The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Mikhailis stood among the goblins, overseeing the collection of the boar carcasses they had hunted. The goblins were unusually efficient this time, driven by the prospect of bringing food back to the fortress and avoiding another bout of the Apostle's wrath. As they worked, Mikhailis felt a sudden rush of energy. His vision blurred slightly, and a strange heat surged through his veins. It wasn't like anything he had experienced before.

"Whoa..." Mikhailis muttered, blinking as he swayed slightly. The world seemed to shift, the colors dulling momentarily before snapping back with a vibrancy that almost made his head spin.

He looked down at his hands, his green, clawed fingers trembling. A tingling sensation spread across his skin, and he felt his muscles beginning to tighten. He clenched his teeth, his entire body feeling heavy, like something was trying to weigh him down. His knees buckled, and he dropped to one knee, his breath coming in short gasps.

"What... is this?" he managed to get out, his voice barely above a whisper.

The goblins around him paused, their eyes wide as they watched Mikhailis struggle. They glanced at each other, unsure of what to do, some of them even stepping back, their faces filled with confusion and unease. Stay connected via empire

Mikhailis felt the heat intensify, his muscles burning as if he had just run for miles without rest. He gritted his teeth, a low groan escaping his lips as he tried to hold himself together. But then, suddenly, he felt it—a shift, a change. His muscles began to swell, his arms growing thicker, his legs longer. He could feel his entire body stretching, his bones creaking as they elongated.

This... this is...

He didn't have the words to describe it, but it felt like something was breaking free inside him. His skin, once green and smooth, began to darken, turning an almost black hue. Wooden scales began to form across his arms and chest, their texture rough and solid. He could feel his face changing too, his features growing sharper, more defined.

The goblins around him watched, their confusion giving way to awe as they witnessed the transformation. Mikhailis, still kneeling, looked at his reflection in the blade of his weapon. His eyes widened in shock.

"So this is... an evolution!" he said aloud, the realization hitting him.

His eyes met his own reflection, now a completely different goblin staring back at him. He looked stronger, more fearsome. His skin, now black and covered in the same wooden scales that marked the Thalorian goblins, gave him an almost otherworldly appearance. He flexed his fingers, the wooden scales creaking slightly as he moved.

Mikhailis rose to his feet, his newly elongated limbs making him stand much taller than before. He could feel the power coursing through his veins, his muscles almost humming with energy. It was as if his entire body had been rebuilt—stronger, faster, more capable.

The goblins stared at him, their expressions shifting from confusion to awe. They began to murmur among themselves, their voices rising until they became a chant.

"Variant! Variant!"

The word echoed in the clearing, the goblins' eyes shining with reverence. Mikhailis looked at them, feeling a strange mix of pride and bewilderment.

A variant, huh?

He knew enough about goblin culture to understand what that meant—he was special, different from the others. Variants were revered, seen as something beyond the ordinary.

Mikhailis shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

"Alright, alright, calm down, you lot," he said, waving a hand.

"We've still got work to do. Those boars aren't going to carry themselves."

The goblins nodded, their enthusiasm palpable as they returned to their task, their eyes still glancing at Mikhailis with newfound respect. He could feel it—they were looking at him differently now, as if he were someone important. He couldn't deny that it felt... good. A part of him enjoyed the attention, the admiration.

But in the end, they are just goblins.

They seem useful, but for now, his main goal is to ensure that these goblins', the goblin army, weakened.

But why did I evolve?

Mikhailis wondered, flexing his arms as he tested the strength in his new form. He knew he was only around level 40—not nearly enough for a typical evolution. Was it because of the Goblin Champion he killed earlier? He shook his head, trying to make sense of it all. But one thing was clear—he was stronger now, and he needed to make use of that strength.

He flexed his muscles, feeling the power ripple through his body. His new form felt light, agile. He moved his arms, testing the range of motion, then took a few steps forward, his feet feeling almost weightless. He couldn't help but grin.

"This is actually pretty awesome," he muttered, his voice filled with excitement.

The other goblins watched him, their eyes wide, their expressions a mix of awe and reverence. They continued to chant "Variant!" and Mikhailis could feel their admiration growing. He realized that this evolution had not only made him stronger but had also elevated his status among them. They looked at him now as a leader, someone to follow.

"Alright, let's get these boars back to the fortress," Mikhailis said, his voice steady, commanding. The goblins nodded, their eyes never leaving him as they gathered the boars, their movements quick and efficient.

The journey back to the fortress was different this time. The goblins moved with a renewed energy, their eyes shining with pride as they carried the boar carcasses. Mikhailis led the way, his new form making it easy for him to navigate the dense forest. He felt a strange sense of camaraderie with the goblins, their respect for him almost tangible.

As they approached the fortress, Mikhailis could hear the cheers of the other goblins. The gates opened, and they were greeted with enthusiasm, the goblins rushing forward to see the successful hunt. The pile of boar carcasses was placed in the center of the courtyard, and the gathered goblins erupted in cheers.

Mikhailis couldn't help but smile. The energy was infectious, the goblins celebrating their success. The Goblin Apostle appeared, its massive form towering over the others as it approached the pile of carcasses. It inspected the boars, its eyes narrowing as it took in the sight. After a moment, it grunted, nodding in approval.

The goblins cheered even louder, their excitement palpable. Mikhailis watched as they began to prepare for a feast, the atmosphere filled with laughter and the clatter of preparations. He stepped back, watching the goblins work, his thoughts drifting.

I really am part of this now, huh?

He still felt out of place, even with his new form. He was different, yes, but he wasn't one of them—not truly. He watched as the goblins began to light fires, the smell of roasting meat filling the air. The celebration was in full swing, goblins dancing and laughing, their earlier fear and tension forgotten.

Mikhailis took a piece of roasted boar, biting into it as he observed the scene. The food was good, surprisingly so, and he found himself enjoying the taste. But even as he ate, he couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't quite belong. He was here, among them, but he wasn't one of them.

As the feast continued, Mikhailis was given a small area to rest. It was a simple corner, a mat made of rough fabric, but it was enough. He lay down, his body still buzzing from the energy of his recent evolution. He closed his eyes, trying to relax, but his mind wouldn't stop racing.

What now? he wondered.

He had evolved, but what did that mean for him? Was he supposed to take on more responsibility now? Lead the goblins? The thought made him uneasy.

He wasn't a leader—not in the way they needed, anyway. He was just trying to survive, to find a way out of this mess.

Now he need to think how to get everything done well.

The vision of the Hynopveil should be recieved by Rodion as well. So by now, he must has already told Elowen about this base and everything about it.

It would be only a matter of time.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Heavy, deliberate footsteps. Mikhailis opened his eyes, his gaze narrowing as he saw several Goblin Champions standing around him, their forms imposing, their eyes cold.

One of them stepped forward, pointing towards the main fortress building.

"The King... calls for you," it said, its voice deep, its tone leaving no room for argument.

Mikhailis blinked, his mind racing.

The King? He realized what that meant. The "King" was the Goblin Apostle—the boss of this entire base. Mikhailis felt a shiver run down his spine. This could either be a great opportunity... or the end of the line for him.

He took a deep breath, his eyes meeting those of the Goblin Champion.

"Right..." he said, his voice steady, though his heart was pounding in his chest.

Mikhailis rose to his feet, his body feeling both light and heavy at the same time. He knew this was a crucial moment—one that could change everything for him. He squared his shoulders, his mind focused, ready for whatever lay ahead.