Chapter 275 Purpose going forward (1/2)
Knowledge of Demon societies of the Third Strata is limited, to put it mildly. I've no idea why you would contact me seeking such knowledge, it's hardly my area of expertise! I suppose it is true that my academy has ama.s.sed the most records regarding deep delves of the Dungeon, but that doesn't mean I've had the opportunity to read them all!
Honestly Ranlon, I don't know why you waste your time in that third rate college of yours. A scholar with your pedigree would be more than welcome here at the tower. I know of your distaste for 'petty n.o.bility and their f.e.c.kless children', as you have put it, but surely you must be feeling the pinch, rolling around in the dirt with those commoners.
As far as Demons and their ilk, I have managed to scrounge up a few records for you. Only a few groups have ever admitted to making contact with the Demon clans, the Legion, a few Mercenary companies of renown and several of the old empires. All of their public statements on the matter agree that the Demons were cordial, did not attack and allowed them to leave in peace, but in every other way they were detestable. Trickery, lies, deception and entanglement supposedly come as second nature to the Demon clans, making any negotiation with them a tangled nightmare.
A few successful trades have been reported, but those were only secured after shrewd bargaining and open threats of violence and retaliation from both sides.
Everyone knows that the different clans differ vastly from one another and that the wild 'beast demons' infest the tunnels of the third strata, but specifics are just impossible to find. I've put the word out that if a text should be unearthed from the archive with pertinent information to have it brought to my attention but that is the best I can do for the moment.
Do consider my offer Ranlon, I'd hate to see a mind so bright rot away for such paltry people.
Excerpt from 'Letter to Ranlon' by Magio Scholar Barrentalio of the Gold Tower.
Tiny, Crinis and I eventually retreated to a higher chamber and settled in for some rest time. I was vaguely aware of the immense amount of activity throughout the colony but so long as there was no attack or dire need of me I intended to let my aching body rest up.
And rest I did! For an entire day I did nothing but flop about, dip in and out of torpor and complain endlessly within my own mind about my aching core. Perhaps it was a little sad, pathetic even, but dammit, a little self-indulgent whining never hurt anyone! Well it probably has to be honest.
After another full day of rest the pain in my body had once again been reduced ever so slightly and I decided I'd had enough sitting around on my backside. Even Tiny looks like he might pa.s.s out from sheer boredom if we don't go and fight something soon. Emerging from our chamber the frenetic atmosphere that has pervaded the colony hits me right in the face. Workers are rus.h.i.+ng around with mandible loads of dirt, carting it to the surface for disposal and then rus.h.i.+ng back down into the depths of the colony. What is going on?
Fighting against the flow of traffic I push my way down into the nest and eventually run into the Carver Ant Tunsgant.
”Hi there Tungstant! What is going on down there?”
The smaller ant turned towards me and responded somewhat tersely. ”Finally emerged Senior? The hatching of the next wave of pupae is expected any moment and we are racing to finish the expansion project before they arrive.”
”Expansion project?” I mutter, ”what expansion project?”
”In order to cater for the increased number of hatchlings it was decided that the colony needed to expand, especially the farming operation. The need for Bioma.s.s, experience and cores is going to rise dramatically after all.”
I suppose … that makes sense.
”Seems like a good idea” I stutter, ”anything for me to do? I'm happy to pitch in.”