Chrysalis Chapter 1750 - Progress

Previously on Chrysalis...
Morrelia marveled at the Colony's remarkable conquest of the fifth stratum, a feat that had eluded kingdoms and even the Abyssal Legion, who now found themselves outnumbered by the ants. Commander Chyron voiced irritation over Anthony's elusive nature, questioning if his omission of invasion plans stemmed from forgetfulness or cunning deception. Tasked with preparing the Legion for the ant's inevitable push to the sixth stratum, Chyron ordered Morrelia and the rival Tribune Aurelis to devise ways to curb Anthony's XP gains, alarmed by his extraordinary endurance against the Judgement Battalion and the threat of his tier nine evolution.

Roughly six months have elapsed since my last visit to the fifth, though it hardly feels that extended a period to me.

I can't help but ponder if this mirrors the sensation bears experience. After hibernating through a whole winter, they awaken, rubbing eyes, baffled by the events unfolding during their slumber? Naturally, I'm not capable of rubbing eyes, lacking eyelids entirely, yet a touch of disorientation grips me. Once I traverse the tunnel and re-enter the fortress, it's evident that subtle shifts have occurred below.

And when I say subtle, I truly mean .

Ignoring the overall I observe everywhere—greater numbers of ants, increased non-ants, enhanced logistics—I believe Solant has transformed the old setup into something resembling a complete railway, but the alterations to the stratum itself stand out as the most astonishing.

Freed from the toxic sway of Theorazzn that once tainted all, I presume the innate, primal essence of the fifth is resurfacing, appearing... organic? The tunnel walls, formerly coated in mucus, slime, fungi, and assorted revolting materials, now seem... somewhat vibrant?

Positioned amid the enormous chamber under the entrance, it nearly seems like I'm within some kind of meaty living being. Which, upon reflection, seems logical. If the fifth was once a vital entity, plagued and contaminated by a grotesque affliction, then purging the contamination restores it to its prior state: a robust organism of tissue and vitality.

Hold on... the fifth isn't... some kind of monster, is it? That would prove... odd.

“Eldest, it’s nice to see you have returned to where the family needs you.”

Solant’s somewhat sharp welcome pulls me from my musings and anchors me in the now. She’s obviously still irked that I delayed my return to the fifth to resolve matters above. Well, she’ll have to move past it; I wasn’t about to tolerate that circumstance.

“I’m here now,” I inform her, gazing at the petite general. “Are conditions truly deteriorating so much? You seem tense.”

“Overseeing the conquest of a whole stratum is quite a nerve-wracking task,” she replies, somewhat wryly. “Things aren’t ‘deteriorating’; they’re just not advancing as swiftly as I’d prefer.”

I mean… that strikes me as the situation deteriorating.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Very well then,” I say to her, “let’s head to the headquarters so you can brief me on the state of affairs.”

“Is that truly required?” she inquires, flicking her antennae with impatience. “I could just guide you to where our most urgent requirements lie.”

“How eager are you, Solant? Goodness! I’ve only just arrived, and you’re eager to hurl me into the tunnels without even explaining the current progress? I’ll battle relentlessly and drive the slugs back to their abyssal origins, but it’d help to have some background for the combat.”

I sense Solant is growing overly accustomed to viewing everyone and everything nearby as mere appendages of her will. Implements for achieving triumph instead of beings deserving regard.

She absolutely won’t regard in that manner. This might serve as a beneficial nudge for her. One of my antennae quivers with the impulse to strike, yet I restrain myself, aware of the danger of causing grave harm due to my unusual proportions.

This remains a persistent challenge.

I pivot toward one of the ants beside Solant; Leonidant, I believe. A sibling of hers, regardless.

“Hey, could you strike Solant for me?”

The mentioned ant stiffens in place.

“Um… pardon?”

“Simply approach and deliver a firm, hearty thwack to her head with an antenna,” I instruct her. “I can’t manage it; I’d pulverize her into fragments.”

“But… why would you wish for that?”

“Because she’s acting discourteously and handling her kin like mere instruments. Evidently, some wisdom must be instilled in that mind of hers, and I’m requesting you to handle it.”

“Senior–” Solant starts, but I interrupt.

“Not at this moment, Solant; I’m addressing an issue. Come along, cease delaying and carry it out.”

“I… I–uh–I’d rather not?”

“It’s not as if I to thwack her,” I fib. “But occasionally it to occur. This qualifies as such an occasion. No cause for hesitation; just step closer and add some force.”

I perceive Leonidant lacks zeal for this, but with my towering presence, she’s scarcely able to defy. Hesitation oozing from her, the scout shuffles toward the general, lifts an antenna… and administers a feeble tap on the head.

“That… lacked vigor,” I comment, striving not to criticize excessively.

“Please refrain from forcing a repeat,” Leonidant pleads, and I exhale.

“Alright. Well, I trust you’ve absorbed the point, Solant.”

“Completely,” she affirms, scrutinizing her sister rather sharply.

“Hey, it’s not her doing that you ceased valuing your family properly. Now then, let’s proceed to the HQ. The earlier you update me, the quicker you can dispatch me into the tunnels.”

“As you wish,” she concedes, pivoting and guiding the path further into the fortress.

“I will… manage to enter the HQ, correct?” I query as I follow her.

“No.”

“Darn it.”