The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Mikhailis lounged comfortably on the plush sofa, his head tilted back with an arm lazily resting behind his head, watching as Lira sat beside him, completely absorbed in the game she was playing. The sight made him chuckle. Lira, usually so elegant and composed, had a furrowed brow and an intense gaze fixed on the screen as she guided her virtual farmer through another day in the game "Harvest Sun." Her delicate fingers danced over the controller, and every once in a while, she would let out a sigh—of frustration or triumph, he couldn't always tell.

"Alright, how do I... oh! The prices are up for tomatoes! I should sell them, right?" Lira muttered to herself, her voice almost a whisper.

Mikhailis grinned. He couldn't help but be entertained by how invested she had become in the virtual world. This was the same Lira who usually moved with such elegance and control, handling everything with an air of calm competence. Now, she was getting all worked up over pixelated crops and chickens.

"Yep, sell them while the market's hot. If you keep them for too long, they might go down in value," Mikhailis said, offering advice while trying to suppress another chuckle.

Lira didn't look away from the screen as she nodded, pressing the buttons frantically.

"Yes, yes... I'm selling! And what about these... strawberries? Should I wait on those?"

Mikhailis shook his head, smiling.

"Nah, strawberries are high-value right now. You should sell them too. Oh, and make sure to water your crops before the day ends. Otherwise, you'll regret it tomorrow."

Lira let out an exaggerated groan as she maneuvered her farmer character towards the well to fetch water.

"This game is deceptively complicated, Your Highness. Who knew farming could be so... stressful?"

He laughed.

"Welcome to the world of virtual farming. It's all about the grind, Lira. You thought being my maid was tough? Try raising cows and growing strawberries while trying to keep those spirit sprites happy."

Lira's lips twitched into a smile, her gaze still glued to the screen.

"You jest, but honestly, I might prefer tending to you over dealing with these spirit sprites. They're very demanding."

Mikhailis nodded sagely.

"You've got to appease the sprites, Lira. Their blessings give you those rare seeds. Without those seeds, your profit margins are going to look terrible. And let's face it—a bad margin is unacceptable."

"Yes, yes. Rare seeds," Lira repeated, her eyes focused as she maneuvered the farmer back to the barn.

"How do I get more of those again? The ones that bloom in winter—what did you say they were called?"

"Frost Lilies," Mikhailis replied, holding back a grin.

"You need to complete the sprite's challenge near the mountain. It's a tricky one—better get ready for a lot of running back and forth."

Lira sighed deeply, and for the first time, she looked away from the screen, fixing Mikhailis with a dry look.

"I'm starting to think this game is just your way of tormenting me."

He laughed aloud, shaking his head.

"Nah, Lira. It's all about building resilience—a different kind of endurance training, if you will."

Lira shook her head, her ponytail swaying behind her as she returned her attention to the screen.

"I should've known your definition of 'relaxing' would be a form of labor."

"Hey, you volunteered! Don't pin this on me now," Mikhailis retorted, his voice playful.

"True," Lira muttered, her voice quieter now.

"But I'm determined to figure it out. I won't let a simple game defeat me."

Mikhailis leaned back, watching her with an affectionate smile. There was something oddly charming about seeing Lira in such a state—competitive, focused, determined to succeed even in the little things. It was part of what made her, well, Lira. The elegance, the calm—but beneath it all, a fierce determination that drove her forward.

She's definitely more competitive than I thought.

He chuckled inwardly, watching as she carefully navigated through another day in the virtual world.

For the next hour, Lira was completely engrossed in "Harvest Sun." Her frustration peaked every now and then—a failed crop here, a lost chicken there—but she pushed forward, learning, adapting, and improving. Mikhailis could only smile at the sight, feeling an unexpected sense of warmth.

While Lira was still glued to the screen, Mikhailis found his thoughts drifting. His eyes closed, and a small, satisfied smile spread across his face. Life had taken an unexpected turn since his arrival in this world, and he couldn't help but reflect on how far he'd come.

I've got quite the power structure going now, he thought, a sense of pride welling in his chest.

The chimera ants, Skullborne Ravager, and now his little goblin faction—they were all part of the network he was building, each piece playing its role perfectly. Skullborne was becoming a real leader among the goblins, and with the chimera ants working tirelessly on the fortress and assisting in all kinds of projects, Mikhailis felt like he was on the right path.

He let his eyes wander to Lira, who was still deeply invested in her game. Her presence was another pillar of stability in his life. He appreciated her loyalty, her unwavering dedication. And then there was Elowen—the Queen of Silvarion Thalor, his wife. Despite the complexities and responsibilities that came with her role, she had always supported him, encouraged his wild ideas, and trusted him even when those ideas seemed strange.

And Serelith, he thought, his lips curling into a slight smirk.

Serelith was a puzzle—mischievous, strange, and driven by her own desires—but he couldn't deny that she was fiercely loyal. She was one of Elowen's closest friends, and over time, she had become something else to Mikhailis as well.

Yeah, I've got a pretty good setup here. A strong base, loyal allies... Maybe, just maybe, this peaceful life can last for a while. He sighed contentedly, settling deeper into the cushions.

<You know, Mikhailis, that kind of statement is often referred to as a "death flag" in Japanese culture.>

Mikhailis's eyes snapped open, and he groaned.

"Rodion, really? You have to ruin a perfectly good thought like that?"

<I'm simply stating facts, Mikhailis. Typically, when characters express sentiments about wanting things to stay peaceful, chaos ensues shortly thereafter.>

Mikhailis rolled his eyes, sitting up.

"Well, lucky for us, we're not in a cliché anime. Besides, even if something does happen, we've got all our bases covered, right?"

<Optimism noted. However, as your ever-vigilant AI companion, I am obligated to remain prepared for any eventuality.>

"Yeah, yeah. Well, keep your alarms set to 'high,' just in case," Mikhailis muttered, waving a hand dismissively.

Rodion always has to be the killjoy. He shook his head, but a smile still played on his lips.

Death flag, huh? Well, we'll see.

Rodion's sarcasm aside, Mikhailis understood the sentiment. They had done well to establish a peaceful environment, but it wouldn't take much to tip the balance. He had learned that in both worlds—peace was fragile, always at risk of being shattered.

While Rodion's warning lingered, Mikhailis shifted his thoughts to something else—something that gave him a sense of accomplishment beyond battles or power. He thought about the efforts they had put into the kingdom's agriculture, the strides they had made in helping Silvarion Thalor prosper.

It had all started with a simple idea—a formula for a more effective fertilizer, something to help improve the soil and increase the yield of crops. He and Rodion had worked on it, perfecting it, and eventually, they managed to create something that really worked.

The chimera ants had been essential in manufacturing it, of course. Their precision, their efficiency, had made it possible to produce the fertilizer on a scale large enough to distribute it to the farmers. And instead of hoarding the knowledge, of trying to control the formula for their own benefit, Mikhailis had decided to give it to the people. Explore stories on empire

Why hold back something that can help everyone? he had reasoned.

And now, looking at how the kingdom was flourishing, he knew he had made the right choice.

<The formula for the fertilizer was a simple one, yet effective. A balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—with a few added components for enhancing the soil's natural microbial activity. Quite basic, but highly efficient.>

Mikhailis smiled.

"Yeah, basic, but it works wonders. It's funny how the simplest solutions can have the biggest impact."

<Indeed. The local wheat—known as "Elenbarley"—has shown a marked increase in yield. The corn, referred to as "Kroshel Maize," and even the root vegetables, such as "Valisroot," have all exhibited growth patterns well beyond previous expectations.>

Mikhailis leaned back, nodding.

"Elenbarley, Kroshel Maize, Valisroot... I've gotten used to these names now. Feels like second nature."

<Your progress in understanding agricultural sciences is commendable, Mikhailis. Particularly for someone who was initially more interested in insects and anime.>

He chuckled.

"What can I say, Rodion? I'm a man of many talents. Besides, helping the kingdom grow like this—seeing the people thrive—it's kind of satisfying. It's like... making an actual difference, you know?"

<It is a notable contribution. The projections indicate that, should the current trends continue, Silvarion Thalor's agricultural output may exceed previous yields by approximately 800%.>

Mikhailis raised an eyebrow, impressed.

"800%, huh? That's... a lot of food. No wonder Elowen looked so happy when she got those reports."

<It is indeed a significant increase. The implementation of proper fertilizer application techniques has drastically altered the kingdom's productivity. Agricultural response to such improvements tends to be highly advantageous, provided the conditions are right.>

Mikhailis rolled his eyes.

"Alright, alright. Spare me the lecture. I get it—fertilizer good, more food, kingdom happy."

<Of course. Shall we discuss the potential introduction of irrigation techniques next? The designs for a localized irrigation system suited for each specific crop—>

"Whoa, whoa, one thing at a time, Rodion," Mikhailis interrupted, holding up a hand.

"Inventions should be introduced slowly. We don't want people getting too dependent, and besides, it's more fun when the local inventors take the hints and run with them themselves."

<But if we->

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Mikhailis said, waving him off.

"Let them figure some things out on their own. It'll be better for everyone in the long run."

Rodion was silent for a moment, then spoke again, his tone shifting slightly.

<There is, however, a potential issue with this newfound prosperity.>

Mikhailis's smile faded slightly, his eyes narrowing.

"What kind of issue?"

<Envy. The kingdom's increased productivity and wealth are likely to attract unwanted attention. Neighboring factions, rival kingdoms... prosperity breeds envy. And envy, Mikhailis, is a trait inherent in all beings—particularly humans.>

Mikhailis sighed, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. He stared at the floor for a moment, considering Rodion's words.

Of course. Nothing good comes without a price.

He knew that better than anyone. For every step forward, there was always a risk, always something lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"Yeah," he said quietly, his voice lacking its usual playfulness.

"I get it. Prosperity brings its own set of problems. And if people start seeing Silvarion Thalor as a threat, they're not going to just sit around and watch."

<Correct. Vigilance will be required. You have done well to establish a secure base of operations, but external threats are inevitable.>

Mikhailis stayed silent, his gaze distant. He knew Rodion was right. The more they achieved, the more they built, the more they grew, the more they would become a target.

"We'll handle it," he said finally, his voice steady.

"Whatever comes, we'll deal with it. Just like we always do."

<Understood. I shall maintain vigilance.>

But then, so suddenly.

The atmosphere in the room seemed to shift suddenly. Rodion's voice interrupted Mikhailis's thoughts, this time with an urgency that made him sit up straight.

<There is something happening, Mikhailis.>

Mikhailis frowned, his eyes narrowing. "What is it? What's going on?"

The feed from one of the chimera ants following Elowen came into view, projected onto his glasses. Mikhailis saw Elowen sitting in a meeting room, her face showing a hint of surprise. She was surrounded by advisors and other officials, her eyes widening as a messenger whispered something in her ear.

<According to the messenger, a foreign prince—Prince Laethor, the diplomat—has arrived unannounced.>