The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Mikhailis' halberd struck true, the blade cutting through the faintly glowing central rune of the Mist Whale with devastating precision. A brilliant flash erupted, illuminating the mist-heavy battlefield for a brief moment. The Mist Whale emitted a thunderous sonic blast, its anguished roar a deep, resonating hum that sent shockwaves rippling outward. The force of the blast hurled Mikhailis backward, his body slamming into the soft forest floor. He groaned, clutching his ribs as the world spun around him.

Nearby, the Chimera Ant soldiers were thrown into disarray. Several were flung against trees with sickening thuds, their clawed limbs twitching as they struggled to regain their footing. Others retreated instinctively, their small but agile forms darting back into the safety of the shadows. The Mist Whale's luminous runes flickered erratically, their glow dimming but not extinguished.

Rodion's voice chimed in, calm and precise amidst the chaos.

<Critical damage inflicted. Central rune integrity reduced to 15%. One additional strike should neutralize the target.>

Mikhailis coughed, pushing himself upright. His halberd lay a few feet away, glowing faintly with residual energy.

One more strike, huh? Easy for you to say, Rodion. You're not the one getting tossed around like a rag doll.

He staggered to his feet, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield. The Mist Whale thrashed violently, its massive body cutting through the mist like a ship through turbulent seas. The sonic pulse had cleared some of the fog, revealing the towering form of the beast as it reared back, its glowing eyes filled with primal fury.

"Alright, big guy," Mikhailis muttered, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips despite the pain in his ribs.

"Let's see if you're ready for round two."

The Chimera Ant soldiers began to regroup, their movements synchronized and precise despite the earlier chaos. Mikhailis took a deep breath, raising a hand to signal them.

"Split into groups!" he shouted, his voice carrying over the rumble of the Mist Whale's thrashing.

"Distract it from all sides! Target the runes!"

The soldiers responded instantly, their clawed limbs propelling them toward the creature with terrifying speed. Some swarmed its tail, their sharp appendages slicing into the thick, translucent flesh. Others climbed its flanks, their coordinated strikes aiming for the glowing runes along its sides. A smaller group darted toward the whale's massive head, their movements fluid and relentless as they worked to obscure its vision.

Rodion's voice returned, cold and analytical.

<Remaining Chimera Ant soldiers: 70. Reallocation complete. Distraction effectiveness: 65%. Adjust strategy to optimize attack intervals.>

"Yeah, yeah, working on it," Mikhailis muttered, retrieving his halberd. The weapon hummed in his hands, the energy coursing through it a steady pulse that matched his own racing heartbeat. He adjusted his stance, his Frog Variant-enhanced legs coiling beneath him like tightly wound springs.

Rodion's timing was impeccable.

<Countdown to next sonic pulse: 8 seconds. Optimal strike window: 3 seconds before release. Prepare for launch.>

"Got it," Mikhailis replied, his grip tightening on the halberd. He bent his knees, the muscles in his legs tensing as he focused on the glowing central rune.

The Mist Whale's body arched, its massive form preparing another devastating attack. Mikhailis leaped, his enhanced strength propelling him high into the air. The mist parted around him as he soared, his halberd glowing brighter with each passing second.

Three… two…

He descended, his blade aimed directly at the central rune. The energy crackled along the weapon's edge, a brilliant arc of light slicing through the air as he struck. The impact was catastrophic. The halberd drove deep into the rune, a surge of Hypnoveil energy coursing through the creature's body.

The Mist Whale let out an ear-splitting roar, its thrashes growing wild and desperate. Mikhailis clung to the embedded halberd, his muscles straining as the beast's violent jerks tried to dislodge him. Each swing of its massive body sent shockwaves rippling through the air, the surrounding mist churning as though in sympathy with the creature's agony. He gritted his teeth, sweat slicking his brow, his knuckles white as he maintained his grip.

The runes flickered violently, their glow dimming to near darkness, but the whale's desperation surged. It reared back, its translucent body glowing faintly as it let out another guttural bellow. The sound resonated deep within Mikhailis' chest, shaking his very core. The halberd's energy vibrated against his palms, responding to the unstable magic coursing through the whale's form.

Come on, just a little more, Mikhailis thought, his muscles screaming in protest. His boots slipped slightly on the creature's slick hide, forcing him to adjust his stance. Below, the Chimera Ant soldiers launched coordinated strikes, their clawed limbs tearing at the remaining runes with relentless precision. Their efforts kept the whale's defenses splintered, but its movements became more erratic with each passing second.

The creature's thrashes suddenly intensified, its massive tail sweeping the battlefield with terrifying force. Trees splintered and shattered under the impact, their fragments scattering like missiles. Mikhailis ducked instinctively, his body pressed flat against the creature's back as the tail narrowly missed him. He could feel the tension of the moment like a taut wire ready to snap.

Rodion's voice cut through the chaos, calm and unyielding.

<Rune integrity at 5%. Lethal threshold imminent. Prepare for final strike.>

"Easier said than done," Mikhailis grunted, his fingers tightening around the halberd's hilt. Below, the Chimera Ant soldiers continued their relentless assault, their coordinated attacks forcing the whale to stagger.

With one final, deafening roar, the Mist Whale collapsed. Its massive body crashed into the ground, shaking the forest and dispersing the surrounding mist momentarily. The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, toppling smaller trees and scattering leaves like confetti.

Mikhailis leaped off the creature's back just in time, landing in a crouch as the dust settled around him. He rose slowly, his chest heaving as he surveyed the battlefield. The Chimera Ant soldiers regrouped, their sharp eyes scanning the area for any lingering threats.

Rodion's report was immediate.

<Target neutralized. Remaining rune integrity: 0%. All systems nominal. Casualties: 10 soldiers. Current operational strength: 70 units.>

Mikhailis exhaled deeply, a faint grin tugging at his lips.

Not bad for a day's work.

He approached the fallen creature, its massive form a silent testament to the battle's intensity. The glowing runes along its body had dimmed completely, leaving only faint traces of their former brilliance. The Chimera Ant soldiers stood in quiet reverence, their antennae twitching as they assessed the scene.

Mikhailis rested a hand on the halberd, leaning against it as he addressed Rodion.

"Alright, genius. What do we do with this thing? Can't exactly drag it back to the nest in one piece."

Mikhailis rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his sharp mind already working through the logistics.

<I believe transporting the carcass in its entirety to the Chimera Ant nest is impossible. The sheer size and weight exceed feasible limits for current operational capabilities. Alternative methods are required to manage the logistics efficiently, ensuring the resource is not wasted or compromised.>

"Dig a massive hole here," he said finally, his tone decisive.

"Cover it with camouflage. Let the workers disassemble and transport it piece by piece. The whale will be safe until we can retrieve it all."

Rodion's voice held a rare note of approval.

<Proposal viable. Deploying Worker Ant units to commence excavation. Estimated completion: 30 minutes.>
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The Chimera Ant workers sprang into action, their small but powerful forms digging into the soft forest floor with relentless efficiency. Mikhailis watched them for a moment before turning his attention back to the battlefield. His expression darkened as he noticed movement in the distance.

Rodion's voice confirmed his suspicions.

<But before that, Mikhailis. Incoming hostiles detected. Estimated arrival: 20 minutes. Identified entities include Razorboars, Mist Stalkers, and Shadow Harpies.>

Mikhailis rolled his shoulders, a grin breaking through his serious demeanor.

"I was itching to take out some small fry anyway," he said, cracking his knuckles.

"Let's give them a warm welcome."

He turned to the Chimera Ant soldiers, his voice firm and commanding.

"Split into two groups! Fifty of you, defend the perimeter and fend off those monsters. The rest, guard the excavation site and keep the workers safe."

The soldiers responded instantly, their movements swift and precise. As the first wave of Razorboars charged into view, their tusks glinting menacingly in the dim light, Mikhailis stepped forward, his halberd at the ready.

"Alright, who's first?" he muttered, a mischievous glint in his eye.

The battle that followed was chaotic and brutal. The Razorboars charged relentlessly, their powerful bodies crashing through the underbrush. Mikhailis met them head-on, his halberd slicing through their thick hides with ease. The Chimera Ant soldiers flanked the boars, their sharp claws and coordinated strikes overwhelming the creatures in a matter of minutes.

Above, the Shadow Harpies descended, their screeches piercing the air. They aimed for the Worker Ants, their talons outstretched to disrupt the excavation. Mikhailis directed a squad of Chimera Ant soldiers to intercept them, leading to a dramatic aerial skirmish. The soldiers leaped into the air, their agility matching the harpies' speed as they clawed and tore through their ranks.

Meanwhile, the Mist Stalkers used the cover of fog to flank the camp. Rodion's timely alerts allowed Mikhailis to intercept them, his halberd cutting through their ghostly forms with lethal precision. The Chimera Ant soldiers supported him, their relentless attacks driving the stalkers back.

After a grueling fight, Mikhailis landed a decisive blow on the last Mist Stalker. He stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving as he wiped blood from his halberd.

Rodion's voice broke the silence.

<Mikhailis, the temporary storage hole is ready>

Mikhailis grinned, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

Another victory for the team.