A Journey That Changed The World

Archer stormed through the bank, leaving no one alive in his path to the vault. Inside, he discovered a labyrinth of chambers brimming to the ceiling with treasure. His eyes gleamed as he tore the first door from its hinges.

A deafening crash echoed throughout the building. He cast the door aside and strode in only to see Chests overflowing while barrels sparkled thanks to heaps of glittering gems, setting off his greed.

‘Fuck the Novgorod Empire,’ he mused while shoving chests into his Item Box.

Following that, Archer sucked everything into his Item Box as he continued looting the vaults, collecting relics, jewels, and crowns, which lay scattered on stone pedestals, their craftsmanship hinting at forgotten empires.

His breath hitched, his greed a living thing clawing at his chest. He stole goblets, amulets, and fancy daggers, each piece disappearing with a faint hum of magic. Room after room, he tore through the vault, ripping doors from their frames and stripping shelves bare.

Archer’s laughter echoed off the stone walls, a mad crescendo as the treasure dwindled under his Goblin-like looting. In one chamber, he found a suit of armor forged from an unknown metal.

In another, a tome bound in dragonhide that he burned to ash because it pissed him off, thanks to being a White Dragon. Hours bled into one another, the vault’s labyrinth yielding ever more to his greed.

A chest of platinum bars, heavier than a man, vanished into the Item Box. A fist-sized diamond followed, its brilliance nearly blinding. As he reached the final chamber, the Item Box began to pulse.

Archer forced in one last haul, and it shuddered, refusing more. He stood amidst the emptied vault; the once full chambers were barren. ”This will hamper their war effort for a while,” he muttered in amusement. ”Hopefully it allows me to conquer Pluoria.”

Moments later, he vanished from the vault in a blink, materializing in the heart of Duskfire Capital, thousands of miles away. The air buzzed with joy, and crowds cheered, their faces lit by flickering flames.

Archer observed the lively scene, his eyes catching vibrant banners and roaring bonfires that illuminated Duskfire Capital amid a grand fire festival. Spotting his target, he teleported to the palace.

There, he found the orange-haired beauty seated in her chambers, deep in thought. Materializing behind the Fire Elf, he startled her, but the surprise quickly melted into a warm smile as she recognized him.

Embera’s smile widened as she rose from her seat, closing the distance. ”Archer, you always know how to make an entrance,” she warmly teased.

Without hesitation, the older woman wrapped her arms around him in a tight, heartfelt cuddle, her warmth radiating like the festival fires outside. Pulling back slightly, her orange eyes locked onto his.

She leaned in, her lips meeting his in a passionate kiss, fierce yet tender, as if igniting the air between them. The moment lingered as she finally drew back, her smile now tinged with mischief.

”What brings you here amidst the flames?” she asked, her hand still resting lightly on his arm.

Archer grinned, his eyes glinting. ”I came to ask where we stand, but that kiss spoke volumes,” he revealed.

Embera’s lips curved into a sly smile. She leaned in again, capturing him in another passionate kiss. Outside, the night sky erupted due to fireworks. The explosions painted the room in fleeting bursts of color through the open window.

Minutes passed before they parted, breathless, her gaze still locked on his. ”Yes, Arch, I want to be with you,” she confirmed. ”But my duties tether me to the empire. I can’t stray far. If this is to work, you’d need to come to me.”

The Fire Elf’s hand lingered on his chest after she felt his muscles, her expression a mix of hope and resolve, waiting for his response. Archer’s gaze softened, his hand gently covering hers where it rested on his chest.

”Distance is nothing to me, I can be here in a heartbeat thanks to my magic,” he answered confidently.

Embera’s eyes shimmered due to a mix of relief and amusement. ”Bold words, handsome,” she replied, stepping closer until their foreheads nearly touched.

The distant roar of the festival mingled alongside the crackle of another firework, casting fleeting sparks of light across her face. ”But I’ll hold you to them. Stay tonight, join me for the festival. Let’s see if you can keep up.”

She tugged at his hand, leading him toward the balcony where the vibrant chaos of Duskfire Capital’s celebration unfolded below. The air was thick thanks to the scent of smoke and spiced wine, and the crowd’s cheers rose in waves.

When the duo stepped outside, Embera explained. ”The Council wanted to celebrate all our homeless being housed, having jobs, and won’t starve anymore.”

His eyebrow rose in curiosity as he let her continue. ”Duskfire was on the brink of collapse thanks to the Alliance’s nonstop demands for soldiers, food, and other materials that were costing us so much.”

The Fire Elf beauty went on to lay out everything the Pope and Novgorod Emperor had demanded from the southern continent. As Archer listened, he noticed she was getting upset, causing him to hug her.

”Come here, you silly elf,” he muttered.

She sank into his embrace just as he reassured her. ”Don’t worry about anything right now, there will be a baby boom and all the people who fled Duskfire will return to something new, something better.”

Archer gestured toward the towering apartment blocks rising steadily under the skilled labor of the 101st Legion, their silhouettes stark against the ember-hued skyline of Duskfire Capital.

The air thrummed thanks to the rhythmic clatter of construction, hammers striking steel, the low hum of arcane scaffolds shifting into place, and the shouts of legionnaires coordinating their efforts.

These new structures, destined to house the capital’s growing population, gleamed due to the fresh-cut stone and polished metal. Each block stood as a monument to the empire’s resurgence.

”Thanks to the never-ending shipments of food, your soldiers protecting us and allowing us to focus on mending ourselves instead of security, we can rebuild the empire like it was in my grandfather’s time, albeit being under your control,” she concluded.

Archer couldn’t help but give her a charming smile as he responded. ”Well, you’re still their queen, you just don’t have to worry about the outside world while Aisha or I will deal with anything that comes along.”

Embera’s lips curved into a warm smile, tension easing from her face as worry slipped away. She shook her head lightly, eyes sparkling. ”I heard your daughters have grown so much,” she said. ”I’d love to meet them someday, see those little sparks of yours in person.”

”I can take you to see the four now,” he revealed. ”They should be awake and have just had dinner.”

When the older woman heard this, she quickly nodded in agreement. ”Yes, please!”

His hand found Embera’s waist, his grip firm yet gentle, as he teleported from the bustling Duskfire Capital to the corridors of the Draconian Palace. As they appeared in the palace’s passageway, they nearly collided with a group of maids led by Edith and Meredith.

Their arms laden full of linens and silver trays, the maids froze, eyes wide, thanks to the shock at the sudden intrusion. Edith, shaking her head to recover, cried out. ”Husband!”

She stepped forward from the group, her blue eyes alight. ”Mary, Olivia, and Ella are about to give birth!”

Archer’s brows shot up, a mix of surprise and pride flashing across his features. Before he could respond, Meredith moved closer, her sharp eyes locking onto Embera with an intensity that was threatening to explode.

Sensing the unspoken question in her stare, Archer cleared his throat and gestured to the woman at his side. ”Edith, Meredith, allow me to introduce Embera,” he said, his tone warm. ”She is one of my new wives, recently joined our family.”

Embera offered a graceful nod, her fiery hair catching the torchlight as she met the maids’ curious gazes. The corridor buzzed thanks to the soft murmurs of the other maids, their initial surprise giving way to welcoming smiles.

Edith led them through the dimly lit corridors of the manor, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished stone floors. As they approached Ella’s room, the faint sound of laughter and chatter spilled through the heavy oak door.

Meredith pushed it open, revealing a cozy chamber bathed in the warm glow of a hearth fire. Inside, Olivia and Mary reclined on plush armchairs, their faces relaxed but alert, cups of steaming tea in their hands.

Ella played in the center of the room, surrounded by four giggling babies, their joyful laughter filling the air. Their infectious happiness brought a warm smile to his face. As he stepped into the room, their heads turned toward him in unison.

”Hello, my little ladies!” he greeted the four little girls excitedly. ”I missed you four so much!”