Chapter 1372 – The Tribune Amongst the Colony

“Be careful, Tribune. The monster may attempt to manipulate your thoughts.”

Morrelia frowned.

“I’ve received mental fortitude training and raised my Skills to the commander level,” she said evenly. “I will of course remain vigilant nevertheless. Thank you for your diligence, Legionary.”

[What’d he say?] Anthony’s voice echoed in her mind.

[They’re still worried you’ll manipulate me,] she sighed.

[I mean… is it possible to communicate in any way without allowing for the chance of manipulation? I’ve seen what the brathian do to people with just words. It’s not pretty.]

[You know as well as I do that a mind bridge allows for more than just communication. How did you defeat Garralosh again?]

[Ugh… I’d rather not remember, to be honest; that was nasty. Alright, this is the place.]

The ants’ forward operating base wasn’t anything special, yet. There were hundreds of carvers still working on it, and she knew full well what miracles they could accomplish.

[Are there really rooms in there for us?] she asked, a little sceptical.

[Of course! We’re an accommodating group of insects. Unlike your Legion.]

Morrelia felt a pang in her chest.

[Are you thinking of the bolts we shot at you?]

[Of course I am! While I was falling out of the sky as well. That’s such a cheap shot.]

She took a deep breath.

[I won’t apologise for it. The stated purpose of the Legion is to protect people from the Dungeon, and to that end, they’ve determined you shouldn’t be allowed to descend any deeper.]

The giant ant turned to regard her directly, the many lenses in his eyes gleaming at her.

[I don’t expect you to apologise or anything, you don’t run the Legion. I get that you lot are doing what you think is best to protect people. It’s the right goal, just the wrong target. But hey, I don’t think I’ll ever convince the people who run your outfit of that, so it is what it is.]

She sighed in relief. At least he wasn’t going to hold it against her personally, but he wasn’t done.

[What I’d like to know,] Anthony continued, [is what you think. Am I a threat to the peace on Pangera?]

It didn’t take long for him to put her on the spot, hitting right at the heart of her anxieties.

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[I’m… I’m not sure,] she said. [The wisdom of the Legion has helped us stand firm against the Dungeon since the Cataclysm. There is tremendous value in it, yet… I still struggle to imagine the Colony turning on us.]

[Hey, you do right by the Colony, and we’ll do right by you.]

[Then what happened at the Silver City?]

In an instant, all the energy was sucked out of the massive monster and he slumped to the ground.

[Oof. Don’t talk about that…. That whole mess was disturbing and depressing.]

[Was? So it’s resolved?]