RinoZ
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Chapter 1284 - Anthony On Tour pt 25
🕑 Added 2024-01-13 00:58:28 +0000 UTCFor whatever reason, the Legion doesn’t look happy to see me, but hey, it’s Morrelia! I haven’t clapped my thousands of lenses of her in ages! I’m tempted to reach out with a mind bridge and say hello, but I get the feeling such an act wouldn’t be welcome. Answering questions about giant monsters trying to contact you the second they see you might be a little awkward for her.
Last time I had a good chat with her, she wasn’t a fully fledged legionary, so obviously things are going to be a bit different now. Getting pulled into the family business is probably a pretty normal thing to have happen, I mean, I have no idea what my family did for a living when I was a human. My ant family? We just ant it up, it’s great. Every single one of us is pulled into the family business just by being born an ant.
When the Legion finally docks and begins to disembark their ships, a rather large gathering of the Folk has assembled to greet them, and they don’t all seem to get along. At least, I think I’m sensing some serious tension in the air between a few of the groups. I try to ask Grey about it, but he’s a bit reluctant to spill any gossip about his fellow Folk, even if one of the clans is in the naughty corner for these shenanigans.
One thing I do notice, because its incredibly obvious, is how many of the Legionaries are glaring at me. Like, I’m getting so much stink-eye I feel like I need a shower.
Row after row of soldiers, decked out in their thick-plated, shiny legionary armour, with who I assume are the officers, along with Morrelia, marching up and down maintaining order. Despite acting so nonchalant, I’m self aware enough to know that I am in fact in danger here. I’m depending on the hospitality of the Folk to keep me from being jumped by several thousand monster-hating super-soldiers. Not that Protectant shares my optimism.
“Eldest, are you going to leave yet? You said you’d just come to the docks for a look.”
“And I’m looking.”
“You have looked. We should go.”
“My look is ongoing. It’ll be done when I blink.”
“Eldest, you are perfectly aware that we can’t blink.”
“Seems like a you problem.”
The dedicated protector sighs heavily. It’s rare enough for her to come out on her own and talk to me at all, no matter what ridiculous thing I’m doing. Clearly she and the others are quite on edge.
“Look, I understand this is a risky position to be in. If anything dangerous happens, then I fully intend to turn around and sprint back to the nest like the heroic leader that I am, alright?”
“Fine. We would be much more comfortable if your guardians were around at times like this. In future, try not to leave the nest without them.”
Really? They think having Tiny around at a moment like this would be helpful? I mean, it’d be great to have another powerful ally if a fight broke out, but him being here makes that fight about twenty times more likely.
Oh, looks like the representatives of the Folk are going to meet with the officers. Looks like the air is thick enough to cut with an antennae. Holy moly, these people do not seem to like each other.
By my side is a very nervous, though hiding it extremely well, Marzban, and a stoic Grey with his apprentice, White.
[No chance you can tell me what’s being said?]
[From this far away?]
[Don’t you have, like, wolf ears or something?]
He frowns.
[It’s considered rude to assume things like that.]
[In that case, I apologise, and also insist you answer the question.]
[I accept your apology, and yes, I have ‘wolf-ears’ as you so delicately put it. I can indeed hear what is being said.]
I wait, but he doesn’t continue. This guy….
[Could you please share a summary of what is being discussed with this unworthy specimen, oh great Grey who I definitely haven’t seen naked.]
The wolf-Kin’s brows twitch, though his face remains stoically calm. White on the other hand, buries her face in her hand in an effort to conceal her laughter. The silent shaking of her shoulders gives it away regardless, however.
[Fine. Representatives of the council are welcoming the Legion to Freehill, while subtly warning them to abide by the conditions laid out in the treaty signed between us.]
[You guys have a treaty?]
[We are no longer at war, so yes, we have a treaty?]
[What are the conditions?]
[Do you want me to tell you what is being said, or answer your inane questions?]
[Both.]
Grey pinches his brow, forcefully.
[They must abide by our laws while within our territory. So, as a random example, they can’t kill any monster they wish if that monster is here as a guest.]
[That’s a good example. Very relevant.]
[The Legionary Commander is subtly warning the council of the risks involved when giving succour to the enemy. That’s you.]
[I got it.]
[More along those lines. Monsters aren’t to be trusted. It’s irresponsible to help strengthen them, making it more difficult for everyone when they inevitably are turned against us. Etcetera.]
[Man, they really hate monsters.]
[Not without good reason,] Grey says wryly. [The Abyssal Legion was born during the Rending, when the entire world was engulfed in a never-ending wave that nearly wiped out all non-dungeon born life on Pangera. They have a long memory.]
[They probably aren’t happy that I’ve got the Call as well.]
[You what?]
Whoops.
[I think I hear my Colony calling. One sec.]
Next to me, Grey appears rather irritated.
[Don’t bother trying to dissemble. The cat-Folk is out of the bag, as the crude amongst us would say. That explains why the Legion were willing to take such a direct course of action. They will hunt you to the end of the Dungeon rather than let you live.]
[Would they risk starting another war here on your land?]
[If they thought they would succeed in killing you, they’d attack right now.]
[Dang.]
This brings up another question.
[How do you guys feel about monsters with the Call? Are you similarly… unfond?]
He chews over the question a bit before answering.
[It varies. The Ancients are… a source of disagreement amongst my people. Some agree with the Legion, that the twentieth Ancient must never arise.]
[Let me guess… wind clan?]
[I will not comment. Others amongst us have sympathy for sentient monsters such as yourselves. We were nearly counted amongst you by Pangera after all. Perhaps, if our luck was worse, we would have become monsters in truth, instead of becoming what we are.]
[Hmmm. Well, this trip has certainly gotten a lot more interesting.]
Comments
Harold Fincker
Very relevant
Roombot
Gods, I love Anthony. His silly, carefree attitude gives me the giggles every time
alt31415
This talk of monsters 'inevitably turning against civilized folk' makes me think it's something legit. It's been mentioned a few times. I wonder if it's something like Arconidem's hold on demons, but much bigger, tied to Odrin the Father of Monsters?
alt31415
Yeah. Like, he could just point the gravity upwards and what's the Legion gonna do? Flail angrily as they fly up?
BallsDeep69
Loving the upload streak. Hope it continues
LanScaper
Tbh i see the Colony replacing the Legion
Rahsheem Reid
The legion don’t have a counter for grav magic even with this large of a company. it would be a blood bath if they try Anthony with anything less then their top tier. They might eventually him but it would cost them greatly.
Ez
Like RinoZ really don’t miss!!!!
Ez
The cat-folk is out of the bag!!!
Brudog2
Didn’t feel long enough need more
Gonvas
Only if in the future there's definite prove the Colony/Anthony will not become enemies (the whole even peaceful monsters gather behind the Ancients in killing sapients) + good the Colony has done. Even then, it would probably be contested by several within the Legion and other factions.
William
I don't really ever see the Legion being cool with the colony, even in the future. The legion just seems so stuffy and steeped in tradition while being as flexible as diamond. Smh
Zizawah
Thank you for the chapters!! Love both C and BoD
