The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort-Chapter 284 The Contamination (End) The Other Product

The fire crackled softly, casting a warm glow across the camp as the group lounged around, the tension of the earlier battle melting into a comfortable haze. Estella sighed and leaned back against her pack, her expression a mixture of disbelief and contentment.

"I'm stuffed," she admitted, rubbing her stomach.

"I didn't think it'd be this good."

Vyrelda wiped her mouth with a cloth, her usual stern demeanor softened by the meal.

"You managed to make monster meat better than rations. A rare feat."

Cerys gave a single nod, her emerald eyes glancing at the empty bowl in her lap.

"I overate." Her stoic voice carried a hint of reluctant admiration, though she quickly added, "Don't let it get to your head."

Mikhailis chuckled softly, leaning back on his hands as he surveyed the group.

They act tough, but even the Lone Wolf can't resist my culinary genius.

"I'll try to stay humble," he said with mock solemnity. "Wouldn't want to overshadow the rest of you."

Lira, sitting a short distance away, let out a soft sigh, her dark ponytail gleaming in the firelight.

"You've got a peculiar way of turning disaster into… this." She gestured vaguely at the bowls, her composed expression betraying a flicker of approval.

"It's called survival with style," Mikhailis quipped, winking at her.

Estella's lips twitched into a smile as she leaned her head back, closing her eyes.

"Well, survival with style might just make you the first person to turn monster stew into a luxury dish." Find your next read at novelbuddy

"A legacy worth pursuing, well I've faced the same situation with Lone Wolf, after all," Mikhailis replied, tossing another log onto the fire. The flames crackled louder, casting dancing shadows on the surrounding trees.

As the group settled into the gentle rhythm of post-meal relaxation, Mikhailis quietly excused himself. He approached the edge of the camp where the remains of the corrupted monsters lay, his curiosity reignited. His blade gleamed faintly as he resumed dissecting the strange flesh, his hands moving with meticulous precision.

"What now?" Estella's voice broke the quiet. She tilted her head, watching Mikhailis with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

"You're not about to make dessert, are you?"

Mikhailis didn't look up, his focus entirely on his work.

"Tempting, but no. I'm… exploring possibilities."

Rhea, ever the silent observer, moved closer, peering over his shoulder.

"What's he up to now?" she asked, her soft voice laced with intrigue.

"Research," Mikhailis replied vaguely, his blade slicing through a section of sinew.

If I'm right, this material could be far more valuable than it looks.

Estella's brow arched as she crouched beside him.

"Research? This better not involve turning us into test subjects."

Mikhailis chuckled, glancing at her briefly.

"Relax. I only experiment on consenting participants. Usually."

"That's not reassuring," Rhea said, her lips curving into a faint smile. She leaned closer, her shoulder brushing his arm.

"What's so fascinating about monster guts anyway?"

Before Mikhailis could answer, Estella looped her arm through his, pulling him slightly away from his work.

"You need to rest for once," she said, her voice teasing.

"You're always tinkering with something."

Rhea mimicked the gesture, grabbing his other arm with a smirk.

"We're keeping you from experimenting on us next."

"Ladies, ladies," Mikhailis began, though his playful tone was interrupted by a sharp voice.

"Enough."

Lira's tone was calm but carried an icy edge as she stepped forward, her dark eyes narrowing. She reached out and pulled Estella's hand away from Mikhailis.

"You're crowding him."

At the same time, Cerys grabbed Rhea's wrist, her firm grip leaving no room for argument.

"Back off. He's busy."

Rhea's eyes widened slightly, though she quickly recovered, her usual calm demeanor returning. "Just making sure he doesn't overwork himself."

"He's fine," Cerys said flatly, her emerald eyes flicking to Mikhailis.

"Right?"

Mikhailis raised his hands in mock surrender, a wry grin on his face.

"There's enough Mikhailis to go around, no need to fight over me."

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Lira's elegant composure cracked for a moment as she shot him a glare.

"Focus on your work."

With order restored, Mikhailis turned back to the remains, lifting a small vial containing a shimmering, pale-green liquid. The light from the fire caught the substance, making it glow faintly.

With order restored, Mikhailis turned back to the remains, his sharp eyes glinting with focus as he lifted a small vial containing a shimmering, pale-green liquid. The flickering firelight played across its surface, making the liquid seem almost alive as it reflected soft, radiant hues. His lips curled into a faint smirk, the sort that promised he was up to something more ambitious than anyone had anticipated.

He held the vial at eye level, tilting it slightly as he observed the way the liquid clung to the glass before flowing smoothly downward. Its viscosity hinted at unusual properties—neither entirely liquid nor gel. It was mesmerizing, almost hypnotic, the way it seemed to shimmer faintly with each shift.

"This," Mikhailis began, his tone carrying an undercurrent of intrigue that immediately caught Estella's attention, "is something I've been working on."

Estella stepped closer, her brows knitting in curiosity. "And what exactly is it?"

Mikhailis's grin widened. "Estella, this might just be your next big product."

She blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his sudden declaration. "What are you talking about? That's… from the monsters, isn't it?"

"Indeed it is," he said, unbothered by her initial skepticism. He placed the vial gently onto a small stand he had cobbled together from scraps and leaned closer to the carcass. With steady, precise movements, he began slicing away at the monster's grotesque hide, his blade glinting in the firelight.

The others watched in uneasy silence as his hands moved deftly, the rhythm of his work almost hypnotic. His cuts were precise, his motions deliberate, as though he were more surgeon than scavenger. Every incision revealed another layer of the creature's anatomy, from thick, sinewy flesh to veins pulsating faintly with remnants of corrupted energy.

"What are you even looking for?" Lira asked, her arms crossed tightly, her dark eyes narrowing as she observed his meticulous work.

"Possibilities," Mikhailis replied cryptically, his blade slicing cleanly through a cluster of calcified tissue. He used the tip of his knife to extract a small, translucent gland embedded within the mass. Holding it up to the light, he inspected it closely before placing it into a separate vial.

"That doesn't answer anything," Lira said sharply, her tone tinged with both annoyance and concern.

He chuckled softly, placing another vial of pale liquid on the stand. "Think about it. These monsters—corrupted as they are—have adapted in ways we can't ignore. Look at their skin, for instance." He gestured to the mottled hide, which was unnaturally smooth in some areas and hardened like armor in others. "The way it resists damage and moisture, it's practically begging to be refined."

Estella tilted her head, her curiosity piqued despite herself. "Wait, are you saying… you're making something out of that?"

"Not just something," Mikhailis said, his tone brimming with confidence. He pointed to a nearby bowl where he'd placed small shavings of the monster's hide. "Think of a cosmetic base—light, smooth, resistant to moisture. Perfect for harsh conditions."

"Cosmetics?" Estella's voice pitched upward, her incredulity clear. "You're making makeup out of monster bits?"

He shrugged, a playful glint in his eye. "Not just any makeup. Imagine a product that enhances beauty while also protecting against the elements. Something practical and luxurious. Wouldn't you call that a market disruptor?"

Rhea, who had been quietly watching, leaned in slightly. "So, you're saying that green goop could… what, rejuvenate skin?"

"Exactly!" Mikhailis exclaimed, his hands now moving to scrape a layer of bioluminescent residue from the monster's scales. He collected it in another small container, the substance glowing faintly as it pooled. "Look at this. Adaptability like this isn't just destructive—it's transformative."

Lira crossed her arms, her skepticism palpable. "You're playing with corrupted materials again. Are you sure it's safe?"

Mikhailis paused, glancing at her with a smirk. "If I weren't sure, do you think I'd let this come anywhere near us? This is all about refinement, Lira. Turning chaos into opportunity."

He gestured to the vials, his tone taking on a more serious note. "The contamination is localized. What I'm working with is isolated and purified. It's science, not guesswork."

As he spoke, his hands never stopped moving. He carefully combined the pale-green liquid with a drop of the glowing residue, swirling the mixture gently in a larger flask. The two substances merged, creating a faint shimmer that seemed to ripple like water under moonlight.

"What's next?" Estella asked, her voice betraying a mix of skepticism and genuine intrigue.

"Next," Mikhailis replied, his voice calm but tinged with excitement, "we test."

He placed the flask into a small apparatus—an alchemical burner he had jury-rigged using materials scavenged from their supplies. The flames flickered softly as the mixture began to heat, releasing a faint, pleasant aroma that surprised even him.

"Huh," he murmured, leaning in slightly. "Didn't expect it to smell this good."

"Neither did I," Rhea muttered, her eyes wide as she watched the liquid shift in color, deepening into a vibrant emerald hue.

Mikhailis tilted his head, his glasses glinting as he studied the reaction. His mind raced with possibilities, each observation fueling his excitement.

This might just work.

<Reaction stable. Mixture achieving desired viscosity. Recommend cooling phase before testing on a controlled surface.>