The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 98 The Underbelly Darkness

The sound of a lock clicking into place echoed through the dimly lit shop. Aria drew the curtains with a swift motion, plunging the room into an eerie twilight. Mikhailis watched her, his usual grin fading as the atmosphere grew tense.

"Alright, Aria," he said, his voice low.

"What's this all about? I'm guessing you didn't bring me here for a friendly cup of tea."

Aria turned to face him, her eyes glinting in the dim light.

"You're right, Mikhailis. Or should I say... Prince Consort?"

Mikhailis froze, his eyes widening slightly.

Well, shit. This just got interesting.

"Prince Consort, huh?" Mikhailis said, forcing a chuckle.

"That's a new one. What makes you think I'm royalty? Do I look that charming?"

Aria's lips curled into a knowing smile.

"Oh, come on. The Prince Consort who never leaves the castle? The one everyone's been gossiping about? It wasn't hard to put two and two together when I saw you wandering around like a lost puppy."

Mikhailis sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Alright, you got me. So what now? You planning to sell this juicy bit of info to the highest bidder?"

"That was the plan," Aria admitted, leaning against a cluttered shelf.

"But things have... complicated."

She took a deep breath, her facade of confidence cracking slightly.

"Look, I didn't want to get mixed up in all this. My brother and I... we're in deep trouble. There's this network, see? They deal in smuggled enchanted items, artifacts, forbidden magic—you name it. And they've got their claws in everything, including some pretty big names in the underworld."

Mikhailis listened intently, his jovial demeanor replaced by a sharp focus.

"And let me guess, you and your brother are caught in the middle of it all?"

Aria nodded, her expression grim.

"My brother, Callen... he's a skilled mage, but he's always been a bit... troubled. They've got him working for them now, enchanting items. And me? I've been gathering information, playing both sides.

But it's getting dangerous. We need out."

My thoughts exactly, RodionMikhailis thought, a slow grin spreading across his face.

Finally, a chance to see the hidden corruption of this place. Every kingdom has its dark underbelly, after all.

"So," Mikhailis said, his eyes gleaming with excitement rather than fear, "you're proposing a deal, I take it? What exactly did you have in mind?"

Aria looked at him, surprise evident on her face.

"You're... not scared?"

Mikhailis laughed.

"Scared? Nah, more like intrigued. You're offering me a peek behind the curtain, aren't you? A chance to see the strings being pulled?"

"Here's the deal," Aria said, cutting off Rodion's unheard warning.

"You help me and my brother get out of this mess by using your name, and I'll not only guide you out of here safely, but I'll also give you something valuable. Information. The kind that could help protect your precious kingdom from threats you don't even know exist yet."

Mikhailis's grin widened.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Now you're speaking my language. Alright, Aria. You've got yourself a deal. So, what's our first move?"

Before Aria could respond, a loud crash echoed from outside. Shouts and the sound of splintering wood filled the air.

"Damn it," Aria cursed.

"They're here. We need to move, now!"

She rushed to a bookshelf, yanking on a dusty tome. With a groan, the shelf swung open, revealing a dark passageway.

"Secret passage?" Mikhailis quipped as they hurried inside.

"How very cliché. I love it."

As the bookshelf closed behind them, plunging them into darkness, Mikhailis could hear the shop's front door being broken down. Aria grabbed his hand, leading him through the twisting passage.

"So," Mikhailis whispered as they moved, "mind filling me in on the details? Who are we running from, exactly?"

"But we've got company. Lots of it."

Aria's eyes widened.

"How do you—never mind. We need to be careful. These guys won't hesitate to use lethal force."

They made their way through the warehouse, ducking behind crates and sliding between shadows. Mikhailis found himself grinning despite the danger. This was the kind of excitement he'd been craving since arriving in this world.

As they neared their destination, a commotion erupted from a nearby room. Angry voices echoed off the walls.

"You worthless piece of trash!" a gruff voice shouted.

"If you can't finish the enchantment, we'll find someone who can!"

The sound of something—or someone—being thrown against a wall made Aria flinch.

"Callen," she whispered, her face pale.

Mikhailis's eyes narrowed.

"What enchantment are they talking about?"

Aria's expression turned grim. "

They've been working on something big. A cursed blade that drains magical energy from its wielder. It's meant for some big shot in the underworld. If they complete it..."

"Bad news for everyone, got it," Mikhailis finished. He glanced at the door, then back at Aria.

"So, what's the play? Grab your brother and run, or try to sabotage their little project?"

Aria hesitated, conflict clear on her face.

"I... I don't know. We need to get Callen out, but if we could stop that blade from being completed..."

Sorry, Rodion, Mikhailis thought, a mischievous glint in his eye.

But I think it's time we stirred things up a bit.

"Aria," he said, his voice low and determined, "I've got an idea. But it's going to be risky. You up for it?"

Aria looked at him, surprise and curiosity warring on her face.

"What did you have in mind?"

Mikhailis grinned, the kind of grin that would have made Elowen both exasperated and fond.

"We're going to rescue your brother and sabotage that blade. And while we're at it..." His eyes gleamed with excitement.

"We might just take over this whole operation."

Aria's jaw dropped.

"Take over? Are you insane? These are dangerous criminals we're talking about!"

"Exactly," Mikhailis said, his voice filled with a confidence that surprised even him.

"And they're about to learn just how dangerous I can be."

As he spoke, Mikhailis's mind raced with possibilities. The syndicate, the Technomancers, the corrupt officials—all of it connected, all of it a threat to Elowen's kingdom. But what if...

What if we could turn this threat into an advantage? he thought, the plan taking shape in his mind.

These guys could be perfect food for the Chimera Ants. And if we take over their operation... I could experiment what if the ants possess a magic tool, what would happen.

"Incalculable, I know," Mikhailis muttered.

"But so are the potential benefits, Rodion. Think about it. We could have our own network of informants, access to cutting-edge magical research, and a way to keep tabs on the underworld. It's perfect!"

Aria looked at him like he'd grown a second head.

"You're serious about this, aren't you?"

Mikhailis nodded, his expression a mix of determination and barely contained excitement.

"Dead serious. But first things first—let's get your brother out of there."

With a deep breath, Mikhailis steeled himself for what was to come. It was time to show this world what he was really capable of. Time to prove that he was more than just Elowen's eccentric consort.

It was time to become the spider at the center of the web.

But of course.

Secretly.