The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

He zoomed in on the queen's chamber, noticing something peculiar. The queen had grown larger, her shiny exoskeleton glistening under the dim bioluminescent light produced by some of the worker ants. Mikhailis could barely believe the change in her appearance. It wasn't just her size, but her posture, the way she carried herself—almost as if she had become more self-aware.

Rodion's voice chimed in his ear.

<Observation: The queen has experienced significant growth after consuming the human captives from the Technomancer League. An increase in body mass by approximately 60%. It is likely she will produce more variant eggs, similar to the recently hatched frog variant.>

Mikhailis raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a grin. "Variant chimera ants with more special traits, huh? Just what kind of cocktail mix are we brewing here, Rodion? This is starting to sound like a recipe gone wild."

<The comparison to culinary experimentation is noted. However, this development is highly advantageous for expanding the colony's capabilities. The queen appears to be planning an expansion of the nest; worker ants have started enlarging the chambers accordingly. There are now one hundred worker eggs and fifty soldier eggs in the hatchery.>

"Yeah, well, bigger family means bigger mouths to feed," Mikhailis muttered, watching as a group of workers hauled nutrients to the queen's chamber.

"We still have some of the Technomancer bodies, the magic herbs I've been planting, and the occasional mouse that wanders too close, but sooner or later, it's gonna run out."

<Correct. The current supply of resources will sustain the colony for an estimated period of four to five weeks. Additional resources will need to be procured to maintain growth.>

Mikhailis frowned. He could see it—an empire of chimera ants, a powerful force he could control, yet the reality of keeping them fed weighed on him. As he zoomed in on the nest, he noticed something else—something that caught his eye immediately.

It was a tunnel near the far end of the nest, where several workers had gathered. They were moving with urgency, their antennae twitching excitedly. He squinted at the feed, his curiosity piqued.

"What's going on over there, Rodion?" he asked, leaning closer to the screen.

<Workers have encountered another underground colony. Initial visual analysis suggests the presence of an insect species of magical nature.>

Mikhailis's eyes widened.

"Another colony? What kind of bugs are we talking about here? Anything interesting?"

<Analyzing... The identified species appears to be a colony of luminous scarabs. They exhibit magical attributes, specifically photoluminescence, and possess minor fire-affinity traits. Estimated colony size: approximately two hundred to three hundred individuals. They may provide a significant nutritional source if conquered.>

Mikhailis let out a low whistle, his grin returning.

"Well, well, looks like the neighbors are about to get a surprise visit. Are the workers planning on raiding them?"

<The workers are currently evaluating their options. Their behavior suggests an inclination towards offensive action.>

Mikhailis rubbed his hands together, his excitement growing. He watched as the chimera ants began to gather—soldiers and workers alike—moving with an almost eerie synchronization. The queen, massive and regal, shifted in her chamber, her antennae vibrating as if giving silent commands.

Mikhailis couldn't help but lean forward, his eyes glued to the screen. Read the latest on empire

"Is this your doing, Rodion? You controlling them?"

<Negative. The queen appears to be autonomously directing the colony's actions. It is a display of emergent behavior, likely driven by a perceived threat or opportunity regarding the neighboring colony.>

Mikhailis felt his pulse quicken, a mix of fear and exhilaration washing over him. He'd never seen the queen leave her chamber before. She moved slowly, her massive form navigating through the tunnels with the workers clearing a path ahead of her, digging and expanding to make space for her.

"Whoa, she's actually going for it... This is insane," Mikhailis whispered, his fingers tightening around the edge of the desk.

"If she gets herself killed, we're done for. I can't just summon another queen, you know!"

<Your concern is valid. However, based on current assessments, the queen is well-protected by the accompanying soldier ants. Their numbers include thirty soldiers and seventy workers. Probability of successful confrontation: 65%, contingent upon opposition capabilities.>

"Yeah, yeah, don't sugarcoat it for me, Rodion." Mikhailis let out a nervous chuckle, his eyes glued to the display. He watched as the workers dug relentlessly, the tunnel extending further towards the scarab colony.

The tension was almost palpable as they approached the edge of the scarabs' domain. Mikhailis could see the faint glow of the luminous scarabs in the distance, their lights flickering like a constellation in the darkness of the underground. The chimera ants advanced cautiously, the soldiers forming a protective barrier around the queen, while the workers continued to expand the tunnel.

"Here we go..." Mikhailis muttered, his heart pounding in his chest. The excitement was there, yes, but so was the fear—if he lost the queen now, everything he had built would crumble. His hopes, his plans, everything hinged on this one moment.

<Approaching enemy perimeter. Initial estimates place the opposing numbers between two hundred and three hundred scarabs. Defensive formation observed: frontline guard scarabs, supported by luminescent drones. Potential fire-affinity capabilities detected. Advising caution.>

The scarabs began to react, their lights intensifying, forming a line to block the advancing chimera ants. The air in the tunnel seemed to vibrate with energy, the flickering glow of the scarabs casting eerie shadows on the earthen walls.

Mikhailis swallowed hard.

"Come on, guys, you got this... Rodion, what's the strategy here? Are they just gonna rush in?"

<The chimera ant soldiers appear to be positioning themselves for an initial strike. No complex strategy detected. Direct engagement likely.>

"Of course," Mikhailis muttered, shaking his head.

"Who needs strategy when you've got numbers and raw strength, right?"

The chimera ants surged forward, the soldiers leading the charge. The scarabs met them head-on, their bodies glowing fiercely as they clashed with the chimera ants. The tunnel erupted into chaos—glowing scarabs and dark exoskeletons colliding, mandibles snapping, legs scrabbling for purchase.

The scarabs fought fiercely, their fire-affinity magic manifesting in small bursts of flame that scorched the air. Mikhailis winced as one of the chimera ants was caught in the blast, its body crumpling to the ground, charred and lifeless. But the chimera ants pressed on, undeterred by the loss.

The soldiers pushed forward, their powerful jaws snapping at the scarabs, their bodies moving with a precision that only a hive mind could achieve.

Then, something unexpected happened. The queen, still positioned at the back of the formation, began to emit a low, resonant hum. Mikhailis watched in awe as a wave of energy seemed to radiate from her, washing over the entire chimera ant army.

<Energy surge detected. The queen is emitting a frequency that appears to be enhancing the physical attributes of the chimera ants. Size increase observed: approximately 50% enlargement of all soldier and worker ants.>

Mikhailis's jaw dropped.

"No way... She's buffing them? This is like some kind of real-time strategy game power-up!"

The chimera ants, now larger and more imposing, redoubled their efforts, their mandibles snapping with renewed vigor. The scarabs, despite their fire magic, began to falter under the sheer force of the chimera ants' assault.

The queen wasn't done. Mikhailis watched, his eyes wide as the queen opened her mandibles, a sphere of water forming in front of her. It hovered there for a moment, growing in size before she launched it forward. The water bullet struck a cluster of scarabs, the impact sending them sprawling, their lights flickering out.

<Analysis complete. The queen has exhibited a new ability: Water Bullet. Likely acquired from the consumption of the magic frog. Estimated power: moderate, with potential for area-of-effect impact.>

Mikhailis let out a laugh, shaking his head in disbelief.

"She's got magic now? This just keeps getting better!"

The tide of the battle began to turn. The scarabs, though numerous, were no match for the enhanced chimera ants. The soldiers tore through their ranks, their enlarged mandibles crushing the scarabs' bodies, while the workers swarmed over the fallen, dragging them back towards the nest.

The queen fired another water bullet, the force of the impact sending more scarabs flying. The luminescent glow of the scarab colony began to fade, the once bright and defiant lights now dimming as the chimera ants overwhelmed them.

Mikhailis could hardly contain his excitement. He watched as the chimera ants pushed forward, the queen's presence a towering figure behind them, her water bullets striking down any scarabs that dared to stand in their way. The scarab colony was crumbling, their defenses shattered, their numbers dwindling.

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