Chrysalis

The immediate fallout from defeating the city was a little odd as an experience. The remaining demonic residents of Roklu were a little bewildered by the whole experience, and some were less than pleased at being ruled by monsters from so much higher in the Dungeon than they themselves, but those opinions were soon changed by the overwhelming numbers and might that the Colony brought to bear.

You might be a high and mighty tier six demon from the third stratum with nothing to fear from a tier five ant from the first, but you better believe you have something to fear from a hundred thousand of them! Demons are smart enough and are capable of acting quite logically when not in the grip of their own particular obsession, so the writing was quite clear on the wall to the majority shortly after the conquest was finished.

Shortly after Grokus had been defeated and I was sitting atop the resultant Biomass recovering, Invidia and Al made their way back to us. The two of them look particularly smug, especially for a pair of demons that ganged up on another to achieve their win.

[Everything went well on your side?] I ask the pair of them.

[Sssssatisssfactory,] Invidia purrs.

[Indeed. I am pleased with this outcome,] Al declares, his voice as flat as usual.

[You don't really sound it. In fact, you sound completely bored.]

[With my mind now freed from the concern I have carried for decades, I am at last able to pursue my desire for knowledge to the utmost. I am ecstatic,] Al says, his voice totally devoid of emotion.

[I could almost believe that you were making a joke. So no issues with big Mungo?]

[Mungo'nin?]

[That's the guy.]

to the aid of … Invidia, we were able to overcome his defences at the final moment. Without any help, I fear I would have been unable to measure up to the

you got what you want, the city has been liberated from the control of Grokus, the demon who was trying to hunt you constantly is dead. What are your plans

watches

able to harvest a great deal of fresh information from you in exchange for mere scraps of guidance. This

for asking for my opinion on the matter… welcome aboard

Colony is likely to keep aggressively expanding, both within the third stratum and above. What role they expect me to play in that process, I'm not sure. I could probably just keep exploring, wander around the tunnels and grind for levels and Biomass, the hunting down there was quite profitable for me. Someone should investigate the deeper layers of the third stratum for the family as well, just so that we

strength! I guess it wouldn't hurt to check in with Granin

enough to just chill out and eat Biomass. I'm interested to check out the core that Grokus left behind as well! I know his core is

in the clear," I tell the ants around me. "May

nearby general snaps out a salute with one

"As you say, Eldest."

where the heck is

mouth and spits

can see through

you can't. Come

"Oo! Food!"

harvest along with the experience and Biomass we can gain from culling the local demon population. The real question I have, is if we're going to be able to administer and recruit a population of demons. They might be a bit

Invidia, Al. You want to come down here and get some chow with us? No point letting all

energy

be delighted to partake in this particular