Chrysalis Chapter 1607: 1715 - Escalation

[Master, the nameless have uncovered something. It is a massive ambush. Hundreds of delvers have congregated and set traps for your arrival. Shall I reach out and eliminate the FILTH?]

[Uh, no, that won't be necessary. Just provide their coordinates and I will handle the rest.]

[... Very well.]

I suppose I could have set Crinis loose, but that would mean inflicting unspeakable horrors upon my enemies. Should that occur, I doubt there would ever be a chance for peace between the Colony and its neighbors.

A peaceful resolution is required. If we cannot stop pouring our antpower into the fifth, we risk losing every gain we have made down there. Once that war is won, we will no longer have to remain idle or treat enemies like Green Mountain with such a gentle touch.

Until that time, these issues must be settled without violence. Dragging the Colony into another significant conflict is the worst possible outcome. Dividing our focus right now is simply not an option.

So, hundreds of delvers are eager to meet little old me? I had been wondering when they might start grouping together. Given how spread out they were across so many tunnels, it took some time for a proper gathering to form. Many are likely beginning their trek back to Green Mountain, making it probable that this ambush is the final one I must face in the near future.

Once this is dealt with, I can begin hunting down the stragglers and capturing as many as our mandibles can grab.

Gweheheheheh.

I know exactly where the trap is located thanks to the nameless and Crinis. I activate submarine mode and begin zooming through the tunnels, gliding through the air while a gravity well pulls me forward.

It took surprisingly little time for my vestigial legs to reach full size after I detonated my original ones with an empowered Dash. To prevent every tendon in my legs from snapping at once the next time I attempt that, I will need further mutations. However, learning how the vestigial legs functioned was useful. The ruined legs were essentially discarded, much like a lizard dropping its tail, and new ones began growing immediately. Knowing I have a backup set of legs growing inside me feels a bit strange, but given their rapid growth, I believe the triad made an excellent choice.

I am certain that the growth time can be reduced even further once I mutate them. Eventually, I might be able to lose every leg and have a fresh set in less than a minute. Now wouldn't that be something?

As I drift toward the intended ambush site, I weigh my best options.

I have dominated every encounter with the delvers with relative ease so far. None have been able to withstand the empowered Gravity Domain, nor have they managed to inflict any real harm on me.

If I stood still and let them strike me repeatedly, they would eventually pierce my carapace, but the regeneration network is proving to be... a truly ridiculous organ.

I haven't tested the wellspring much yet, but it will have to be something extraordinary to surpass the gift Theorazzn's mana has provided me.

Still, dealing with hundreds of delvers and prepared traps won't be quite so simple. After all, the way to counter the Gravity Domain isn't through raw strength—only monsters could be that powerful. Or perhaps monstrous humans.

Morrelia's father could likely manage it. That man is terrifying.

No, the counter is to disrupt the mana using external mana manipulation. Against a magnificent specimen like myself, a mere dozen mages lack the power to do the job.

But a hundred? Ehhhhh... perhaps. If I cannot simply pin everyone to the floor, then finishing the battle without excessive casualties becomes much more difficult. Of course, the Colony could justify a few of these delvers never returning home, especially given their reasons for being here, but minimizing the damage will benefit our reputation. I am sure the Church of the Path is busy spreading lies about us. We must ensure they continue to look like whining losers when faced with our benevolent mandibles of justice.

Stopping several kilometers from the ambush point, I lower myself to the ground and stand on my legs, still thinking.

It isn't much of a trap when I am aware of its existence... but walking straight in still leaves me open to whatever they have ready. Vicious spells, pitfalls, rockslides, who knows what else. I would feel much better if I could trigger the worst of it from a distance before entering myself.

Hmmmm.

Alright, let's try it this way.

I drop my concealment methods, allowing the power of my core to shine outward like a burning, miniature sun. There is no way they will miss that. I hope they also notice what follows, because they will be in a world of trouble if they don't.

Digging my feet into the earth, I rev up my minds and take control of the Gravity Mana within me. Then I begin to pull it out. A lot of it.

I haven't cast a singularity since waking up; I wonder if I can manage the spell a bit better this time?