Chrysalis - Chapter 237

Chapter 237






If I'm going to be honest, I don't really want to go and talk to the humans . The priest will probably be there, a crowd might form, it just feels so irritating . However, they may have information that can help me and I can't help but feel a little responsible for them .

In some ways I feel responsible for them in much the same way a human might feel responsible for their pets . They're a collective of individuals who need me to make sure they aren't killing themselves as they go about their daily business . I make sure they have the basic necessities of life, security, food and water, and then I let them go about their daily business .

Much like I cared for my pet colony when I was a human, except with the ants I cared more if they survived .

Sighing, I make my way up, out of the colony and out the top of the anthill . Diligent workers continue to patrol up and down the tunnel, a few trails leading foragers out into the surrounding wilds, groups of ants returning carrying the remains of surface monsters they'd found and dispatched .

Quite a few of the remaining workforce has evolved twice, giving them the stats they need to be able to dominate the bulk of surface monsters . Since the workers always act in teams, they've been able to mow through the surrounding lands like a scythe through wheat, in some ways reminding me of the fearsome Army Ant . That species of ant is nomadic since they basically strip the area around the colony of food pretty darn quick, forcing them to move to more fertile ground or starve .

Luckily we won't have that problem since the Dungeon will provide all of the sustenance we need, and soon the new generation of workers will be in a position to farm deep into the Dungeon, right down to the expanse, without my supervision .

Then I can investigate the aphid situation and see if I can't come up with an even better solution .

The future is bright!

Muahahahaha!

Oh right, humans . Ugh .

My musing has distracted me long enough that I've arrived at the burgeoning human village without being aware of it . I've already been noticed, several people gathering around me, maintaining a respectful distance thankfully . The number of people quickly builds and I'm fairly sure I saw someone run off to collect Enid and in all likelihood the priest as well .





As I wait, I take a little time to inspect the work that has been done . The number of crude buildings has certainly increased significantly since I was last hear, as well as the number of people . It seems as though the flow of refugees hasn't stalled at all, perhaps it's even growing .

A tingle of concern causes my antennae to twitch slightly .

If the monsters are rampaging further south then there's a chance they'll come here . I'll need to make proper preparations, perhaps get some scouting done…

Arrgh!

The list of things to do just doesn't seem to end!


Can't Pangera just buzz of somewhere else so I can help my colony grow?!

It isn't long before Enid rushes over, accompanied by the one armed priest . It seems she has several others in tow as well . I don't pay them much attention, instead I get to work forming the mind bridge, using all of my mental prowess to complete the process quickly .

[Enid] I greet her once the complex shape has been created .

[Hello] she sounds nervous, [how did things go in the Dungeon? Well I presume, since you are here safe and sound] .

[It went well enough . My goals were accomplished though the fighting was more difficult that I had anticipated . My companions and I received no insignificant wounds] .





Her eyes widened .

[That's terrible! I'm surprised there was a monster at that level of the Dungeon able to hurt you and your pets . What was it?]

I give an ant shrug with my antennae, which of course she can't recognise .

[More of Garralosh' offspring . I believe they have retreated from the expanse below us however, which should make us a little safer here] .

Enid nodded, gratitude plain in her eyes .

[I thank you . The people here will be much relieved to hear of it . They have suffered at the hands of Garralosh and her children, hearing of your victory will give them some degree of comfort . May I?] she asks, gesturing towards the crowd .

I wave one of my antennae in agreement and the aged woman turns towards the nearby villagers, including the priest, to explain what I had said .

Behind her, the five or so martial looking refugees listen with attentive faces . Now that I give another look at them, they seem a little on edge . Their leader, a square jawed, tough looking woman, standing in front of the others, is giving me a serious dose of the stink eye .

I observe her without shifting my head or posture at all .

What is your beef, lady?

My thoughts are disturbed as a great cheer erupted from the villagers around me . It was quite a strange sight to see . People started hugging and shouting with exuberance . Smiles wreathed every face and the powerful voice of the priest rolled over the top of all, one hand raised to the sky as he eulogised his heart out .





Chill out people! One Croca commander doesn't mean the entire species has been wiped out or anything… sheesh!

Even Enid was smiling broadly as she turned back to me . I think she could sense my discomfort at the hubbub bubbling around us so she hastened to reassure me .

[I apologise for their boisterous behaviour . Good news has been hard to come by lately and even a little thing like this is enough to lift their spirits] .

Her eyes narrowed a little .

[I… didn't let them know that you'd been injured . I rather felt that there might be some panic or indeed, some outrage, if they were to know that you had been harmed . I don't want anyone to start trying to sneak into the Dungeon to exact revenge] .

I couldn't help a little shake of my head at that . Just how dumb are these people?! Going into the Dungeon, suicide!

Still, this is as good a time as any to bring up my needs with Enid .

[Speaking of being injured . The fight helped me come to the realisation that I may need some advice and assistance in regards to developing my skills and abilities . I tried to learn what I could from your Queen but I believe that much information may have been withheld from me . Would you be in a position to assist me?]

Enid looks slightly stunned to be hearing so many words at once from me . Once she understands my meaning she quickly frowns, her hands nervously playing the front of her skirt .

[I now a bit . My husband was a high level warrior who spent his days delving in the Dungeon and he taught me a fair bit about the combat skills . However, he was a swordsman and a human . The skills he used may not be applicable for you at all] .

She hesitated a moment before rushing on .

[You might not like to hear this but our local priest, Beyn] she gestured towards the robed figure, still exhorting the crowd with all of his might, [would be an excellent person to ask . As a priest of the Path he studied the System extensively and part of his responsibilities as a priest is to advise people on builds and skills relating to their profession . He would know far more than I would] .

… .

Oh great .

Reluctantly I agree to Enid's suggestion .

[All right, fine . Let him know I'm going to weave a mind bridge to him so we can talk, shouldn't take a minute] .

[Ah, there are some others here who want to speak to you also . Would that be possible?]

More of them?

[I'll talk to this priest first, then we'll see] .

Enid nods and turns to the priest, tugging at his sleeve to get his attention before speaking to him urgently .

A few moments later he begins to weep profusely .

…

I'm already getting irritated .