The Preparation and The Fake Death

He slipped the vial into his pocket and moved toward his bed, carefully arranging a few key items around the room.

The plan was simple in theory but needed meticulous execution. If everything went as he envisioned, it would look like he'd overdosed and tragically fell into the fireplace, his body consumed by flames.

A dark, yet strangely fitting, end for someone as unpredictable as him. It had to be convincing—no one could suspect that he had simply vanished into another world.

First, he placed the vial on the nightstand, its dull glass surface catching the soft glow of his desk lamp.

Well, That was the easy part.

The hard part would be staging the scene.

Mikhailis stood back for a moment, assessing the room.

The fireplace crackled in the corner with the flames already licking at the air, casting flickering shadows across the walls.

It's Perfect.

This. Is perfect.

He needed it to look like he had collapsed near the hearth after taking the 'fatal dose.'

Next, he turned his attention to packing. His fingers moved deftly as he lined up several containers—sleek, black cases that clicked open and closed with precision.

Inside were his most prized possessions.

His lab tools came first—delicate instruments he used for examining specimens, each one cleaned and neatly organized. Then came his laptop and portable computer setup, which held not just his work but years' worth of research, digital experiments, and personal notes.

He couldn't leave any of that behind. When he's in the mood, he could be in front of his laptop and computer for days without leaving the room, after all.

That's my life line, after all.

Mikhailis grinned to himself as he reached for the solar panels. They were lightweight, foldable, and should be powerful enough to supply all the electricity he'd need in a world without modern infrastructure.

"No way I'm living without my tech," he muttered, securing them in one of the cases.

He couldn't risk running out of power. After all, Silvarion Thalor didn't seem like the kind of place where you could just plug in and charge your devices.

He quickly downloaded every movie, anime, and TV show he could get his hands on, filling terabytes of storage.

If he was going to be a prince consort, he was going to do it in style, surrounded by the comforts of his eccentric tastes. And surprise his queen with his items along the way.

"Can't be stuck in a magical kingdom without the latest season of Insect Master," he laughed to himself, imagining the baffled look on Queen Elowen's face if she ever caught him watching anime.

But it wasn't just about entertainment.

He made sure to pack all of his entomologist gear—his collection of bugs, samples, and various materials for research.

After all, the idea of studying insects in a new world was one of the most exciting aspects of this whole deal.

Who knew what kinds of creatures he'd find there? Maybe he'd discover a new species entirely, something even more incredible than the Chimera Ant. But he's more excited in feeding the chimera ant strong monsters, who knows what kind of entity it could give birth to, right?

I wonder if I could make a chimera dragon out of it?

He moved quickly now, grabbing his tablet and phone, both of which contained Rodion, his loyal AI. The tiny devices were sleek and packed with power, but what mattered most was the connection to Rodion.

Without him, Mikhailis would be flying blind in this new world. He slipped them into his pocket, adjusting his glasses, which connected him directly to Rodion.

A soft ping in his ear confirmed that everything was working.

"Rodion," Mikhailis said aloud, hearing the AI's familiar tone in response.

<Yes, Your Highness?>

"Run a final check on all the packed systems. Make sure everything's operational."

Rodion hummed softly before replying.

<All systems are fully functional, including the solar power generator. Your data, entertainment files, and research equipment ready for transport. But before that, May I inquire you where you're heading?>

"Well, we're going somewhere far away, where my gorgeous future wife is waiting,"

Even the AI could feel that his words are different from his usuals random utterings. The hint of his emotions could be felt, the concern for his family when he left them, the sadness for leaving without telling his brother, and the uncertainty of leaving this whole world that he knew since he was born.

<Noted. 67 I have compiled the requested 'Adult Entertainment' materials, consisting of sources, in accordance with your specifications.>

Mikhailis nodded, satisfied. "Good. You're as reliable as always. What about the portable air conditioner?"

<The air conditioner is set and functioning at optimal levels. I assume comfort still a top priority for you?>

"You bet it is. Can't be a lazy prince consort if I'm sweating in the heat," Mikhailis grinned, securing the last container.

The thought of lounging around Silvarion Thalor's castle, cool air blowing over him, while everyone else dealt with their medieval discomforts was too perfect.

Once everything was packed, he tied the containers together with a sturdy rope, looping it in such a way that they'd all be connected to him at the moment of transport while he was holding a single end.

They were large and cumbersome, but nothing he couldn't handle. After all, he wasn't just going to step into a new world empty-handed. He needed everything set up for a life of ease.

He could imagine Elowen's expression when he showed her these things.

He took one last glance around his room. The fireplace crackled quietly, and he could already imagine how the scene would look after he left.

A perfect setup.

The vial would be found beside the bed, leading them to believe he had overdosed.

Then, as his body—presumably unconscious—had tumbled toward the fire, the flames would do the rest.

He'd simply vanish, with no body to recover.

Is it possible? Of course, it's possible.

If you're concerned about the remains, the bones, it will all be fine.

He knew that a standard fire wouldn't be able to burn his body completely. No, it had to be something much more powerful—something that could turn every trace of him into ash.

He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small, metallic vial, different from the one that would be left behind as part of the staged overdose.

This vial contained a substance far more dangerous: Thermite, a mixture of iron oxide and aluminum powder that, once ignited, could burn at temperatures exceeding 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,200 degrees Celsius). It was the kind of heat that could melt metal, and it would certainly be enough to reduce a human body to cinders.

Mikhailis examined the vial in his hand as his thumb brushing over its smooth surface.

It was a small quantity, just enough to start the reaction. Once it began, it would be unstoppable. The thermite would burn through everything, including his body, leaving nothing but ash behind.

"This will do the trick," he muttered to himself as he placed the vial carefully beside the fireplace.

He then moved to the small shelf by the hearth, where he kept his collection of chemicals. Mixing a few substances into a bowl, he concocted a rudimentary accelerant that would ensure the fire burned hotter and faster than normal, enough to spread the thermite reaction once it began.

His hands worked quickly but with precision. He sprinkled the accelerant near the fireplace, trailing it toward where he planned to collapse, ensuring that once the flames reached it, they would ignite the thermite.

It was foolproof. The fire would burn so intensely that even the bones would be reduced to ash, and anyone who found the scene would be convinced he had perished in an accidental blaze. It would ignite slowly, ensuring that by the time anyone found the room, the fire would have consumed enough to make his "death" believable.

Mikhailis stepped back, surveying his handiwork.

"Looks good," he muttered to himself.

"A little morbid, but hey, can't really leave any loose ends in this part,"

He grabbed his backpack, slinging it over his shoulder and securing the rope that connected all his packed containers.

Everything was tied together, just as planned.

Now, it was time for the final act.

It's kind of feel lonely.

No, it does lonely.

The face of his mother and father crossed his mind, but still.

"This is the right thing to do, don't you think so, brother?"

He walked over to the small magic stone that lay on his desk, the artifact given to him by Elowen. It pulsed faintly, a reminder of the magic waiting to be unleashed. All he had to do was utter the words, and everything—him, his gear, his bugs, his AI—would be transported back to Silvarion Thalor.

But first, the final touch. Mikhailis took the vial from his nightstand, uncorked it, and splashed a few drops onto the sheets of his bed. The liquid quickly soaked into the fabric, leaving behind a faint, acrid smell. He set the vial back down, letting it rest precariously on the edge of the nightstand. From a glance, it would look like he'd taken it right before collapsing.

"Rodion, prepare for transport," Mikhailis said, his voice firm now.

It's a tone that his AI, Rodion, rarely heard from him.

<Understood, Your Highness. All systems are ready. Shall I begin the countdown?>

Mikhailis hesitated for just a moment, taking one last look around his room.

This world had been his home for so long. Sheltering and securing him and his hobbies. But now, it was time for something different. Something... bigger.

He took a deep breath, he could feel his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves.

"Yeah, Rodion," he finally said.

"Start the countdown."

<Beginning countdown. Five... four... three...>

Mikhailis reached out, his hand brushing the smooth surface of the magic stone. It felt warm under his fingers, pulsing in time with his racing heart.

<Two... one...>

He closed his eyes, whispered the incantation Elowen had taught him, and everything shifted.

There was a sudden pull, like the floor had dropped out from beneath him, and for a brief moment, Mikhailis felt weightless.

The room around him blurred, twisting and warping as the magic took hold. The soft glow from his monitors, the crackling of the fire, the familiar hum of his machines—all of it faded into a distant memory.

And then, with a rush of air, the world snapped back into focus.

He was standing in the grand hall of Silvarion Thalor once again, the containers of his belongings stacked neatly beside him, he could feel that the stone is still warm in his hand while the rope in his other hand still there.

Good.

It means that all of my things got teleported together with me safely to here.

Mikhailis closed his eyes, he felt kind of dizzy perhaps because his body is adjusting to the sudden shift.

The air here was cooler, fresher, and the subtle hum of magic pulsed through the floor beneath him.

Well, the air is fresher due to no contamination the world since there are no polluting factories and vehicles here, after all.

He glanced around, taking in the familiar sight of the polished wooden walls, the veins of glowing metal winding through the designs. And there, at the far end of the hall, stood Queen Elowen, watching him with those piercing golden eyes.

There she is.

His beautiful queen.

Mikhailis grinned. "Guess I'm back."

Elowen's lips curved into a small smile. "Welcome back, Mikhailis."

He glanced at his containers, making sure everything had made the trip with him.

"Brought a few things with me," he said, gesturing to the cases.

"You know, just the essentials—research gear, my AI, solar panels... and, of course, a portable air conditioner. You could say these are my life lines,"

Elowen raised an eyebrow in an amused way.

"I see you've come prepared."

"Hey, can't be a prince consort without a little comfort, don't you think?" Mikhailis shrugged.

She chuckled softly, he could see that she's genuinely amused.

"I suppose not."

Mikhailis let out a deep breath, the tension finally leaving his shoulders.

He was here.

This was real.

No.

This. Is real.

His old life was gone, and a new one was waiting for him.

As he stood there, in the heart of a magical kingdom, he felt a strange sense of peace wash over him.

Something that he perhaps wouldn't ever feel in his former world as prince Mikhailis.

"Alright," he said, rubbing his hands together.

"Where do we start?"