The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort-Chapter 277: The Silent Rivalry

"This is excellent work. Estella, you’ve outdone yourself."

Estella’s smile grew, and she inclined her head slightly.

"Just doing my part, Your Highness."

As the group murmured their approval, Estella cast another glance toward Lira and Cerys, her eyes sparkling with barely concealed triumph. Lira’s composed expression didn’t waver, though her grip on the edge of her cloak tightened ever so slightly. Cerys muttered something under her breath, her jaw visibly tense.

"Well," Mikhailis said, clapping his hands together with a grin that suggested he’d noticed every subtle exchange, "it seems we’re in good hands. Let’s get moving before this mist gets any worse."

As they turned to finalize their preparations, Mikhailis caught Lira’s quiet whisper to Cerys.

"She’s enjoying this far too much."

"Let her," Cerys replied in a low growl.

"I’ll enjoy cutting something twice as much if this goes sideways."

Mikhailis suppressed a laugh, adjusting his glasses as Rodion’s soft, unseen voice filled his ear.

<Tensions within the group have risen by approximately 15%. Would you like suggestions for de-escalation strategies, or shall I let this play out for entertainment value?>

Rodion, you’re the worst, Mikhailis thought, a smirk tugging at his lips as he ushered the group onward.

_____

The group departed the village just as dawn broke, the sky painted with soft hues of orange and pink. The air was still and cool, carrying the faint chirping of early birds as the promise of a new day unfolded. The mist, however, was already creeping through the trees like a silent predator, curling around trunks and spilling onto the dirt path as though alive. It clung to their boots, soaked into their cloaks, and blurred the edges of their surroundings, transforming the forest into an otherworldly landscape where reality felt distant.

Mikhailis led the group, his sharp eyes scanning the path ahead. His glasses glimmered faintly, though he made sure to adjust their position subtly, ensuring that none of his companions could glimpse the soft projections Rodion displayed for him. The AI, unseen and unknown to the others, provided continuous updates, highlighting safe routes and potential hazards.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

<The projected course is clear. Minimal anomalies detected. Maintain current pace to avoid prolonged exposure to the mist.>

"Noted," Mikhailis murmured under his breath, earning a questioning glance from Lira, who walked just a step behind him. He quickly offered a disarming smile, tilting his head toward the trees.

"Talking to the trees. Keeps the mood light."

Lira gave him a dubious look but said nothing, her focus shifting back to their surroundings.

The wards that Estella and Rhea carried glowed faintly, their light cutting through the thick fog. Each step felt deliberate, cautious, as though even the slightest misstep might awaken something unseen. The mist seemed alive, shifting and curling around their path like a curious observer.

Despite the silence, the tension in the group was palpable. Cerys’s sharp eyes flicked left and right, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword as if ready to strike at a moment’s notice. Lira carried herself with her usual elegance, but her grip on the strap of her satchel was tighter than usual, betraying her unease. Estella walked confidently near the center of the group, occasionally adjusting the ward she carried with a casual air that seemed almost practiced, while Rhea took up the rear, her calm vigilance reassuring to those who glanced her way.

As they ventured deeper, the mist thickened, swallowing the trees and muting every sound except for the soft crunch of their boots against the damp earth. Shadows flickered at the edges of their vision, fleeting and insubstantial, but enough to keep everyone on edge.

Rodion’s voice broke the silence, audible only to Mikhailis.

<Minor disruptions detected. Visual and auditory disturbances consistent with environmental anomalies. Probability of direct confrontation remains low, though vigilance is advised.>

"Good to know," Mikhailis whispered, his voice barely carrying beyond his lips. He kept his expression neutral, casting a glance back at the group.

"Stay close, everyone. This mist isn’t just for decoration."

Cerys nodded sharply, her pace steady but cautious.

"Feels like it’s watching us," she muttered, her eyes scanning the shifting fog.

Lira, walking alongside Estella, glanced down at the ward. Its glow seemed stronger now, a steady pulse that created a faint barrier around them.

"The wards are holding," she noted, her voice calm but strained.

"Let’s hope they’re as effective as promised."

Estella smiled smugly, tilting her head toward Lira.

"Doubt me all you want, but these wards are top-tier. They’ll do the job."

Lira’s lips tightened, and though her tone remained composed, there was a cool edge to her words.

"We’ll see. Confidence is one thing; results are another."

The tension between them wasn’t lost on Mikhailis, who stifled a chuckle. If only they’d focus on the mist instead of their rivalry.

Hours passed as they moved through the oppressive fog, the landscape changing subtly but unmistakably. The trees grew sparser, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The air grew heavier, carrying a faint, acrid tang that made breathing feel labored.

The group’s pace slowed as the mist thickened further, now dense enough to muffle even the sound of their footsteps. Mikhailis felt the weight of it pressing down, a sensation that seemed to seep into his thoughts. He glanced at Estella and Rhea, who were adjusting the wards in unison.

"How’s it holding up?" he asked, keeping his tone light.

"Perfectly," Estella replied, her tone confident as she held up the ward. The runes glowed steadily, their light piercing through the fog like a beacon. "Told you these were top-notch. You’re lucky to have me, you know."

"Luckiest guy alive," Mikhailis replied with a grin, earning a smirk from Estella.

Cerys, walking just ahead, muttered under her breath, her grip tightening on her sword.

"If she brags one more time, I swear…"

The subtle exchange was interrupted as Rodion’s voice spoke again, this time with a note of caution.

<Mist density decreasing ahead. New terrain detected. Structures consistent with a settlement within 400 meters. Be advised—anomalous readings persist.>

Mikhailis slowed his pace, raising a hand to signal the group.

"We’re coming up on something. Stay alert."

The mist began to thin as they advanced, revealing faint outlines in the distance. Shapes that at first seemed like trees became clearer, resolving into the skeletal frames of buildings. The group stopped as the full scene unfolded before them.

The village, or what remained of it, was a desolate ruin. Charred remnants of homes stood like gravestones, their blackened edges crumbling under the weight of time. The air was thick with the scent of ash and decay, an oppressive mix that seemed to cling to their clothes and skin. Silence hung heavy, broken only by the faint rustle of wind through the scorched remains.

Mikhailis stepped forward, his gaze sweeping the devastation. His usual humor was absent, replaced by a quiet intensity.

"What happened here?" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Cerys moved beside him, her expression grim as she surveyed the ruins.

"This wasn’t just a fire," she said, her voice low. "Whatever did this, it was deliberate."

Estella knelt beside a charred beam, her fingers brushing the blackened wood.

"The damage is too widespread. This wasn’t an accident."

Rhea’s gaze swept the horizon, her jaw tightening.

"We need to stay alert. If whoever did this is still nearby…"

Mikhailis nodded, his mind racing.

"We’ll rest here for now. Rodion, scan the area. Look for any signs of activity—past or present."

<Understood. Initiating scan. Data will be available shortly.>

The group gathered near the center of the ruins, their voices subdued as they discussed their next steps. The weight of the village’s destruction hung heavy in the air, a sobering reminder of the dangers they faced.

Mikhailis’s gaze lingered on the charred remains, his thoughts distant. Whatever caused this, it’s not something we can ignore.

As the wind rustled through the scorched remains, carrying faint whispers of what once was, the group stood together, their resolve steeling against the uncertainty ahead. The journey was far from over, and the shadows of the past loomed large, waiting to test their strength.