The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

The goblins were gathered around makeshift tables in the underground fortress, their high-pitched chatter echoing through the stone corridors. Torches flickered on the smooth walls, casting dancing shadows over their crude wooden bowls and tools. Their small hands gripped scraps of roasted meat, and their laughter filled the air. For these thirty-five goblins, this was a rare moment of joy—celebrating their first successful hunt under the Skullborne Ravager's watchful eye.

The Ravager stood on the platform overlooking the main cavern, his towering form framed by the flickering light. He was quiet as always, his presence alone commanding respect. His hollow eyes scanned the goblins as they clumsily celebrated, a faint crackling sound drawing his attention. The glasses perched on his angular face flickered, and words began to scroll across the lenses:

NEXT TASK: DEFENSE.

OBJECTIVE: CULTIVATE OBEDIENCE AND DEFENSIVE INSTINCTS WITHIN THE GOBLINS.

The Ravager's head tilted slightly as the task processed in his mind. A faint rustling noise from one of the side tunnels pulled his focus. His clawed hand rested on the halberd at his side. The sound grew louder, rhythmic and purposeful. The glasses flashed again:

WARNING: INCOMING THREAT DETECTED. HEXAFLY SWARMERS.

The faint rustling turned into an ominous skittering, the sound bouncing off the stone walls like a thousand nails dragging across metal. A goblin near the edge of the tunnel perked up, his oversized ears twitching.

"Big noise?" he muttered, his small head swiveling toward the darkness.

The Ravager raised a claw, signaling silence. The goblins froze, their chatter dying instantly. From the shadows emerged the first of the Hexafly Swarmers, its bioluminescent body glowing faintly. The creature was the size of a small dog, its iridescent, beetle-like armor shimmering as it moved. Venomous stingers twitched on its abdomen, and its glowing wings emitted a low hum. Behind it, more of the swarm emerged, their collective glow casting an eerie light in the tunnel.

"Monsters!" one goblin squeaked, dropping his meat and scrambling backward.

The Ravager stepped forward, his halberd slicing through the air with a low whistle. His clawed hand raised again, this time gesturing for the goblins to form up. Their panic gave way to nervous obedience as they grabbed their crude weapons and huddled together. The glasses flashed another line of text:

DEPLOY BARRICADES. HOLD POSITION.

The Ravager pointed toward the entryway, growling low in his throat. The goblins hesitated, their wide eyes darting between him and the advancing swarm. Finally, one braver goblin nodded and grabbed a wooden plank, dragging it toward the opening. Others followed, their movements clumsy but determined.

As the first wave of Hexafly Swarmers surged forward, the goblins' barricades barely slowed them. The creatures' venomous stingers lashed out, piercing through the crude defenses. One goblin let out a sharp cry as a stinger struck his leg, the venom coursing through him and leaving him trembling. Two others dragged him back to safety, their small hands struggling to carry his limp form.

The Ravager raised his halberd, his guttural command echoing through the cavern. The goblins regrouped, their fear slowly giving way to resolve as they thrust their spears and swung their clubs. For a moment, it seemed they might hold their ground. The glasses flashed:

REINFORCE STRATEGIC POSITIONS. FOCUS FIRE.

The Ravager pointed toward narrower sections of the tunnel, guiding the goblins to funnel the swarm into smaller groups. The goblins followed his directions, their movements becoming more coordinated under his watchful eye. A group of hunters hurled their spears, striking down three Hexafly Swarmers. Another group jabbed at the creatures with sharpened sticks, managing to fend off a small cluster.

But the bugs were relentless. A flash of light erupted from one of the Swarmers, temporarily blinding a group of goblins. The creatures surged through the opening, overwhelming the defenders. The barricades fell, and the goblins scrambled to retreat.

"Fall back!" one goblin shouted, his voice trembling.

The Ravager's clawed hand slammed into the ground, the sound reverberating through the cavern. He growled a single word, his tone commanding:

"Hold."

The goblins froze, their panic held in check by his presence. He stepped forward, his halberd swinging in a wide arc. The blade cleaved through three Hexafly Swarmers, their glowing bodies collapsing in a shower of sparks. He pointed toward the injured goblin, gesturing for others to carry him further back.

The glasses flickered:

STRATEGIC RETREAT. REPOSITION TO MAIN CHAMBER.

The Ravager motioned for the goblins to pull back, their retreat orderly this time. As they reached the main chamber, he turned to face the swarm, his towering form blocking the tunnel. The goblins watched in awe as he raised his halberd, its blade glinting in the torchlight.

"Strength grows through struggle," he growled, his voice low and steady.

"This lesson will shape you."

With that, he charged forward, his halberd slicing through the air. The first swing cleaved through three Swarmers, their bodies crumpling to the ground. One of the creatures darted toward him, its venomous stinger aimed at his back. He spun, using the shaft of his halberd to block the attack before driving the blade into the bug's abdomen.

Another group of Swarmers surrounded him, their glowing bodies pulsing as they prepared a coordinated assault. The Ravager leapt into their midst, spinning his halberd in a deadly arc. The blade struck down a dozen bugs in a single motion, their shattered remains scattering across the tunnel floor.

A larger Hexafly emerged from the swarm, its bioluminescence pulsing ominously. It emitted a blinding flash of light, attempting to disorient him. The Ravager raised his clawed hand to shield his vision, then lunged forward, splitting the creature in two with a powerful swing.

The swarm began to falter, their movements growing erratic as their numbers dwindled. The Ravager pressed his advantage, his halberd a blur of motion. With each strike, more of the Hexafly Swarmers fell, their glowing bodies dimming as they hit the ground.

Finally, the last of the swarm collapsed, its iridescent shell shattering under the Ravager's blade. Silence fell over the tunnel, broken only by the heavy breathing of the goblins. Slowly, they began to cheer, their voices rising in a cacophony of admiration.

"Big boss strong!" one goblin shouted, pumping his fist in the air.
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"Big boss protect!" another added, his wide grin showing a row of uneven teeth.

The Ravager turned, his imposing frame silhouetted against the torchlight. He raised a claw, silencing the goblins' cheers. With a deliberate motion, he pointed to the injured goblin, his guttural voice rumbling like distant thunder. "Carry him back," he growled, his claw demonstrating the careful way to cradle the injured limb. A pair of goblins hesitated before scurrying forward, lifting their comrade gingerly under the Ravager's watchful gaze.

Once the injured goblin was out of harm's way, the Ravager pointed toward the collapsed barricades. "Wood. Stone," he barked, his claw miming the act of hammering. "Stronger." The goblins exchanged glances before scrambling to gather materials. One goblin hesitated, holding up a crooked branch. "This good?" he squeaked.

The Ravager loomed over him, claw tapping the branch thoughtfully before shaking his head. He grabbed a sturdier piece of wood from the pile and thrust it toward the goblin. "Use this," he said firmly, gesturing toward the barricade. The goblin nodded vigorously, darting off to join the others.

Turning to another group, he mimed sharpening spears with a stone, demonstrating the angle and force needed to create a lethal point. "Sharp. Cut," he instructed, his deep voice steady. The goblins mimicked his actions, some clumsily at first, but with persistence. One goblin proudly held up a jagged spear, prompting the Ravager to give an approving nod.

The glasses on his face flickered with new words:

Organize patrol shifts. Train precision. Establish vigilance.

The Ravager extended his claw, pointing toward a narrow passageway. "Scouts. Quiet. Watch," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. A group of goblins shuffled uncertainly before he crouched to their level, his gestures deliberate as he showed them how to crouch low and move silently. "No sound," he growled. "Enemy hear, you fail."

The goblins mimicked him, their clumsy movements gradually improving under his guidance. One goblin stumbled, his wooden spear clattering to the ground. The Ravager turned, his glowing eyes narrowing, and picked up the spear. He handed it back with a firm but steady grip. "Try again."

As the goblins scrambled to follow his instructions, their chatter grew more focused, their actions more deliberate. The Ravager watched silently, his imposing presence driving their efforts. The rebuilding began to take shape—a stronger barricade rising under the goblins' collective hands, their crude spears sharpening into proper weapons, and their patrol routes becoming more organized.

The glasses flickered again:

LESSON COMPLETE. NEW TASKS AVAILABLE:

UPGRADE GOBLIN NUMBERS.

ESTABLISH HUNTING ROUTINE.

START AGRICULTURE WITHIN THE FORTRESS.

GATHER SPECIALIZED HERBS.

As the goblins worked to repair the defenses, ten Chimera Ant workers emerged from the shadows. Their movements were efficient and precise as they reinforced the tunnels and ensured the fortress remained functional. The absence of Chimera Ant soldiers signaled a shift—the Ravager was now fully entrusted with the fortress's safety.

A faint telepathic signal pulsed through the Ravager's mind, a reassuring presence that could only be the Chimera Ant Queen, his mother. Though no words were spoken, he felt her guidance, her trust in him. He bowed deeply, his gratitude silent but profound.

The goblins, oblivious to the connection, continued their work. Once the repairs were complete, they gathered in the main chamber for a feast, their voices once again filling the cavern with laughter. The Ravager, usually stoic, joined them this time, sitting among the small, jubilant creatures.

As the goblins celebrated their survival, the Ravager's faint smile remained.

He gazed at them, knowing they were on the path to greatness.

This was only the beginning.