Chrysalis Chapter 1751 - Updated Maps

It turns out Solant spoke true when she claimed I wouldn't squeeze into her command chamber for orchestrating the campaign. The utmost they could manage was broadening an entrance, letting me settle just beyond it and gaze inward. This arrangement suffices to let me behold the constantly evolving model of the fifth stratum that the generals rely on. I've glimpsed it in the past, expecting that after half a year they'd need to craft a fresh one on altered proportions—but no. The model looms roughly the scale of a towering structure, housed within a broadening elliptical excavation smack in the room's core.

Each intricate aspect of the stratum stands recreated, right down to the slimmest passages, depicted by threads no thicker than an ant's bristle. The initial sights that catch my eye as I absorb the view are the cavities plainly symbolizing hearts.

The Colony seems to have seized more than a dozen of those organs, dramatically widening the span of purified zones while forcing the Krath into retreat. Beside every heart, a corresponding bastion has risen—not always rivaling the source's magnitude, yet fulfilling the core role: sheltering reservoirs of refined mana essential for saturating the network and quelling Theorazzn's foul influence.

It's hard to fathom the immense toil the Colony has invested in this endeavor. Purifying the initial heart demanded colossal labor and almost cost me my life. They've forged this far ahead even sans my aid, or Tiny's, Crinis's, and Invidia's? Utterly mind-bending!

"As evident, we've stayed occupied during your time away," Solant remarks, approaching the model before ascending its form.

That figures, given its vastness—she can't merely gesture toward sections of interest. Her compact build makes it simple for Solant to navigate the terrain, directing herself to the spots she aims to highlight.

"We've kept broadening our reach by zeroing in on hearts with precision. Through our linked chain of strongholds, we channel and amass liquid mana precisely where needed. By inundating Dungeon segments, we've purged Krath holdouts and hindered their ability to forge a firm barrier."

Ah, logical enough. Harnessing the might of purified mana, delivered in massive surges straight to the vanguard, lets them expel the Krath before advancing to claim the ground. This approach could sidestep any grand clashes with the slugs altogether. Small wonder their triumphs abound.

"I suppose the Krath have devised counters to blunt this tactic?"

"Precisely."

Solant ventures to the model's periphery, indicating various critical zones.

"Our broadening in breadth faces less resistance than pushes toward greater depths. The bulk of Krath forces cluster at these spots: here, here, and here. To counter our inundation ploy, they've reshaped passages, forming vast pools of dense mucus to siphon off our mana, steering it clear of their barricades. Battles over the vent networks have surged wildly too. They've grasped our use of them to drench hearts directly and now strive mightily to block our grasp, even wrecking them outright.

"Consequently, our forward momentum has slackened sharply these past two months, letting the Krath drag us into a grinding war of endurance. This exact kind of struggle we dare not indulge. The strain on our ranks, the casualty toll, proves unsustainable. Plus, it grants the slug clans extra moments to devise ripostes and fortify their lines. Without a swift breach, any real headway will demand a horrific toll."

I get it. Solant seeks my return as a battering force to shatter slug entrenchments, permitting purified mana to surge deeper before they can alter the landscape. As long as we force the tribes into constant withdrawal, they'll lack the means to withstand the deluge. It'd also yield more opportunities to claim vents prior to their meddling. With vent dominance, we could strike hearts head-on.

"Fine, where do I strike first?" I inquire.

"To start, target these Krath bastions. Here, here, here, and… here."

Curiously, Solant skips the model's profoundest reaches, opting instead for four locales along its midway fringe.

"These represent the primary Krath clusters blocking our territorial spread sideways. Their collapse would let us snag at least two additional hearts and unlock fresh paths downward—crucially, this major conduit we estimate stretches nearly eight hundred kilometers deep."

Quite the vital route to command. No surprise Solant covets it.

"Next, plunge into the lower levels. Speed matters greatly here. Allowing the slugs leeway to adjust has doomed countless plans before. Devious and shrewd beasts, they are. Should they anticipate your arrival, they'll scheme to ensnare you as they once did."

"Well… I reckon that'd prove tougher for them these days," I reply, rising once more and extending my limbs.

"Say…" I muse openly. "Has any miner… or perhaps Smithant, ventured here to scout?"

"Seeking fresh resources to bolster the war?" Solant affirms with a nod. "Affirmative. The resurgence of baseline mana and beasts has uncovered scattered material veins. We're evaluating them, though progress crawls. They're tricky to handle, from what I've heard."

"Summon Merchant to inspect them," I direct Solant.

"Merchant? I doubt commerce thrives in these depths," Solant questions skeptically.

"Just believe me. She'll discern the path forward. Have her examine all discoveries to date. Something's bound to prove handy."

"As you wish."

"Excellent. Now, I'm departing. One final stop, then I'll mobilize."

"What? Your next destination?" Solant queries, veiling her irritation.

"The tiny snails preserved me amid my evolution. Without them, I'd likely be gone—or far less impressive. I owe them gratitude!"