Chrysalis

Chapter 552

"Oh! Hello there Mother… I, uh, didn't expect to see you here!"

"In the brood chambers, child? Where else would I be?"

I can almost sense another thwack coming… The first one really hurt! She's had a serious increase to her physical stats since her evolution. I rub the top of my head with an antenna as I quickly ponder my response.

"Wherever you want to be, Mother?"

THWACK!

Ouch!

"You wouldn't be suggesting I would skip out on my duty to the Colony, would you?"

"Of course not! Who would ever think of such a thing?!"

Dangit, Mother! My poor head! What did I even do? Turning around to face my overbearing parent, I take a chance to see how she's been faring. She looks fine, no wounds or scarring to mar her carapace. That ever-present twinkle in her eye is still apparent, as is the unusual level of force she's able to generate with her antennae. There must be a 'mother' perk buried in the system somewhere that grants bonus damage when disciplining children, otherwise it just doesn't make sense.

"If you're mad at me, Mother, then please just tell me what I've done," I capitulate.

I've once again evaded my responsibilities and brought danger down on the Colony. A few knocks on the head are the least of what I deserve. Instead, the Queen

child.

a funny way of showing it…" I

was that? I didn't quite

uh. It's nice to see you in such good health! Managing to

hunt in order to secure my own Biomass. The prey in the nearby

the council members'

going to assume

The Queen sighs.

and I don't really want to say no, even if I do think it's a bit of a waste. Those children could all

She shouldn't.

you'd find that every member of your escort

guarding the Queen? Almost every ant in the Colony would be delighted to have the chance. I've no doubt that every member of her guards was carefully chosen to be the best at what they do. No way the council would leave the health of their Mother

with brood. Dozens of brood tenders pick amongst the little grubs, ensuring that each is fed and cleaned, ready to take on the next step

growth has exploded," I tip an antenna at the young, "are we still making

first nest during the pupal stage. When they emerge they are taken through the training program before they enter

once the population started to explode. Must be hard for them to

are being laid each day right now, could it be as many as a thousand a day?! That would

mentioned to me once," the Queen informs me, "I believe that the creation of two new nests is

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255