Chrysalis Chapter 1740 - What Could’ve Been Done?

Ah… things could have turned out smoother. Everything was proceeding nicely until that foolish Priest rushed forward. I was attempting to exhaust the soldiers so they'd lack the strength to resist much, but that… let's call it the spectacle resulted in far more casualties than I'd anticipated.

Should I shoulder the fault for releasing those Starcrushers? Possibly. To be fair, they pretty much compelled me to act. A massive blade of light materialized above me as if I'd been consorting with Damocles, for heaven's sake! I simply had no choice but to respond!

Maybe I ought to have curbed my more… volatile urges, yet what's finished is finished.

And what's finished is this skirmish.

As two battalions from the Colony surge ahead, joined by Tiny, Crinis, and Invidia, the conflict wraps up quickly and somewhat disappointingly. The Church's fighters appear determined to battle until the last breath, even as their position deteriorates sharply, though they're the weariest and most depleted among all here. A few look downright withered, suggesting they could use some serious rehydration.

The will might be fierce, yet the body craves fluids.

Regarding the soldiers who ventured from Green Mountain, they recognize their defeat far sooner and surrender their weapons. At that point, it requires about thirty more minutes to gather everyone, sort out the chaos, provide healing, and handle the routine chores that follow a fight's conclusion.

This allows me a chance to pause and recover somewhat. Following the prolonged thrashing I endured, my body remains flooded with regeneration fluid. Surface injuries seal up astonishingly fast, but certain damages linger longer. Among my wounds, the carapace demands the most time to mend, due to its tough, compact composition.

Currently, I'm riddled with fractures, dents, and gashes. Several strikes pierced clean through, creating profound fissures that heal gradually from within. Despite the lavish supply of restorative liquid and the aid from my internal armor layers, the extent of harm I've absorbed is somewhat alarming.

Still, I did permit ten thousand folks to pummel me without retaliation, so… perspective matters, I guess.

Even with the severity and scale of the harm, the regenerative system will resolve it shortly. As a trial for this organ's potency, the outcome couldn't have been more ideal. Elevating it to +15 has rendered it utterly overpowered. I dread to think how insane it'll become at +40.

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Gweheheheh, am I invincible forever?!

Still, I ought not to boast prematurely. A direct Singularity hit would likely roast me instantly. Since I possess the ability to unleash such might, it'd be foolish to believe others can't match it.

“Eldest, are you okay?”

Victor steps out from the surrounding activity and approaches me, having descended to relieve Sloan. She's thriving in scenarios like this, arranging every detail and guaranteeing operations flow without hitches.

“I'm good,” I assure her. “Unbelievably good, actually. It didn't go perfectly, but I'm not griping about my part.”

“I need to express regret for how events unfolded, Eldest. We ought to have foreseen that certain individuals might get overly eager and disrupt formation.”

“Victor, enough. We both recognize who's responsible for that fiasco, and it definitely isn't you.”

“We should have foreseen it.”

“How could anybody foresee what that lunatic might pull?” I retort, snapping my mandibles in scorn. “I'll deliver a stern lecture to the Priest once we're back at the nest. For now, just ensure he's sobbing out of my sight.”

Because he's still sobbing. Relentlessly.

“Understood, Eldest. Meanwhile, what do you wish for us to do regarding the prisoners from Green Mountain? Shall we bring them along?”

I ponder briefly.

“Nah, I don't believe so. Release them. It'll ease their hardship somewhat, increasing the chances they'll cough up payment for the next batch of prisoners.”

“Are you certain, Eldest? That feels… overly kind.”

It likely does, but given the circumstances, I'm aiming for them to grasp the pointlessness of clashing with the Colony and avoid igniting all-out war regardless of expense. With these troops able to recount firsthand how tough it is to take me down, it should dampen the delvers' greed for the reward. Simultaneously, it'll cool any urges to intensify the strife. Two gains from one move. Practicality at its finest.

“We've got plenty of prisoners to manage already,” I note, “and limited time to transport them. These Church forces will pack our detention areas full anyway. With luck, we'll secure their ransom promptly.”

“Oh, that jogs my memory, Eldest. Among the prisoners, we discovered someone we figured you'd want to hear about.”

That piques my interest.

“Really? Someone familiar?”

“You encountered him before, I think. Priest Beyn has shown value here at least, aiding us in spotting a non-fighter who joined the fray. Grand Priest Alir Vinting.”

Grand Priest… Alir Vinting?

Hmm. That title stirs a memory. I sense a quiver, a resonance, a subtle shadow echoing from the shadowed vault deep in my thoughts. The domain where the Dark One lurks.

Only one implication from such unrest: Grand Priest Alir Vinting committed something grave, and I'll uncover precisely what.