The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 144 The Northern Defense (2) The Guess

As the early dawn light bathed the defensive walls of the Northern Province, the air was alive with a mix of tension and determination. Mikhailis stood beside Elowen and Count Arvis, observing the soldiers below, all in high spirits after their victory against the first wave of the Tanglebeetles. He adjusted his glasses, casually remarking.

"Twenty-seven days of attacks left, huh?"

Count Arvis froze, his eyes narrowing as he slowly turned towards Mikhailis. His brows knitted together, suspicion and curiosity filling his expression.

"What did you say? How did you know that there would be another twenty-seven days of attacks of the Tanglebeetles attack waves?" Arvis's voice was barely above a whisper, yet it held an edge that demanded an answer.

Mikhailis blinked, raising an eyebrow at the unexpected reaction.

"Uh, just a lucky guess, I suppose? You know... With all the monsters, it's bound to keep us busy for a while." He scratched his head, giving an awkward chuckle, his attempt at diffusing the tension evident.

But Count Arvis wasn't having it. He stepped forward, his tone growing sharper.

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"That's not something someone just 'guesses.' Only our best strategists have estimated that the attacks will continue for twenty-seven more days, and none of them have made that information public. Now, how would you, of all people, know something like that?"

Mikhailis gulped, trying his best to play it off.

"Oh, come now, Count Arvis. I'm just a peculiar consort with a penchant for bugs," he replied smoothly, his hand waving dismissively.

"Sometimes I stumble upon the right answer, purely by chance—like a broken clock that's right twice a day."

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Elowen, sensing the tension between the two men escalating, stepped in with her typical grace. She let out a gentle laugh, placing a hand on Count Arvis's arm.

"Oh, Count Arvis, my Prince Consort has always been full of surprises," she said, giving Mikhailis a teasing smile.

"He's a mysterious one, always seems to know things he shouldn't even if those guesses are just based on his intuition. It's part of his charm, wouldn't you say?"

Count Arvis frowned, his eyes flicking from Elowen to Mikhailis and back again, clearly unsatisfied with the vague explanation. But Elowen's calm smile seemed to ease his suspicion slightly. With a reluctant sigh, he nodded, his gaze turning back towards the horizon where the next threat might emerge.

"Very well," he muttered, though his eyes lingered on Mikhailis for a beat longer before turning away.

"But I'll be keeping an eye on you, Consort." Those words left not with a glare but with an interested grin.

This is going to be troublesome...

Mikhailis grinned, bowing slightly.

"That's very admirable of you, Count. Always vigilant."

As Count Arvis moved away to oversee the soldiers below, Elowen stepped closer to Mikhailis, her expression shifting from playful to inquisitive. She leaned in, her voice a soft whisper, barely audible.

"Alright, my love, how did you really know about the twenty-seven days?"

Mikhailis sighed, casting a quick glance around to make sure no one else was within earshot. He leaned closer to her, their heads almost touching.

"Alright, alright," he murmured.

"It wasn't just some random guess." He tapped his glasses, and a subtle display flickered to life, just enough for Elowen to see. Various holographic charts and diagrams overlaid the environment around them, filled with data points and markers.

<Commencing explanation. Utilizing leyline convergence, mana influx patterns, seasonal fluctuations, and historical data collected, I've cross-referenced all factors to determine an estimated timeline of the outbreak continuation—the results point precisely to twenty-seven days of sustained attacks>

Mikhailis gave Elowen a sheepish grin, gesturing towards the display.

"See? Rodion's been feeding me all the data he's gathered—things like leyline maps, insect breeding behaviors, mana convergence schedules... I put it all together and, well, it kind of pointed to twenty-seven days." He paused, then added, "Honestly, it was more of an educated guess based on intuition, but I didn't think I'd be spot-on."

Elowen blinked, looking at the layers of information displayed before her. She turned back to Mikhailis, her golden eyes filled with awe.

"You really are something, you know that?" she whispered, her voice tinged with admiration.

"I never imagined you'd be able to understand so much about our world, considering where you came from." She smiled warmly, her hand resting gently on his arm.

"You truly are full of surprises, my love."

Mikhailis scratched the back of his head, a hint of a blush on his cheeks.

"Aw, you're just saying that. It's nothing, really—just doing my part to stay useful around here." He turned back towards the horizon, his expression growing serious as he took in the sight of the distant forest.

<Incoming update, Mikhailis. Visual feed from the hypnotized Thalorian Goblin indicates increased movement deeper within the cavern system. It appears a larger gathering is taking place—possibly a coordinated effort for an upcoming attack>

Rodion's voice broke the moment, a sense of urgency cutting through the gentle morning. The display shifted, showing a feed from the goblin's perspective. The dark, twisted cavern was alive with goblins, shamans, and other figures moving rapidly, almost as if preparing for something.

Mikhailis's demeanor shifted instantly, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.

"Elowen," he whispered, his voice urgent, "we might have a bigger problem on our hands, after all." He motioned her away from the wall, leading her to a quieter spot.

"Rodion says that the thalorian goblins are mobilizing. It looks like they're gathering forces for a bigger assault," Mikhailis explained, his tone serious.

"We need to prepare—something tells me this isn't going to be just another wave of beetles."

Elowen's face hardened, her eyes steeling with resolve.

"What do you suggest?" she asked, her voice calm but carrying a weight of determination.

Mikhailis rubbed his chin, thinking quickly.

"We need a contingency plan in case they come at us with full force. We need to have Vyrelda and Serelith ready together with the forces of Earl Vaelis as well, especially if this attack is something beyond the usual Tanglebeetle horde." He looked at her, his expression softening slightly.

"I don't want to take any chances."

Elowen nodded, her trust in Mikhailis evident.

"I'll send word to them immediately," she said, her voice unwavering.

"We'll be ready for whatever comes." She squeezed his hand gently before turning away to relay the message to a nearby messenger.

As she moved away, Mikhailis took a deep breath, trying to keep his nerves steady. He adjusted his glasses, glancing at the feed once again. The goblins were moving with purpose, their numbers growing, the tension palpable even through the holographic screen.

Looks like we're in for one hell of a fight... I just hope everyone's ready for it.

Mikhailis's gaze shifted towards the far end of the wall, where Count Arvis stood, his eyes still watching the soldiers and the horizon beyond. Mikhailis caught the older man's eye for a brief moment, and he could see the suspicion lingering in the count's gaze.

He's not going to let this go, is he? Mikhailis thought, a wry smile forming on his lips.

Guess I'll have to watch myself around him. The last thing we need is someone digging too deep.

He turned his attention back to Elowen as she returned to his side, her expression a mix of concern and determination.

"Vy and Seri are on high alert," she said, her voice hushed.

"Whatever comes, we'll face it together."

Mikhailis nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"That's right. Together." He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

"We'll get through this, I promise I won't do anything rash this time. And then maybe… we can finally have that peaceful moment we've been talking about."

Elowen let out a soft laugh, nodding as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I'll hold you to that," she murmured.

"But for now, we'll fight."

Mikhailis tightened his arm around her, his eyes focused on the distant horizon, the anticipation of the upcoming battle heavy in the air.

Count Arvis, standing a few paces away, observed the exchange between the Queen and her consort. He frowned, a mixture of confusion and curiosity in his gaze. He'd heard stories about the eccentric, insect-loving consort of Silvarion, but seeing Mikhailis now—there was something more, something that didn't quite add up. He'd have to keep an eye on him, that much was clear.

As the soldiers below prepared for whatever came next, Mikhailis felt a mix of emotions—worry, excitement, determination. He had faced many challenges since being brought to this world, but there was something different about this moment. The stakes were higher, the danger real, but beside him stood Elowen—his queen, his love. And for her, for all of them, he would do whatever it took to keep them safe.

A monster outbreak war, huh...

"Now this is a fantasy type of thing,"

<You're pushing your luck, Mikhailis>

"Oh shut up, Roidon,"