The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 111 Tour Around The Nest!

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

She paused, her tone turning more serious.

Mikhailis tilted his head, his babyish expression curious.

"Why? Whath gonna happen?"

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

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

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...?"