The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

The storm outside raged with an intensity that shook the very air around the cavern. Wind screamed through the jagged rocks, carrying torrents of rain that lashed against the stone walls with relentless force. Thunder growled in the distance, a deep, menacing rumble that seemed to echo through the cavern's depths. Mikhailis sat cross-legged near the fire, the dim light casting flickering shadows on his face. His sharp eyes were fixed on Cerys, her pale face damp with sweat as she rested on the makeshift bedding. The fever hadn't broken yet, but she was stable, her breathing even though shallow.

Mikhailis replaced the damp cloth on her forehead with another, his movements methodical. His hands worked with practiced care, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn't ignore the oppressive atmosphere that clung to the cavern, a palpable weight pressing down on his senses. The deeper parts of the cavern seemed to breathe with an unnatural stillness, a silence that was somehow louder than the storm outside.

The images flickered to life in his glasses, displaying the Chimera Ant soldiers as they moved with synchronized precision. Their movements were a testament to their engineered efficiency, flowing like clockwork as they spread out to cover the cavern's walls, floor, and even the jagged ceiling. The dim glow of their chitinous forms illuminated the oppressive darkness, casting eerie shadows that danced against the rough stone. Mikhailis leaned forward slightly, his jaw tightening as his sharp eyes scrutinized every detail of the feed.

Each Ant adjusted its position with calculated movements, their antennae twitching as they communicated silently. They navigated the uneven terrain with ease, their sharp claws finding purchase on the slippery rock. One group ascended the walls, moving like shadows, while others fanned out across the cavern floor, their patterns deliberate and tactical. The faint hum of ambient mana particles in the air shimmered faintly in the glasses' feed, painting an otherworldly picture of their surroundings.

Mikhailis' unease grew as he observed the increasingly ominous interior of the cavern. The deeper the soldiers went, the thicker the oppressive atmosphere became, like an invisible weight pressing down on them. A flicker of movement in the corner of the feed caught his attention, and his grip on the blanket tightened unconsciously. Despite the mounting tension, his hands continued their mechanical task of tending to Cerys, replacing the damp cloth on her forehead and adjusting her blanket with practiced care.

His focus remained split, though his attention on the feed was absolute. Every detail, every shadow, and every glimmer of mana was scrutinized. His mind raced with possibilities, preparing for the worst even as his hands moved with automatic precision. The unease gnawed at the edges of his thoughts, but he forced a calm facade as he glanced briefly at Cerys to ensure she remained undisturbed. He couldn't let her know. Not yet.

This place isn't normal. Even the air feels off. Whatever's down there, it's not going to make this easy.

As his gaze remained fixed on the feed, his hands moved on autopilot, adjusting Cerys' blanket and ensuring she was comfortable. She stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open for a moment before focusing on him.

"Your Highness…" Her voice was weak but questioning.

"You're… distracted."

Mikhailis offered her a reassuring smile, though his mind raced.

"Just keeping an eye on things," he said lightly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her damp forehead.

"You need to rest."

Her brow furrowed, but the fatigue in her body won out, and she sank back into the bedding without protest. Mikhailis let out a slow breath, his smile fading as he turned his attention back to the feed.

I can't let her know. Not yet. If she sees them… No, I can't risk it. Too many questions I can't answer.

The Chimera Ant soldiers continued their silent advance, their antennae twitching as they navigated the cavern's increasingly ominous interior. The air grew heavier with each step they took, the faint glow of mana particles shimmering like a fine mist. Rodion's voice broke the tension.

Mikhailis' grip on the blanket tightened as he adjusted his glasses, his sharp eyes scanning the feed. The soldiers moved cautiously, their formation spreading wider to cover more ground. Twenty minutes passed in tense silence, the only sound the faint hum of the storm outside. Then, without warning, a shadow shifted in the feed.

One of the Chimera Ant soldiers walking along the ground froze, its antennae quivering in alarm. It crouched low, its movements jerky as if trying to decide whether to advance or retreat. A split second later, the air around it shimmered ominously. Then, with a piercing whistle, a massive crystal spear hurtled through the air, striking the soldier dead center. The spear's force was devastating, impaling the creature with such precision that it shattered into fragments of chitin and ichor. The sound of the impact reverberated through the cavern, a sharp, echoing crack that left the remaining soldiers motionless, their antennae twitching frantically. The feed from that unit cut out instantly, leaving Mikhailis staring at the static-filled screen with a sinking feeling in his gut.

Mikhailis leaned closer to the feed, his pulse quickening as a massive silhouette emerged from the darkness. It slithered forward with an unnerving grace, its body covered in crystalline scales that refracted the dim light in sharp, glittering fragments.

"Rodion," Mikhailis muttered, his voice low.

"What the hell is that?"

<Identified: Crystalgloom Serpent. Estimated length exceeds 20 meters. Classification: [Viscount]-rank magical beast. Difficulty level: AA-ranked. Notable traits: crystalline armor, high mana resistance, and the ability to launch crystalline projectiles with precision and force.>

<Additional Details: The Crystalgloom Serpent is native to high-mana environments, often forming its lair in areas saturated with ambient mana. Its crystalline scales are a natural armor that not only reflects physical attacks but also diffuses magical energy, significantly reducing the effectiveness of most spells. Each crystal scale is infused with mana, allowing the serpent to regenerate its armor over time. Its projectiles are fragments of these scales, charged with mana to increase both precision and impact. The serpent's agility, combined with its keen senses, makes it a formidable predator capable of ambushing even the most cautious opponents. It is classified as a territorial apex predator, with its intelligence surpassing that of most AA-ranked beasts. Rodion's analysis also suggests that the serpent's crystalline structure could resonate with ambient mana, amplifying its already devastating capabilities. An increase to [Duke] or higher rank would exponentially heighten these traits, potentially rendering the serpent capable of catastrophic-scale destruction.>

Mikhailis' eyes narrowed as he processed the information.

AA-ranked difficulty at [Viscount]? That's insane. If this thing ranks up to [Duke] or higher, it'd be S-ranked for sure. An absolute nightmare.

<Your observation is accurate. The entity's destructive potential increases exponentially with rank. Current threat level necessitates immediate action.>

Before Mikhailis could respond, the serpent moved again with a swiftness that defied its immense size. Its crystalline body shimmered ominously, the glow intensifying as another barrage of spears launched into the air. The projectiles struck with devastating precision, each crystalline shard tearing through the Chimera Ant soldiers like a hot knife through butter. The soldiers' feeds flickered briefly before plunging into darkness, the screens on Mikhailis' glasses now filled with static.

Each loss echoed with a haunting crackle that filled the cavern, the sharp sounds resonating through the suffocating silence left behind. The serpent's movements were methodical and ruthless, displaying an intelligence that surpassed mere instinct. As the last feed blinked out, Mikhailis' jaw tightened, the weight of the situation sinking deeper into his chest.

<All units neutralized. The entity's combat efficiency exceeds initial estimates.>

"No kidding," Mikhailis muttered under his breath, his tone a mix of frustration and grim acknowledgment.

He clenched his fists, the enormity of the threat crystallizing in his mind. This wasn't just a random beast—this was a calculated predator. Each crystalline projectile was fired with deadly intent, eliminating targets with unnerving precision.

This thing's no joke. Waiting for reinforcements isn't an option. If it comes this way… He glanced at Cerys, her pale face still damp with sweat.

I can't let it get near her.

He stood, retrieving a bowl of broth from the fire. As he knelt beside Cerys, he forced a calm smile.

"Drink this," he said gently, helping her sit up just enough to take a few sips. She murmured a faint thanks before sinking back down, her exhaustion pulling her under again.

With her settled, Mikhailis rose and moved to the edge of the cavern. His hand dipped into his coat, fingers brushing the Entomancer Talismans, each one pulsating faintly with stored energy. He lingered for a heartbeat, his mind racing with the weight of what was to come. Then, with a swift motion, he flung them forward. The talismans erupted in a burst of various colors of light, and the cavern filled with a chorus of chittering and humming as the Frog Variant, four Scurabons, and the Hypnoveil emerged. Each variant shimmered with latent power, their forms casting eerie shadows against the cavern walls. The Frog Variant crouched low, its powerful legs coiling like springs, ready to leap into action. The Scurabons clicked their massive mandibles in unison, their armored carapaces glinting faintly in the dim light as they adjusted their positions. The Hypnoveil hovered silently, its translucent wings of flora fanning out in slow, deliberate beats, exuding an almost hypnotic aura that added a strange stillness to the chaotic energy of the group. Mikhailis stepped back, his eyes scanning each of them, their readiness a small comfort amidst the looming uncertainty.

"This is no ordinary threat," he muttered under his breath, gripping his halberd tightly. The weight of their mission pressed heavily on him, and he cast a fleeting glance toward the deeper part of the cavern, where danger undoubtedly awaited.

<Shall I deploy additional reinforcements?>

Rodion's voice was calm, but Mikhailis could sense the urgency beneath it.

"Bring the Skullborne Ravager," he said, his tone resolute.

"We don't have time to wait."

He tossed the greenish talisman into the air, and with a blinding flash of green light, the cavern seemed to shudder as the Skullborne Ravager emerged. Its towering, chitinous body loomed imposingly, each segment of its exoskeleton shimmering with an almost metallic sheen under the dim firelight. The creature's numerous limbs flexed with a predatory grace, and the sharp ridges of its armored plates caught the faint glimmers of mana particles floating in the cavern air. Its massive, spiked mandibles clicked once, the sound reverberating like the toll of a bell, as if announcing its arrival. A faint, otherworldly glow radiated from the crevices of its form, pulsating in time with its deep, guttural breathing. The sheer presence of the Skullborne Ravager exuded raw, primal power, its very aura seeming to press against the cavern walls as if the space itself strained to contain it.

"Transform," Mikhailis commanded with a sharp edge in his tone. The Skullborne Ravager responded immediately. Its massive, chitinous form began to shift, the glow emanating from its crevices intensifying into a blinding radiance. Plates of its exoskeleton split and rearranged, revealing a leaner, more humanoid frame beneath the bulk. The transformation was both fluid and grotesque, each movement accompanied by the grinding of bone-like structures and the sharp clicks of its mandibles realigning. The aura around it grew denser, an oppressive force that seemed to fill the cavern with raw, primal energy.

As the light dimmed, the creature stood tall, now in the form of a towering Goblin Champion. Its body was encased in segmented, obsidian armor that shimmered like polished onyx. A grotesque skull-like mask adorned its face, carved with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with a dark crimson glow. The mask's hollow eye sockets emitted an eerie, red light, giving the transformed Ravager an appearance both regal and terrifying. Its elongated arms, ending in razor-sharp claws, flexed with a predatory grace, and a jagged crystal blade extended from its forearm, glinting menacingly in the dim cavern light. A guttural growl rumbled from beneath the mask, low and resonant, echoing through the cavern like the distant roar of a beast unleashed. Your journey continues at My Virtual Library Empire

"Perfect," Mikhailis muttered, a grim smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Let's see how you handle what's waiting for us."

Mikhailis turned to the assembled variants, his gaze sharp.

"Protect me," he ordered.

"And keep it away from her."

The variants moved into formation without hesitation, their presence filling the cavern with an eerie readiness. Rodion's voice cut through the tension.

<Sixty additional Chimera Ant soldiers are stationed near the entrance, ready for deployment. An additional 100 units are en route to reinforce. Estimated arrival: 20 minutes.>

Mikhailis nodded, his jaw tightening as he looked back toward the deeper part of the cavern.

"Good," he murmured.

"Let's hope we don't lose too much."

The air grew heavier as the growls from the cavern's depths grew louder, the storm outside now a distant hum compared to the looming threat within. Mikhailis tightened his grip on his weapon, his mind racing.

This is going to be one hell of a fight.