The Colony had been clever with its strategy so far, if a little naive. The inexperience in fighting sapient enemies was likely the reason for their relatively direct approach. If they were allowed to grow, that would change. Yet another reason to excise this problem before it grew too severe. Still, Titus felt compelled to keep his eyes wide open as he approached the elderly woman who stood alone in the tunnel before him.
"I am Titus," he confirmed, "commander of the Legionem Abyssi. I have to say I did not expect to find a Lirian in this place. May I know your name?"
The old soldier stood straight and tall, not bothering to try and appear unthreatening. How could he? He was wearing a full set of heavy Abyssal armour with a demonic axe on his back. In truth, he was threatening. Not that Enid seemed to mind.
"My name is Enid Ruther, commander. You might have known my husband."
Titus frowned.
"Derrion? The mercenary?"
The mayor smiled, pleased to see her dearest husband was still remembered.
"That's right," she nodded, "he spoke highly of you."
"He was one of the good ones. The dark blade of Arranyss. I seldom have respect for mercs, but your husband was very capable and stuck to the rules. I was saddened to hear of his death."
no time for union politics. He always saw the Dungeon as his place of work and had no interest in jostling
The commander grunted.
to take the time to pay the proper respect to your husband, Ms Ruther, I am sure you are aware of what is happening in this place and that my time is limited. I can guess why
find ourselves in this position." Enid smoothed her skirt as she gathered her courage. "I don't know what happened in the Dungeon during the wave, commander, but I imagine it wasn't
We couldn't predict that Garralosh would be
only shook her
of us could have known that a beast like that would be able to survive on the surface. But I must inform you that
Titus only shrugged.
I deeply regret I wasn't able to finish the vile creature when I had the chance, but I do not intend to spare these
no exaggeration to say that without the support of these monsters, there likely would be no survivors of Liria or the frontier kingdoms at all. We owe the ants our lives and have lived in harmony
my Legionaries? There are many in my ranks to were born in Liria. Are you really willing to fight against your
same to you, commander," Enid's eyes hardened. "You have brought war and destruction down on this Colony who has done nothing but help me and my people. How
Titus demanded. "The city was overrun weeks ago, have
that many consider the arrival of the Colony a
act in such a way, but it wasn't totally unheard of. The abomination had clearly influenced the ants not to predate on the human population, but for how long would that last? If that creature born of another world were to perish, how long before the ants would revert to their true nature? For that matter, how long until the abomination itself would lose its sense of self and sink into the murderous
changed nothing in the end. The hard lines of Titus' face didn't
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