truths?' he asked.

'The source of illnesses that attack this country. They come not from sins of your ruler or your people… They are just a way of nature. But they won't stop now, so you must prepare accordingly. Your province has doctors and hospitals, but it must have more, and everybody should have access to them. More physicians must study medicine, or your province will fall.'

Farini nodded. He didn't know where he would take money for all this, but if this was the only way, he would do it.

'And now you can ask me for advice on anything, Farini,' Whisper added. 'I can tell you anything my sisters know, and every truth you proved yourself worthy of.'

Farini closed his eyes for a moment. He really had a lot of questions. It felt too bold to ask them all at once.

'Esteemed Whisper… Honestly, if one considers only the forces that my province has right now… Forget about rebellion, I'm not even sure we can win against the Lower Grazahmich! How will I ever win this war? Is there a secret to it?'