The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

<We cannot simply allow these predators to pick us apart at their leisure, my child. We must seize control of the battlefield. We shall not wait for them to strike; we will decide where and when they attack. And we shall use you, my dear Mikhailis, as the bait.>

He blinked, his round toddler eyes widening. "Eh?" he managed to utter, his babyish voice almost comically high-pitched.

The Queen leaned forward, her many legs shifting as she made her point clear.

<Your pheromones, in your current state, are broadcasting your presence far and wide. Predators, competitors—they are all coming, driven by instinct and curiosity. Rather than facing these attacks in unpredictable waves, we shall lure them to a place of our choosing, where we can fight on our own terms.>

Mikhailis's mouth fell open. This... this sounded risky. Beyond risky, actually. He was being used as live bait! The Queen's voice continued to reverberate through his mind, steady and unwavering.

<We shall create a strategic position near the surface, where it is more accessible to these predators. You will be at the center of it. I shall position our forces around you to ensure that no harm comes to you, but make no mistake, Mikhailis—you must remain still and allow the battle to unfold.>

"Ehhhh?" This time, the pitch was even higher, disbelief clear in his squeaky voice. He could feel his tiny heart hammering against his ribs. Being bait was not exactly on his list of things he wanted to do today—or ever, for that matter.

<This will ensure that we fight on our own terms,> the Queen added, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Mikhailis let out a sigh, his little shoulders sagging. He didn't like this plan one bit, but the Queen was right. If they were going to be attacked either way, better to control the situation rather than be caught off guard. Still... the idea of being bait was terrifying.

I'm just a baby right now! And not just any baby—a clone baby! How am I supposed to do this? he thought, his eyes growing large and teary. But there was no other choice.

____

He shivered slightly, feeling the cool wind on his exposed skin. He was a toddler, wearing only a small tunic-like garment that barely covered him. Being at the center of all these soldiers, fully aware that he was literally the bait, wasn't exactly comforting.

"E-Eh?" he stammered again, looking at the imposing soldiers. They were formidable, certainly, but they were also all he had between him and the approaching attackers. He glanced around, his eyes wide, trying to take in the sight of the defensive formation.

They had positioned themselves with strategic precision—rows of soldiers, with Scurabons in the middle and Fire Scarabs on the outskirts, ready to act as both distraction and support.

The Hypnoveil stood at a slightly elevated spot, the tiny plant on its back glowing faintly, its hypnotic leaves rustling in the wind.

Mikhailis let out a shaky breath, his teeth chattering slightly. I can do this, he tried to convince himself.

I trust the Queen. I trust the soldiers.

Still, the fear gnawed at him. He knew how fragile his current form was—how easy it would be for a powerful monster to break him.

The Queen's voice echoed in his mind, calm and commanding.

<Stay focused, my child. You are our signal, our beacon. The soldiers will handle the rest.>

He nodded, trying to put on a brave face. But his little body trembled, the weight of his role pressing down on him. He was terrified, and he couldn't help it. All he could do was sit there, surrounded by soldiers, hoping—praying—that they could protect him.

I-Is this the punishment for all of my sins, I wonder...?

____

The attackers burst forth—wild monsters and magic beast bugs, drawn by his pheromones. Mikhailis's eyes widened as he saw them. There were large beetle-like creatures with iridescent shells, their mandibles snapping aggressively. He could see a creature that looked like a giant centipede, its many legs skittering across the ground with a horrible, clattering sound.

And then there was a monstrous wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes, its fur bristling as it snarled.

"E-Eh?!" Mikhailis squeaked, his voice breaking with fear.

The chimera ant soldiers moved instantly, forming a tight wall around him. The soldier ants, standing tall with their thick armored exoskeletons, clashed with the attackers, their mandibles snapping and their legs striking with precision. The Scurabons, with their toughened hybrid forms, lunged at the giant centipede, their agile bodies moving with swift grace.

The air was filled with the sounds of battle—the clacking of mandibles, the screeches of the attacking monsters, and the thundering growls of the wolf-like creature. Mikhailis watched, his eyes wide, as the Fire Scarabs moved to intercept the beetle creatures, their bodies glowing faintly as they released bursts of fire, creating a dazzling display that acted as both attack and distraction.

He couldn't help but feel awe at the sight of the soldiers working together. Their loyalty and sacrifice were clear—they fought with everything they had, their sole purpose being to protect him. The attackers were relentless, but the soldiers stood their ground, defending him fiercely.

Mikhailis's body trembled, his small hands clutching the edges of his seat so tightly his knuckles turned white.

This is real, he thought.

I could die here. If they break through, if they reach me... The fear was overwhelming, his breaths coming in rapid gasps.

But he couldn't let it consume him. He had to trust the Queen, trust the soldiers. He had to stay still, stay calm, and let them do their job.

One of the wolf-like creatures lunged at the defensive line, its jaws snapping inches away from one of the soldier ants. The ant retaliated, its mandibles clamping down on the wolf's neck, forcing it back. The Hypnoveil, standing tall behind the line, focused its gaze on the wolf, its leaves glowing faintly. The wolf's eyes glazed over, its body swaying slightly as it fell under the hypnotic spell.

Mikhailis watched, his fear mixing with a sense of awe. The Hypnoveil had turned the wolf—one of their attackers—into an ally, at least temporarily. The wolf turned, lunging at the beetle creatures with a snarl, its eyes still unfocused.

This... this is the power of the hypnotic leaves, Mikhailis realized, his eyes widening.

We can turn enemies against each other. It was a powerful ability—one that could shift the tide of battle in their favor.

The battle raged on, and Mikhailis could feel the exhaustion setting in. His body felt heavy, his eyelids drooping as he watched the soldiers fight. The attackers were relentless, but the ants were stronger. They held the line, pushing back the attackers bit by bit.

The Queen's voice echoed in his mind once again, her tone filled with calm determination.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

<We are succeeding, my child. The attackers are retreating. Hold on just a little longer.>

Mikhailis nodded weakly, his tiny body slumping in his seat. He watched as the soldiers pushed the remaining attackers back, their mandibles snapping and their legs striking with precision. The wolf, still under the Hypnoveil's control, snarled as it lunged at the centipede, driving it away from the defensive line.

Slowly, the attackers began to retreat, disappearing back into the shadows of the forest. The soldiers held their ground, their bodies tense as they watched for any signs of another attack. But the forest was silent once more, the only sound the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.

Mikhailis let out a shaky breath, his body relaxing as the tension began to fade. They had done it. They had repelled the attackers. He looked around at the soldiers, their armored forms standing tall and proud. He felt a deep sense of gratitude towards them, towards the Queen, for protecting him.

The Queen approached, her massive form towering over him. Her eyes glinted with a mix of pride and determination.

<This will not be the last time, my child,>

she said, her voice gentle but firm.

<Until you are fully grown, this will continue. They will come for you again and again.>

Mikhailis's eyes widened, his tiny body tensing once more.

"E-Eh?!" he stammered, his voice breaking.

T-Then won't my life constantly be in danger?!

The Queen's gaze softened, and she nodded slowly.

<Indeed. But we shall protect you, my child. You will grow stronger, and one day, you shall no longer be prey. You shall be the predator.>

Mikhailis swallowed hard, his eyes wide with fear and determination.

This... this is my life now, he thought, his tiny hands trembling.

Constant danger, constant threats... but I will grow stronger. I have to.

He took a deep breath, his gaze hardening as he looked up at the Queen.

But will I survive, I wonder... Rodion. Help me~