Chapter 44 Something new (1/2)

The origins of the Deep Legion are though lost to history. What is known is thought to have more basis in myth than in reality. Partially this is due to the lack of records that survived the great Cataclysm, particularly here in the Tiberial Confederation.

What is agreed is that at some point during that world shattering event, where monsters from the deepest reaches of the Dungeon roamed free on the surface, causing destruction everywhere they went, a group of individuals gathered to found the Deep Legion.

The organisation grew rapidly, recruiting from the populace and was able to strike effectively and well against the monsters on the surface as well as counter attack into the Dungeon. n.o.body can explain why they were so successful where other human forces were not.

To this day, some three thousand years later the Legion persists as independent military organisation that regularly monitor and explore the Dungeon, in some places they are still trusted with a regulatory role, overseeing access to the Dungeon in their customary strict fas.h.i.+on.

'On the origins of post Rending powers, Chapter 4 The Deep Legion' by Resselan the scholar.

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Tribune Aurillia stared hard at the captive Mercenaries, bound hand and foot sitting on the ground before her. Two Legionaries stood guard on either side of the ragtag group, hands resting on blades, ready to execute their duty at any moment.

”So you are trying to tell me that a small acid spraying monster ambushed you, destroying your s.h.i.+eld as you raided the lake and then followed you back to your camp, stealing a number of monster cores by digging under your wards”.

Nystina, the mage, nodded vigorously.

”That's right, I never even managed to see the little b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”

Aurillia ma.s.saged her temples. ”For some reason I'm not even that surprised to hear about mercs getting outsmarted by a monster”.

”Hey, screw you!” one of the larger men in the group shouted, ”who ever heard of a monster that smart here in the first expanse?”

He did have a point, usually monsters in this area had exceptionally low cunning. There were a few evolutions that made for large and relatively dangerous foes but almost all of those sacrificed other stats to enable that size and strength.

”Putting that aside, you should have received the notification to vacate the Dungeon we sent days ago, why is your party still operating in the Forest Expanse against Legion instructions?”

The group immediately started s.h.i.+fting their posture and avoiding looking the domineering Tribune in the eye.

Aurillia cursed at them internally, what you guys children?

”Uh, I think our communication crystal malfunctioned” the mage finally offered, ”we didn't receive any message”.

”And when you noticed that every other hunting party had vacated the area you didn't find that strange? Or were you too distracted by the profits you could make having the entire expanse to yourselves?” Aurillia said sarcastically.

She turned to one of the Legionaries standing guard and nodded curtly.

The soldier immediately stepped forward, crouched and punched the mage viciously across the face before turning to the largest of the fighters and kicking him directly in the chest. The man fell backwards, gasping for air as he lay in the in the dirt.

”You can't treat us this way” another of the fighters protested, ”we're registered members of the Mercenary Union”.