I'm no longer human, I get that, but coming from my world, I understand things like the sanctity of life. Even those soldiers that were killed by Tiny, justified as I felt ordering their deaths due to the massacre of my family, my stomach still twists thinking about whether those soldiers had families themselves, children, wives, parents.
Mindless killing serves no purpose. These villagers may be misled, or just incredibly dumb, but I don't especially feel the need to massacre them because of it. They aren't a threat after all, I could probably fight a village full of farrs by myself.
Almost as if they could sense my thoughts, Enid and the Queen imdiately turn to to plead for the life of their associates.
[These villagers are misguided, monster, there is nothing to gain from their deaths. Won't you spare them?]
Well, I have no intention of killing them, but that statent isn't technically correct.
[The colony would gain Biomass and experience. Hundreds of workers have died recently, our numbers need to be replenished] I point out.
It's not like we would gain nothing, right?
The Queen's face falls and so does Enid's when my words are relayed to her. Enid looks even more despondent when she questions the Queen and her ruler has to reply, I think she's explaining just how my colony ended up losing hundreds of mbers. More specifically, how I lost hundreds of my siblings.
Grrrr.
Feeling crushed, the old lady falls to her knees and pleads with , tears beginning to fall from her eyes. The Queen looks deeply moved and also kneels to plead with .
[Enid begs you to spare the townspeople, they are ignorant but not malicious. She offers you her own flesh as paynt, I too am prepared to offer my life in exchange. It is the duty of a ruler after all!]
Yikes, these two sure are keen on saving a pack of morons.
Still having humans bow down before my magnificence is refreshing, empowering even! Royalty, forced to beg for favour is sothing I couldn't have dread of happening in my last life. What is the feeling swelling from within?! Superiority? Power?! Yes you puny humans, kneel, beg! If you wish for this great one to spare your pitiful friends then you must grovel!
Muahahahahaaaaaa!
Wait! These are the words of Dark Anthony! Down, Dark Anthony! Down, you fiend! Back to the void from which you ca!
I ntally shake myself free of the influence of the dark one. I mustn't allow myself to fall down the black path, I'll end up being so cartoonish supervillain who'll no doubt be killed whilst scheming for world domination or so such.
I have no intention off massacring these villagers but if I can extract maximum value from the Queen and protect the colony at the sa ti…. I totally will!
[There is no failing greater than ignorance. If you wish for to spare these people, as well as to assist you in reclaiming your city, then you will need to be prepared to make fair exchange].
Yes, I'm preparing to try and make a deal here. If I can keep the colony out of it and only expose myself to the risk then I'm prepared to take it on in order to get those cores. With so many of the precious gems in my mandibles I'll be able to strengthen my entourage to the point where we will be invincible in the top layer of the Dungeon. We could secure the colony for ages as well as accelerate the titable for my most ambitious core modification project.
The Queen seems to sense that I'm leaning towards making an agreent. Her eyes narrow as her expression turns thoughtful. To spare the townspeople she will need to turn their fervour to a less suicidal cause. These people are afire with religious zealotry, simply saying 'no' won't be sufficient to turn them from their cause. She also needs to sohow return to the city and secure her throne.
We two start discussing ideas and eventually we hash out a plan. I'm not particularly a great fan of it, but I think it will work.
Just … Why do I always have to get hit right in the dignity…
Two days later the preparations are nearly complete. The true Queen has almost fully recovered from her wounds and continues to rest inside the farm, defended by her loyal workers. Myself and a small taskforce have spent the majority of our ti working towards the success of our plan whilst Tiny has been mostly sitting on the Queens guard captain and eating. The Queen herself spends her ti with Enid, hashing out the details of what will happen in the town and then after that.
When everything is in readiness I finalise my plans, leaving behind Vibrant and Crinis, making sure they have clear instructions to stick with Tiny and not get into trouble, before collecting the Queen, then Enida and departing towards the town of Malgate.
When we finally arrive we are treated to a surprising sight. The town has beco flooded with angry looking farrs, the crowd leading up the small hill to the church doors is easily ten tis the size it was the last ti I was here. There must be hundreds of these morons! Maybe over a thousand?! Where did they find all of this stupid?!
The pyre is still burning, even now in the early morning light. The charred remains of various monsters are scattered around the base of the roaring flas, causing to wince. Such a waste! The priest is still there, standing before the energetic throng, his frenzied voice rising above the buzz of the people and reaching us even from the edge of the woods. This guy has so serious pipes on him. Good to know he has skills that don't rely on having two arms. Since… you know.
ntally bracing myself, I step forward, leaving the shelter of the tree line and crossing the fields, drawing ever closer to the town. I make no attempt to hide myself this ti, sneaking up isn't part of the plan. Thanks to our setup the crowd shouldn't attack , but if they do I'm prepared to make like a tree and leave at a monts' notice! This ant knows not to overstay his welco!
As we draw closer the tension in my chest grows tighter. Being this close to so many humans, totally exposed is super nerve wracking!
When the first person turns and notices us I physically flinch. A bearded man towards the rear of the crowd, brandishing a pitchfork in one hand, catches a glimpse of us and turns, his jaw falling completely slack at what he sees.
After a few monts he musters enough awareness to call out and point towards us. Gradually more and more people turn, disregarding the soaring voice of the priest to witness the incredible sight approaching openly and unhurriedly across the fields.
Like a ripple through a pond the whispers and calls spread through the crowd until, when I'm only ten tres away from the nearest person the entire crowd has turned its eyes towards . People at the far side have stood on rocks and gone on their toes to try and catch a glimpse of the remarkable sight.
Eventually even the priest notices that his faithful have turned their attention elsewhere and his voice falters and fades until he too notices the focus of the crowd, then he fall completely silent, his voice stuck in his throat and eyes boggling at the sight.
My heart is pounding in my chest at this point and I watch the crowd through every one of my compound eyes but I see nobody moving. Their attention doesn't seem to be on really, not even on Enid, their fellow townsperson walking by my side, they seem more interested in what is on my back.
Before the stunned crowd of her subjects, the human Queen rises to her feet, standing on my glittering diamond carapace and spreads her arms towards the crowd before declaring with a sonorous voice, ["Loyal and blessed people of Liria! There is evil stalking our nation, threatening our peace and committing foul deeds within the Dungeon, stirring it against us! We have been chosen, you and I, by the System itself! Graced by the presence of its holy ssenger from below, to restore the balance!"]
The Queens powerful voice and imperious manner puts even the priest to sha. The people are visibly impacted by the force of her person.
Just in case, I brace my feet to run. This had better work!
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