The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

<Mikhailis, I've decided to assign a designation to the new chimera variant. After analyzing its capabilities and unique composition, it shall be called Hypnoveil.>

Mikhailis leaned forward, eyes glinting with curiosity as the display on his glasses shifted to show the newly hatched creature. The little larva had already begun to grow, its body a curious blend of scales, vines, and segmented parts that resembled the worker chimera ants. Its eyes glowed faintly, a sign of the hypnotic energy flowing within.

"Hypnoveil, huh? Pretty cool name, I guess. I would've called it "Wriggly Wonder," but sure, we can go with your suggestion."

<Your nomenclature is duly noted, albeit unnecessary. Hypnoveil is an amalgamation of the traits from the glass serpent, treant elements, and the base chimera ant DNA,>

Rodion continued, his voice flat.

<Its treant attributes appear prominently as vines running across its body, while the serpent's influence has notably granted its eyes a hypnotic capability. However, there is an additional feature of note.>

Mikhailis squinted at the projection, noticing something odd sprouting from the larva's back—a tiny plant, with small leaves of varying vibrant colors. The leaves shifted and glowed as the larva moved, their colors changing subtly as if responding to some unseen cue.

"T-That is...?"

<The plant-like growth on Hypnoveil's back is intriguing. I suspect these leaves are capable of emitting hypnotic frequencies visually, similar to the serpent's gaze. To test my hypothesis, I will require further analysis. Initiating worker ant observation.>

Mikhailis watched as a nearby worker chimera ant approached Hypnoveil. Its antennae twitched as it inspected the colorful leaves closely. The larva remained still, as if aware it was being examined.

<I have developed a new model to assess the visual data provided by the chimera ants, utilizing an artificial neural network. The ANN will aid in deciphering the content of colors perceived by the chimera ants' eyes,>

Rodion said, a faint note of satisfaction coloring his typically mechanical tone.

Mikhailis raised an eyebrow.

"An artificial neural network? I knew I made a good choice keeping you around, Rodion. Did you used the ANN for when we first developed the model for locating the chimera ant potential places through the satelite?"

<Indeed, that's right, Mikhailis, your judgment in keeping me operational has resulted in several fortunate outcomes, this included,>

Rodion replied, his tone devoid of any real warmth but somehow still managing to sound slightly amused.

A brief moment of silence passed before Rodion spoke again.

<Analyzing the color data… It seems that the colorful leaves on Hypnoveil's back contain specific pigments capable of inducing a hypnotic state. These pigments emit certain wavelengths that directly interact with the subject's cognitive abilities, potentially overpowering their will and rendering them susceptible to commands.>

Mikhailis couldn't help but grin, his eyes widening with excitement.

"Hypnotic leaves, huh? Imagine what we could do with that. We could have an entire army… a bunch of hypnotized goons ready to do whatever we say. It's like mind control, but with style."

<That is correct, Your Highness. It appears that this variant's hypnotic capabilities extend beyond simple visual interaction. By consuming the leaves, it is likely that a deeper connection can be established—effectively rendering the subject fully controllable.>

Mikhailis leaned back, a smile playing at his lips.

This is getting better by the second.

—

Rodion shifted the display, focusing on another part of the underground chamber where two syndicate members remained bound—their bodies slumped against the walls, faces weary and bruised. The previous interrogations had worn them down, leaving them helpless, with little fight left in them.

<There are still two captives remaining,>

Rodion said.

<They are no longer of any informational value, making them suitable candidates for further experimentation with Hypnoveil.>

Mikhailis raised an eyebrow, a curious smile forming on his lips.

"Guinea pigs, huh? I like where this is going."

A worker chimera ant approached the captives, one of Hypnoveil's colorful leaves clutched between its mandibles. The leaf glowed faintly, its colors shifting as if alive. Mikhailis watched, his pulse quickening as the ant moved closer to one of the syndicate members, prying his mouth open and forcing the leaf inside.

The man struggled weakly, but the ant was far too strong for him in his current state. He swallowed the leaf, his eyes widening as the colors seemed to pulse within him. The change was almost immediate—his body relaxed, his eyes glazing over as his resistance vanished.

Mikhailis watched, fascinated.

<The subject has entered a hypnotic state,>

Rodion confirmed.

<I will now attempt to issue a command through Hypnoveil. Since the larva is connected to the chimera ant queen, and the queen is linked to me via the neural chip, I can relay the command effectively.>

With a thought, Rodion directed Hypnoveil to transmit a signal. The larva's eyes glowed brighter, and the man—still under the influence—suddenly stood up, his movements slow but deliberate.

No way… It's actually working.

<Subject One, raise your left arm,>

Rodion commanded.

The man did as instructed, his left arm rising in a smooth motion, his eyes still vacant.

Mikhailis felt a thrill of excitement run through him, his mind racing with possibilities.

"This is incredible. We could infiltrate the syndicate, make them our puppets—turn their own people against them. No one would see it coming."

<The queen appears intrigued by this development as well,>

Rodion noted.

<She seems to be responding to Hypnoveil's actions, her connection growing stronger as more subjects fall under the hypnotic influence.>

Mikhailis's grin widened.

The queen likes it, huh? Maybe she's got plans of her own. Good. The more powerful she becomes, the better for us.

—

Rodion's voice cut off suddenly, the display flickering as if momentarily losing connection. Mikhailis blinked, frowning.

"Rodion? What's going on?"

For a moment, there was silence, and then Rodion's voice returned, his tone carrying an unusual note of urgency.

<Mikhailis, there is something of interest occurring with the chimera ant queen.>n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The holographic display shifted, showing the queen's chamber deep within the nest. Mikhailis's eyes widened as he saw the queen glowing—her massive form pulsing with a strange, ethereal light. The air around her shimmered, as if charged with energy.

"Whoa. That's… that's something new..."

The light grew more intense, and slowly, a small plant began to sprout from the queen's back—a tiny, delicate vine with leaves that glowed with the same hypnotic colors as those on Hypnoveil's back. The queen let out a low, resonant hum, her entire body trembling as the plant grew, its roots sinking into her chitinous shell.

<Mikhailis, it appears that the queen is assimilating Hypnoveil's abilities,>

Rodion reported.

<She is incorporating the hypnotic properties into her own biology, potentially enhancing her control over the colony.>

Mikhailis watched, his heart pounding in his chest. He could hardly believe what he was seeing—the queen, evolving right before his eyes, taking on the power of Hypnoveil and making it her own.

"This… this changes everything. If the queen can use that power, then…"

<The implications are significant,>

Find more adventures on empire

Rodion continued, his tone measured.

<The queen's influence could extend beyond the colony, potentially affecting other creatures or even humanoids within her vicinity. Her control could become absolute.>

Mikhailis couldn't help but smile, his eyes glinting with excitement.

"An entire army… under our control. No, not just an army—a kingdom, a city, maybe even… an empire. All of them, bowing to us, completely unaware that their will isn't their own. Well, of course that's an exaggeration,"

<Indeed. That's too far-fetched. There will always be a weakness>

He leaned forward, his gaze fixed on the display as the queen's transformation continued. The tiny vine on her back grew, its leaves unfurling, each one glowing with that hypnotic, otherworldly light. The queen's hum grew louder, resonating through the entire chamber, a sound of power and authority.

<Mikhailis, the queen's evolution is progressing rapidly. Her connection to the rest of the colony has strengthened. She is now capable of directly influencing the behavior of multiple units, that are not from the colony, simultaneously, utilizing the hypnotic properties.>

Mikhailis nodded, his mind racing.

This is it. This is what I've been waiting for. With the queen's new power, we can do so much more. The syndicate, the Technomancers, even the corruption in the capital—none of them stand a chance.

I could make contributions even from the royal chamber.

He watched as the queen's glow began to fade, the transformation complete. The plant on her back pulsed with light, its colors shifting and changing, mesmerizing even through the display.

<The queen's evolution is complete,>

Rodion reported.

<She is now capable of utilizing the hypnotic properties at will. Her connection to Hypnoveil is symbiotic, allowing her to amplify her influence.>

Mikhailis let out a slow breath, a grin spreading across his face.

This is just the beginning. With this power, we can starte reshape the things he wanted to. It's time to take over the shadows—it's time to take control.

Rodion's voice held a note of agreement, almost as if the AI shared in Mikhailis's excitement.

<Indeed, Your Highness. The potential for expansion and control has increased significantly. The next steps will be crucial in determining how best to utilize these new capabilities.>

Mikhailis nodded, his eyes never leaving the display.

"Yeah. And I know exactly where to start."