The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Mikhailis pushed the grand double doors open, and the familiar scent of the royal chambers filled his nostrils. He stepped inside, a small smile playing on his lips. The chamber was lit by the soft morning sun filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room. He took a deep breath, savoring the feeling of being home.

"Ah, there's nothing like home," Mikhailis said to himself, his voice filled with a quiet nostalgia.

"All the adventures, all the madness, and yet this place still manages to feel like... well, like it's mine."

He glanced around, his gaze falling on the small details that made the chambers uniquely his. The intricate tapestries on the walls, the collection of strange trinkets he had picked up from his travels, and even the stack of comic books in the corner that Elowen pretended not to notice whenever she came in.
Your journey continues with empire

Speaking of Elowen, she had been busy right away with her queenly duties, barely giving Mikhailis a moment to see her after he returned from the northern province. Lira, on the other hand, was occupied with preparing a grand banquet. That left Mikhailis to wander around on his own, and he found himself gravitating toward the royal garden.

Stepping out into the garden, Mikhailis blinked in surprise. Among the lush greenery, the vibrant herbs, and the carefully arranged rows of exotic fruits, there were chimera ant workers. Five or six of them scuttled around, using their dexterous limbs to tend to the plants. They moved with a precision that surprised Mikhailis; each one plucked weeds, trimmed leaves, and harvested fruits without any apparent hesitation.

"Well, look at that," Mikhailis muttered, amused.

"Little gardeners, aren't they? I wonder if they're better at this than our old gardeners."

He stepped closer, watching as one of the chimera ants delicately pruned a branch. Its pincers moved with such care, almost as if it understood the intricacies of gardening as well as any experienced botanist. He couldn't help but smile.

This is amazing. They're like... tiny, tireless workers who don't complain or take breaks.

He crouched down, watching them for a moment longer, before he finally straightened up, shaking his head with a grin.

"Alright, alright. Keep up the good work," he said, waving a hand at the ants as he turned to head back inside.

The door to the lab room was just off the garden, and Mikhailis opened it without much thought, still thinking about the ant gardeners. He walked inside and nearly stopped in his tracks. There, inside his lab, were five more chimera ant workers. They were bustling about, carrying beakers, measuring herbs, and processing them with precision that was almost... scientific.

Mikhailis blinked, his eyebrows rising in surprise. The ants were using tiny, specially made tools to handle the delicate glassware, and they did so with impressive skill. It was like watching a group of well-trained lab assistants.

What on earth...? Mikhailis thought, his gaze following one of the ants as it moved from one table to another, carefully pouring a mixture into a flask.

"Rodion," Mikhailis said, a note of amusement in his voice.

"What's going on here? Since when do we have chimera ants working as lab assistants?"

<Ah, Mikhailis. I see you've discovered my little project. I hadn't gotten around to mentioning it yet. I've been directing the chimera ants to assist in various tasks, including laboratory work. Their fine motor skills are surprisingly suited for such activities.>

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

"You just... forgot to mention it, huh? Of course, you did." He chuckled, watching one of the ants precisely measure a liquid before pouring it into a beaker.

"Still, I gotta admit, this is pretty impressive. I mean, look at them. They're like... perfect little lab assistants."

<Their precision is indeed remarkable. They follow instructions without deviation, and they require neither rest nor sustenance beyond what is provided by the colony. Efficient, wouldn't you say?>

Mikhailis rolled his eyes, though his smile remained.

"Yeah, yeah, efficient. I get it. You're always about efficiency, Rodion." He walked over to a couch in the corner of the lab, sinking down onto it with a sigh.

"But you know, sometimes it's not just about efficiency. Sometimes, it's about... enjoying the process."

<Enjoyment is a subjective human experience. Efficiency, on the other hand, is universally beneficial.>

Mikhailis laughed softly.

"Sure, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Rodion."

He let his head rest against the back of the couch, his eyes drifting shut for a moment as he took stock of everything.

790 worker ants and 520 soldier ants...

The numbers ran through his mind, a testament to how far things had come since the beginning.

Rodion's voice interrupted his thoughts.

<The underground nest has expanded considerably, Mikhailis. It can now accommodate up to 1000 worker ants and 600 soldier ants. However, we are nearing that capacity. Soon, we will need to send drones to explore beyond the current territory.>

Mikhailis's interest piqued at the mention of drones. He opened one eye, looking toward the ceiling as if Rodion was there.

"Drones, huh? Like... exploration drones?"

<Precisely. Drone units. They will establish new nests beyond the current boundaries of Silvarion Thalor, expanding our reach while providing reconnaissance and identifying resources or potential threats.>

Mikhailis chuckled.

"Man, this is starting to sound like a real operation. Drones, scouts, reconnaissance... I like it." He tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"Alright, let's see. We've got 350 soldier ants and 200 worker ants working on fortifying the Skullborne Ravager's underground fortress, right?"

<Correct. The construction is progressing at an impressive rate.>

Mikhailis nodded, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Good, good. That leaves us with... what, 100 worker ants and 100 soldier ants just waiting around for something to do?"

<Precisely. They are currently available for deployment.>

Mikhailis grinned.

"Alright, let's put them to work. I'll think of what I want them to do. But first, I want twenty soldier ants sent out to scout different regions of Silvarion Thalor. Have them map out the area, but make sure they avoid any dangers. The last thing we need is to draw attention to ourselves."

<Understood. Deploying twenty soldier ants for reconnaissance. They will proceed with caution and avoid any unnecessary engagements.>

Mikhailis leaned back, his eyes drifting shut once more.

This is going to be interesting. With those scouts out there, we'll finally get a proper understanding of the kingdom. Hidden paths, resources, maybe even some secrets...

His smile widened at the thought.

Rodion's voice broke into his thoughts again.

<There is one more matter that requires your attention, Mikhailis.>

Mikhailis opened his eyes, arching an eyebrow.

"Oh? What's that?"

<You mentioned creating a physical body for me. Is this still a consideration, or merely a fleeting thought?>

Mikhailis's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Oh, it's definitely more than a fleeting thought, Rodion." He sat up, leaning forward, his eyes bright.

"I've been thinking about this since we were back on Earth. I mean, why not? Now, with the chimera ants at our disposal, it could actually be possible. Their fine motor skills, their precision... they could help us build something intricate, something that a human craftsman couldn't manage."

<And what would be the purpose of this... body, Mikhailis?>

Rodion's voice held a note of curiosity.

Mikhailis smirked.

"Purpose? Well, isn't it obvious? You've always been stuck in the digital realm. I think it's high time you got to experience the real world a bit more intimately." He chuckled.

"Besides, it could make things even more interesting. Imagine it, Rodion—you, out there with me, instead of just a voice in my glasses."

<You wish for me to physically accompany you?>

Mikhailis nodded, his eyes thoughtful.

"Yeah. I think it would be... fun. And useful. You've always been my partner in all of this, Rodion. Why not take it to the next level?"

There was a moment of silence before Rodion spoke again.

<It is an intriguing proposal. Constructing a physical vessel... would present a number of challenges, but with the chimera ants assisting, it may indeed be feasible.>

Mikhailis grinned, leaning back again.

"That's the spirit, Rodion. Challenges are what make life interesting, right? Besides, we've got the means now. The chimera ants can do the detailed work—and trust me, I want this to be detailed. We're not talking about some clunky tin can here. We're talking about something worthy of your capabilities."

Mikhailis nodded, his mind already racing with ideas. He could picture it—a sleek, humanoid form, something agile and capable. It would need to be strong, but not overly bulky. Something that could keep up with him in a fight, but also handle the delicate work that Rodion often did behind the scenes.

"And while we're at it," Mikhailis added, his eyes glinting with excitement, "let's start working on a perfect map of Silvarion Thalor. It's not urgent, but it'll be useful in the long run. We need to know every inch of this kingdom—every hidden path, every resource, everything."

<Understood. The twenty soldier ants will begin their reconnaissance immediately. I shall compile their findings into a comprehensive map over time.>

Mikhailis leaned back, closing his eyes as he let out a contented sigh.

A fully mapped-out kingdom, hidden fortresses, a physical body for Rodion... things are finally starting to take shape.

Rodion's voice, calm and methodical, echoed in his mind once more.

Mikhailis smiled, the excitement bubbling inside him. This was it—the start of something truly grand.

"Ah. And let fifty workers search specifically for metals like iron in this world," he added, his voice filled with determination.