The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Mikhailis woke to the damp heat of the room, the scent of sweat and intimacy lingering in the air. His body was entangled with Cerys', her head resting comfortably against his chest. Her fiery red hair was a disheveled mess, spilling across his bare skin in soft waves. He smiled faintly, running a hand through her hair as he gazed at the ceiling.

The tranquility was interrupted by a familiar voice.

<It seems you're enjoying yourself, Mikhailis.>

Mikhailis groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. Not now, Rodion.

"Alright, let's skip that part and get straight to business," he muttered under his breath, careful not to wake Cerys.

<Rodion, ready to report. Initiating updates.>

The faint glow of his glasses activated, and Rodion's voice became more precise.

<First, the mapping progress of Silvarion Thalor: Current completion stands at 4%. Recommend deploying an additional 40 scouts to accelerate the operation. At the current rate, achieving comprehensive mapping will take months.>

Mikhailis sighed. "Fine. Increase the number of Chimera Ant scouts to forty."

<Understood. Adjustments made. Moving on.>

Rodion's tone remained even, but Mikhailis could sense the faint satisfaction in the AI's efficiency.

<Twenty Chimera Ant soldiers have advanced ahead. Progress toward the Serewyn Kingdom border is steady. Current remaining distance is two days on horseback. Threats identified: three potential hostile zones, each populated by small but organized groups. Analysis suggests avoiding direct engagement. Optimal routes marked.>

"Got it," Mikhailis whispered. His gaze flickered to Cerys, her peaceful expression softening the sharpness of her usual demeanor. She deserves some credit for keeping this fragile prince consort alive.

<Correct, Mikhailis. Her effectiveness in battle has compensated for your... eccentricities.>

"Thanks, Rodion," he muttered sarcastically, earning a faint chuckle from himself.

<Regarding Vyrelda's group: They remain one day ahead of you. Lira, Vyrelda, merchant Estella, and her bodyguard Rhea have encountered minimal threats. Attempted attacks by assassins were neutralized silently by Chimera Ant soldiers assigned to their protection. Current status: Safe. Timeframe: They will wait for two days at the border. Failure to rendezvous will prompt a search party.>

"As expected of them," Mikhailis murmured, his voice tinged with admiration. He glanced down at Cerys again, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "And my Lone Wolf here is doing a hell of a job keeping me alive too."

<Your gratitude is noted, Mikhailis. Shall we proceed to the local threats?>

"Yeah, let's hear it," he said, settling back against the pillows.

<Perimeter scan complete: Five assassins have been identified in treetops around the inn. Additional twenty individuals are stationed outside the village, equipped with incendiary tools and minor explosives. Analysis confirms affiliation with the Technomancer faction. Recommendations: Immediate neutralization without creating panic among villagers.>

Mikhailis frowned, his gaze sharpening.

"We'll keep it clean. No Skullborne Ravager or Goblins this time. We don't need a panic in the village."

<Understood. Displaying live feeds.>

The lenses of his glasses flickered, showing the positions of Chimera Ant soldiers. Fifty were stationed around the inn, their antennae twitching as they awaited commands. Another fifty were harvesting the remains of Thorncrawlers and their queen, preparing the nutrient-rich corpses for transport back to the nest.

Rodion's voice returned.

<Selected units: Four Scurabons, one Frog Variant Chimera Ant, and the Hypnoveil. Commencing operation.>

The display shifted, highlighting the selected units as they moved into position. Mikhailis watched intently, a grin tugging at his lips as the Hypnoveil began its approach.

The Hypnoveil's movements were eerily silent, its body gliding through the shadows like a specter. It reached the first assassin, perched high in the branches, and struck swiftly. Its tendrils wrapped around the man's neck, cutting off any chance of a scream. The body slumped, lifeless, before being lowered silently to the ground.

"Beautiful," Mikhailis whispered, his voice tinged with admiration.

One by one, the assassins fell. The Scurabons moved with terrifying speed, their sharp appendages slicing through flesh and bone with precision. The Frog Variant leapt from tree to tree, its powerful legs propelling it into striking distance before dispatching its targets with brutal efficiency.

The final assassin was left alive, his eyes wide with terror as the Hypnoveil wrapped its tendrils around his head. A faint glow emanated from the creature as it established control.

Mikhailis leaned forward, watching as the hypnotized assassin descended from the tree and began walking toward the group of Technomancers outside the village.

The assassin's breath quickened as he perched on the tree branch, his body under Rodion's firm yet invisible control. He tried to resist the overwhelming force manipulating his limbs, but it was futile. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his blade, and he leapt down, landing silently among the shadows.

The encampment buzzed with low murmurs, the Technomancers clustered around makeshift tables, discussing their plans. They barely noticed as the assassin approached, his movements unnervingly smooth, like a predator stalking prey. He stepped into the firelight, and one of them turned with a grin.

"You're back. Anything unusual?" the man asked casually, oblivious to the danger.

The assassin said nothing. With a swift motion, he drove his blade into the man's throat, cutting off his startled gasp. Blood sprayed, and the Technomancer fell, clutching at his neck. Chaos erupted as the others scrambled to their feet, shouting and reaching for weapons.

Controlled with surgical precision, the assassin moved like a shadow. He spun, his blade slicing through the air, cutting down the next two before they could react. A third lunged at him with a knife, but Rodion guided the assassin's body flawlessly—dodging, disarming, and plunging the knife back into the attacker's chest. The fourth tried to run, but the assassin's blade found his spine, dropping him instantly.

The fifth Technomancer, wide-eyed and trembling, managed to shout, "Traitor!" before the assassin's blade silenced him as well. The remaining Technomancers hesitated, their weapons raised, unsure whether to attack or flee.

Controlled fury emanated from the assassin as he charged again, his blade flashing under the firelight. Rodion exploited every advantage, using the confusion and fear to disorient the group. Though the Technomancers fought back, their strikes were erratic, their coordination broken.

As the assassin was finally subdued, tackled by three Technomancers who pinned him to the ground, Rodion's plan advanced to the next stage. The Hypnoveil's control activated fully, and the assassin's body began to thrash. A low growl escaped his lips, and with a final burst of strength, he flipped one of his captors, plunging a concealed dagger into the man's chest.

The confusion intensified. "What's wrong with him?!" one shouted, panic overtaking his voice.

"Kill him! Now!" another yelled, but it was too late.

Rodion's control forced the assassin to his feet, his blade arcing with lethal precision. He cut down two more Technomancers before they finally overpowered him, pinning him once more. By the time the assassin's life ebbed away, the damage had been done—five of their number lay dead, and the rest were disoriented and vulnerable, exactly as planned.

"Perfect," Mikhailis murmured, his grin widening.

"They're in disarray. Time to finish this."

The Frog Variant and Scurabons struck first, their combined speed and strength overwhelming the unprepared Technomancers. The Frog Variant's powerful legs sent enemies flying, while the Scurabons' razor-sharp claws tore through armor and flesh alike.

The Hypnoveil joined the fray, its tendrils wrapping around necks and limbs with unrelenting force. One Technomancer, his face pale with terror, gasped out, "No! Please! Don't!" but the Hypnoveil's grip silenced him forever, his body crumpling into the dirt. The Scurabons, sharp and precise, targeted those fumbling for their devices. One Technomancer managed to retrieve a small orb, his trembling fingers activating it, but a Scurabon lunged, severing his hand before the device could ignite. His scream echoed briefly before he was silenced by a swift slash to the throat.

Another Technomancer, clutching a glowing weapon, shouted, "We have to retreat! Signal the others!" but he was tackled by the Frog Variant Chimera Ant, its massive limbs pinning him down as it crushed the weapon underfoot. The Hypnoveil turned to a trio of Technomancers attempting to flee, ensnaring them with its tendrils.

"Please! Let us go!" one of them cried, but his voice was cut off as the tendrils constricted, leaving the group lifeless.

The Chimera Ant soldiers descended like a coordinated storm, their claws slicing through armor and flesh alike. Every attempt to regroup or fight back was met with swift, calculated strikes. One desperate Technomancer pulled a concealed blade, aiming to stab one of the ants, but the creature's reflexes were too sharp. It disarmed him effortlessly before delivering a fatal blow.

In the chaos, a Technomancer tried to retrieve another signaling device, fumbling as his hands trembled uncontrollably. A Scurabon leapt onto him, pinning his arm and snapping his wrist before the device could be activated. His scream was cut short by the Frog Variant, which struck with brutal efficiency.

Within moments, the Technomancers lay strewn across the clearing. Their cries of panic and pleas for mercy were replaced by an eerie silence. The Hypnoveil hovered above the last victim, ensuring no threat remained before retracting its tendrils, the battlefield now under total control. The Chimera Ants' precision and lethality left nothing to chance, their enemies annihilated without the slightest opportunity for retaliation.

Mikhailis watched, his heart pounding with excitement.

"They'll make excellent nutrients for the nest," he said, his voice filled with satisfaction.

Rodion's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Mikhailis nodded, his gaze lingering on the feed. Something caught his attention—one of the dying Technomancers raising his wrist and activating a device. A faint glow emanated from the screen before his hand fell limp.

Mikhailis's expression hardened.

A signal? To whom? He leaned back, his mind racing.

"Rodion, keep an eye on any incoming activity. I don't like surprises."
Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire

<As you wish, Mikhailis. Perimeter surveillance remains active. Rest assured, any threats will be detected immediately.>

Satisfied, Mikhailis removed his glasses and placed them on the bedside table. He glanced at Cerys, still peacefully asleep in his arms, her breath steady and soft. He tightened his hold on her slightly, allowing himself a rare moment of vulnerability.

Whatever comes next, we'll handle it together.

With that thought, he closed his eyes, letting sleep claim him once more.