Chrysalis Chapter 1748 - Time for Vengeance

Having waved goodbye to that unsettling Priest and cleverly sidestepped Beyn, I sneak away from the nest and plunge into the lower levels alongside Tiny, Invidia, and Crinis. Now that the mountain trouble has been handled, we're set to lend Solant a hand. The fifth level summons me, and there are slugs waiting that I simply can't wait to reunite with.

Gweheheheheh.

But in all honesty, if our efforts can sway this war and push it solidly toward the Colony's advantage, it ought to ease up on the supplies. Currently, nearly every bit of the Colony's armed forces production is being funneled into this assault. Fresh Antcademy graduates, metals, armors, weapons, Biomass, cores, engineers, construction teams, healers, core shapers—all of it.

Constructing that initial fortress demanded immense effort, yet I'm certain Solant plans another one near the Colony's discovered heart. The massive resources needed for such a project boggle the mind. At market prices, the cost might even rival purchasing the Silver City!

I realized early on that claiming the fifth would demand sacrifices and prove challenging, but this scale is spiraling out of control.

By diving in and delivering some punishment, I hope to lighten the load on the Colony, even if just slightly.

[No, Crinis. For the final time, you can't come with me beyond the safe zones.]

[But Master!] she objects... [How can we be sure you're protected? I could conceal myself within your carapace. You wouldn't notice me at all.]

Doubtful. My detection skills have sharpened when she attempts to slip into me, and it's astonishing how frequently she attempts it.

[We've discussed this already. The mana is poisonous. It seeps right into my body out there. Recall? Since you're even more susceptible to that mana than the others, it's far from secure for you to nestle inside.]

With no way to counter my airtight reasoning, Crinis pouts while attaching herself to my back as we dash toward the fifth. Solant arranged various sleek, speedy devices and paths from the nest to the preparation zone... though most don't accommodate my size, unfortunately. No great issue; it merely extends our descent a bit.

During the journey, I need only instruct Crinis to pull back from my carapace twice. Improvement!

Upon arrival, the immense scope of Solant's preparations slams into me like a high-speed swinging club.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

I figured the preparation zone was ridiculously expansive earlier, but now it's ballooned to triple or quadruple its former dimensions. Vast storage buildings, massive drill fields, sprawling workshops and smelteries across whole areas. Living quarters pile atop more quarters, which stack over depots resting above medical facilities. The whole Dungeon region near the fifth's gateway has been reshaped for miles around. Every barrier stands modified, hollowed and packed with practical rooms. Open spaces have turned into a meticulously arranged network of manufacturing.

And the bustle! The fifth's gateway acts like a powerful draw, pulling in everything visible at a frenzied, almost nauseating speed. That's when it truly sinks in that Sloan and Victor weren't overstating things. Everything is heading down there.

My jaw drops completely.

With so much activity buzzing around, I nearly miss the trio of Legionaries standing there, arms folded, awaiting me. Regrettably, I spot them anyway. Even worse, they notice me prior to my chance to slip away.

Blast! My enhanced Stealth upgrade proves useless now.

Morrelia offers a sorry shrug as the group starts advancing my way. Leading them, Commander Chyron appears utterly furious.

Why me?! I didn't exactly try to evade—wait, that's precisely what I attempted. I'm meant to inform them of my plans so my judgmental, monster-loathing escorts can follow.

Well, Morrelia isn't so bad.

[I forgot, okay? Geez,] comes my sharp retort once the mind link connects.

Chyron fixes me with a stern glare, far less daunting than she imagines. It's growing tougher to view these pint-sized folks as serious threats.

No. Resist the urge to poke.

[Heading back to the fifth?] she questions me bluntly.

[Yeah, uh, that's right? I only surfaced due to the Green Mountain danger. With that settled, I've got to drop down and aid the push.]

[Settled? That's a polite term for it.]

[Will they still attempt to snatch my kin? No? Then it's resolved in my book.]

Ha. Even Chyron can't dispute that.

[And the Call plays no role in your rush to go deeper?] she probes sharply.

[Argh! Don't bring it up!]

I've succeeded in tuning it out lately, but a single reference sharpens the tug embedded in my core. Staying put in the fourth has been torture, and being so near the fifth now feels like constant pulling on the line. Awareness of a nearby passage that would end the ache serves as strong incentive.

[It's not irrelevant,] I concede. [It aches terribly.]

[And succeeding in the fifth?] Chyron pushes. [Then what? Onto the sixth to claim it for your Colony?]

[Well... I'd like to witness it. Most Pangera folk haven't a clue what's below. Curiosity drives me. Wouldn't it intrigue you?]

She merely eyes me. I suspect she realizes I aim to seize it for my family.