Chrysalis Chapter 1724 - Return of the Detail

Becoming better acquainted with these pests who are trying to kidnap my siblings isn't something I’m eager to do, but a firm message needs to be delivered, and I am the perfect ant for the job.

Furthermore, I cannot descend to the fifth stratum to unleash sweet, sweet vengeance upon the Krath until I have settled matters here. As much as I have enjoyed trampling delvers into the dirt and mocking them, they aren't exactly the biggest threat my family is currently facing. That distinction belongs to the slug tribes of the fifth stratum.

Thus, the moment has come to march out and put an end to this pathetic business once and for all. At least… it should be.

[Why on earth would I take you lot with me?]

[You have no choice, unless you intend to violate the agreement established by your sibling, Solant,] Chyron informs me.

Ugghhhh. Lousy Solant. Always making her lousy agreements.

[W-what are you even trying to do out there? Sabotage my plan? Alert Green Mountain and get me killed? I’m warning you, if you try something like that, a lot of people are going down with me.]

Chyron shoots me her trademark scowl while Morrelia and whatshisname watch from behind her. They tracked me down with depressing speed once they caught wind that I was planning to head back out.

[Our orders are to observe you,] Chyron declared.

Clad in her full Legion armor, she is a formidable figure, or at least she would be if my size didn't dwarf hers to a ridiculous degree. I cast a secretive look toward Morrelia, but she only offers a slight shrug in response.

[We will be moving with literal battalions of ants and Colony loyalists,] she says, speaking in her official capacity as an officer of the Legion. [It is highly unlikely we could do anything to you at all, even if that were our intention.]

That is true enough. Still, I can’t shake the suspicion that they are after something else entirely.

[Isn’t it a massive waste of resources for a Legion commander and her two top officers to follow me around? I thought we were in the middle of a global crisis or something.]

Chyron crosses her arms, appearing even more irritable than usual.

[Part of that developing global crisis is the existence of your family, and the presence of a giant ant monster experiencing the Call. Monitoring the situation is the bare minimum we should do.]

[Us? We’ve been nothing but helpful,] I huff.

I will conveniently ignore certain moments where the Colony, or I, have been somewhat less than helpful. Based on her expression, the commander is just as aware of those instances as I am. Even so, she’s being unfair. The Colony has done a ton of helpful things! Just not for the Legion.

[Fine, you can come along, just try not to be too irritating or plot to cause my death. Got it?]

[No promises,] Chyron replies, then turns away to coordinate with her subordinates.

Sheesh. Some people just can't be helped. Well, at least that’s the only group I have to worry about trailing me. It’s time to move.

“Uh, Eldest? Is this a good time?”

Wha? Who the heck?! I whip my antennae around, wondering who on Pangera is speaking to me. A moment later, I recognize the scent and realize my antennae are completely useless in this situation.

“Protectant? Where on earth have you been?”

I won’t lie, I haven’t exactly missed my protection detail. Usually, I just end up worrying about them because they are so much weaker than me. What are they even supposed to do to assist me against the threats I find dangerous? Ensuring they stay out of harm's way has just become another task for me, though I suppose it satisfies the rest of the Colony to know someone is watching over me.

“Just like you, we had to undergo Cultivation and evolve to survive the exposure to Theorazzn’s toxin. The evolution process was long, and we required time to adjust to our new forms.”

Ah, right. They actually did save my life by absorbing some of that toxin. Perhaps I shouldn't look down on them so much anymore.

“So you guys are Tier seven now? Impressive. What kind of evolution did you choose? Wait, were you purified like I was?”

I truly hope they didn't get stuck with some disgusting, slimy, toxic evolution. I’d feel awful if that happened because of me.

“We were cleansed shortly after you were,” Protectant reassures me. “Naturally, the contamination still influenced our evolution, just as I am certain it did yours.”

“It actually turned out to be quite helpful, to be honest. Well, why don’t you step out so I can take a look at you?”

There is a brief moment of hesitation.

“I would… rather not. I only made contact so that you would know we have returned and are ready to fulfill our duty again.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t see you, does it? Unless… wait. You picked one of those incredibly weird evolutions, didn't you?”

“We chose an evolution that fits our purpose,” Protectant answers defensively. “We are quite satisfied with it.”

Holy moly. Have they turned into formless entities, or some kind of bizarre… collective brain? I’ve been offered some truly strange evolutions in my time; heaven knows what they settled on.

“I’m guessing it helps you stay hidden?”

“... In a way.”

These replies are far too cryptic for my taste. I’m starting to think I might not even want to see what they’ve become.

“Alright, I’ll leave you alone for now. Welcome back to you and the crew.”