The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

He looked around, taking in the homes that stretched upward, built in and around massive trees. There were winding roots and natural timber seamlessly blending into the structure of each home. The architecture was a harmonious blend of the natural world and human innovation, using stone, wood, and even parts of the tree itself as walls and ceilings.

Here and there, large leaves formed roofs over market stalls, providing shade to vendors selling everything from fruits that glowed faintly, to enchanted amulets, to magical tools that seemed designed for various daily tasks.

Birds with iridescent feathers flitted between branches, chirping melodious tunes, while small creatures, resembling squirrels but with wings, darted playfully between the treetops.

Cerys walked ahead, her red cloak covering most of her body. She led the way, her posture stiff as ever, but her head seemed to turn just slightly to ensure that Mikhailis was close by. Lira and Serelith flanked Mikhailis, both wearing green cloaks similar to his own, their hoods pulled low. The bustling noise of the city surrounded them, a mix of laughter, bartering, and the distant hum of magic.

"This place is…" Mikhailis said aloud, his voice filled with awe. He could barely contain his excitement as his eyes darted from one vibrant sight to the next.

"Incredible. It's nothing like the cities back on Earth."

"The capital is a lively place, to say the least," Cerys responded without turning back, her tone calm but carrying a hint of pride.

"Though, I must warn you, the people can be… overwhelming."

"Overwhelming, huh?" Mikhailis mumbled, his eyes following a vendor who was showing off a glowing pendant. It was amazing—an enchanted item, just sitting in the open marketplace. There was no hiding or pretending here, everything was magic, interwoven with daily life. The pendant glowed with a soft blue light, casting an ethereal glow that captivated everyone passing by.

A shopkeeper nearby called out, and Mikhailis turned his attention to a group of people clustered around a cart selling bright scarves. The scarves were hung between wooden beams, their colors catching the light as they swayed with the breeze. Some scarves even seemed to shimmer with an unnatural sparkle, as though infused with a bit of magic.

"What are those for?" he asked, pointing.

Cerys glanced over, her eyes following his gaze.

"Those are wish scarves. They represent the people's hopes for the future. Families hang them to bring prosperity, luck, or even just good weather."

"Wishes, huh?" Mikhailis mused, watching as a young girl eagerly tied a bright red scarf between two poles, her mother standing beside her, smiling. He could feel the warmth of their bond, the hope that radiated from such a simple gesture.

<Of course, it's nothing but a mere belief>

Mikhailis grinned, shaking his head slightly.

Rodion always had a way of putting a damper on things.

They continued walking, passing by more stalls, each one more fascinating than the last. A vendor demonstrated a magical cooking tool that chopped vegetables on its own, his knife moving with an almost whimsical dance. The knife floated just above the cutting board, slicing and dicing with precision and a certain sense of charm.

There was a stall filled with glowing crystals, each radiating warmth and light, creating a stunning display of colors. Mikhailis found himself drawn to a table displaying what looked like small animals carved out of wood, but they moved, their little limbs twitching as if they were alive.

"Are these…?" he began, pointing to the little wooden animals.

"Animari," Serelith answered, her voice filled with a hint of admiration.

"They're created with nature magic. They act as guardians for the house—simple, but effective against pests and minor dangers."

Mikhailis chuckled, looking at the tiny wooden fox that seemed to blink at him with glowing eyes.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Like magical pest control? I wouldn't mind one of those back home. Way better than those roach traps."

Serelith smirked, her eyes twinkling.

"They're also great for entertainment. Watch."

She leaned over and whispered something to one of the wooden creatures, her fingers brushing lightly over its back. The wooden fox blinked, its small eyes glowing for a moment before it started to dance, its movements fluid and almost lifelike. Its tiny legs moved gracefully, and soon other wooden animals joined in, creating an impromptu performance.

"Whoa," Mikhailis said, grinning.

"That's pretty cool."

Lira crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"It's a simple trick, really. Nothing compared to the enchantments we use for security."

"Oh, come on, Lira," Mikhailis teased, nudging her playfully.

"You have to admit it's adorable."

Lira huffed, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips.

"If you say so, Your Highness. You rarely see the world, so it can't be helped."

They continued to walk further, and Mikhailis found himself marveling at every little detail of the city. The cobblestone streets twisted and turned, lined with stalls selling exotic fruits, magical herbs, and intricately woven fabrics. Street performers were scattered about—some manipulating fire and light, others playing instruments that produced sounds he had never heard before.

The music was rhythmic, echoing throughout the streets, and children danced joyfully around the performers, their laughter ringing through the air.

As they walked, Mikhailis's eyes fell on something that made him stop in his tracks. A group of creatures, standing in a small pen, their bodies covered in scales, with flaps of skin stretched between their limbs. They were saddled, clearly meant to be mounts, but they weren't horses.

"What… are those?" he asked, his voice filled with awe.

"Glideback Lizards," Cerys answered, glancing over her shoulder.

"They're used as mounts by traders and messengers. Those flaps of skin allow them to glide between the trees. They're fast, nimble, and well-suited to the forest terrain."

Mikhailis stared at the creatures, watching as one of them stretched its limbs, the skin flaps opening like wings. The lizard gave a soft growl, shaking its head, its scales glinting in the sunlight.

Glideback Lizards?

He had never seen anything like them—a mount that could glide through the air. It was incredible, almost like a scene straight out of one of his favorite anime series. He imagined himself riding one, soaring between the towering trees of the forest, the wind in his hair.

"What about those?" he asked, pointing to another group of creatures, smaller and more fox-like, their fur shimmering slightly as they moved, their eyes bright and curious.

"Gladefoxes," Cerys replied, nodding toward the creatures.

"They can phase in and out of sight. They're commonly used by civilians because they're cheap and plentiful."

"Wait a minute," Mikhailis said, frowning slightly.

"When we went to the Saintess's place, we were using horses, weren't we?"

<Correct. Horses were used to ensure that you did not panic at the sight of unfamiliar creatures. The queen likely anticipated your reaction and made arrangements accordingly.>

Mikhailis let out a soft laugh.

Elowen really thought of everything, didn't she?

He turned his gaze back to the Gladefoxes, watching as one of them seemed to disappear for a moment before reappearing, its ears twitching.

I should've paid more attention back then.

He remembered the journey to the Saintess's place—how tense it had been, the awkward silence between him, Vyrellda, and Lira. The atmosphere had been stifling, with Vyrellda giving him the cold shoulder and Lira barely speaking. It was no wonder he hadn't noticed the mounts. He had been too focused on trying not to make things worse, feeling the tension weigh down every moment.

But today…

Mikhailis glanced at the people around him, the vendors calling out, the children running through the streets, their laughter filling the air. Women with intricately braided hair walked past, carrying baskets filled with fruits and herbs, their voices warm and melodic as they chatted amongst themselves.

An elderly man sat by the roadside, carving a wooden figure, his fingers moving deftly as he shaped the wood into a recognizable form—a Glideback Lizard. People moved in harmony with one another, with magic, and with nature. It was a beautiful, living community.

Today was different.

Today, he was walking, free to look around, to take in the sights, the sounds, the smells. There was no carriage, no awkward silence—just the lively hum of the city around him, filled with excitement and wonder.

"This place is amazing," he said, his voice filled with wonder.

"I mean, look at all this. The people, the magic, the culture… it's all so different from what I'm used to."

Cerys glanced at him, her expression softening slightly, her posture relaxing as she spoke.

"The capital is a place where magic and tradition coexist. The people here have lived in harmony with the forest for generations. Everything you see—the buildings, the mounts, the magic—it's all a part of that."

Mikhailis nodded, his eyes drifting to a group of children who were playing with a glowing ball. The ball floated in the air, the children laughing as they tried to catch it. He smiled, a sense of warmth filling his chest, the sight reminding him of simpler times, of a carefree childhood that seemed so distant.

"I've always imagined what it would be like to live in a world like this," he said, his voice soft.

"A world where magic is real, where people live in harmony with nature. It's like something out of a storybook."

<And yet, here you are, living in it.>

Mikhailis chuckled.

Yeah, here I am.

<But you sure are exaggerating everything. I believe you've seen everything through the recorded footage of what the chimera ants saw when I displayed it to you.>

"Well, I was more focused on the chimera ant's abilities rather than sightseeing at that moment. Now that you mentioned it, that's right, isn't it...?" Mikhailis replied with a wry smile, glancing at a woman who was selling herbs that glowed softly with green light.

<You really are something else, Mikhailis...>

Setting aside Rodion's voice that seemed to be very tired of him, Mikhailis chuckled.

"So this is the home that Elowen is trying to protect, huh...?" Mikhailis uttered as he saw the sight of people, from the top of the trees laughing with people below, a place where people are smiling all over the place, it shows how they are living their best lives here.

"A place with lots of shops, is a peaceful place. But the kingdom was just recovering from the great war, right? It means that the Queen is doing a very great job," Mikhailis uttered with somehow great pride, knowing his wife is such a great Queen.

<Yes. A great number of stalls and shops means that the people have the capability to buy not just food but other necessities or entertainment as well. Which means that food is fine, so does the security.>

"Of course. Her majesty is someone that is above everyone else. A selfless queen that prioritizes the people. That's why,"

Mikhailis could see Cerys's face stiffened with resolve as she stared at the people before her.

"We need to do our respective duties and protect this place that her majesty has painstakingly made together,"