Chrysalis Chapter 1723 - Winding Up Mutations

I focus on several minor adjustments regarding my mutations. Thanks to the triad, I now possess an organ that functions effectively as a mind mana construct. It draws energy directly from my core, converting it so it can flow straight into my mental structures. This setup provides a significant efficiency boost since I no longer have to perform the conversion manually or dedicate an entire mana gland to the task.

Naturally, this efficiency can be enhanced further through mutation. I upgrade the organ to +15, ensuring that mind mana is produced more effectively at every stage of the process. With that finished, I turn my attention to my vestigial legs.

Determining the requirements for my vestigial legs isn't difficult. I need them to regenerate faster once they have been... deployed, I suppose. Furthermore, once that set has been utilized, the next backup set needs to be ready for action much sooner.

There is always the possibility that my legs might explode twice in short order. While replacing them once is helpful, it doesn't entirely solve the problem of having limbs that are significantly more fragile than the rest of my frame.

Consequently, I select one of these paths at +5, the other at +10, and merge them at +15. I am hopeful that this will provide the necessary utility.

On that note, I need to consider my primary legs. They are far too vital to remain unmutated, even though they have been reconstructed using a sophisticated new material.

Graviton Splinters. My limbs are now less affected by the pull of gravity than they ought to be, meaning my frame exerts less strain on my legs than normal. Combined with the fact that the material is far more resilient, it is a massive advantage for someone in my heavy weight class.

As for what I want from my leg mutations... well, increasing their overall durability is a given. Just because I have a backup system in my vestigial legs doesn't mean I am eager to use it. Additionally, boosting their raw strength seems like a wise move. Being able to support more weight and maneuver my body with greater ease is a definite win.

That is enough to reach +15, which is where I will stop for now.

I decide that this is sufficient mutating for today. I prefer not to overdo it, particularly while I am still adjusting to my new physical proportions.

Once those choices are locked in, that all too familiar sensation of a crawling itch begins to take hold. It intensifies until I can't help but thrash around, twitching wildly on my back against the floor.

FLAGGANAZZN!

I hate this. That stupid Gandalf! Why hasn't he fixed this issue yet? That bearded fraud. Am I truly the only person who has to suffer through this nonsense? I'm not even a person! I'm the only ant who has to endure it!

It’s an outrage!

The next time I get a chance, I’m going to give Gandalf a piece of my mind. This level of injustice simply cannot be tolerated!

When the process finally concludes, I exit the chamber looking poised and dignified. No one is aware of the humiliating spectacle I was just forced to go through. Come to think of it, I might need to silence anyone who saw me flailing during the last session. I’m sure they will keep quiet if I just ask them politely.

“Eldest, have you finished your mutations?”

“Uh. Yes. Indeed I have. How were you aware I was mutating?”

Sloan shifts her gaze downward and to the side.

“It was merely a fortunate guess.”

“I… see.”

“Moving past that,” the general remarks while cleaning her antenna, “I wanted to confirm if your strategy for the next phase remains the same. From our side, I believe everything is prepared.”

“Good. Have we received the payment for that first wave of delvers yet?”

“Yes, Eldest. It still surprises me that they actually agreed to pay.”

“The only thing more painful than interacting with monsters is the shame of openly losing to them. Had we imprisoned their people and kept them, Green Mountain might have used it as a pretext to escalate their aggression. However, doing that would have turned them into an international laughingstock. We provided them with a relatively painless way out. They pay up—more than they’d like—and the problem vanishes.”

“But will they be so cooperative a second time? Won’t they just grow more resentful and decide they’d rather fight a war than pay again?”

“War is a costly endeavor,” I explain to the general. “We can offer some generous concessions to soothe their wounded pride, but we are going to extract a lot of wealth from Green Mountain. I promise you they won’t have the stomach for a fight after that. Provided Merchant finds the correct balance, we will have neighbors who are very angry, but pacified for the time being.”

Sloan shakes her head in confusion.

“I don’t know what to think of her. She is so… un-ant-like. Her conduct is quite unnerving.”

“Don’t let that deceive you,” I caution her. “Merchant is just as much an ant and a part of this family as any of us. The only difference is that she has a grasp on certain concepts that the rest of us don't.”

“You… you don’t understand them either, Eldest?” Sloan asks, sounding quite shocked.

“Not really,” I admit with a shrug. “Believe me, Merchant is going to achieve great things for this family. As long as we don't interfere, she won't have any issues.”

I run an antenna through my elbow joint, enjoying the clean sensation. There is nothing quite like a perfectly groomed antenna.

“Alright. It’s time to go and put on a show. This might get ugly, so ensure everyone is ready for some difficult combat.”

“I will, Eldest.”