Chapter 37: The Invitation From The Saintess

Chapter 37: The Invitation From The Saintess Mikhailis yawned loudly, stretching his arms as he lounged on the couch in the royal chamber. He had spent the last few days in the castle without much to do, simply lazing around. He had tinkered with his ant colony, read through some notes, and even helped Rodion run a few projections on the underground tunnels. But still, it lacked excitement. "Rodion, how about we add a pool for the ants or something?" he said, half-joking, half-serious. He laughed, just about to come up with another crazy idea when the door creaked open, and Elowen stepped inside. She held a scroll in her hand, her expression more serious than usual. I guess... Today is not a good day? "Hey, wifey. You look like you're about to make an announcement," Mikhailis said with a grin. Elowen approached him, her gaze steady, and she handed him the scroll. "You're right, Mikhailis. This just came in. An invitation—specifically for you." Mikhailis blinked and took the scroll, unraveling it slowly. He read through the elegant writing, and his grin slowly faded, replaced by a thoughtful look. "The Saintess of the Elder Tree," he murmured, raising an eyebrow. "Well, that's certainly not something you see every day." Elowen nodded. "Saintess Myria Elthea is one of the most influential figures in Eldoria. She holds the respect of many across the continent, not just because of her divine connection but also because of her influence among both nobles and commoners. And she's one of the main influential figures in Silvarion Thalor," Mikhailis sighed, leaning back on the couch. "So she wants to meet me, huh? She's probably heard about my charming personality, my bug obsession, or maybe my cooking skills." Elowen smiled slightly, but her eyes remained serious. "She's likely interested in your origins. You're not from this world, after all, and your presence here is unusual. It makes people curious, and sometimes... wary." Mikhailis gave her a knowing look. "In other words, she wants to see if I'm a threat." Elowen nodded again. "Exactly. She wants to gauge you for herself. And, Mikhailis, it's important that you conduct yourself well during this audience. Myria's influence is substantial—her support could open doors for us, but if she sees you as dangerous or unstable, it could make things more difficult." Mikhailis stared at the scroll for a moment, then looked up, his gaze meeting hers. His usual joking demeanor was gone, replaced by a more serious expression. "I get it. I'll behave." Elowen smiled, her golden eyes softening as she reached out to touch his hand. "I know you will. But there's something else—I can't go with you." Huh? Really? Oh, shut up, Rodion. He raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why not?" "I received notice of a sudden diplomatic meeting. It involves some of the noble factions, and it's something that I can't ignore," Elowen said, her voice edged with frustration. "That's why I'll need someone else to go with you. Vyrelda will be your escort." Mikhailis couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips. Vyrelda... "Vyrelda, huh? You know, I'm not exactly her favorite person. She probably thinks I'm going to trip over my own feet and cause a diplomatic incident." Elowen gave him a slight smile, her eyes filled with warmth. He looked up, giving her a warm smile. "Morning, wifey. You look... serious. What's going on?" Elowen hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I just received word from Serelith and Aelthrin. There's a chance that some of the nobles might be planning something during your audience with the Saintess." Mikhailis raised an eyebrow, his hands pausing on his collar. "Planning something? Like what?" "I don't know yet," Elowen said, her voice edged with frustration. "But it's enough of a concern that I need to investigate it. That's why I can't go with you—I need to make sure everything is safe here, in the castle." Mikhailis frowned, his gaze turning serious. "You think they might try something against me?" "It's possible," Elowen said, her eyes meeting his. "Which is why I need you to be on guard. Vyrelda will be with you, and I trust her to protect you, but you need to be careful. Don't let your guard down, and don't let anyone get too close." Mikhailis nodded, his expression thoughtful. Now this is getting plenty interesting. "Alright. I'll keep my eyes open. And you... be careful too, Elowen. If the nobles are plotting something, it could be dangerous for you too." Elowen smiled, her eyes softening. "I will. I promise. And Mikhailis... thank you. For trusting me, and for going through with this. Even though I promised you safety," He smiled back, his gaze filled with warmth. "Of course, wifey, no worries. I trust you. And I'll do my best to make sure everything goes smoothly." ___ : Luminescent nodes from Glimmer Beetle installed in tunnel walls, providing natural lighting.> Chimera Ant Queen & Colony Status: Queen Chimera Ant: Evolved into a magical beast with heightened intelligence. Now resides in a newly constructed underground nest. Colony Units: Workers: Digging and foraging specialists. Currently expanding tunnels and creating chambers for the nest. Soldiers: Colony defenders. Successfully defended the queen against threats like the Burrow Grub. Equipped with enhanced coordination and strength. Colony Nest: Chamber System: - Food Storage Chamber: Completed. Currently being stocked by workers. - Hatchling Chamber: Designated for new eggs. Under construction. - Defense Chambers: Surrounding queen's location for protection. Special Projects: - Variant Eggs: Four eggs potentially containing hybrid ants with unique traits (e.g., magical frog properties). - Neural Relay Chip: Installed on the queen, allowing real-time surveillance and control. Current Objective: - Defend the nest from the Glimmer Beetle. - Expand nest further to accommodate variant eggs and prepare for future adversaries.