Chrysalis Chapter 1723 - Winding Up Mutations

I focus on a few remaining minor details regarding my mutations. Thanks to the triad, I now possess an organ that functions effectively as a mind mana construct. It draws energy directly from my core and converts it so it can be fed straight into my mental constructs. Compared to performing the conversion manually or dedicating an entire mana gland to the task, this provides a significant boost to my overall efficiency.

Naturally, this efficiency can be enhanced further through mutation. I upgrade the organ to +15, ensuring it produces mind mana more effectively at every stage of the process, before shifting my attention to my vestigial legs.

Determining what I require from these vestigial legs isn't difficult. I need them to regenerate faster once they have been… deployed, I suppose. Furthermore, once that set has been… deployed… I need the subsequent backup set of vestigial legs to be ready for use much sooner.

It is entirely possible that my legs might explode twice in very short order. While replacing them once is helpful, it doesn't entirely solve the vulnerability of having limbs that are significantly weaker than the rest of my frame.

To address this, I select one enhancement at +5 and the other at +10, finally fusing them at +15. With any luck, that should provide the necessary utility.

While on the subject, I look at my primary legs. They are far too vital to be left unmutated, even if they have already been reforged using a superior new material.

Graviton Splinters. My legs no longer feel the full effects of gravity, which essentially means my body places less strain on my limbs than it normally would. In addition to being a much more durable material, it is a benefit that helps immensely given my rather chonky weight class.

As for what I want from my leg mutations… well, increasing their overall sturdiness certainly won't hurt. Just because I have a backup system in the form of vestigial legs doesn't mean I am eager to use it. Secondly, boosting their general strength seems like a wise move. Being capable of supporting more weight and moving my bulk around with greater ease is an obvious benefit.

That is sufficient to bring them to +15, where I decide to stop for now.

I believe that is enough mutating for the moment; I prefer not to overdo it at once, particularly while I am still adjusting to this new body.

As I lock in my choices, that all too familiar sensation of a creeping itch begins to take hold. It intensifies until I am unable to stop myself from flailing wildly, twitching on the ground on my back.

FLAGGANAZZN!

I hate this. That stupid Gandalf! Why on earth didn't he fix this issue? That lousy bearded charlatan. Am I truly the only person who has to suffer through this nonsense? I’m not even a person anymore! I’m the only ant who has to endure it, too!

It’s outrageous!

When the opportunity arises, I am going to give that Gandalf a piece of my mind. This injustice simply cannot be permitted to continue!

Once the process concludes, I exit the chamber I was using, maintaining a dignified and calm appearance. No one is aware of the humiliating situation I was just forced to go through. Come to think of it, I really need to silence those who witnessed me flailing around last time. I’m sure they will keep quiet as long as I ask them politely.

“Eldest, have you finished your mutations?”

“Uh. Yes. Yes, I have. How were you aware I was mutating?”

Sloan shifts her gaze downward and to the side.

“It was merely a lucky guess.”

“I… see.”

“Setting that aside,” the general says while cleaning her antenna, “I wanted to check if your plans for the next phase remain the same. I believe everything is prepared on our end.”

“Good. Have we collected payment for that first wave of delvers?”

“Yes, Eldest. I am still surprised they were willing to pay.”

“The only thing more unpleasant than dealing with monsters is the shame of openly losing to monsters. Had we imprisoned their people and kept them, Green Mountain might have used it as a pretext to increase their aggression, but doing so would have made them an international laughingstock. We provided them with a relatively simple way out. They pay up—more than they’d like—and the problem vanishes.”

“But will they be prepared to do it a second time? Won't they just grow angrier and decide they would rather go to war than pay again?”

“War is a costly endeavor,” I explain to the general. “We can offer some generous concessions to soothe their pride, but we are going to extract a great deal of money from Green Mountain. I promise you they won't be interested in a fight after that. Provided Merchant finds the right balance, we will have very angry but pacified neighbors for a while.”

Sloan shakes her head.

“I don’t know what to make of her. She is so… un-ant. Her behavior is unnerving to me.”

“Don’t be mistaken,” I warn her. “Merchant is just as much an ant and a member of this family as any of us. The only difference between her and the rest of the Colony is that she understands certain things that we don't.”

“You… you don’t understand them either, Eldest?” Sloan asks, sounding quite surprised.

“Not really,” I shrug. “Trust me, Merchant is going to accomplish a great deal for this family. As long as we don't interfere, she won't have any issues.”

I pull an antenna through my elbow joint, enjoying the feeling of being clean. There is nothing quite like a well-groomed antenna.

“Alright then. It’s time to go and put on a show. This could turn ugly, so ensure everyone is ready for some difficult fighting.”

“I will, Eldest.”