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

smart, so he was probably wrong, but he figured the Great One was just making sure they didn’t starve to death, rather than urging

a great time, so he didn’t have any reason to turn around

next city will be as

wouldn’t they be? We are coming on a holy pilgrimage! They’ve got no reason to turn us

city outside of the

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

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 soldiers turned toward a patch on the wall, their mandibles flexing as they readied

looked up at him, he tapped

“Allow me,” he said.

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

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

the soldiers, gave a dip of his head, which they returned with their antennae, and then jogged back

you know. If anything, you’re just taking

his shoulders

must be hard shepherding this many humans through the Dungeon during a wave. I just feel like

opened her mouth to reply, thought for a second, then closed

she begrudgingly admitted. “I’ll get the

~~~

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

ducked his head in acknowledgement as the priest approached, holy antennae bobbing on the top of his robe. Alis beamed with excitement, clasping her

best to help protect the column and even supported the

helpful you two 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 them to protect us along this journey, given the state of the Dungeon. I fear we must step up and do more to defend ourselves if we are to make it to

surged to

worry, priest Beyn! We are more than

at being suddenly included, all the young man could

Beyn laughed warmly.

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