I Am The Swarm

The two great kingdoms, whose populations had sharply declined, no longer needed to resort to war to reduce their numbers. However, the conflicts between them, forged over years of relentless warfare, had become irreconcilable.

Although no open battles occurred, a cold war emerged as both sides sought to outdo each other in other fields. Influenced by certain unknown factors, both kingdoms began to prioritize education, establish schools, and nurture talent.

In this environment, the technological advancement of the rat people progressed at a staggering pace. New and innovative theories were proposed almost daily, leading to the invention of the steam engine, trains, and airplanes.

Perhaps the enduring legends of the “Gods” continued to influence the rat people in subtle ways, as they maintained an extraordinary fascination with the two moons in their sky.

One day, a rat person proposed the idea of a “Moon Landing Program,” and the situation spiraled out of control. The term seemed to ignite a fire within the populace, unleashing unprecedented enthusiasm.

Public demand for the “Moon Landing” grew louder by the day. The royal families of both kingdoms, especially the Kingdom of Kerrigan, did not go against the tide of public opinion. Legends passed down by the Kerrigan ancestors made them even more determined to unravel the mysteries of the moons.

Thus, with the rulers going along with the tide, related research institutions were quickly established, and resources were directed toward these efforts. A vast number of students began studying fields related to the program.

The “Moon Landing” quietly became the new focal point of competition between the two kingdoms.

In the vast plains, patches of farmland stretched as far as the eye could see. At the center of the plain stood a grand city. Its towering walls bore the marks of time, evidence of its ancient history.

This city was the royal capital of the Kerrigan family. It had been their stronghold since their tribal era and had undergone continuous expansion by successive generations to achieve its current grandeur. Named the City of Glory, it spanned 4,500 mu (approximately 750 acres). Including its surrounding satellite towns and villages, the area housed a population of over a million rat people.

Within the city stood an ancient fortress. Outside the fortress, elite soldiers clad in opulent, well-fitted uniforms stood guard day and night. Armed with a variety of weapons, they patrolled diligently, maintaining a formidable defense.

This was the Kerrigan Royal Palace. Three years earlier, the previous King of Kerrigan had passed away, and the throne was inherited by the eldest princess of that time.

The Kerrigan family’s rise to prominence was attributed to their unique white fur, a trait that had earned them a bestowed name from the “Gods.” As a result, they placed great importance on their bloodline. The position of power was always passed down to the purest-blooded members of the family, in the hopes of continuing to receive the Gods’ favor.

Curiously, though the Kerrigans had not encountered these so-called “Gods” in generations—and many members of the family even doubted the authenticity of the ancestral stories—their method of succession persisted. Throughout the years, whenever the family faced calamity, they always inexplicably found a way out, narrowly escaping disaster.

Thus, whether one believed in the legends or not, the system endured. Over time, intermarriage diluted the Kerrigan bloodline, and pure white-furred family members became increasingly rare. In the current generation, only the eldest princess bore the unblemished white fur.

As such, there was little need for a struggle for succession; the eldest princess received unanimous support and ascended the throne without opposition.

In a large room of the royal palace, tall, dark wooden bookshelves lined the walls. Two ladders leaned against the shelves, which were packed with books of varying materials, many of which appeared to be original manuscripts.

In one corner of the room, an incense burner emitted a subtle fragrance that calmed the mind. Against another wall stood the skeleton of a colossal creature.

At the center of the room was an ancient long table, upon which lay a massive stone tablet etched with intricate patterns. An elderly male rat person, wearing a monocle, held a magnifying glass as he carefully examined the tablet.

Suddenly, the room’s large doors swung open, and a female rat person stepped inside. She was dressed in a luxurious robe of red and gold. Though young, she carried an air of authority. Her pure white fur and striking red eyes gave her an elegant and refined appearance.

“Teacher Morgan, have you uncovered another treasure?” the female rat asked as she glanced around the room. Noticing only the old scholar was present, her stern demeanor softened. She bounded forward and cheerfully addressed him.

“Your Majesty, you should mind your decorum,” the elder rat said, adjusting his monocle and giving a slight bow.

“Teacher, haven’t I told you to just call me by my name when Tella isn’t around? Ever since I took the throne, you and I have grown distant,” the female rat replied. She pulled out a chair and sat down without a care for her image.

Morgan shook his head helplessly, indulgently replying, “Fine, fine. Sarah, where have you sent Tella this time?”

“She’s at the door. I told her I needed to discuss some private matters with you and didn’t let her in.” The queen’s full name was Sarah Kerrigan, formerly the eldest princess and now the reigning monarch.

The Kerrigan family’s naming tradition was unique. After their ancestors received their divine name, all descendants took on the name Kerrigan. However, as the rat people’s prolific birthrate quickly led to hundreds of Kerrigans, it became impossible to distinguish between individuals.

One Kerrigan solved this problem by adopting a personal name, and others soon followed suit. Over time, Kerrigan transitioned from a given name to a surname.

While many others adopted this practice, most rat people still preferred simpler names.

Morgan raised an eyebrow in resignation, resuming his study of the stone tablet. Tella, the queen’s captain of the guard, was an extremely rigid female rat. Sarah likely had no pressing business here and had simply come to relax. Such visits had occurred numerous times before.

“Teacher, you still haven’t answered my question.” Seeing Morgan ignore her, Sarah got up and moved closer to the stone tablet, her curiosity piqued.

Morgan furrowed his brow in thought before recalling her earlier question. Without looking away from the tablet, he said, “This is a relic from the Great Cataclysm, a stone tablet that survived from that time. Back then, the world was shrouded in darkness, and people consumed whatever they could find. Our ancestors used these tablets to record events, even though written language was not yet fully developed. Very few such relics remain, making this one a treasure.”

“The royal treasury has plenty of these things. Didn’t you examine them all before? I’ve never seen you make any breakthroughs,” Sarah teased. The Kingdom of Kerrigan, ruling half the continent, had no shortage of treasures, but such artifacts didn’t interest her.

Morgan was briefly taken aback but quickly recovered. As a renowned scholar, he wasn’t used to being spoken to so bluntly, yet he couldn’t afford to get upset with the white-furred queen. Huffing slightly, he twitched his whiskers and begrudgingly explained, “This one is different. It’s older than any other tablet I’ve studied.”

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