The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 145 The Northern Defense (3) The Surveillance

The early evening cast a warm glow over the grand estate of Count Arvis, its stone walls catching the dying light of the sun. Mikhailis, having returned from the defensive walls, now rested in the guest room. The estate exuded an old-world charm, with its intricately carved woodwork, grand fireplaces, and polished marble floors. Mikhailis settled himself comfortably on a plush sofa, one leg crossed over the other, a steaming cup of tea resting on the coffee table before him. He leaned back, glancing towards his glasses, where Rodion's visual feed flickered to life.

The feed displayed the perspective of his Chimera Ant soldiers patrolling the walls. Their segmented vision moved smoothly, crawling over the stone fortifications, maneuvering deftly through tight spaces, their small yet formidable bodies hidden from any prying eyes. The guards along the wall, though vigilant, seemed unaware of their presence.

Mikhailis took a sip of his tea, savoring the floral undertones, and nodded to himself. The taste was comforting, almost enough to distract him from the slight unease building up inside. He had sent the Chimera Ants to survey the area for anything suspicious, ensuring no goblins or beetles could creep in unnoticed. The Northern Province had its defenses, but Mikhailis trusted his own creatures more.

<Observation ongoing,>

Rodion reported, his voice crisp in Mikhailis' ear.

<The sentries along the wall are in good condition. Standard rotation is followed, but notable gaps between overlapping sightlines are evident. A potential weakness exists at the northern edge, approximately 15 degrees west. I suggest we patrol that area more frequently.>

Mikhailis raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Looks like the guards could use a little help from my Ant battalion. They just don't have my... insight."

<Or perhaps not your paranoia,> Rodion quipped.

Mikhailis smirked, swirling his tea thoughtfully. He watched as his Chimera Ant soldiers scuttled from one point to another, inspecting gaps in the wall's defenses, shifting through shadows that the guards didn't even glance at.

"Oh? What's that?" Mikhailis' eyes narrowed, focusing on the display. His Ants shifted silently along the wall's edge, inching towards the nearby forest—there, behind a cluster of trees, was movement. Small figures lurked just beyond the treeline, their hunched forms barely visible in the dimming light.

He leaned forward, his senses now on high alert.

"Rodion, enhance that feed."

<Enhancing... Confirmed. Four Thalorian Goblins are present. No indication of an immediate attack, though they are observing the wall carefully,>

Rodion responded.

Mikhailis frowned, watching the goblins as they moved cautiously, glancing up at the wall. Their behavior was different—deliberate and coordinated. It wasn't just a few random stragglers; they were assessing the defenses.

"Hmm... Now that I think about it," Mikhailis muttered, more to himself than to anyone else, "the Thalorian Goblins we tailed previously—they had a pretty sophisticated setup. I mean, they had a communication network, signals, and proper hierarchy." He leaned back, tapping his chin.

"Is it just me, or do these goblins seem... different from the usual idiots we've faced before?"

<Analysis ongoing... Stand by for assessment,>

Rodion replied, his voice flat.

Mikhailis watched as the goblins kept their distance, whispering among themselves, occasionally peering up at the guards on the wall. They were planning something, he could feel it.

<Analysis complete,> Rodion's voice finally broke the silence.

<Observed behavior indicates a level of coordinated activity atypical of standard goblin swarms. The gathered goblins exhibit signs of communication hierarchy, similar to a military reconnaissance unit. Comparison to historical data suggests these goblins may belong to a subsect more advanced than traditional Thalorian Goblins—capable of organized, strategic assault.>

Mikhailis' eyes widened slightly. Continue reading stories on empire

"Advanced goblins? Well, that's just what we need. It's bad enough they're causing problems, but now they're doing it intelligently?" He sighed, his fingers tightening around his teacup.

"Guess that's why they were able to evade the main forces before."

<Indeed. Current hypotheses suggest that the goblins have developed tactics to work in tandem with other local monsters. Their communication abilities surpass previous estimates. If they are forming alliances or directing monsters, we could be facing a much greater threat,>

Rodion added.

Mikhailis rubbed his temples.

"Oh, lovely. Coordinated goblin armies. As if things weren't exciting enough already." He shook his head, turning his attention back to the projection. The Chimera Ants continued to patrol, watching every move the goblins made.

Suddenly, something caught his eye. It was the way the goblins moved, how their heads tilted, their attention shifting sharply—and then, from the forest, there it was. More Tanglebeetles. A lot more.

"Hey, Rodion," Mikhailis said, his tone growing urgent, "do you see what I'm seeing? There's another swarm—looks like they're heading right for the walls."

<Confirmed. Incoming swarm of Tanglebeetles detected. Estimated numbers match the morning wave. The guards have yet to notice.>

Mikhailis shot up from the sofa, his eyes widening.

"They're gonna miss it! The idiots are still chatting away! Quick, throw something at them, wake them up!"

Without hesitation, one of the Chimera Ant soldiers stationed near the walls shifted, picking up a small pebble. It launched it across the distance, striking one of the guards directly in the helmet with a sharp ping!

"Ow! What the—" The guard rubbed his head, looking around, and then his eyes went wide as he saw the massive swarm approaching. He didn't waste a second, turning to the bell and ringing it furiously.

The alarm cut through the estate like a knife, echoing off the stone walls. Mikhailis could hear it even through the thick glass windows. The clang reverberated, and he could see the sudden burst of activity on the walls. Archers rushed to their positions, soldiers grabbing their weapons, scrambling to prepare for the next wave.

Mikhailis groaned.

"Can't even have a peaceful evening, can we?"

<You did request excitement,>

Rodion noted dryly.

The door to the room swung open, and Lira appeared, her expression stern, yet somehow elegant as always.

"Your Highness, another swarm has been spotted. The bell—"

Mikhailis nodded, standing up.

"Yeah, I know, I saw. Guess we're back to work then." He set his teacup down, a slight grin playing on his lips as he stepped towards the door.

"You ready to do some bug squashing, Lira?"

Lira's lips curled in a sarcastic smile. "Only if it keeps you from getting yourself into trouble, Your Highness."

Together, they moved through the estate's corridors, passing servants rushing to and fro, preparing for the unexpected evening disturbance. As they stepped outside, Mikhailis could see Elowen, Vyrelda, and Serelith already taking their positions atop the walls. Earl Vaelis' forces were mustering below, their armor gleaming under the moonlight as they formed up to counter the advancing beetles.

Mikhailis climbed the steps up to the wall, joining Elowen. Her expression was focused, but it softened slightly when she saw him.

"You're here, Mikhailis?" she asked, her voice calm despite the urgency of the moment.

Mikhailis gave her a lopsided grin.

"Couldn't let you have all the fun, could I? Besides, I'm interested as well." He gestured towards the archers, who were now drawing their bows, aiming for the incoming swarm.

The Tanglebeetles approached, their legs skittering across the ground, their chittering growing louder. There were hundreds of them—a writhing mass of dark, chitinous bodies. It was almost identical to the swarm they had faced that morning, and the sight of them filled the air with tension.

Serelith, standing a few paces away, laughed softly, her eyes glinting with mischief.

"More bugs to burn, hmm? My favorite."

Elowen raised her staff, her expression resolute.

"Let's end this quickly. We cannot afford to lose momentum." She glanced at Mikhailis, giving him a quick nod.

"Stay close."

The archers loosed their arrows, the twang of bowstrings filling the air as arrows rained down upon the advancing swarm. Many of the Tanglebeetles were struck, their shells cracking under the impact, but more kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless.

Earl Vaelis shouted commands from below, his voice carrying over the noise. His knights braced for the oncoming clash, shields raised, spears ready to meet the first wave.

"Here they come!" Vyrelda called out, her blade flashing in the moonlight.

The beetles hit the line of knights, their bodies colliding with shields, mandibles snapping. The soldiers grunted under the impact, their formations holding as they pushed back. The sound of metal on chitin, the shouts of men, and the screeching of the beetles created a cacophony that echoed across the battlefield.

Elowen closed her eyes for a brief moment, her lips moving silently as she called upon her magic. The ground beneath the beetles began to shift, roots bursting forth, twisting around the creatures, crushing them in their grasp. The Elder Tree Magic moved with precision, each root striking like a well-aimed spear.

Beside her, Serelith's eyes glowed with a dark light. She raised her hands, dark flames flickering to life around her fingertips. With a graceful motion, she cast the flames towards the beetles, the fire spreading like a wave, engulfing the creatures, leaving only ash in its wake.

Mikhailis watched, a sense of awe washing over him. They were an incredible team—their power, their coordination. He felt a swell of pride, knowing he was part of this.

<Incoming update,>

Rodion's voice crackled in his ear, drawing Mikhailis's attention away from the battle.

The visual feed changed, showing the goblin scouts from earlier. Mikhailis watched as one of them made a series of hand signals—sharp, deliberate movements. Moments later, the Tanglebeetles surged forward.

Mikhailis frowned, his mind racing.

"Wait a minute... Are you saying these goblins—they're commanding the Tanglebeetles?"

<It appears to be a coordinated effort,>

Rodion confirmed.

Mikhailis's eyes narrowed, his heart pounding in his chest.

"So they're not just working together—they're controlling them. This just got a whole lot more complicated."

<Agreed. I will now attempt to trace the origin of these signals. There must be someone—or something—directing the scouts.>

Mikhailis nodded, his gaze hardening.

"Do it. We need to find out who's behind this. If they have the ability to command these creatures, then we're dealing with more than just an organized group of goblins. We're dealing with a legitimate threat."

The feed shifted again, the Chimera Ant soldier moving stealthily through the underbrush, following the goblin scouts. The forest was dark, the shadows long and menacing, but the Ant moved with purpose, determined to uncover the truth.

Mikhailis watched intently, his breath caught in his throat. The goblins moved deeper into the forest, and there, in a small clearing, he saw them—a group of goblin shamans, their staffs glowing faintly, their hands moving in intricate patterns. The air shimmered around them, the magic they wielded pulsating with an eerie energy.

<The goblin shamans appear to be directing the swarm. Magical influence detected, though the target of their spell remains unknown. Further analysis required,> Rodion reported.

Mikhailis clenched his fists, a sense of dread washing over him.

"So that's it… They're the ones behind this. We need to figure out what they're planning—and fast." He glanced towards Elowen, who was still focused on the battle, her magic flowing with precision and grace.

Looks like the real fight is only just beginning... And this time, we're up against something far more dangerous than we've faced before.

Mikhailis turned back to the feed, his resolve hardening.

"Alright, Rodion. Let's dig deeper. Let's find out what these bastards are really up to."