For whatever reason, the Legion doesn’t look happy to see me, but hey, it’s Morrelia! I haven’t clapped my thousands of lenses on 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, or at least I don’t recall that she was, 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 from 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 it’s 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 antenna. Holy moly, these people do not seem to like each other.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

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 sapient 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.]