Liana is waiting outside the hall, already dressed in her new outfit.

  "H-hey, Neri." (L)

  She looks insecure.

  Understandably so, as she doesn't seem to want to enter the spiders' den.

  But before I can say something, Talisa walks up to her and issues her forward.

  "Shu, shu! In there, familiar. You are a vital part of this excursion, so attend." (T)

  I notice, while Talisa's tone isn't outright hostile, she treats Liana, well, like a familiar.

  So to say, a bit like a pet.

  The connection to a familiar is still meant to be more intimate and trusting, but it doesn't quite help the fact that she sounds a bit condescending.

  "Liana has a mind of her own! Please, don't treat her like this." (N)

  "Sigh, Neri... Alright, but her attendance will be required." (T)

  "Uh, okay." (L)

  I get that Liana is intimidated.

  Talisa has that effect.

  When I enter, the usual happens.

  Masiabi almost jumps me.

  Well, she does, but she brakes before hitting me with her full speed.

  Eritu is indifferent, but also very attentive to everything.

  Akasia, meanwhile, looks at me in a kind, but also excitedly joyful way, probably already imagining her trip.

  Kyroki, I notice last.

  Mostly for the fact that she makes herself so small and somehow actively manages to conceal her presence.

  Once I get over Masiabi's assault, we manage to take our places at the table.

  Expectedly, it's more organ soup.

  Since I trust Talisa not to have mixed any human in mine, I can at least enjoy it a bit.

  "So, just a few hours and we'll depart. Isn't this exciting?" (A)

  "Please, Akasia, don't make me regret this. Contain yourself once you reach human territory. We cannot afford another incident, or they'll send an extermination force our way." (T)

  "I won't. Yet nothing speaks against making this enjoyable." (A)

  "And if the humans come, we can just take them out!" (E)

  "Eritu, we don't have nearly the numbers to fight a war against all the surrounding human nations. Worse, they could set fire to our habitat. I don't want to get caught up in the forest's counter-reaction. We don't want to get drafted in." (T)

  "Yeah, it's already bad enough when I have to send away my best familiars for this stupid wall business." (M)

  I, I fear that they're dropping right now some pretty serious stuff.

  "As I said, I won't cause trouble. There's no reason to worry so much!" (A)

  "Sigh. Did you at least collect the stuff we need?" (T)

  "Of course, I did! All the usual human equipment." (A)

  "Fine. Let your familiars bring it. We'll prepare your departure right after we're done here." (T)

  "Slurp! But it's nice to come together! We are family, after all." (M)

  "Still, can this come to an end now? I have an experiment to conduct." (K)

  "Your presence is required, so you must stay till after we’re done." (T)

  "Seriously? Damn." (K)

  So the meal comes to an end, after which we gather in the main hall.

  I have to fight hard with myself not to freak out too much at the present spiders.

  I can't deny it got better after all my time here, but it's still hard on me.

  It even helps when the others gather as well.

  Akasia, in particular, looks so kindly at me when she steps right next to my side.

  Yet there's a slight issue.

  "No, Akasia, you can’t wear this. Nothing that will stand out or draw attention. For this reason, I made you another dress." (T)

  You wove literal silver into my last dress!

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  "But it's my very best! It accentuates my eyes. I read that it is very important." (A)

  Though, Akasia's vibrant blue dress, with all the frills and bows, is certainly going to stand out.

  And not in a good way.

  "No, nothing of the sort! You won't go there as one of your princesses. Fortunately, I already thought of this and prepared something for this reason." (T)

  The outfit Talisa now procures looks quite a bit plainer.

  A mix of brown and green that fits Akasia's natural coloring.

  "Awh, do I have to?" (A)

  "If you want to go, then yes." (T)

  Maybe I should say something?

  "Anything flashy might truly not be great. Humans would treat us strangely if we were to dress like this. So maybe you should try it?" (N)

  "Alright. You're the human expert." (A)

  "Could anyone remind me why I'm here again? I don't see myself contributing at all." (K)

  "I already said, your presence is of importance." (T)

  "Why? You apparently got everything covered. The clothes in particular. Oh, and I see you brought another one as well. One more dress for Neri? Aren't you getting a bit excessive here?" (K)

  She's right.

  There's another one, in green and red, that is clearly too small for Akasia.

  "No, because this one is for you." (T)

  "What!?" (K)

  "Because you will accompany the two into this human town and need proper clothes for this occasion." (T)

  "Huh!? Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! You only said I'd accompany them to the town, nothing about entering with them!" (K)

  Kyroki, going with us?

  That doesn't sound like a good idea.

  "Kyroki, your abilities allow for the most concealed acts. It grants you a certain range of action that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. Akasia is too crude with her acid, and Neri can't even be considered for a fight. Your poison allows for the most subtle alternative, and honestly, I trust you most not to do anything rash." (T)

  "Tsk, why do you have to make sense?" (K)

  "Because I'm thinking such things through. Also, you owe me for my help with Neri." (T)

  "Fine, but don't ask anything from me for the next decade." (K)

  "I wouldn't dare." (T)

  Ehm, did we just get another travel companion?

  Kyroki seems quite disgruntled, but nonetheless takes the clothes.

  "Turn around, you all!" (K)

  "What? Is that really nec-" (M)

  "You in particular!" (K)

  "Okay, okay." (M)

  I certainly won’t argue with her demand!

  While I didn’t think any of my sisters had a problem going without clothes, I'm definitely not going to challenge her on this.

  Apparently, the others think the same.

  Talisa even stands behind Masiabi to make sure she can’t peek.

  "Okay, done!" (K)

  I turn around, and see that Kyroki threw off her deep red clothes, and put on what Talisa provided.

  Then she steps back to us.

  In those new clothes, she looks almost like a sweet child.

  Still with a somewhat intimidating aura, but more normal, as the light green skirt and green-red vest tone down her usual sense of danger.

  "Oh my! I'm so happy that you-" (A)

  Kyroki just points a finger in her direction, and Akasia grows quiet.

  "Not. A. Word." (K)

  It might also be her death glare.

  Guess she really is no fan of dressing up.

  "Ahem, now that this is settled, did you bring the items?" (T)

  "As I promised. Here they already come." (A)

  With this, one of Akasia's familiars approaches.

  Since I know that they spit acid, they make me especially nervous.

  This one is even quite big and carries a large bag.

  "What is this?" (N)

  "Human stuff! So we won't look weird without anything on us." (A)

  Human stuff, huh...

  Is it okay to question their common sense?

  Liana is next to me, and although she surely has something to say about this venture of ours, she's too intimidated to actually do so.

  Though, at least we can now depart.

  "Well, now that you're about to go, there's but one thing left to do." (T)

  Eh, what does she mean?

  I thought we'd just go our way now.

  At this, Masiabi jumps and shouts.

  "Can we now? I'm so excited!" (M)

  "Really? Do we seriously have to do it like this?" (K)

  What is she talking about?

  "Yes, we do. You are too small and Neri won't change, not to speak of her familiar." (T)

  "C-could anyone tell me what is about to happen?" (N)

  "Isn't it obvious? Your destination is quite far away, and you certainly shouldn't waste days traversing our very own territory. Therefore, Masiabi and I will carry you to the part of the border nearest your destination. This way we'll cover a great deal of the distance before even leaving our realm." (T)

  Carry?

  But to carry us, they would have to... urgh.

  "Not this look, Neri. You are basically the reason for this trip, so you will take responsibility." (T)

  Meanwhile, Akasia turns to Liana.

  "You wanna take my back?" (A)

  "Miehp!" (L)

  "Oh, then I'll take Kyroki. She's the lightest and I am not the strongest of us." (A)

  "I'm against this! I'm far too old to get carried around by my elder sister." (K)

  I'm against this for completely different reasons!

  "Your legs are simply too short. There's no other way. Eritu already took it upon herself to survey the forest in our absence, but we can't just keep her waiting, can we?" (T)

  "Come on, little sister. I'll be very gentle." (A)

  "Urgh, damn. Fine, but you'll certainly leave me alone with requests after this." (K)

  "As you wish. I guess this settles it then." (T)

  At this, my heart stops for several beats, as I witness how Akasia's legs break out of her back and spread.

  She got a bit of a bluish color, and I just now realize I never saw her like this.

  "Ahem, Liana? If you'd please." (M)

  Masiabi presents her back, as if telling her to grab on, her legs already out.

  "I... Is this really a good idea?" (L)

  "Well, if she'd be a bit bigger, Neri could carry you, but as things stand, you'll have to take me. I mean, I also don't find this too great, but Talisa won the competition." (M)

  Wait, what!?

  At this, Talisa inconspicuously looks to the side.

  They fought over who gets to carry me?!

  And Masiabi seems quite sad about losing.

  "Now come on! We don't have all day!" (M)

  Liana quivers, but ultimately, she steps forward and grabs Masiabi’s back.

  "I thank you for your trust, sister! Then now let me be your prince on a stalwart steed!" (A)

  Seems Kyroki now has a hold of Akasia.

  Though something is very wrong with this comparison!

  Yet now I'm the only one left with Talisa.

  "Seems like you're the last. Now please, latch on, Neri!" (T)

  Legs pierce out of her back and extend in front of me, so I squeeze my eyes shut.

  I guess I got no choice now.

  Alright.

  You already did this!

  Just grab on and keep your eyes shut.

  …No, I don't wanna!

  "Sorry, but we don't have all day." (T)

  Suddenly, I feel two claws on my hands, which proceed to glue them to Talisa's sides.

  Unfortunately, the weird feeling caused me to open my eyes, and I freeze at the sight in front of me.

  The girl below me is turning into a huge spider!!

  I get lifted up, higher and higher, so ridiculously far that I almost don't notice the expanding surface I'm now lying on.

  She's so huge!

  HELP!!!

  Yet a frantic glance to the side brings no aid.

  There’s two more of them!!!

  "Time to move out." (K)