Chapter 1577 – Information Exchange

It took time to agree to terms. As it turned out, the ants were very attached to their ‘Eldest’. Even the slightest concession was weighed like gold, and yet Chyron felt that she was getting the best possible deal, since no ant other than Solant would even think to agree to a trade like this.

[Now,] the little general said, still as calm and unruffled as ever, [what do you have to share with us?]

[Are you willing to share this information with your mages?] Chyron asked, gesturing to the ants who were maintaining and monitoring the mind bridge.

[Of course.]

Did these ants hide anything from each other at all? Probably not. Some of what Chyron knew was classified, but it would be unacceptable to speak directly to the monsters without mage protection. The Legionaries would have to be sworn to secrecy later.

[Theorazzn. The Maker of Mucus, as the Krath refer to it. The slugs believe that the Ancient was the one who corrupted the fifth stratum, the one who essentially created them, by turning whatever the fifth was before into… whatever this is.]

She jerked a thumb over her shoulder to the rampaging war of mucus and slime going on behind her.

[Was Theorazzn responsible for this transformation?]

[As far as the Legion is concerned, yes. We know the filthy beast likes to interfere here, much as Arconidem does in the third. Although we can’t prove it, we believe that, yes, Theorazzn is responsible.]

Solant clacked her mandibles thoughtfully, pondering this new information.

[And how do the Krath feel about their… creator?]

Chyron crossed her arms, shifting her weight to the other foot.

[It’s difficult to say. Until very recently, there weren’t many who managed to actually have a conversation with a Krath. As far as we can tell, they are devoted to the creature. Zealously.]

[If Theorazzn asks them to do something, then they will?]

[To the best of their ability. They do not defy the Maker of Mucus.]

Even when they were told to assault Legion strongholds…. Perhaps especially then.

[Let us be a little more open with each other, Commander,] Solant said, a gleam in her multi-faceted eye. [We know about the hearts. We know about the cycle. We know about the vents. We know about the arterial, capillary and venula tunnels. We know about the bleed and we know about the Krath Virals.]

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Chyron’s expression didn’t shift, but she was still surprised. Some of that she’d told them herself, but the rest must have come from Goszi. How had they gotten him to talk? It was unthinkable!

[So what do you want to know?] Chyron asked.