Chrysalis

Hello dear readers! Tolly here, once again reporting on my ongoing adventures in the lands of the Colony! The town of Renewal and the surrounding farmlands were a picturesque and inspiring sight that told a tale of the strength of the living spirit. People who had risen up and rebuilt their lives after a devastating disaster at the hands of monsters with the help of, of all things, monsters. Getting to know these people and listen to their stories was a powerful experience that went a long way to diminishing my fear of the ants, which was likely why I felt compelled to make my request when I was already deep within the grand nest known as Anthome.

"You want to meet the Queen?" Emelia blinked.

"If at all possible," I smiled politely as my two guards emitted and intense 'oh no, not again' aura.

A look of amused confusion flickered across my guide's face as she considered my request.

"I'm… not sure that you'll be allowed, I don't think anyone has asked to do that… ever. You understand that we need to go deeper into the Dungeon to do as you ask? The Queens don't live this high up."

"I assure you I am no stranger to the Dungeon," I gave the poor girl a pat on the shoulder, "and if I might be pardoned for a moment, did you say Queens? There is more than one?"

"Oh, yes. There are hundreds of Queens, possibly in the thousands, the Colony is very protective of them and don't like to talk about them extensively. You'll need to give me a moment and I'll find someone we can ask."

Emelia walked off a short distance to communicate with a few ants whilst I waited with a wonderful feeling of excitement and trepidation coiling in my belly. There really is no better way than plunging head first into danger to help one feel young. I recommend it to all my readers! In moderation, obviously!

A few minutes later Emilia returned with a rather large ant, nearly as tall as I was by her side. I felt the creature reach out to my mind and I allowed the contact. A chance to speak with the ants directly?! How invigorating!

[You wish to see a Queen?] the touch of the monster's mind was alien, almost cold in the lack of strong emotion.

On the other hand, I could feel how calm and efficient she was, a creature of logic and reason. It was reassuring to say the least!

manners, readers!), [I would consider it

right now, but I believe we can facilitate a visit to the Queens who are staying below us. I will warn you that you will be guarded very closely during this visit. Are you still willing to

What a thrill!

am,] I nodded, [and I am

concluded our discussion and clapped

over a year," she

two guards looked positively

• eight of 'Traveling Tolly in the lands of the Colony' published in the Monthly

I be darned. There really is a whole 'nother level just like the first in the stratum. I mean, I didn't really have any reason to doubt it, I was given the information from reliable sources after all, but I just couldn’t help but refuse to believe until I'd

yet, there it

Sarah observes and I can't

[Sure is.]

off the edge of the pillar and stare downward at the plate city below and the plains that stretch endlessly through the smoke and ash which swirls even thicker here than above. The mana down here is noticeably more dense than in the area above, not nearly as large as the difference between stratum, but enough that I was able to sense it. Once

and every direction. I can still see it now, pouring out of the stone tunnels above and falling the vast

go down, do you think?]

What if they were hostile? I couldn't possibly escape. In fact, how would

Bears might be good climbers, but they weren't designed

charge down there, you

eye flares at my