The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

The sound of a lock clicking into place echoed through the dimly lit shop. Aria drew the curtains with a swift motion, plunging the room into an eerie twilight. Mikhailis watched her, his usual grin fading as the atmosphere grew tense.

"Alright, Aria," he said, his voice low.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"What's this all about? I'm guessing you didn't bring me here for a friendly cup of tea."

Aria turned to face him, her eyes glinting in the dim light.

"You're right, Mikhailis. Or should I say... Prince Consort?"

Mikhailis froze, his eyes widening slightly.

Well, shit. This just got interesting.

<Mikhailis, our identity has been compromised. I suggest we proceed with extreme caution.>

"Prince Consort, huh?" Mikhailis said, forcing a chuckle.

"That's a new one. What makes you think I'm royalty? Do I look that charming?"

Aria's lips curled into a knowing smile.

"Oh, come on. The Prince Consort who never leaves the castle? The one everyone's been gossiping about? It wasn't hard to put two and two together when I saw you wandering around like a lost puppy."

Mikhailis sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Alright, you got me. So what now? You planning to sell this juicy bit of info to the highest bidder?"

"That was the plan," Aria admitted, leaning against a cluttered shelf.

"But things have... complicated."

She took a deep breath, her facade of confidence cracking slightly.

"Look, I didn't want to get mixed up in all this. My brother and I... we're in deep trouble. There's this network, see? They deal in smuggled enchanted items, artifacts, forbidden magic—you name it. And they've got their claws in everything, including some pretty big names in the underworld."

Mikhailis listened intently, his jovial demeanor replaced by a sharp focus.

"And let me guess, you and your brother are caught in the middle of it all?"

Aria nodded, her expression grim.

"My brother, Callen... he's a skilled mage, but he's always been a bit... troubled. They've got him working for them now, enchanting items. And me? I've been gathering information, playing both sides.

But it's getting dangerous. We need out."

<Mikhailis, this situation presents both great risk and potential opportunity. Proceed with caution, but consider the intelligence we might gain.>

My thoughts exactly, RodionMikhailis thought, a slow grin spreading across his face.

Finally, a chance to see the hidden corruption of this place. Every kingdom has its dark underbelly, after all.

"So," Mikhailis said, his eyes gleaming with excitement rather than fear, "you're proposing a deal, I take it? What exactly did you have in mind?"

Aria looked at him, surprise evident on her face.

"You're... not scared?"

Mikhailis laughed.

"Scared? Nah, more like intrigued. You're offering me a peek behind the curtain, aren't you? A chance to see the strings being pulled?"

<Mikhailis, I must advise against getting involved in local criminal activities. The potential risks far outweigh—>

"Here's the deal," Aria said, cutting off Rodion's unheard warning.

"You help me and my brother get out of this mess by using your name, and I'll not only guide you out of here safely, but I'll also give you something valuable. Information. The kind that could help protect your precious kingdom from threats you don't even know exist yet."

Mikhailis's grin widened.

"Now you're speaking my language. Alright, Aria. You've got yourself a deal. So, what's our first move?"

Before Aria could respond, a loud crash echoed from outside. Shouts and the sound of splintering wood filled the air.

"Damn it," Aria cursed.

"They're here. We need to move, now!"

She rushed to a bookshelf, yanking on a dusty tome. With a groan, the shelf swung open, revealing a dark passageway.

"Secret passage?" Mikhailis quipped as they hurried inside.

"How very cliché. I love it."

As the bookshelf closed behind them, plunging them into darkness, Mikhailis could hear the shop's front door being broken down. Aria grabbed his hand, leading him through the twisting passage.

"So," Mikhailis whispered as they moved, "mind filling me in on the details? Who are we running from, exactly?"

Aria's voice was tight with tension.

"The syndicate's enforcers. They must have figured out I've been feeding them false information. We need to get to my brother before they do."

They emerged from the passage into a narrow alley, the sounds of pursuit fading behind them. Aria led the way, navigating the labyrinthine streets of the capital's underbelly with practiced ease.

"My family," she explained as they ran, "we were respected alchemists once. But the syndicate... they wanted our skills. When my parents refused, they..." Her voice caught.

"They killed them. Trapped me and Callen in their web."

Mikhailis's expression darkened.

"I'm sorry, Aria. That's... damn."

They ducked into another alley as a group of rough-looking men ran past the entrance. Aria pressed on, her voice low and urgent.

"I've been working undercover, gathering intel. But it's bigger than I thought. The syndicate, they're not just dealing in illegal magic. They're connected to the Technomancers League."

Mikhailis's eyebrows shot up.

"The Technomancer countries? I've heard whispers about their movements. Some kind of revolutionary magic users' country, right?"

Aria nodded grimly.

"They're pushing the boundaries of magic, developing techniques that defy the laws here. And the syndicate? They're their suppliers, their muscle, and their feeder of information. They've even got their hooks in local law enforcement."

<Mikhailis, this information could be crucial for the kingdom's security. We should prioritize gathering more intel.>

For once, Rodion, we're on the same page, Mikhailis thought.

"How deep does this go?" he asked Aria as they paused to catch their breath.

"Deep," she replied.

"The syndicate's been feeding addictive magical drugs to key officials, keeping them under control. My research at the alchemy shop? It's all related to the Technomancers' 'modern magic'. We're talking about a complete upheaval of the magical order if they succeed."

Mikhailis whistled low.

"And I thought palace politics were messy. So, where are we headed?"

"An abandoned warehouse," Aria said, peering around a corner before motioning him to follow.

"It's where they store their smuggled goods. And where they're keeping Callen."

As they approached the warehouse district, Mikhailis could feel the excitement bubbling up inside him.

This was it—a real adventure, a chance to make a difference. And maybe, just maybe, a way to protect Elowen and the kingdom from a threat they never saw coming.

<Mikhailis, I've taken the liberty of deploying some of our Chimera Ant soldiers to the area. They'll provide us with real-time surveillance.>

Nice work, Rodion, Mikhailis thought, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Let's see what we're up against.

The warehouse loomed before them, a hulking shadow against the night sky. Aria pointed to a side entrance, partially hidden behind some crates.

"That's our way in," she whispered.

"But be careful. The place is rigged with magical traps."

Mikhailis nodded, his expression turning serious.

"Lead the way, Aria. Let's go get your brother."

They crept towards the entrance, Aria's eyes darting back and forth, scanning for danger. As they reached the door, she pulled out a small vial filled with a glowing liquid.

"Detection potion," she explained, sprinkling it on the door handle. The liquid sizzled, revealing intricate magical runes.

"Just as I thought. Trap."

Mikhailis watched in fascination as Aria worked, her fingers moving in complex patterns as she muttered under her breath. The runes flickered and faded.

"Impressive," Mikhailis murmured.

"You've got some skills, Aria."

She flashed him a quick smile.

"You pick up a few things in this line of work. Come on, let's move."

They slipped inside, the warehouse's cavernous interior stretching out before them. Crates and shelves filled with mysterious objects lined the walls. Mikhailis could feel the hum of magic in the air, making the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

<Mikhailis, the Chimera Ants are in position. They're detecting multiple heat signatures throughout the building. Callen appears to be in a room on the far side, heavily guarded.>

"Thanks, Rodion. Time to put those sneaking skills to use,"

Mikhailis tapped Aria on the shoulder, pointing towards the far end of the warehouse.

"I think your brother's that way," he whispered.

"But we've got company. Lots of it."

Aria's eyes widened.

"How do you—never mind. We need to be careful. These guys won't hesitate to use lethal force."

They made their way through the warehouse, ducking behind crates and sliding between shadows. Mikhailis found himself grinning despite the danger. This was the kind of excitement he'd been craving since arriving in this world.

As they neared their destination, a commotion erupted from a nearby room. Angry voices echoed off the walls.

"You worthless piece of trash!" a gruff voice shouted.

"If you can't finish the enchantment, we'll find someone who can!"

The sound of something—or someone—being thrown against a wall made Aria flinch.

"Callen," she whispered, her face pale.

Mikhailis's eyes narrowed.

"What enchantment are they talking about?"

Aria's expression turned grim. "

They've been working on something big. A cursed blade that drains magical energy from its wielder. It's meant for some big shot in the underworld. If they complete it..."

"Bad news for everyone, got it," Mikhailis finished. He glanced at the door, then back at Aria.

"So, what's the play? Grab your brother and run, or try to sabotage their little project?"

Aria hesitated, conflict clear on her face.

"I... I don't know. We need to get Callen out, but if we could stop that blade from being completed..."

<Mikhailis, may I remind you that our primary objective should be to extract ourselves and the civilians from this dangerous situation. Engaging in further—>

Sorry, Rodion, Mikhailis thought, a mischievous glint in his eye.

But I think it's time we stirred things up a bit.

"Aria," he said, his voice low and determined, "I've got an idea. But it's going to be risky. You up for it?"

Aria looked at him, surprise and curiosity warring on her face.

"What did you have in mind?"

Mikhailis grinned, the kind of grin that would have made Elowen both exasperated and fond.

"We're going to rescue your brother and sabotage that blade. And while we're at it..." His eyes gleamed with excitement.

"We might just take over this whole operation."

Aria's jaw dropped.

"Take over? Are you insane? These are dangerous criminals we're talking about!"

"Exactly," Mikhailis said, his voice filled with a confidence that surprised even him.

"And they're about to learn just how dangerous I can be."

As he spoke, Mikhailis's mind raced with possibilities. The syndicate, the Technomancers, the corrupt officials—all of it connected, all of it a threat to Elowen's kingdom. But what if...

What if we could turn this threat into an advantage? he thought, the plan taking shape in his mind.

These guys could be perfect food for the Chimera Ants. And if we take over their operation... I could experiment what if the ants possess a magic tool, what would happen.

<Mikhailis, I must advise against this course of action. The risks are—>

"Incalculable, I know," Mikhailis muttered.

"But so are the potential benefits, Rodion. Think about it. We could have our own network of informants, access to cutting-edge magical research, and a way to keep tabs on the underworld. It's perfect!"

Aria looked at him like he'd grown a second head.

"You're serious about this, aren't you?"

Mikhailis nodded, his expression a mix of determination and barely contained excitement.

"Dead serious. But first things first—let's get your brother out of there."

With a deep breath, Mikhailis steeled himself for what was to come. It was time to show this world what he was really capable of. Time to prove that he was more than just Elowen's eccentric consort.

It was time to become the spider at the center of the web.

But of course.

Secretly.