Velin gently tapped the iron box housing the insect king with his knuckles.
"Master, just imagine."
"We continue breeding it until its carapace is as strong as steel. Then we can use it to make armor."
Velin turned to face the deathly pale old man, his eyes burning with intensity.
"Or what if we bred ants that secrete strong acid to mine ore for us? The number of blacksmiths and miners we need would plummet. And breeders are far easier to train than skilled laborers."
A roar filled Valerius's mind.
'This isn't Alchemy...'
'This is an industry! A living, biological industrial complex, one that can reproduce itself indefinitely!'
He staggered back half a step, his eyes wide with terror.
"No!" The old man's voice cracked, rising to a near scream.
"This is blasphemy! Creatures are creatures, and tools are tools!"
"You... you want insects to replace craftsmen? What will the craftsmen do? What about the miners?"
"You'll throw the entire world order into chaos!"
