Chapter 350 Conversion
[Confirmed. As per the estimates drawn up, after 50 percent of the gold strain mosquitoes mate, the rest will no longer be under the control of host. After losing control, the gold strain mosquitoes will begin to attack all those around them before they are forcibly mated with by the other 50%, which will have come under host's control. Time required: 10 minutes. System recommends that host must find a way to protect the people for this amount of time.]
Here was the reason that Daneel had made that speech before in the first place.
Even though his secondary motive was to make himself an idol, he really did require the help of all the soldiers present to make sure that those 10 minutes wouldn't prove fatal to all the humans gathered here.
The plan was simple: after the champ made its way here and started the impregnation process, there would be some time during which the gold strain mosquitoes would still be fixated on the blood in Daneel's hands. The mosquito that the champ impregnated would come under Daneel's control and move on to another, while the champ would also start the mating process with another gold strain mosquito.
In this way, the number of gold strain mosquitoes under Daneel's control would multiply with time, but after around 50% of them are affected, the rest would apparently come to their senses.
For 10 minutes, barely a couple of thousand soldiers and guards would have to defend millions of people from the onslaught of the mosquitoes.
During those 10 minutes, Daneel's mosquitoes would be going around and trying to bring as many more mosquitoes under his control as possible, but the key was to organize a defense.
Now that he had the word from all 5 Kingdoms, it was time to do just that.
...
Outside the second barrier, the Matron and the man who had been called Marcus were standing on the ground and tapping at different spots on the part of the barrier in front of them.
"This is as good as a spot as any. I just hope that kid knows what he's doing. The cost of this thing alone…"
"Enough, Marcus. You were the one that said that we have to give him a chance. And yes, I am not a bad judge of character. Whatever he is doing will save lives. The only question I have is how many. And of course, how the hell he managed to find an inheritance which has methods which haven't even been posited by the leading Champion-level researchers of Angaria. So yes, I have a lot of questions, but right now, we need to just concentrate on letting that…thing through."
Towards the end of her statement, the Matron pointed at a fist-sized red mosquito which was repeatedly bashing its head against the barrier.
It didn't seem to feel any pain, and it kept repeating this process no matter how many times it was thrown back.
In fact, sometimes, weirdly, the Matron could swear that she saw it thrusting its lower part forward, as if it was eager to do…something.
As Marcus heaved a sigh and looked down briefly with frustration, she shook her head slightly and asked, "How's your boy doing? I know you're worried, and when you're worried, you fret."
"He's my son, and there's no way that he will go down to two *&^^& knights from the *&^^((^&* Church. He says they are putting up a tough fight, but he's holding on for now. The priority is to protect the rulers; there's no way that we can allow the Church to destabilize us right before their invasion. Have the others started the process of the complete breach?"
"Yes, they are on the other side. Ashahell is apparently in the middle of some important training, so he isn't present. Anyway, let's do this. I'm all set."
"Well, here goes. If that kid wastes this trinket, he won't be able to pay back his debt no matter how many lifetimes he works his ass off. Do it."
With a nod, the Matron once again extended her hand in the air and took out a short spear.
It seemed to be made of a rock-like material, with the edges blunt.
However, on the grey shaft, if one looked closer, they would be able to see a shining red rhinoceros-like creature that looked like it would leap out at any second.
"Activating 'Pierce' trinket. Get ready to send the little guy inside."
With a nod, Marcus pointed at the mosquito to encapsulate it in a small barrier before the Matron tapped on the tip of the spear.
ROOOOAARRRR!!
With a peculiar roar that sounded kind of muffled, a hazy fist-sized rhinoceros-like creature with a single large horn on its head and grey scales on its skin came into existence on top of the spear.
In the direction that the tip of the spear was pointing, it shot forward at a speed that was even faster than that with which Marcus had traveled at before when he attacked the barrier.
SNIP
As the sharp horn of the rhinoceros impacted the barrier, a small hole appeared for a split second which Marcus used to shoot the ball containing the mosquito inside.
He seemed to have used too much force, as the ball-shaped barrier bounced many times before coming to rest.
Coming out, the mosquito seemed confused, and initially flew around in circles for a little while.
Just as both of them were about to panic and send a message, it seemed to come to its senses, shooting off in the direction of the inner barrier.
"Son, open the barrier at the coordinates on my mark. 3,2,1!"
The hole had already been closed, but the opaqueness of the barrier had been compromised in the process, and it was still in the process of recovering.
As they watched, another hole appeared in the secondary barrier which the mosquito passed through and made its way inside.
"I wonder what it will achieve. And I can't wait to get my hands on that kid. Let's go help the team on the other side."
Leaving these words, the Matron teleported away, with Marcus doing the same after shooting a sad and worried look at the inner barrier, inside where his son was fighting for his life, and for Angaria.
...
"Ready. Remember, follow my instructions, and everything will be fine. It will be soon, and you will know when you need to act. Just keep an eye out."
[Mosquito approaching. Mating shall begin in: 20 seconds.]
The instructions had been given, and all the soldiers had been arranged as per Daneel's plan.
Now, it was time for the champ to do his work.
He seemed to be tired after flying for a long distance, as after he approached the airspace in which the large globe of golden mosquitoes, he first paused for a bit to regain his energy.
After doing so and thrusting his lower part forward a few times as if in practice, the red mosquito shot forward.
Some people had already seen it, and had started to panic, thinking that it was a new threat.
Yet, the soldiers and guards who had already been instructed by Daneel were doing everything they could to keep the calm, and so far, there was no major situation yet.
However, that was all going to change.
As the red mosquito entered the golden globe, it actually stood out due to its color.
It had already found its target, and as it engaged in the act, it was actually ignored by all those around it because the attraction for the blood that Daneel was holding was too much.
All it took was 10 seconds. After 10 seconds, the red mosquito flew back as if it was exhausted, and as for the one that it had done the…act with, it froze in the air for a few moments.
As Daneel observed closely using a display trinket he had set up inside the barrier in the middle of the globe, he saw as the first target changed color, becoming a mix of red and gold, almost like the color of the dragon on his favorite robes that he loved to wear.
[Connection Successful. Host has obtained control of 1 red-gold strain mosquito. Continuing the process.]
With renewed enthusiasm, the red mosquito shot back into the globe to continue its divine duty, while the red-gold mosquito started to do the same.
As the overall color of the globe started to change, the people who were watching were puzzled as to what was happening.
"BRACE! 5 SECONDS OUT!"
This shout from the King of Lanthanor startled them, and those who were astute observed that the soldiers all seemed to be sweating.
BZZZZZZZZ
As the globe completely fell apart and revealed thousands of golden mosquitoes which all shot towards the millions of people who were just standing around ready to be eaten, all hell broke loose.