Chrysalis

After that the crowd was quickly pacified and I was relieved the Queen didn’t secretly sic the people on me. As we agreed she and I remained close to each other as we moved into the next phase of the plan.

With the people calmed, less suicidal and at the same time directed against her enemies, the Queen wants to turn her attention to her most potent and loyal forces. The ones she "cleverly" deployed in the Dungeon to assist other troops in a ploy to appear weakened and lure those who had been working to destabilising her rule into open rebellion. Too bad they had more backing than she had foreseen and with the soldiers she had left she had been soundly defeated.

She’d even kept her guard in the dark because they would refuse to leave her so vulnerable had they known about it. Even now those poor suckers are stuck in the top level of the Dungeon stabbing centipedes in the face whilst the Queen they swore to defend was forced to flee the city.

Honestly. All of these people are so stupid it pains me to be near them! Keep those precious cores in your mind Anthony! You’ll walk out here rich and leave these morons to their own devices.

The way the people in Malgate react to me know is a little unnerving to say the least. As I pass by then back away carefully, making sure not to obstruct my path, many even bow respectfully. All of these displays of subservience are stirring Dark Anthony! Just ignore me people! I’m honestly happier sliding into the background!

It doesn’t matter though. At my size it’s getting hard to hide. I’m already the height and length of a desk basically. If I continue to evolve am I going to end up car size? Bus size?! Yikes. Regardless, as I move about with the Queen people are easily able to find me and continue to show their respect throughout the day.

The Queen speaks to people one on one, in small groups and addresses large crowds. Everywhere she goes the reaction is favourable and those prepared to go and fight are quickly prepared, packing supplies, clutching their crude blades and strapping into worn leather armour that probably belonged to a relative who fought in a war three generations ago.

Even the priest is fully pumped up for this. He spends most of his time following along behind me, eulogising my status as a holy messenger at the top of lungs. I had the Queen tell me what he was saying but forced her to stop about two sentences in. So embarrassing!

for

hour from the village, just inside the edge of the woods we find evidence of ant activity. This is where myself and

herself at risk? What task could only a dedicated

single worker can be found. As the column comes to

Dark One! These are

able to travel through it somewhat comfortably and they are a lot taller than ants. Even Tiny can move lower than them since he is almost designed to lean forward as he moves, weight on his knuckles. It’s a rare moment when the ape actually stretches to his

they sure manage to hold up better than I expect them to. Perhaps it’s the excavation skill at work that helps to avoid areas that might change the structural integrity, or maybe this world is fundamentally built to support underground spaces, the Dungeon exists here after all. Even the forest expanse we were

shortly after hatching. I made sure the workers didn’t complete the tunnel since the soldiers on the other side would have surely killed them on sight. I wanted to dig

the last of the dirt, the very moment the last bit of dirt crumbles away to reveal an opening I back away hastily and place myself behind the Queen,

forward to push away the last of the dirt, widening the opening until she is able to squeeze herself through it. On the other side I can hear raised shouts and

to one side. Fortunately the tunnel is a little wider here and there is pace to push through. Once the last person has left

my eyes to adjust to the bright mana infused light of the Dungeon. As the light washes over me a comforting feeling comes over me. Perhaps I’m slightly crazy but coming back to the Dungeon feels a little like coming home, particularly to this familiar place.

my six legs taking purchase on the firm Dungeon

guy is never far away. My very own

the villagers is a troop of fierce and worn looking soldier types. Their gilded armour and fine blades are quite familiar to me