The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 286 The Mysterious Group

The fire crackled softly, bathing the camp in a golden light that contrasted with the deep shadows beyond. The girls were huddled near the fire, their attention completely captivated by the shimmering creams and gels Mikhailis had concocted. Lira's typically composed demeanor gave way to a rare smile as she dabbed a tiny amount of gel onto her hand, watching it absorb instantly, leaving her skin smooth and glowing. Estella's excitement was unrestrained; she leaned forward to examine the product on Lira's hand, her curiosity palpable.

"This is incredible," Estella said, practically bouncing in her seat. Her eyes sparkled with genuine excitement as she turned her hands over, marveling at how smooth and luminous her skin looked. "I've never seen anything like this! You could sell it for a fortune!"

"Or keep it for myself," Lira quipped, her voice laced with rare playfulness. The elegant maid dabbed another bit of gel onto her wrist, watching as it absorbed instantly, leaving a faint shimmer. "Imagine the envy of every noblewoman at court. They'd kill to know my secret."

"You're forgetting the part where this comes from monster ichor," Cerys interjected dryly, though her gaze lingered on the shimmering jar. Seated on a nearby rock, she crossed her arms in a defensive posture, trying to mask the flicker of interest in her emerald eyes.

Her stoicism cracked for a moment when Estella, grinning mischievously, held up the cream toward her. "Come on, Cerys, give it a try. Even Lone Wolves need to pamper themselves sometimes."

"I don't need—" Cerys began, only to stop short as Estella grabbed her hand and smeared a dab of cream on her knuckles. The faint sheen caught the firelight, and for a moment, Cerys simply stared, her expression unreadable.

"See?" Estella said, practically glowing with pride. "It doesn't bite."

"Neither do I," Cerys muttered, though her tone was softer. She shifted uncomfortably but made no move to wipe it off.

Even Vyrelda, who had dismissed the entire exercise as frivolous when it began, found her resolve weakening. She stared at her own reflection in the polished surface of her blade, turning it slightly to catch the glow from the fire. The faint shine of the gel on her cheek was subtle yet undeniable. Her usual scowl softened as she muttered under her breath, "Ridiculous."

"Did you say something, Vyrelda?" Estella teased, her voice sing-song. "I think someone's falling for Mikhailis' genius after all."

"Absolutely not," Vyrelda snapped, but her hand brushed against her cheek as though to confirm the product was still there.

Mikhailis sat slightly apart from the group, his posture relaxed as he leaned back on his elbows. The campfire's golden light danced across his glasses, concealing the glimmer of amusement in his eyes. He let out a soft sigh, glancing up at the star-speckled sky. The girls' banter swirled around him, a light and pleasant melody against the backdrop of their harsh surroundings.

They're so caught up in this, he thought, his lips curving into an amused smirk. Who knew a little alchemy and monster ichor could turn into a beauty trend?

His gaze lingered on each of them in turn. Estella was practically bouncing in her seat, her excitement contagious as she continued to test the creams and gels. Lira, ever composed, was a picture of understated satisfaction as she methodically applied the gel to her hands. Cerys, despite her initial resistance, seemed lost in thought as she studied the faint shimmer on her skin. Even Vyrelda, for all her grumbling, had been drawn in.

Mikhailis' lips twitched into a faint grin. "Technomancy," he murmured under his breath. "Figures."

The feed shifted seamlessly, zooming in on the shattered remnants of a ward stone. The intricate etchings on its surface were marred by scorch marks, their jagged edges suggesting a deliberate act of sabotage. Mikhailis' brow furrowed as he leaned forward slightly, his feigned sleep blending into genuine focus.

Not scavengers, he noted grimly. This was deliberate. They know what they're doing.

The chimera ants' perspective shifted again, revealing movement at the forest's edge. A faint glimmer caught the light—cloaked figures emerging cautiously from the shadows. Their movements were deliberate, almost rehearsed, as they navigated the area. Mikhailis' heart quickened, his thoughts racing to connect the dots.

Who are you?

He issued a silent command through Rodion, his voice low enough to go unnoticed by the girls.

"Rodion, enhance the audio feed."

A faint static preceded the sound of hushed voices filtering through the feed. The clarity grew with each passing second, revealing a conversation laced with urgency and secrecy.

"...Phase Two begins soon."

"The Overseer will want results by the next cycle."

"Ensure no traces are left behind."

Mikhailis' eyes narrowed, his mind working quickly to piece together the fragments of information. The words painted a picture of an operation far more sophisticated than he'd anticipated.

Phase Two? Overseer? Sounds like a chain of command. Whoever these people are, they're organized—and ambitious.