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.

The Great One is with

said nothing. He wasn’t particularly smart, so he was probably wrong, but he figured the Great One was just making sure they didn’t starve to death, rather

really mattered, he was enjoying himself and Alis was having a great time,

this next city will be as welcoming

be? We are coming on a holy

outside of the Colony’s

The light of the Great One is universal! I’m sure

didn’t seem to be as relaxed as Alis, constantly on alert, with messengers running up and down the column at all times. Suddenly, two of the nearby

him, he tapped himself on

“Allow me,” he said.

getting at, and stepped back a fraction. Jern hefted the massive axe off his shoulder and gave it a few swings

a frenzied, mad-eyed beast lunged from the wall, spraying the young man with stone fragments. He got a flash of fur, and claws, and a red maw before he completed his swing, smashing his axe deep into the

moving, he turned to the soldiers, gave a dip of his head, which they returned with their antennae, and

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

his shoulders

many humans through the Dungeon during a wave. I just feel like we should help out as

mouth to reply, thought for a second, then

begrudgingly admitted. “I’ll get the next

~~~

“Another hard day following the Divine Path has come to an end. I hope I

the priest approached, holy antennae bobbing on the top of

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

were today,” the priest 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

surged to her

We are more than happy to

included, all the young

Beyn laughed warmly.

but we must