The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

"Wai am I hewe aghain!?!?" he shouted, his voice coming out in a lisping, babyish squeak. The words didn't carry the force he intended, and he could feel his frustration building. He tried to stand up, wobbling in place. Everything felt different, awkward—weak.

He grumbled under his breath, noticing his reflection in a polished stone wall. His body had grown, alright. He was a toddler now, bigger and plumper, with limbs that seemed both stubby and clumsy.

"I-It g-gwown so fast!?!?" he muttered, his tiny fists trembling. He looked ridiculous.

The confusion started fading away, replaced by a determination that was all too familiar to him. Okay, Mikhailis, calm down. This was part of the process, right? He took a deep breath, his miniature chest rising and falling as he steadied himself. Today, he was determined to explore.

He wanted a tour—a proper one—of the nest he had built, nurtured, and fought for.

The familiar sensation of telepathic communication buzzed in his mind, and he turned his tiny head as some worker ants approached him. Their telepathic voices came through clearly.

<Your Majesty, we have brought food for you.>

Mikhailis looked down to see plates of what the ants had prepared for him. He scrunched his face in mock seriousness and tried standing up—his legs wobbled for a moment before he plopped back down with a huff.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Maybe not yet, he thought.

He eyed the food in front of him: bits of roasted fungi, a small chunk of a glowing mushroom, and something that looked like minced meat. It smelled—surprisingly—amazing. Mikhailis picked up a piece with his tiny hands and took a hesitant bite. Immediately, his eyes widened.

It was delicious. The flavors exploded on his tongue, and he couldn't help but gobble down another piece, then another, until his cheeks were stuffed like a chipmunk's.

Who knew ant food could taste this good?

But they even prepare a stone that perfectly look like a plate for me, how considerate of them.

<Is the meal to your liking, Your Majesty?>

He nodded, still chewing, the pieces of mushroom dripping from his mouth. It was almost absurdly delightful—how far they had come from the chaotic, half-baked colony they'd started with.

When he'd finished eating, he pushed the empty plate aside and looked up at the worker ants with a glint in his eye.

"Bwing me to da thwone," he commanded, the words coming out muffled by his tiny tongue.

"An' give me a tour!"

The ants exchanged glances, their antennae twitching in what could almost be seen as confusion, before dutifully lifting their small king onto a makeshift throne made from chitin and smooth stones. They held it carefully, carrying Mikhailis through the winding tunnels of the nest.

The first chamber they entered was the Hatchery. Mikhailis gasped in his babyish voice, his eyes wide as he watched the developing eggs tended to by dedicated worker ants. He bounced a bit in his seat, clapping his tiny hands together.

"Thith ith gweat!" he squealed, excitement lighting up his face.

The worker ants carried him onwards, passing through the Agricultural Chamber. Here, rows upon rows of fungi grew in meticulous patterns, their luminescence lighting up the dark chamber. The worker ants harvested them carefully, tending to the crop like diligent farmers.

"Wow..." Mikhailis muttered, squinting at the glowing mushrooms. He couldn't help but feel a little pride in their farming skills. They had really stepped up their game.

Next was the Slime Nurturing Chamber. As they entered, Mikhailis's eyes went wide. In front of him was the giant slime, almost five by five meters in size—about three times the size of a normal human. It was an impressive, gelatinous sight, its form shimmering slightly with iridescent hues.

"B-Big! It so big!" he shouted, pointing at the massive creature. He was genuinely impressed. The slime seemed content, slowly pulsating with an odd sense of serenity, being nurtured under the care of the worker ants.

After that, they moved to the Food Storage Chamber. As soon as they entered, the nauseating smell of decay hit Mikhailis like a punch in the gut. He scrunched up his tiny face, a feeling of sickness bubbling in his stomach as he saw the syndicate members being sliced up for food, their lifeless expressions frozen in terror.

"N-Nex chamber!" he shouted, his babyish voice shaky. He turned his head away, wanting nothing more than to get away from that sight. He wasn't usually squeamish, but this tiny body seemed to amplify everything—including the feeling of disgust.

The next stop was much better. The worker ants carried Mikhailis into the chamber where the captured monsters were being kept. His eyes widened in excitement as he looked at the creatures—the Flaming Salamander, Stone Drake, Storm Hawk, Shadow Wraith, and Ice Bear. All of them were in a hypnotic state, standing still, their eyes glazed over.

"Wow! Wow!" Mikhailis clapped his hands together, a big grin on his face. He was like a kid in a candy store, staring at all the fantastic beasts before him. Guarding these creatures were ten chimera ant soldiers, their sharp mandibles clicking as they acknowledged Mikhailis's presence.

And then, he saw them. The Scurabons, with their hybrid forms, tough and agile; the Frog Variant, with its curious, amphibious look; and the Hypnoveil Variant, its small plant-like growth on its back giving it an eerie, captivating aura.

Mikhailis's eyes lit up with excitement.

<Your Majesty,>

came the voices of the specialized variants, each distinct and clear. The Scurabons sounded stern, the Frog Variant's voice was smooth, and the Hypnoveil was almost musical. It was surreal hearing them all communicate directly with him.

"Show me! Show me fight!" Mikhailis demanded, bouncing slightly on his throne.

The variants moved forward. The Scurabons demonstrated their strength and agility, attacking a practice dummy (A stone) with precise, powerful blows. The Frog Variant leapt high, its jumps fluid and graceful, showcasing its versatility. The Hypnoveil focused its gaze on a worker ant, the plant on its back glowing slightly. The worker ant froze, its body swaying as if entranced.

Mikhailis watched, his mouth agape, his eyes filled with wonder.

"Gweat! So gweat!" he cheered, his tiny hands clapping. He couldn't believe how powerful they were. The potential of the colony seemed endless, and it filled him with a sense of pride.

After the display, the worker ants carried Mikhailis back to his original chamber. As they entered, Mikhailis noticed the Chimera Ant Queen waiting for him. Her large form was regal, her many eyes watching him with an amused glint.

<Did you have fun wandering all over the place, my child?>

Mikhailis nodded enthusiastically, a big grin on his face.

"Yeth! Ith wath fun!"

Ah. Crap. I completely took the act as her child, didn't I?

The Queen chuckled softly, her massive mandibles clicking together.

<I am glad. This nest is yours, after all. It is meant to be a place of safety and strength for you.>

She paused, her tone turning more serious.

<However, we are about to enter a crucial moment.>

Mikhailis tilted his head, his babyish expression curious.

"Why? Whath gonna happen?"

The Queen's gaze seemed to grow darker, more intense.

<As you grow, my child, you emit pheromones—a signal of sorts. These pheromones will attract other enemies—predators, competitors. They will come for us, and for you.>

She leaned closer, her voice a low hum in his mind.

<We must be prepared. Until you are more mature, there will be attacks on this nest—from all sides. And if you were to die in this state... your soul would become one with the egg and decay. You are still linked to it, still fragile. Only when you mature will your soul become independent.>

Mikhailis blinked, his babyish smile faltering.

"Ith... Ith dangerous..." he said absentmindedly, the words coming out without much thought.

But then, realization hit him. His eyes widened, his tiny hands trembling slightly. If his soul disappeared, wouldn't that mean he'd die for real? No more respawns, no more do-overs.

Even if this is a clone body, he would still die for real.

He swallowed, a chill running through his tiny body. The Queen's words echoed in his mind, each one like a weight pressing down on him.

He looked up at the Queen, his babyish voice shaking slightly as he spoke.

"I-Ithn't this... the gweatest twial I've faced since I entered this world...? Am I... am I gonna die...?"