Chrysalis

“Do you really think the ants are protecting us because the Great One approves of our holy pilgrimage?” Alis wondered.

Jern looked at the ranks of ants marching alongside them, guarding the pilgrims on both sides.

“I think… they probably just came along to make sure we’re safe,” he suggested.

His friend looked up at him irritably.

“That’s all? Priest Beyn says it because they are guiding us along our blessed path and into enlightenment.”

“All they really do is fight Dungeon monsters for us,” Jern pointed out.

Alis scowled.

“Sometimes we have to fight for ourselves, don’t we?”

He sighed and hefted the oversized axe on his shoulder. Surprisingly, an ant had given it to him, which had caused people to whisper and point. Eventually, he’d found a mage, (who did turn to keep him in front of her, which he tested by taking a few steps to either side), who’d explained that, since he was so large and strong, they’d made a weapon he could use to help protect the pilgrims.

“Yes, sometimes we have to fight for ourselves,” he told his red haired friend. “Your fire magic has improved a lot since we left.”

She folded her arms across her chest.

“Of course!” she declared, puffing herself up with pride. “I’ve had the chance to turn my flames on Dungeon monsters before. It’s only natural that my Levels are increasing quickly.”

Jern had to agree. Fighting against monsters really was Levelling him quickly. It wouldn’t be that long before his Class maxed out and he’d need to change it into a new one.

“Still,” he said, turning back to look at the long train of pilgrims behind them, “I never expected we would gather this many people.”

“You really doubted how persuasive priest Beyn can be?” Alis scoffed. “Every place we go, we end up with more and more followers. I feel like we got a thousand at Rylleh alone.”

“Good thing the ants are feeding us,” Jern noted.

course! The Great

probably wrong, but he figured the Great One was just making sure they didn’t

mattered, he was enjoying himself and Alis was having a great time, so he didn’t have any reason

think this next city will be

on a holy pilgrimage!

isn’t this city outside of

Great One is universal! I’m

on alert, with messengers running up and down the column at all times. Suddenly, two of the nearby soldiers turned toward a patch on the wall, their mandibles flexing as they readied themselves. He stepped toward

looked up at him, he

“Allow me,” he said.

couldn’t understand his words, but they knew what he was getting at, and stepped back a fraction. Jern hefted the massive axe off his shoulder and gave it a few swings to

from the wall, spraying the young man with stone fragments. He got a flash of fur, and claws, and a red

he turned to the soldiers, gave a dip of his head,

ants can take care of that, you know. If anything, you’re just taking experience

his

the Dungeon during a wave. I just feel like we should

her mouth to reply, thought for a second,

she begrudgingly admitted. “I’ll get the next

~~~

hard day

approached, holy antennae bobbing on the top of his robe. Alis beamed with excitement, clasping her

you, priest Beyn. We did our best to help protect the column and even supported the soldiers as they fought Dungeon

gestured with his one remaining hand toward the ants, still on duty alongside them. “They are grateful for your assistance. It has been very difficult for them to protect us along this journey, given the state

to

than happy to

all the young man

Beyn laughed warmly.

my heart is put to ease. Tomorrow we will reach our current destination, and I hope we will be well received, but we must be prepared to be rebuffed. We are outside the lands of the Colony at this moment, and the citizens of Torpin’s Rest are not obliged