Chapter 1365 – A More Organised Approach

I felt a little bit foolish listening to Advant a few hours later as she explained how our trek into the fifth was going to work. More specifically, as she outlined the many layers of protection the Colony had provided to keep us safe in that horrific environment.

“Everyone is to ensure they have six of these enchanted leg guards on at all times,” she informed the gathered ants, glaring at them. “No, it is not selfishness to take six, it is the bare minimum requirement to keep you alive so you might serve the Colony. Any individual found to be wearing less than six at any time will be put on vacation for a month. Do you understand?”

“We understand!” the ants chorused back, fear in their eyes. They did not want that vacation.

“We will begin distribution of the rings while Coolant explains their function, pay attention!”

Many small carvers with boxes clutched in their mandibles began to run up and down the assembled ranks of ants, handing out sets of rings, adjusting them to fit, and ensuring each ant had one on each leg before they moved to the next. All the while, Coolant’s calm tone washed over us.

“The rings combine two properties that will be beneficial in the fifth. The first promotes regeneration. The atmosphere of the fifth is completely toxic and will eat into your bodies like a potent acid. Particularly vulnerable are the joints.”

She’s not wrong. Mine are still stinging.

“This constant healing effect will be able to mitigate the damage, but not overcome it, so be wary. We aim to limit our exposure to the toxic mana as much as antly possible, but we expect things to be chaotic down there. All of us will be exposed at some point. The second effect is a complex piece of enchanting that will help prevent the virulent mana of the fifth from slipping into your body.”

I really should have grabbed some of these before I went down there.

“As you know, this mana will propagate itself and literally eat you from the inside out. As monsters, we constantly draw in mana from around us, which means we are always at risk of absorbing this dangerous energy. Should it get into your core and begin to multiply, we will be unable to save you. Make sure it doesn’t come to that.”

She eyes everyone seriously.

“To that end, all mages will be constantly sweeping with their mana sense. It is vitally important that any ant touched by the mana be cleansed immediately. Now, I will pass over to my sister, Bella, who will explain the measures taken by the core shapers to protect us.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

A somewhat nervous-looking Bella steps up in front of the crowd, unused to being in the spotlight. In fact, she is so circumspect, I hadn’t even noticed she was here until this moment. Even the Will I get from her is quiet.

“H-hello everyone. As you… as you know, we have been hard at work on the Wuffer initiative, trying to maximise the ability of these pets to purify the mana of the fifth.”

She gestures with an antenna, and one of her fellow caste members ushers one of the happy blob monsters forward. The creature wuffs contently as it undulates over the ground, radiating positive energy like a little blue ball of gooey sunshine.