Chapter 175: Chapter 162

 

On our way to escape, we start discussing in the carriage what just happened.

 

<I find it fascinating how these humans work together to overcome greater obstacles. Given your elaboration on them, I'd have thought they would be too self-focused to accept that their existence depends on those next to them.> (C)

<I already told you, they can apply such tactics if it benefits them individually.> (E)

<Tactics you say...> (C)

 

Right.
Formicean tunnel wars don't know this kind of teamplay finesse while in battle.
However, it worries me deeply that they might be able to overcome our defensive waypoint.

 

<Do you truly think we'll be fine?> (E)

<The chances don't stay too bad. Even if those humans in front of us have prepared to take us on, I already have a strategy for exactly this kind of situation.> (C)

<A strategy? Do you mean another stalling fight?> (E)

<Partly, but no. We'll stall them, this much is right. But then we may dig a new tunnel past their position. One that leads directly behind our enemies, so we can be on our way. Once we've overcome their positions we can't allow for them to catch up.> (C)

 

I might not have given Chera enough credit.
She seems to be far more intelligent than I thought, devising complex strategies in such a stressful situation.

Suddenly, some of the hunters Chera sent forward as scouts come running back.
Their pheromones are transporting a picture of a cave-in, right in front of us, as well as a stronger impression of the scent of humans, yet without having encountered the real deal.
I don't know what else to make out of this.
If this is true that means we're walking into a literal dead end.
Chera doesn't seem to take the news any better than I do.

 

<What now?! The enemy is behind us and there's no way forward!> (E)

 

I can't help it that my alarm seeps into my pheromone speech.

 

<Calm down. First, I wish to inspect this site myself. The situation might not be as dire as it seems.> (C)

 

That's certainly optimistic.
However, that might be a necessary trait if one has to persevere for years against huge monster crabs in a cold cave.
But unfortunately, when we arrive, it's just as the hunters relayed.
A cave-in.
The ceiling came down in our path and there isn't even a gap to squeeze through.
Shit!

With a sense of trepidation, I'm looking at the wall of earth that apparently fell down at one point, blocking our only escape route

 

<SCRIAAHK!/Outrageous!!! Why now?!> (C)

 

She's supremely angered, that much is clear.
It's not unfounded, as it seems like our options are now reduced to giving up or fighting our way through the enemy.

 

<Could the humans have caused this? The hunters still perceive their scent.> (E)

 

It's certainly possible.
The scent of humans is rather present according to what the hunters are relaying.
Is this why Gioras thought we couldn't overcome them?
Because they simply destroyed our escape route?

 

<Possible. When I initially came here the passage was free. Also, the collapse wasn't too long ago. One can see it in the state of the earth.> (C)

 

That's fascinating trivia, but not the slightest bit helping us out of this situation.

 

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<What now? We can't go back or forward!> (E)

<Oh, we'll do just this. It seems you as well as our enemy underestimate our ability to create a path through the world. And this while this is our specialty.> (C)

<You mean...> (E)

<Yes. We'll just dig a new tunnel. It should prove a relatively easy task, as the earth is still loose so shortly after the collapse.> (C)

 

So the workers get started with doing their thing.
Hundreds of them dig into the wall with the sole purpose of creating a passage.
As many as possible work on breaking the dirt from the end, while others widen the sides and more carry away what falls down, while others apply the substance that makes the earth in the hive solid to the sides, to prevent another collapse.
All of this happens in an impressive display of teamwork where not a single speck of space is wasted for a drone to occupy and contribute.
Naturally, not all of them can squeeze into that impromptu hole.
So they're left with simply standing around.
Still, it feels kinda wasteful not to do anything.

 

<What about the other workers? Is there anything they can do?> (E)

<We need to preserve our strength. Eventually, those building the tunnel will tire and need to be replaced. We need to make sure they always make progress to the best of their abilities. Why are you asking?> (C)

 

Well, there's a particular point when I see how they're piling up the earth outside the cavity.

 

<I just thought, shouldn't we use the earth to build fortifications? To put them into the way of our pursuers?> (E)

 

This might reduce the casualties among those who fight to stall our pursuers.
If we could replace a life-and-death battle with a building project this would be preferable.

 

<Hm, such a measure might expend our strength.> (C)

<But it shouldn't be much more of an effort to simply let the carriers put their load in the way.> (E)

<You have a point. We will continue in this way. If we could completely close the tunnel and align it in the right way it might even get them off our track.> (C)

<I fear that won't work. They have earth mages with them.> (E)

<Mages? I don't understand this concept you're transmitting.> (C)

 

Oh, right.
There are no mages among the Formicean ranks.
Maybe they're too isolated below the earth from the things that bring havoc to the surface to be influenced in a noteworthy manner.
Even in Tarsona, magic is quite rare.
I've heard the population ratio of magic-influenced people rises to the east.
There's even one country that's said to be famous for its magic research.

Something with R... Regas?
Rikas?
Not important.
The issue is that my limited knowledge about mages tells me we're in trouble.

 

<The issue is that those special humans have sort of a connection to the earth. They can feel it in some way. So I doubt they would fall for such a simple ruse.> (E)

<Well, as much as I'm intrigued about the applications of such abilities, for now, it means we can only hurry to overcome this obstacle and proceed as fast as possible.> (C)

 

True to Chera's claims, the workers make quick progress.
The loose dirt not putting up much resistance against the dedicated claws of underground dwellers striking their path free.
It's basically their specialty, so it's no wonder that they make good progress.
Gratefully, our pursuers didn't seem to have overcome our rearguard and so we stay unbothered.

Then a worker claws the wall and finally breaks through. I'm sincerely in awe at what is revealed to me.
Instead of opening a passage to another long tunnel similar to the one we were in before, as would be expected from this passage considering that the cave-in should have simply disconnected the same tunnel, I see a truly enormous cave.

For real!
It's ridiculously large, spreading in all dimensions.
One could almost believe we reached the surface.

Immediately, hunters rush out into the expanse to scout what lies in front of us.
From what I can see, it doesn't seem like there are any humans lying in wait nearby.
There are still traces of their scent, but the hunters seem convinced that those simply end near the center of the cave.
Also, another scent is present, and is so particularly pungent that even I can smell it clearly.
Yet there's nothing blocking our path, which is good.
However, even though the path is clear now, it seems like Chera isn't keen on hurrying forward, and this while we still have our pursuers on our heels.
Does she worry about an ambush from the humans whose scent lingers here?
But the hunters seem certain that the traces are not intense enough for them to be close.

Slowly, she walks to the created opening.
I can feel concern and a sense of fright turmoiling within her.
From one moment to the other, it seems like she came to a realization.

Finally, she says something.
Yet I almost wish she hadn't.

 

<We need to turn around!!> (C)

 

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