The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 108 Let's Retreat!

"Where did they even come from?"

Rodion's voice was clipped, precise.

The mage in the group suddenly paused, his gaze sharpening. He looked down at the ground beneath him, his eyes narrowing as he extended one hand. He muttered something under his breath, the arcane energy swirling around him.

"Oh no," Mikhailis said, his heart sinking.

"Don't tell me..."

The mage's eyes widened, his voice growing louder.

"There's something below us!"

One of the warriors turned, gripping his weapon—a massive mace—before slamming it down into the ground. The impact sent a shockwave through the underground structure, the walls trembling as part of the tunnel collapsed. Dust and dirt filled the air, the ceiling cracking as debris fell.

Mikhailis watched in horror as the image on his display flickered, showing a section of the tunnel that had collapsed—revealing around ten chimera worker ants, scrambling in confusion.

The warriors and the mage stared in shock, their eyes widening at the sight of the creatures.

"What the hell are those?" one of the warriors shouted, his eyes widening.

The mage's gaze darkened.

"Ant-type monsters, perhaps. I've seen these things before. These type of monsters are dangerous creatures."

Mikhailis cursed under his breath, his heart pounding.

"Rodion, what's the plan?"

There was a brief pause before Rodion spoke, his voice level but with a hint of urgency.

Mikhailis felt a pang of regret, his eyes narrowing. He didn't like the idea of leaving anyone behind—even worker ants. But he understood the necessity. There was too much at stake.

"What if we launch an all-out attack?"

Mikhailis sighed, running a hand through his hair. He hated it, but he knew what needed to be done.

Mikhailis let out a slow breath, his heart heavy. He watched as the mage and the warriors looked around, their expressions a mix of confusion and wariness. They hadn't expected this—they hadn't expected to find chimera ants beneath the base.

Rodion reported, his voice steady.

Mikhailis nodded, leaning back in his chair.

"Good. Let's get everyone back to the nest. We've done what we needed to do."

The display shifted, showing the remaining chimera ants as they moved through the sealed tunnels, carrying the resources they'd secured. The monsters followed, guarded by the soldier ants, their eyes glinting in the dim light. The twenty-eight corpses of the syndicate members were dragged along, their lifeless bodies wrapped in enchanted vines, ready to be delivered to the Queen.

Mikhailis watched, his chest tight. The worker ants had done their job—they'd given their lives to protect the colony, to ensure the safety of the Queen and her growing empire. It was a victory, but it was a costly one.

He let out a sigh, rubbing his eyes.

"Victory always comes with a price, huh?"

Rodion replied, his tone carrying a hint of something almost like sympathy.

Mikhailis nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Yeah, well. At least we live to fight another day. And next time, we'll be stronger."

Mikhailis watched the display as the ants moved through the tunnels, their movements steady and determined. The Queen was waiting, and with her, the promise of more power—more control. This was just the beginning.

"Next time, we'll hit them back," Mikhailis said, his voice filled with determination. He took a deep breath, letting the tension drain from his body.

He knew that sacrifices were part of the game—a necessary evil in the pursuit of victory. And as much as it pained him to lose those worker ants, he knew that their sacrifice had paved the way for something greater.

"Let's get back to the Queen. We've got work to do."

The chimera ants moved through the darkness, their bodies blending with the shadows as they made their way back to the nest. The Queen awaited them, and with her, the promise of growth—of power. This was a setback, but it was also a step forward. And Mikhailis was determined to see it through.

Because in the end, the sacrifices made today would be the foundation for the empire he was building—one that no one would see coming.