The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort-Chapter 278: The Ruined Village of Serewyn

The ruins were eerily silent, with only the faint rustling of wind through charred beams and broken walls. Mikhailis stood at the edge of what had once been the village square, his gaze sweeping across the desolation. His glasses glimmered faintly as Rodion’s voice murmured softly in his ear.

Mikhailis slipped his hands into his pockets, maintaining a casual posture as though he were merely surveying the wreckage left behind by a storm. In truth, the chimera ants were already in motion, their small forms darting into the ruins with uncanny precision. They crept into every crack, scaled burned beams with insectile ease, and disappeared into the soil to gather traces of whatever had transpired here. Their silent efficiency gave the eerie impression of a place being combed through by an unseen intelligence.

From the corner of his eye, Mikhailis caught the faintest flicker of movement, a chimera ant darting along a charred beam. To anyone else, it would seem like nothing more than a fleeting shadow, a trick of the dying light. His expression remained neutral, though inwardly he marveled at their deftness.

Amazing what you can accomplish with creatures this meticulous.

As the ants worked, a soft, almost imperceptible hum accompanied their movements, picked up only by the audio sensors in his glasses. Each movement was relayed back to Rodion in real-time, the AI processing the data with machine precision. Mikhailis feigned disinterest, occasionally turning his gaze to the sky, but every subtle gesture was calculated to avoid suspicion from the others.

"Looks like someone hosted a barbecue and forgot to invite me," Mikhailis muttered under his breath, his tone light but his expression serious.

<The devastation is consistent with a large-scale attack. Early analysis indicates involvement of a monster horde, likely originating from the surrounding forest regions. However, irregularities suggest additional factors that complicate this conclusion.>

<Mapped trajectories of destruction reveal a lack of randomness typical of monster hordes. Instead, damage patterns suggest targeted strikes on critical village infrastructure, including ward stones and storage areas.>

<Localized scans indicate tampering with protective ward runes at multiple points around the village boundary. The runes were not merely damaged by brute force; specific glyphs were disrupted with tools that leave fine, deliberate markings. These tools are foreign in craftsmanship, indicating external interference, likely humanoid.>

<Saboteurs appear to have leveraged the monster horde’s arrival, removing the wards in a calculated manner to ensure maximum devastation. Such precision suggests this was not an act of chance but part of a larger plan aimed at either erasing evidence or inciting widespread fear in the region.>

Rodion’s tone carried its usual clinical detachment, though Mikhailis could detect the faintest hint of intrigue. He strolled forward, crouching near a collapsed structure and running his fingers over a charred beam.

This isn’t just monsters tearing through… This was deliberate.

<Observing tampered ward runes at multiple boundary points. Tools used for disruption are non-local, indicative of external involvement.>

"Sabotage?" he murmured, keeping his voice low.

<Highly probable. The patterns of damage and disruption align with coordinated interference, possibly alchemical or magical in nature.>

The faint glow of his glasses provided a feed from the chimera ants, showing close-up details of the destroyed wards. As the chimera ants examined the intricate carvings with their precision tools, the signs of deliberate tampering became painfully evident. The once-smooth glyphs had been crudely scratched out, their flow of protective magic severed at critical junctures. The marks weren’t random—there was a calculated intent to the disruption, with key glyphs rendered ineffective as though by someone well-versed in ward design.

Mikhailis’s brow furrowed as he processed the images.

These aren’t the claw marks of a rampaging monster. Someone knew exactly what they were doing. He adjusted his glasses slightly, his mind racing. The patterns and the precision of the damage pointed to an orchestrated effort rather than the chaotic destruction of a horde.

Mikhailis crouched down near a piece of a broken ward stone, brushing away soot and ash. His gloved fingers traced the faint outlines of the destroyed glyphs.

This wasn’t just sabotage—it was an invitation. Someone wanted the monsters to finish what they started. He let out a slow breath, his mind piecing together the scenario. Whoever had done this didn’t just disrupt the defenses; they had ensured the monsters would be drawn to the village in the aftermath, amplifying the destruction.

As the feed switched to another location where the chimera ants were scuttling over scorched earth, Rodion added another observation.

<Traces of magical combustion detected near the village’s perimeter. Alchemical residues suggest a fire spell or enchanted reagent was used, likely to hasten the spread of destruction.>

Mikhailis straightened, brushing his hands on his trousers. He turned to the others, his expression grim.

"This wasn’t just a monster horde. Someone wanted this village gone."

"Your Highness, what are you doing?" Cerys’s voice broke through his concentration. She stood a few paces away, her posture tense, hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Her sharp green eyes swept over him, a mix of curiosity and concern.

He straightened, brushing his hands on his trousers.

"Just trying to make sense of all this."

Lira approached from behind, her steps measured and deliberate. Her black ponytail swayed gently as she crossed her arms.

"And what sense have you made?"

Mikhailis offered her a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"Enough to know that we’re not dealing with random chaos."

"Care to elaborate?" Lira’s tone was calm, but there was a sharp edge beneath her words.

He hesitated, glancing at the others. Rhea stood at a distance, scanning the horizon, while Estella knelt near a burned cart, her fingers tracing the edges of a shattered wheel.

"Not yet," Mikhailis said finally.

"Let’s rest here tonight. We’ll set up camp and regroup in the morning."

Lira’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she turned and began issuing instructions, her composed demeanor a stark contrast to the unease simmering beneath the surface.

____

The group worked efficiently, setting up their royal tent amidst the ruins. The structure, while portable, was spacious and comfortable, its design a testament to Mikhailis’s penchant for blending practicality with luxury. Cerys and Rhea secured the perimeter, their eyes ever vigilant, while Estella and Lira organized the interior, arranging bedding and provisions.

The fire they built near the tent burned brighter than usual, its warmth pushing back the encroaching chill of the mist. Estella adjusted the wards around the camp, ensuring the eerie fog couldn’t creep too close. The soft glow of the wards cast a gentle light, creating a bubble of security in the midst of desolation.

As the group settled, Mikhailis sat near the fire, his gaze distant and his posture deceptively relaxed. The flickering flames painted shifting patterns of light across his glasses, obscuring the sharp intensity in his eyes. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, as the familiar hum of Rodion’s voice filled his ear like a whisper in the crackling stillness.

<Analysis complete. Findings confirm a combination of monster horde activity and external interference. Residual traces of magical combustion suggest alchemical fire or a spellcaster’s involvement.>

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Mikhailis’s lips pressed into a thin line, his fingers curling slightly against the edge of his thigh.

Of course, it couldn’t just be one thing. Nothing’s ever that simple. He inhaled deeply, letting the cool air temper the heat rising in his chest as he processed the information.

<Additional anomalies detected within the soil composition. Traces of ash contain particles of burned flesh and faint magical residue. It is consistent with a scorched-earth tactic, possibly to eliminate evidence.>

His jaw tightened, the muscles ticking under the dim firelight.

Someone went through a lot of trouble to make sure this place was wiped out. But why? The question gnawed at him, a persistent echo that refused to settle. He stared into the flames, their chaotic dance a mirror to his own restless thoughts.

Across the fire, Cerys sat sharpening her sword with methodical precision, her green eyes focused yet distant, as though sensing the weight of the unknown. The metallic scrape of blade against whetstone was a steady counterpoint to the crackling fire. Lira stood at the edge of the light, her silhouette graceful and poised as always, though her gaze betrayed a flicker of concern as it drifted toward Mikhailis.

"What’s on your mind?" she asked softly, her voice cutting through the low murmur of the group’s preparations.

Mikhailis glanced at her, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Oh, you know, just pondering life’s big questions. Like who decided a haunted village was the perfect spot for a sleepover."

Lira’s expression didn’t change, her dark eyes steady and unyielding.

"You’ve been too quiet. That’s never a good sign."

He leaned back slightly, propping himself up with his hands against the cool ground.

"Just wondering who benefits from turning a village into ash. Seems like a lot of effort for someone with no motive."

Cerys’s sharpening paused as she lifted her gaze, her emerald eyes narrowing.

"You think someone orchestrated this?"

"Think? I’m almost certain," Mikhailis replied, his tone laced with dry humor that failed to mask the steel beneath.

"The question isn’t ’who did it’—it’s ’what were they trying to hide?’"

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Before anyone could respond, a faint rustling sound echoed from the darkened edge of the ruins. It was subtle, almost swallowed by the ambient noise of the night, but enough to draw everyone’s attention. Cerys was on her feet in an instant, her sword flashing as she held it at the ready. Rhea followed a heartbeat later, her movements fluid as she scanned the shadows with practiced vigilance.

Lira stepped closer to Mikhailis, her hands resting lightly on the folds of her cloak, though her posture was anything but relaxed. Estella, standing by the wards, stiffened visibly, her fingers clutching the edges of her shawl.

Mikhailis remained seated, his gaze unwavering as he stared into the encroaching darkness. His voice, low and measured, broke the tense silence.

"Rodion?"

<Scanning…>

The faint glow of his glasses intensified as Rodion processed the data, feeding silent updates directly into his view. Mikhailis’s hand drifted toward the hilt of his dagger, though he made no immediate move to rise. The firelight danced across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his expression as he waited.

The rustling grew louder, closer, the sound amplified by the oppressive quiet of the ruins. Time seemed to stretch, every second weighed down by the collective anticipation of the group. Mikhailis’s gaze narrowed, his mind racing through scenarios even as he exhaled slowly to steady himself.

<Multiple presences detected. Initial analysis suggests non-human entities. Likelihood of hostility: 87%.>

"Figures," Mikhailis muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the crackle of the fire. He straightened slightly, his tone calm but firm as he addressed the others.

"Stay ready. Looks like we’ve got company."