The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when the goblin fortress became a chaotic battleground. The combined forces of Queen Elowen, Vyrelda, and Earl Vaelis poured into the heart of the fortress, their strength unparalleled. They were an unstoppable wave of steel, magic, and sheer willpower. Mikhailis moved silently, slipping through the narrow passages of the fortress, avoiding the main fray. His heart pounded in his chest as he tried to steer clear of the worst of the battle. The poison he'd mixed into the goblin dinner had done its job well—many goblins stumbled, sluggish and weakened, making them easy targets for the attacking forces—but their numbers were still overwhelming. And now the goblin leaders—the Apostle, the lich, and the champions—had rallied their forces for a final stand.

Mikhailis crouched behind a stack of barrels, his eyes scanning the battle. The humans were advancing, but the goblins were stubborn, even in their weakened state. He could hear the deep roar of the Goblin Apostle above the clash of swords and the cries of war. It was a mess—and one that he desperately wanted to stay out of.

Just stay out of it, Mikhailis, he thought, inching his way along the side of a wall, keeping to the shadows.

Stay alive, that's the goal.

He found a narrow alley between two sections of the fortress wall, the perfect spot to hide and watch without getting involved. From his vantage point, he could see them—Queen Elowen, Vyrelda, and Earl Vaelis—each cutting through the goblin ranks with almost supernatural ease. Mikhailis shook his head, unable to hide his amazement.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"That's just not humanly possible," he muttered under his breath.

Vyrelda was a blur of silver steel, her strikes precise and deliberate. She moved with a cold efficiency, her eyes locked onto each target, her blade finding weaknesses in the goblin defenses as if they were made of paper. There was a rhythm to her movements—an artistry that spoke of years of relentless training. Mikhailis watched her with a mix of awe and gratitude that he wasn't on the receiving end of her blade this time.

Not far from her, Earl Vaelis was like a living wall of power. His sword was massive, almost as big as some of the goblins themselves, and he wielded it with brutal force. Each swing sent goblins flying, their bodies crumpling under the sheer strength of his attacks. He fought with an intensity that seemed to shake the very ground beneath him, his roar echoing through the battlefield like a challenge to all who stood in his way.

But it was Elowen that truly caught Mikhailis's gaze. She moved like water—graceful and fluid, her magic weaving through her strikes in an elegant dance of death. A hint of fire erupted from her blade, arcs of light cutting through the goblins as she fought. Her presence was commanding, her every move deliberate. She was a beacon on the battlefield—a force of nature that seemed to rally the soldiers around her, filling them with courage.

Mikhailis couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips.

That's my wifey... always incredible, he thought, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer before he tore his gaze away.

He had to focus. He couldn't afford to be caught in this madness—not with so much at stake.

He was about to shift further back into the shadows when something caught his eye—a group of human magicians arriving on the battlefield. Their robes fluttered as they moved into position, their hands raised as they chanted spells to support the assault. Among them was a figure that made Mikhailis's heart sink—Serelith.

Her long, flowing purple hair seemed to glow under the faint sunlight, her eyes scanning the battlefield with an intensity that made Mikhailis's blood run cold. Her aura was palpable—powerful and mysterious—and Mikhailis found himself holding his breath, praying she wouldn't notice him.

But, of course, she did.

Her amethyst eyes locked onto his hiding spot, a smirk spreading across her face. She raised her voice, her words cutting through the noise of battle like a blade.

"Where do you think you're hiding, little goblin?"

Mikhailis cursed under his breath, his eyes widening as Serelith started moving towards him. He turned on his heel and ran, his heart pounding as he dodged through the narrow corridors of the fortress, weaving in and out of sight. He could hear Serelith's laughter behind him—a soft, almost playful sound that sent a chill down his spine.

"Running won't save you, you know," she called after him, her voice teasing.

Mikhailis ducked around a corner, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Why is it always me? he thought, gritting his teeth as he vaulted over a broken section of the wall, his feet barely touching the ground before he took off again.

He could feel her presence behind him—a dark, looming force that seemed to close in with every step.

Suddenly, black vines shot up from the ground in front of him, blocking his path. Mikhailis skidded to a halt, barely avoiding running straight into them. He turned, only to see Serelith approaching, her eyes alight with amusement. She raised her hand, and black flames erupted from her palm, scorching the air as they shot towards him.

Mikhailis dove to the side, rolling across the ground as the flames licked at his heels. He scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding, his eyes wide as he looked at Serelith. She stood there, her head tilted slightly, her smile never wavering.

"You're quite nimble for a goblin," she said, her voice dripping with amusement.

Mikhailis grunted, trying to keep his expression as goblin-like as possible. He couldn't let her know who he really was—not now, not when everything was on the line. He ducked as Serelith flicked her wrist, sending shards of black ice shooting towards him. He could feel the chill as they passed by, the sharp edges grazing his skin.

He darted around another corner, his breath coming in short, panicked bursts.

This woman is insane! he thought, his mind racing as he tried to figure out his next move.

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He couldn't keep running forever—he needed a plan.

<Mikhailis,>

Rodion's voice echoed in his mind, calm and precise.

<Lady Serelith is one of the top-tier magicians of the continent. She possesses [King] rank in three elements—[Nature], [Fire], and [Ice]. Her proficiency makes her nearly unmatched.>

Mikhailis groaned inwardly, narrowly dodging another blast of black flames.

Thanks for the unnecessary explanation, Rodion!

"No kidding," Mikhailis muttered, ducking as another vine shot out from the ground, nearly wrapping around his leg. He needed to find a way to throw her off, even if just for a moment. He needed a distraction.

As he ran, his eyes caught sight of the goblin shamans gathered near the center of the courtyard. They were chanting, their hands raised as they prepared a spell. Mikhailis's eyes narrowed. He knew that if they managed to complete whatever they were casting, it could be disastrous for the human forces as it might be a curse.

No choice, he thought, gritting his teeth.

He slowed his pace slightly, allowing Serelith to close the distance between them. He glanced over his shoulder, making eye contact with her. Her smile widened, her eyes narrowing as she prepared another spell.

"What's wrong, little goblin?" she called, her voice mocking.

"Tired already?"

Mikhailis didn't respond. Instead, he feigned a stumble, his body pitching forward as if he had lost his balance. Serelith's eyes lit up, and she raised her hand, black flames swirling around her fingers.

Now!

Mikhailis twisted his body, throwing himself to the side just as Serelith unleashed her spell. The flames roared past him, striking the ground where he had been standing.

In that split second, Mikhailis pulled out one of his knives, his eyes locking onto the shamans.

With a flick of his wrist, he let the knife fly. It cut through the air, striking two of the shamans in quick succession.

They crumpled to the ground, their chant cut short, the dark energy dissipating as their concentration broke. The remaining shamans looked around in confusion, their spell incomplete.

Mikhailis didn't waste any time. He turned and ran, using the chaos to slip away from Serelith. He could hear her shout behind him, her voice filled with frustration, but he didn't look back. He ducked into the shadows, moving quickly and quietly, his heart pounding in his chest.

He found a small alcove, pressing himself against the wall, his breathing heavy. He could hear the sounds of battle around him—the clash of swords, the shouts of soldiers, the cries of the dying. He closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing, his mind racing.

Phew... safe.

He let out a shaky sigh, his body slumping against the wall. He had made it—for now, at least. But the battle was far from over, and he knew that if he wanted to survive, he would have to be smart—smarter than he had ever been before.

"Damn, this goblin body is nice, but in this rate, I might get slain by one of them..."