Following the calls for them to follow the people from the Holy Light Church, it didn’t take long for the leader to agree with their demands. Not because he had been convinced by their words, but instead because he understood that there would be little risk to them if they followed a force like the Red Dawn Legion.
Not to mention, as an adventurer himself, there was no way he would ever say no to what was essentially free money.
The reason someone like Thomas didn’t voice any complaints either had to do with the simple fact that he was incredibly curious about this giant ant nest and the reason why the church had decided to mobilize a group of people from an important legion like the Red Dawn Legion.
That and the fact that the people from Red Dawn Legion wouldn’t bother them unless they ended up getting in the way of their mission.
As for them failing in the face of the giant ants? Thomas didn’t even think about this, as there was no way in his eyes that the Red Dawn Legion would mobilize for a mission and not be ready to handle it. Even if the situation turned sour, they could always request more support.
And so, the group of adventurers that had originally been on their way back home after a week of struggle inside the Thousand Spire Mountain Range, found themselves descending into the giant ant nest filled with anticipation at the thought of the countless fresh giant ant corpses, they would soon enough get the chance to dissect for anything valuable.
But... As the group continued descending deeper into the giant ant nest, they didn’t encounter the fresh corpses that they had been expecting to run into, but instead only found themselves encountering a few lone corpses of giant ants that had been killed days earlier. Potential giant ants that had died due to their injuries after they had clashed with the group from the Holy Light Church.
Even worse, the internal tunnel network of the giant ants was complicated to the point where it would have been impossible for them to follow in the steps of the group from the Holy Light Church without that group having deliberately left behind several position markers that would potentially be able to assist the group in leaving the giant ant nest in the future.
However, none of this prepared them for the sight that awaited them after turning around a corner leading into a large than normal tunnel, as they suddenly found themselves face to face with what could only be described as beautiful ethereal dragon with a translucent pair wings that was barely visible and more so looked like a thin veil that covered its body. Making it appear more mysterious and enchanting at the same time.
As for this beautiful ethereal dragon in question, she could not help silently cursing her own luck as she saw this group of humans appearing in front of her, as for the reason behind this reaction, she would have to go back a few minutes...
Having heard the commotion above nearing her current location and knowing that fighting inside the giant ant nest would be a bad idea, Scaly, who had ended up reverting back to her past behavior in this kind of situation, could not help silently contemplating her own intelligence as she almost slammed herself into a small crevice that was nowhere near large enough to fit her current self.
Now that her size had grown, old hiding locations no longer worked, and it looked like she would have to find another solution to her problem that didn’t involve hiding inside a random crack in the wall.
"..."
With that in mind, she silently turned her head upwards towards the ceiling of the tunnel where a small opening that should have been used by the giant ants to store larva in the past was located. Barely large enough for her to squeeze inside.
When the crack in the wall hiding method didn’t work, it seemed like hiding in the ceiling was the only option– One Scaly didn’t reject in the slightest as she soon enough flapped her wings to fly up and push herself through the small opening. Soon enough, finding herself inside a small space that was just large enough to fit her inside without exposing her to anyone who happened to wander through the tunnel now below her.
Rustle~
Not a second too late, as the small squad from the Red Dawn Legion entered the tunnel just as Scaly had managed to hide herself. Not saying a single word, as they solemnly made their way forward in an orderly coordinated manner. Passing by directly beneath her before continuing forward towards the depths of the deepest part of giant ant nest that she hadn’t dared to step inside herself. Making it more than obvious to her that this group of adventurers were strong to the point where they seemingly disregarded the giant ants completely. Making her thankful that she avoided a direct confrontation for now.
Still, after hearing them disappear into the depths of the nest followed by the sound of battle as they began clashing with the giant ants, Scaly knew that this was her opportunity to follow in their steps and get a chance to see just how strong they were along with the giant ant queen that had remained hidden so far-
"Ah!?"
"W-what is that...?"
"Divine... A divine messenger!"
But the second she descended from the ceiling and landed on the ground again, she found herself face to face with another group of adventurers who had seemingly been following behind the group that had passed by her just a few minutes earlier. Leaving her in state of shock.
Not just because their appearance had caught her completely off guard, but also because she now faced a problem.
Kill them or not.
Simple as this was under normal circumstances, the situation she found herself in was far from simple, as a battle might attract the attention of the adventurers from earlier and inevitably ruin any ambush she might plan for them.