The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

The Goblin Apostle roared, an ear-piercing sound that echoed across the entire battleground. The force of it reverberated off the walls of the ruined goblin fortress, sending a chill down Mikhailis's spine. The cry seemed to awaken something in the air. Green energy began swirling around, seeping out from the fallen goblins scattered across the battlefield. It moved as if it had a life of its own, creeping towards the Apostle, wrapping itself around him like a living aura. Mikhailis watched in disbelief as the Apostle's wounds began to heal, his once battered and bloodied body straightening, the injuries vanishing before their eyes.

"Oh, come on," Mikhailis muttered under his breath, watching the hulking figure grow larger, its already massive form becoming even more imposing.

Vyrellda, who had been charging in, pulled up short, her eyes wide.

"You've got to be kidding me," she growled. Her grip tightened on her sword, her knuckles whitening.

"This damn thing just won't die, will it?"

The green energy continued to pour into the Apostle, his body now glowing with a sickly radiance. He grew taller, his muscles expanding, his monstrous features becoming more grotesque. The very air seemed to shiver in response to the transformation, a tension settling across the battlefield. Mikhailis could hear Earl Vaelis cursing under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he eyed the Apostle's growing figure.

"This just got a whole lot worse," Earl Vaelis muttered, tightening his grip on his massive blade.

Mikhailis couldn't help but swallow hard.

This is bad. That thing's already strong enough to take down a battalion—now it's even worse?

He could feel the sweat trickling down the back of his neck, his mind racing.

Alright, Mikhailis, think. We need to bring this beast down, and fast.

The Goblin Apostle threw his head back, letting out another roar, the green energy around him pulsing. He lifted his weapon—a massive, jagged blade—and slammed it into the ground, the impact sending shockwaves rippling through the ground. Stones cracked, debris scattered, and the sheer force of it knocked several human soldiers off their feet.

Elowen, standing a few paces from Mikhailis, narrowed her eyes, her stance widening as she steadied herself.

"We can't let it get the advantage," she called out, her voice carrying over the din of the battle.

"We take it down. Now!"

Mikhailis nodded, his eyes locking on the Apostle.

Alright. No turning back now.

He reached down, his fingers wrapping around the hilt of his remaining knife. He wasn't exactly equipped for fighting a monster like this, but he could at least be a distraction. He needed to trust that Elowen and the others could deliver the killing blows.

With a guttural warcry, the Goblin Apostle lunged forward, his enormous form moving faster than something of his size should be able to. His weapon came down in a wide arc, dark and holy magic intertwined along its edge, creating an aura that seemed to disrupt the magic of those around it. Mikhailis could feel it—the way his own strength felt slightly sapped, his body heavier, as if weighed down by an invisible force.

"Move!" Elowen shouted, diving out of the way. Vyrelda and Earl Vaelis were already charging in, their weapons aimed at the Apostle's exposed side. They moved in perfect synchronization, their blades aimed for the vulnerable spots—the joints, the neck, the exposed underbelly of the Apostle's armor.

But the Apostle was ready. He swung his arm, his movements deceptively quick for his size. The jagged blade met Vyrelda's strike head-on, the impact sending a shockwave that forced her back. Earl Vaelis swung his own weapon, but the Apostle's other arm came up, blocking the blow with sheer brute force. With a twist of his body, the Apostle sent both Vyrelda and Vaelis flying, their bodies crashing into the ground several paces away.

Mikhailis gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowing.

Okay, bad idea to try and overpower it head-on.

He darted around the edge of the battlefield, using the chaos to his advantage, slipping behind the Apostle while it was distracted by Elowen's rapid attacks. Her sword glowed with magic, each strike aimed with precision, but even she was struggling to land a solid blow—the Apostle's resilience was otherworldly.

Mikhailis moved in closer, his eyes focused on the Apostle's back. He couldn't overpower it, but maybe he could wear it down. He ducked under a swinging arm, his knife flashing as he aimed for the back of the Apostle's knee. The blade struck true, cutting through the thick hide, and the Apostle let out a roar of pain, turning to face him.

"Nice and easy," Mikhailis muttered, slipping away before the Apostle could retaliate. He moved like a shadow, his small stature and variant form allowing him to weave in and out of the Apostle's reach, striking at the weak spots—the joints, the underarms, anywhere that seemed vulnerable.

Serelith, from her position behind the battle, raised her hands, her eyes narrowing as she focused. Black ice and fire erupted from her fingers, swirling around her, her spells aimed with deadly precision. Whenever the Apostle turned its attention towards one of her allies, Serelith was there, her magic striking the Apostle's weapon or the ground beneath it, keeping it off-balance, disrupting its movements.

"Careful, Your Majesty!" she shouted, her eyes darting towards the queen.

Elowen nodded, her movements fluid as she danced around the Apostle's attacks, her own magic flowing through her strikes.

The Apostle roared, the dark and holy energy swirling around it intensifying. Mikhailis could see the rage in its glowing eyes, the way its muscles seemed to bulge, the energy radiating from it like a storm. It moved with renewed fury, its strikes faster, more precise. Vyrelda, attempting to move in for another strike, was grabbed mid-air, the Apostle's massive hand wrapping around her and hurling her across the battlefield. Her body slammed into a stone wall, the impact causing the ancient structure to shudder.

"Vyrelda!" Earl Vaelis roared, his eyes blazing as he charged in, his massive sword swinging in a wide arc. But the Apostle was ready. It swiped him aside with a backhanded blow, the force sending Vaelis crashing to the ground.

Elowen took advantage of the distraction, her sword glowing brightly as she moved in, her blade cutting through the air with a deadly precision. She aimed for the Apostle's neck, the exposed area just beneath the helmet. But the Apostle twisted, his body moving just enough to avoid the strike, forcing Elowen to retreat, her eyes narrowing in frustration.

Mikhailis took a deep breath, his eyes focused.

I can't let it end like this. I have to do something.

He darted in, using the Apostle's focus on Elowen to his advantage. He slipped behind, his knife aiming for the Apostle's exposed side. The blade struck, the steel biting into the flesh, but it wasn't enough. The Apostle's sheer size and power made it difficult to inflict any real damage.

"Keep going, Human!" Mikhailis shouted, his voice strained as he dodged a wild swing from the Apostle's arm.

He could see the determination in her eyes, the way she moved with a fierce resolve. She was giving it everything she had—they all were. And he couldn't let her down.

Serelith, seeing an opening, raised her hand, her fingers curling as she summoned a burst of black fire. The flames shot forward, wrapping around the Apostle's arm, the heat causing the beast to recoil, its weapon momentarily dropping.

"Nice work!" Mikhailis called out, his voice barely audible over the din of battle.

"Don't get yourself killed, hobgoblin!" Serelith shouted back, her eyes gleaming with both determination and a hint of mischief.

Mikhailis couldn't help but smirk.

Not planning to. Not today.

In the first place, he still couldn't understand why they seem to be so accepting towards him despite he's currently in a hobgoblin form.

Perhaps they saw him as a goblin trying to usurp the throne from the goblin apostle or something? But whatever.

He has something that he need to focus on for now.

Together, they worked in tandem—Mikhailis darting in and out, his strikes quick, always aimed at the Apostle's weak points, while Serelith provided support from a distance, her magic striking with precision, keeping the Apostle off-balance.

Elowen, Vyrelda, and Earl Vaelis regrouped, their eyes locking onto the Apostle. They moved in once more, their attacks coordinated, each strike precise, aimed to bring down the monstrous leader. Mikhailis could see the intensity in their movements, the way they fought with everything they had, their strikes fierce and unyielding.

The Goblin Apostle roared, the green energy around it pulsing, its eyes glowing with both dark and holy light. For a brief moment, they saw an opening—a chance to strike together and bring the monstrous leader down.
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"Now!" Elowen shouted, and the three of them leapt with a speed that surprises even Mikhailis.

But just as they moved to finish it, the Apostle gathered green energy in its mouth, the power surging through its body.

And suddenly-

With a guttural shout, it let out an explosion of energy. The force of it erupted outward, green light blasting in every direction, sending Vyrelda, Elowen, and Earl Vaelis flying.

BOOM————!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mikhailis watched in horror as they were thrown across the battlefield, their bodies crashing to the ground, dust and debris rising in their wake. He could see them struggling to get back up, their movements sluggish, the impact clearly taking a toll.

"No..." Mikhailis whispered, his heart pounding. He turned his gaze back to the Apostle, its massive form now towering over him and Serelith. The Apostle's eyes locked onto Mikhailis, the energy swirling around it, its form massive, imposing.

Mikhailis swallowed hard, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his knife. He could feel the sweat trickling down his face, his heart pounding in his chest.

I can't let them die. Not like this.

Behind him, he could see Elowen, Vyrelda, and Earl Vaelis struggling, their bodies battered, but alive. And that was enough for him. He couldn't let them down. Not now. Not ever.

Especially Elowen.

"I don't know why you're doing this," Serelith's voice cut through the tension, her tone sharp, her eyes locked on Mikhailis, "but I'm going to support you, strange hobgoblin!"

Mikhailis allowed himself a brief smile.

"Alright then," he muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the Apostle, his determination hardening.

Time to finish this.

The Apostle let out another roar, its massive weapon raised, the dark and holy magic swirling around it. But Mikhailis was ready. He was going to end this—no matter what it took. And with Serelith by his side, he knew they stood a chance.

"Let's do this," he said, his voice steady, his eyes locked onto the Goblin Apostle. And then, without another word, he charged.