The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Mikhailis and Cerys stepped back, panting slightly after the initial scuffle. The Thorncrawlers were still a looming threat in the clearing, their spiky bodies shifting uneasily as they moved around the nest. Mikhailis wiped sweat from his forehead, glancing at Cerys, who was already assessing the battlefield with her usual focus.

"Alright," Cerys said, her voice steady, "we need a proper plan this time. We can't just charge in and expect to come out of this unscathed." She gestured to the rest of the Thorncrawlers, still clustered protectively around the mound.

"If we can separate them, take them in smaller groups, we stand a better chance."

Mikhailis nodded, his gaze following her hand as she pointed.

"Dividing them makes sense. The fewer we have to fight at once, the better." He glanced at the enchanted net in his hand and the pouch of herbs on his belt.

"I can use these herbs to create some barriers—maybe keep them from regrouping once we split them up."

Cerys looked thoughtful, her eyes scanning the clearing once more.

"Right. We need to lure smaller groups away—I'll take the lead and draw them out, but we need to be smart about where we fight them. If we can get them into narrow spaces, they won't be able to overwhelm us with their numbers."

Mikhailis smirked, his eyes lighting up.

"You know, I was just about to say that. Great minds think alike, Lone Wolf." He gave her a wink, which earned him an eye roll, but he noticed the corners of her lips twitch upward slightly.

She took a deep breath, nodding.

"Alright. Let's do this." She gave him a stern look, her eyes narrowing.

"But remember, you stay back. Let me take point."

He raised his hands in mock surrender.

"I promise, I'll be the best support you could ask for."

Yeah, right, he thought.

Like I'd let you handle all the danger alone.

He patted the dagger strapped to his belt, ready to jump in if things got dicey.

Mikhailis reached into the pouch of repellent herbs, taking a handful and scattering it around the clearing. The pungent smell spread quickly, and the Thorncrawlers recoiled, their antennae twitching in agitation. Cerys wasted no time, stepping forward to draw their attention.

She whistled sharply, her voice cutting through the quiet of the forest.

"Hey! Over here!" she shouted, her sword raised. The Thorncrawlers' heads snapped in her direction, their mandibles clicking furiously as they began to move towards her.

Mikhailis took a deep breath, then cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted.

"Come on, you ugly pincushions! I'm right here!" He waved his dagger in the air, making himself an easy target. A few of the Thorncrawlers turned towards him, breaking away from the main group.

"Good," Cerys muttered under her breath, her eyes focused as she slipped behind one of the creatures. Her movements were fluid, almost graceful, as she darted around its side, her sword slicing at its exposed underbelly. The Thorncrawler let out a high-pitched screech before collapsing.

Mikhailis moved quickly, keeping his eyes on the creatures as they followed him. He backed away slowly, making sure they didn't lose interest.

"That's right, keep coming," he muttered, his gaze flicking over to Cerys. She was already leading a small group of five away from the main nest, her sword glinting in the dappled sunlight.

Cerys moved with purpose, her body a blur as she dodged the Thorncrawlers' attacks. She led them away from the nest, giving herself enough space to maneuver. Mikhailis watched, his heart pounding in his chest. He waited for the right moment—the instant when one of the creatures was isolated, its guard down.

"Now!" Cerys called out, her voice sharp.

Mikhailis threw the enchanted net, the vines unfurling mid-air and wrapping tightly around the Thorncrawler. The creature thrashed, its mandibles clicking in frustration, but the net held firm. Cerys took advantage of the opening, her sword striking down another Thorncrawler with a precise blow.

"As expected of the famous Lone Wolf," Mikhailis said, his voice carrying a note of admiration. He couldn't help but smile as he watched her, her movements confident and controlled. She truly was something else.

Cerys glanced at him, her lips curving into a small smile.

"Focus, Your Highness. We're not done yet." Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

They paused for a moment, catching their breath. The clearing was quieter now, with only a few Thorncrawlers left around the nest. Mikhailis looked at Cerys, his eyes shining with determination.

"So far, so good," he said, a hint of humor in his voice.

"Ready for round two?"

Cerys nodded, her eyes still sharp.

"Let's keep moving. We can handle this."

They moved closer to the main nest, the majority of the Thorncrawlers clustered together in a defensive formation. The creatures formed a tight circle, their thorny bodies pressed together, protecting the nest from any potential threat. Mikhailis and Cerys crouched behind a fallen log, observing their movements.

"They're guarding the nest," Cerys murmured, her eyes narrowing.

"We need a distraction—something to break their formation."

Mikhailis looked around, his gaze landing on a large branch lying a few feet away. He picked it up, testing its weight, and then glanced at Cerys.

"How about we make things a little... fiery?" He gave her a mischievous grin.

Cerys raised an eyebrow but nodded.

"Alright. But be careful—we don't want to set the whole forest on fire."

Mikhailis nodded, grabbing a small flask of oil from his bag and dousing the end of the branch. He struck his flint against his dagger, the spark catching, and soon the branch was ablaze. He waved it in the air, the flames flickering brightly.

The Thorncrawlers reacted immediately, their attention shifting towards the fire. They let out high-pitched screeches, their bodies shifting as they tried to back away from the heat. Mikhailis swung the branch, keeping their focus on him while Cerys moved around to the side.

She caught his signal, her eyes locking on a gap in the creatures' defenses. She moved quickly, her feet light as she darted forward, her sword plunging into the exposed underbelly of one of the Thorncrawlers. The creature let out a final screech before collapsing, and Cerys wasted no time moving to the next one.

Mikhailis moved along the edge of the clearing, tossing handfuls of enchanted herbs to keep the remaining Thorncrawlers at bay. The creatures hesitated, their antennae twitching as the scent reached them. He could feel his pulse racing, his senses heightened by the adrenaline of the fight.

Cerys worked methodically, her sword cutting through the Thorncrawlers' defenses. She targeted their joints, her strikes precise and efficient. Mikhailis watched her, his eyes filled with admiration. He moved in tandem with her, striking at the creatures' legs to keep them off balance while she delivered the final blows.

"Keep going, Cerys! We've got this!" he called out, his voice filled with determination.

Cerys didn't respond, her focus entirely on the battle. Her movements were a blur, her sword flashing as she cut down the Thorncrawlers one by one. Mikhailis moved to her side, keeping the creatures from flanking her, his dagger finding its mark in the gaps between their armor.

They worked together, their teamwork seamless as they reduced the number of Thorncrawlers guarding the nest. The air was filled with the screeches of the creatures and the clash of metal against their thorny shells. Slowly but surely, the number of Thorncrawlers dwindled.

Suddenly, Cerys found herself surrounded by three Thorncrawlers, their mandibles clicking as they closed in on her. She took a step back, her foot slipping slightly on the uneven ground. Mikhailis's heart skipped a beat, and without hesitation, he lunged forward, his dagger flashing.

He plunged the blade into the side of one of the creatures, his breath coming in short gasps.

"I told you, I've got your back," he said, his voice breathless but confident.

Cerys looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. For a brief moment, her stoic expression softened, a hint of vulnerability showing through. She gave him a small nod, her lips curving into a grateful smile before she turned her focus back to the battle.

They stood back-to-back, their movements almost instinctive as they fought off the remaining Thorncrawlers. Mikhailis blocked a creature's attack with his dagger, his arm straining against the force, while Cerys struck down another with a swift, powerful blow.

"Just a few more," Mikhailis called out, his voice strained. He could feel the exhaustion setting in, but he pushed it aside, his focus solely on protecting Cerys.

Cerys nodded, her breathing labored but steady. Together, they fought their way through the remaining Thorncrawlers, their bodies moving in perfect sync. Mikhailis could feel his muscles burning, his hands aching from the constant strain, but he refused to back down.

With the last few Thorncrawlers left, they made a final push. Cerys charged forward, her sword flashing as she sliced through the thick, thorny shells of the creatures. Mikhailis followed, his enchanted net at the ready. He threw it with all his strength, the vines wrapping around the last Thorncrawler and immobilizing it.

They stood over the nest, their chests heaving, the clearing littered with the bodies of Thorncrawlers. Mikhailis looked at Cerys, his eyes shining with triumph. He extended his hand towards her, his grin wide.

"Care to do the honors, Lone Wolf?"

Cerys looked at him, her expression softening as she took his hand, clasping it firmly.

"We're done," she said, her voice filled with relief and satisfaction.

They clasped their hands together, a sense of camaraderie settling between them. For a moment, everything else faded away—the exhaustion, the tension, the danger. All that remained was the sense of accomplishment and the bond they shared.

Suddenly, the ground beneath the nest began to shift, a low rumbling sound echoing through the clearing. Mikhailis and Cerys both turned, their eyes widening as the nest split open, revealing a massive, thorn-covered figure emerging from the depths.

The creature was unlike the others—larger, more menacing, with wicked thorns protruding from every surface. It let out a deafening screech, its mandibles clicking furiously as it rose to its full height.

Mikhailis's eyes widened, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Y-You must be kidding me..." he muttered, his voice barely audible. He glanced at Cerys, who was staring at the creature, her eyes wide with shock.

He let out a shaky breath, his gaze never leaving the massive Thorncrawler queen.

"Suddenly hitting us with the area boss... This just got a whole lot more interesting."