The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

The battle was finally over. Stay connected with empire

The Goblin Apostle lay sprawled on the ground, its massive body still, the dark and holy energy that had once coursed through it now faded. The remaining human forces slowly began to regroup, their breaths heavy, the battlefield a mix of relief and exhaustion. Mikhailis let out a sigh, his entire body giving way beneath him. He collapsed onto the cold, hard ground, the adrenaline that had fueled him through the fight now drained. His muscles screamed in pain, and every breath he took felt like a weight on his chest.

The sky above was starting to lighten, the first hints of dawn breaking over the horizon. The soldiers moved among the fallen, some tending to the wounded, others securing what remained of the enemy. Earl Vaelis could be heard barking orders, directing the knights to gather the injured and start forming defensive perimeters. The battle was over, but the aftermath had only begun.

Mikhailis lay on his back, staring up at the sky, trying to catch his breath. His entire body ached, his limbs heavy as if filled with lead. He let out a tired chuckle, shaking his head slightly.

I actually survived this... somehow.

He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the sounds of the battlefield fade into the background. He could hear the clinking of armor, the murmurs of soldiers, the occasional cry of pain. But all of it seemed far away, like a distant memory.

And then, something strange happened.

Mikhailis's eyes snapped open as he felt a warmth spread through his body. He looked down at himself, his eyes widening in surprise. His entire body was glowing faintly, a soft green light emanating from his skin. He blinked, trying to make sense of what was happening. The eerie green energy that had surrounded the Goblin Apostle during the fight was now flowing towards him, gathering around his body like a swirling mist.

The energy seeped into his skin, and Mikhailis felt a surge of power, his muscles tensing, his body responding to the influx of magic. He could feel the energy coursing through him, like a rush of adrenaline, but different—more intense, more consuming.

"What's happening to him?" Vyrelda's voice cut through the air, her tone sharp and wary. She was standing a few paces away, her eyes locked onto Mikhailis, her sword still in her hand, ready to strike if necessary.

Serelith was beside her, her eyes narrowed, her hands raised, glowing with magic.

"He's absorbing the energy... it's the Apostle's power," she muttered, her voice filled with suspicion.

Earl Vaelis stepped forward, his massive sword resting on his shoulder, his eyes locked on Mikhailis.

"If he becomes a threat... we end him," he said, his voice cold, his gaze unwavering.

Mikhailis could feel their eyes on him, the tension in the air growing. He tried to speak, to say something, but the words caught in his throat. The energy was overwhelming, his body trembling as it tried to adjust. He could feel his muscles bulging, his form growing larger, his skin darkening to a deeper shade of green. His bones ached, his joints popping as they shifted, his entire body changing, evolving.

The transformation was slow, almost agonizing. Mikhailis could feel every inch of his body stretching, his muscles expanding, his skin thickening. His vision blurred, his senses heightening. He let out a groan, his hands clenching into fists as the energy continued to pour into him, his body shifting, changing.

This is... an evolution, he realized, his mind struggling to keep up with what was happening.

His variant Thalorian hobgoblin form was changing, growing stronger. He could feel the power building within him, his body adapting to the new strength, the new abilities.

But the energy was almost too much to handle. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his breath coming in short gasps. His vision darkened at the edges, the pain nearly blinding him. He could hear Serelith's voice, a distant murmur, but the words were lost to him, drowned out by the roar of power in his ears.

"He's... he's growing stronger," Serelith said, her voice filled with a mix of awe and concern. The magic around her hands crackled, her eyes fixed on Mikhailis, watching his transformation. Vyrelda took a step forward, her weapon at the ready, her eyes narrowed.

"If he loses control, we put him down," Vyrelda said, her voice cold, her eyes locked on Mikhailis. She was ready to strike, ready to protect those around her, even if it meant killing the goblin that had fought alongside them.

Earl Vaelis grunted in agreement, his eyes never leaving Mikhailis. The tension among the humans was palpable, the air heavy with anticipation. They didn't know if this transformation was going to turn Mikhailis into an ally or an enemy.

Mikhailis could feel their wariness, their readiness to attack if he became a threat. He knew how it must look to them—a goblin absorbing the power of the Goblin Apostle, transforming into something even more dangerous. He could feel the distrust, the fear.

Not good... this is not good, he thought, his eyes darting to Vyrelda, Serelith, and Earl Vaelis. They were all watching him, their weapons ready, their eyes filled with suspicion.

But then, his gaze shifted, and he saw her.

Elowen stood a few paces away, her eyes locked on Mikhailis. Her expression was calm, her eyes soft, knowing. She wasn't holding a weapon, wasn't preparing to attack. She simply watched, her gaze filled with something that Mikhailis couldn't quite place. And then it hit him—she knew. Rodion must have told her. She knew that he was trapped inside this goblin body, that he wasn't a threat.

Mikhailis felt a wave of relief wash over him. She knew. She wouldn't let them kill him. Not yet.

But she can't tell them... they can't know, he realized, his eyes locking with Elowen's. He could see the understanding in her gaze, the silent promise that she wouldn't reveal his secret.

He had to remain a simple, no-good prince consort—nothing more.

The tension in the air was thick, the humans watching Mikhailis's transformation with wary eyes, their weapons ready. Just as it seemed like the situation was about to escalate, a sudden explosion of smoke filled the air. Thick, choking mist enveloped the entire area, obscuring everything from view.

Mikhailis felt a hand grab his arm, yanking him away from the battlefield. He stumbled, his vision still blurry from the transformation. He caught a glimpse of long, white ears, the shape familiar. His eyes widened in realization—it was the warrior elf he had saved from the goblin fortress's prison earlier.

"You..." he started, his voice weak, but the elf cut him off.

"Come on, goblin. We're getting out of here," she said, her voice firm, her grip on his arm unyielding. She pulled him through the smoke, her movements swift, agile. Mikhailis stumbled after her, his body still adjusting to the transformation, his muscles aching with every step.

They moved through the fortress, the elf leading him through the secret passage he had shown her before. The tunnels were dark, the air damp and cool. Mikhailis could barely keep up, his legs heavy, his body still recovering. But the elf moved with purpose, her grip on his arm steady, guiding him through the maze of tunnels.

Finally, they emerged into the open air. Mikhailis blinked against the sudden brightness, his eyes adjusting to the light. The sun was rising, the first rays of dawn painting the sky in shades of gold and pink. He let out a breath, his chest heaving, his entire body aching.

We made it... we're out, he thought, his eyes closing for a moment as he tried to catch his breath.

The elf released his arm, stepping back. Mikhailis opened his eyes, looking at her. She was beautiful, he realized, her short, silver-platinum blonde hair catching the sunlight, her blue eyes sharp and piercing. Her features were elegant, her expression one of quiet determination. She wore light armor, her body lithe and graceful, her movements fluid and controlled.

She caught him staring and narrowed her eyes, her lips pressing into a thin line. She pulled her cloak around herself, covering her body.

"Stop leering at me, goblin," she snapped, her voice filled with annoyance.

Mikhailis opened his mouth to apologize, his eyes shifting away, but before he could speak, something caught his attention—a sense of danger, a shift in the air. His instincts kicked in, his body moving before his mind could catch up. He grabbed the elf, pulling her into his arms, leaping out of the way just as something massive crashed into the ground where they had been standing.

Whoosh—!

The earth shook, the ground cracking under the impact. Mikhailis landed a few paces away, his arms still around the elf, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked up, his eyes widening as he saw the creature that had attacked them.

It was massive—an Earthshaker Bear, its body covered in thick, rock-like plates, its eyes glowing with an eerie light. The creature let out a roar, the sound echoing through the clearing, its eyes locking onto Mikhailis and the elf.

<Analysis complete. The creature is an Earthshaker Bear, classified as [Duke] Rank. A formidable opponent,>

Rodion's voice echoed in Mikhailis's mind, calm and analytical.

<However, given your current strength, you may be able to defeat it.>

Mikhailis looked down at his newly transformed body, feeling the power coursing through his veins. He could feel the strength, the energy, the raw power that had come with the evolution. He grinned, his eyes locking onto the bear, determination settling in.

"Alright," he muttered, his voice low, his eyes narrowing. He released the elf, stepping forward, his body tense, ready.

"Let's give it a shot."

The elf stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Are you insane?" she asked, her voice filled with incredulity.

Mikhailis glanced back at her, a playful grin on his lips.

"Probably," he said, his tone light. He turned his gaze back to the bear, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

But hey, what's life without a little danger?

He took a deep breath, his body tensing, his eyes locking onto the bear. He could feel the power within him, the strength that had come with the evolution. He was ready. And with that, he charged.

"Let's try this!!"