The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 148 Improvements Within The Chimera Nest

Mikhailis reclined on the plush sofa, the crackling fireplace casting a warm light across the guest room, and took another sip from his teacup. The aromatic steam rose, blurring his vision momentarily before Rodion's feed projection took over his attention. The Chimera Ant soldiers' segmented vision filled his glasses, following the retreating goblins through the forest. His eyes narrowed slightly.

These goblins are being weirdly calculated. Something's off.

But before he could delve deeper into what was off, Mikhailis set the concern aside and turned his attention back to his AI assistant.

"Rodion, give me the full report on the nest," he instructed, taking another sip of his tea.

"Let's start with the most interesting developments."

Mikhailis blinked, curiosity piqued.

"Wait, they aren't fully hypnotized anymore? How are the ants managing them?"

Rodion paused as if to let Mikhailis catch up before continuing.

Mikhailis whistled softly, eyes glued to the projection.

"That's pretty ingenious. I mean, who knew the ants would basically turn slimes into frass-processing factories?" He set his teacup down, fingers drumming thoughtfully on the armrest.

What's next?

Mikhailis interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

"What about the root?"

Rodion paused before adding, almost with a hint of pride.

"Hey, what's happening? Is this some sort of an evolution?"

"Wow! I never thought the evolution could be this exciting!" Mikhailis uttered in excitement.

The air seemed to ripple around Hypnoveil, a low humming sound resonating through the forest. Its body, previously stout and rugged, began to transform. The contours became sleeker, more refined, its carapace gaining a glossy, almost metallic sheen. The small plant growing on its back expanded, vines unfurling and extending outward, writhing and twisting as if alive. They grew longer, thicker, draping over Hypnoveil's form like a living cloak. The once modest plant now bore large, vibrant leaves, each one pulsating with a faint blue glow, and tiny, luminescent flowers began to bloom, adding an ethereal beauty to its monstrous form.

The transformation seemed to last forever, and Mikhailis watched, enraptured. He could barely blink as he saw Hypnoveil's newly grown vines twitch, moving as though they had a will of their own—tentacle-like, extending and retracting with an almost predatory grace.

Mikhailis jumped up, a wide grin breaking across his face.

"That's awesome! I knew you had it in you, buddy!"

He was about to continue when he realized something cold was pressed against his palm. He glanced down, his smile fading into confusion as he saw a silver talisman resting in his hand, its surface etched with intricate runes that seemed to shift and shimmer in the firelight.

"What... Is this...?"

He stared at the talisman, his heart pounding in his chest, a strange sense of unease washing over him. The room seemed to grow quieter, the crackling of the fireplace fading into the background as he turned the talisman over, the runes glowing faintly in response to his touch.

Then.

*Whoosh!!!*

What the hell is going on?

Suddenly, Mikhailis blinked, and the scene around him changed. He no longer felt the warmth of the guest room or heard the comforting crackle of the fireplace. Instead, a damp chill hung in the air, the scent of soil and moss thick around him. He was standing in the middle of a dark, dense forest, and all around him, goblins moved, their hunched forms skulking between the trees. His heart pounded, the eerie glow from their eyes flickering in the dim light as they began to turn towards him.

Mikhailis spun in place, his head whipping around to take in the unfamiliar surroundings. The goblins' guttural whispers grew louder, echoing off the trunks of the twisted trees. The forest floor seemed to shift beneath his feet, roots coiling and uncoiling like serpents, and he felt the panic start to claw at him. He reached out instinctively, but there was nothing to grab onto—only darkness and those glowing eyes, closing in from every direction.

This... This can't be real...

He could almost feel their breath, hear the scrape of their claws against bark as they crept closer, circling him. He clenched his jaw, his instincts screaming for him to move, to run, but his feet felt rooted to the spot. He blinked again, his vision blurring, and for a moment he swore he could feel the ground shifting under him, the entire forest leaning in as if it were alive. His pulse pounded in his ears, the world around him narrowing to a single point—escape.

Then, just as quickly as it had come, the forest disappeared. The warmth of the guest room returned, and he found himself back on the plush sofa, the silver talisman still cold in his hand. His breaths came in sharp gasps, his heart thundering in his chest as he glanced around, his eyes wide with shock.

"What just... Happened...?"