The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Mikhailis opened his eyes, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. He took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scent of his room—that slight mix of lavender and something metallic from the devices he worked with, perhaps his glasses. It felt comforting, like slipping into a pair of worn shoes that perfectly molded to his feet. He blinked again, his vision still blurry, and turned his head to the side, spotting his glasses lying on the bedside table. Reaching out with a slight groan—his muscles still stiff from who knows how long he'd been out—he picked up the glasses and slipped them on. The world snapped into focus, and he let out a sigh of relief.

"Home sweet home," he muttered, a small grin spreading across his face.

He turned his head slightly, and his eyes landed on a figure beside his bed. Lira. She was sitting in a chair, slumped forward, her head resting against the edge of the mattress. Her long, dark hair spilled over her shoulder, strands of it tangling with the blanket. Her breathing was slow and even, her lips slightly parted, and she looked utterly exhausted. Mikhailis felt a pang of gratitude in his chest, a warmth spreading through him as he watched her. He could tell that she'd been watching over him—probably for hours. He reached out, his hand trembling slightly, and gently stroked her hair, letting his fingers run through the strands.

"Thank you for watching over me, Lira," he whispered softly, his voice barely audible.

He watched as she shifted slightly in her sleep, her brow furrowing, a soft murmur escaping her lips. He couldn't help but smile. Lira was tough—stronger than most people gave her credit for. But seeing her like this, vulnerable, asleep at his side... it made something in his heart swell.

For a moment, he simply stayed like that, his hand resting on her head, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips. He wasn't used to this—this feeling of being cared for, of having someone watch over him. It was strange and comforting all at once, and it made him want to hold onto this moment for just a little longer.

But eventually, he pulled his hand away, his eyes softening as he looked at her. He needed to get back to reality—to figure out what had happened while he was out. There was no time to be sentimental, not now. He took a deep breath, his fingers brushing against the frame of his glasses, activating the built-in AI system.

"Rodion," he whispered, his voice steady.

<Welcome back, Mikhailis.>

The familiar voice filled his ears, and Mikhailis couldn't help but grin. There was something comforting about hearing Rodion's voice again—like an old friend who had been waiting patiently for his return.

"Yeah, yeah, miss me?" Mikhailis asked, his tone teasing.

<Not particularly. But it seems the experiment was a success. You are back in your own body, which indicates that Hypnoveil's power to transfer your consciousness worked as expected.>

Mikhailis raised an eyebrow, his grin widening.

"Expected, huh? I'd argue there were some pretty unexpected moments in there. You used me as a guinea pig, you know."

<And yet, here you are. Fully conscious and sarcastic as ever. I believe that means my hypothesis was correct.>

Rodion's voice had that dry, almost mocking tone to it that Mikhailis had grown used to.

Mikhailis chuckled, shaking his head slightly.

"Alright, alright, you win. But seriously—what's the current situation? I feel like I've been out for a while."

<Indeed. While you were unconscious, significant events unfolded. The chimera ant soldier stationed at the goblin fortress has been monitoring the aftermath of the battle. Human soldiers are cleaning up, patching the wounded, and preparing for their return while resting. Meanwhile, the chimera ants are scavenging, silently collecting the bodies of the fallen goblins. The food storage capacity is now at 95%.>

Mikhailis closed his eyes, letting the information sink in. He could see it all in his mind, the scenes playing out like a movie. The soldiers—worn and battered from the fight—trying to gather themselves, while the chimera ants worked quietly, their efficiency unmatched. He opened his eyes, and a 3D feed projected from his glasses, giving him a real-time view of the scene. He could see everything—the battlefield, the wounded soldiers, the piles of goblin corpses.

His gaze moved across the feed, and he spotted them—Elowen, Vyrelda, Serelith. They were standing together, their expressions tired but determined. Elowen looked as regal as ever, her silver hair glowing in the morning light, her eyes filled with a quiet strength. Vyrelda had her arms crossed, her sharp gaze scanning the area, while Serelith was speaking with one of the soldiers, her expression serious.

A smile touched Mikhailis's lips as he watched them.

"I guess this is the end of my journey as a goblin," he murmured to himself, his voice soft.

<Indeed. The goblin form has served its purpose.>

Mikhailis nodded, his eyes still on the feed. He could feel a sense of closure settling over him—a sense that this chapter of his life was finally over. He took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing slightly.

It was one of a hellish ride.

"What happened to my goblin body, anyway?"

Rodion seem to hesitate for a moment, and Mikhailis felt a pang of unease in his chest.

Mikhailis frowned, his eyes widening slightly.

"Wait, what?"

The feed shifted, and Mikhailis's former goblin body appeared on the screen. It was being carried by several chimera ants, its black, muscular form limp and lifeless. They were bringing it back to the nest, and Mikhailis felt a chill run down his spine.

"Wait, wait, wait!" he shouted, his voice filled with alarm.

"Rodion, stop them!"

<Too late,>

Rodion replied, his voice as calm as ever.

Mikhailis watched in horror as the chimera ants approached the queen. The massive chimera ant queen—her body even larger and more imposing than before—opened her mouth, her mandibles clicking as she devoured the goblin champion variant that Mikhailis had once inhabited.

Mikhailis felt his heart sink, his body going numb. He hadn't liked being a goblin—in fact, he'd hated it. But he'd grown attached to that body, in a strange, twisted sort of way. He watched, stunned, as the queen consumed the last remnants of his goblin form, her mandibles snapping shut with a finality that made his stomach turn.

He opened his mouth to shout, to say something—anything—but no words came out. He could only watch in silence, his mind reeling.

And then—suddenly—something changed.

The feed shifted, and Mikhailis saw a massive green egg appear in the hatchery. Rodion's voice filled his ears, his tone calm but tinged with curiosity.

Mikhailis blinked, his eyes widening as he watched the scene unfold. A brilliant light surrounded the chimera ant queen, illuminating the entire nest. The ants—soldiers, workers, variants—all bowed before her, their bodies trembling as they, too, were enveloped in the glowing light.

Rodion's voice was steady, almost reverent.

<The queen is evolving, gaining new abilities and power after consuming the goblin champion. This is a significant moment, Mikhailis.>

Mikhailis watched, his eyes locked on the queen. Her form was changing—growing, expanding. Her body became taller, her carapace shimmering with an iridescent hue. She rose, her body elongating until she stood as tall as a human, her limbs slender and refined, her features elegant in a way that seemed almost... regal.

The light spread throughout the nest, enveloping every ant within it. The soldiers, the workers, the variants—all of them began to glow, their bodies trembling as they, too, underwent their own transformations. The energy was palpable, the air thick with the power of evolution.

Mikhailis could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his eyes wide with awe. He watched as the queen stood at the center of the hatchery, her body glowing with a new power, her presence commanding. The other ants bowed before her, their bodies trembling, their mandibles clicking in a show of submission.

The light began to fade, the glow dissipating, leaving behind the newly transformed queen. She stood tall, her body sleek and elegant, her carapace shimmering with an almost ethereal glow. Her eyes—large and faceted—gleamed with intelligence, her posture regal, her presence undeniable.

Rodion's voice filled Mikhailis's ears, a note of awe in his tone. Experience more content on empire

<Congratulations, Mikhailis. The chimera ant queen has ascended to [Count] rank.>

Mikhailis let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, his entire body relaxing. He could feel a sense of accomplishment, a sense of pride in what had been achieved. He watched as the other ants moved around the queen, their bodies glowing faintly, their movements reverent.

"Well," Mikhailis muttered, a tired grin spreading across his face.

"Guess we've got a [Count] on our side now."

Rodion's voice was dry, almost mocking.

<Indeed. Though I would recommend caution. She is powerful, but power is only as useful as the one who wields it.>

Mikhailis chuckled, shaking his head slightly.

"Thanks for the advice, Rodion. I'll keep that in mind."

<But it seems that the chimera ant queen's evolution is not the only update>