A Journey That Changed The World

Archer, Demetra, and Aeris began eating once Keomi brought out all the breakfast. He quickly delved into the delicious food, making the older woman giggle in response. ”Looks like you can eat for a dozen men, Arch,” she teased.

The two young women laughed at this before the shark woman added. ”Thanks to being a big, bad dragon, he has a never-ending stomach.”

Following that, Keomi went back to the kitchen to clean up as the wraith beauty turned to him, grinning ear to ear. ”Last night was amazing, husband, can we do it again?”

Archer quickly nodded in agreement. ”Of course, we’ll leave this place and head toward the empire’s capital to cause some trouble there.”

After their conversation, the trio savored their meal in companionable silence, the rhythmic patter of rain drumming against the protective shield that arched over the village. The translucent barrier shimmered faintly, deflecting the storm’s relentless downpour and safeguarding the homes below.

The villagers, spared from the usual dread of post-storm repairs that would normally happen, were happy with gratitude. Laughter echoed through the streets, a stark contrast to the storm’s roar, as families gathered under the violet-colored shield. Archer couldn’t help but smile at the happiness spreading through the people.

”You look happy this morning? Was it all the sex last night?” Demetra asked, grinning.

Archer chuckled but nodded in agreement. ”Yes, and that the people are happy for once, when we entered this place, they looked depressed and dreading the weather, but I managed to help them out, which cost me nothing.”

”Those six little girls have changed you, for the good thought.”

His eyebrow rose at the Demon Shark Princess’s words before he answered. ”They have Dem, their bright smiles and big eyes calmed me down, and honestly? I miss them so much, even though I was there yesterday.”

”Why don’t you see them while we bathe in the Domain?” Aeris suggested.

”That’s a good idea,” Archer responded. ”Once we finish eating, I’ll teleport back to the palace.”

Afterward, the trio dove into their feast, devouring steaming bowls of noodles, rice dishes, and an array of savory sides until every plate was scraped clean. The clinking of chopsticks and satisfied sighs filled the air as they indulged, the storm’s drumming against the protective shield fading into the background.

Bloated, they sprawled in their seats, the table a battlefield of empty dishes. Aeris, overcome by the feast, flopped facedown onto the table, her groans mingling alongside the patter of rain. Demetra, meanwhile, leaned back in her chair, one hand lazily patting her rounded stomach, a grin of pure satisfaction spreading across her face.

”The breakfast was delicious,” the navy-haired woman said. ”Maybe we should kidnap the couple to cook for the whole harem?”

Archer chuckled at this while Aeris groaned in response. He shook his head and revealed. ”When the war reaches Orientia, they’ll flee to the Domain, where I’ll scoop the old couple up before bringing them to the palace.”

Demetra’s smile grew wider, but she agreed while the wraith giggled. Just then, Jianyu reappeared in the house, looking like a wet cat as he complained. ”Damn weather, it’s like the emperor is pissing all over us!”

”Shut up, you old fool!” Keomi instantly replied, rushing toward the window. ”You know how the soldiers react when people bring up that man!”

This caught Archer’s attention. ”The fortress up the road?” he inquired.

The older couple turned to him, wide-eyed. Jianyu was the one to answer. ”Yes, those dogs have taken dozens of villagers who mentioned the emperor.”

When Archer heard this, his eyebrow rose before he glanced at Aeris. ”Do you mind getting the people out? Your other form should help with that?”

”It will,” she answered. ”I’ll do it when you and Dem attack the entrance, their mages shouldn’t be able to sense me.”

The Demon Shark Princess got excited and exclaimed. ”We’ll tear that place apart to cause trouble for the Alliance!”

As the trio continued chatting, voices weaving through the clatter of dishes, the older couple standing nearby cast skeptical glances their way, furrowed brows and pursed lips silently branding the group as eccentric. But Keomi’s sharp eyes caught something far more unsettling.

Her breath hitched as she noticed faint, ghostly shapes appearing behind the three young ones. Behind Archer, a colossal White Dragon loomed, its ghostly form radiating a majestic aura. Its scales shimmered like frost, and its violet eyes glowed with wisdom that seemed to pierce through her.

Keomi’s heart raced, torn between awe and unease. Her gaze darted to Demetra, where a nightmarish shark hovered, its jaws gaping wide, rows of jagged teeth glinting with a primal hunger that sent a chill down her spine. The creature’s translucent body rippled as if submerged in an unseen ocean.

Worst of all was the wraith behind Aeris, a sinister, shadowy figure cloaked in tattered darkness, its hollow red eyes burning. Tendrils of black mist curled from its form, twisting like living things, and the air around it seemed to grow colder, heavier, as if it sapped the very warmth from the room.

Keomi’s pulse quickened, her chopsticks trembling in her hand, and she nudged Jianyu under the table. His eyes widened as he followed her gaze, his usual composure faltering at the sight of the spectral trio. The two exchanged a glance, their faces paling as the apparitions lingered, unseen by all but them, casting an eerie pall over the room.

Archer’s instincts caught the flicker of fear in the couple’s eyes, betraying their unease as they overheard the trio’s chat. His gaze snapped to them, softening as he leaned forward. ”Please, don’t be afraid,” he said, aiming to ease the tension. ”We’re not here to bring harm to anyone in this village. Our fight is with the Alliance, those dogs who’ve ravaged the other continents. They need to be held accountable for their crimes, and we’re here to ensure justice is served.”

”You three aren’t normal, that’s clear,” Jianyu finally spoke. ”Who exactly are you?”

”The emperor of Draconia, the White Devil of Pluoria, the new Devil King,” Archer responded. ”Pick whichever one you want to call me, but we’re here to annoy the Alliance before my Legions land on Orientia.”

When the older couple heard this, their jaws dropped, making Archer laugh as he continued talking. ”I’ve given you safety and a place to hide when the war arrives at the village, which it will, the Alliance tends to take advantage of border settlements.”

”That they do,” Keomi revealed. ”I’ve heard too many stories of other villages and even towns being ransacked by foreign troops alongside the Yamatori soldiers.”

After the storm abruptly subsided, Archer rose to his feet, addressing the group. ”Let’s head to the fortress now, then proceed to the next town. Stay sharp and use your tokens if you’re in danger.”

The older couple agreed, warm smiles crossing their face as Keomi hugged him before Jianyu shook his head. ”Thanks for your help, boy, the village would most likely be in ruin thanks to that storm.”

Everyone exchanged heartfelt goodbyes with the elderly couple before departing, as Archer and the two women stepped outside. The air, crisp and tinged thanks to the scent of rain-soaked earth, urged them onward toward the fortress. The road stretched ahead, eerily quiet and deserted.

Their footsteps rang softly on the cobblestones, the only sound piercing the quiet as they left the village behind and approached the fortress. When the trio drew nearer, they stopped at the top of a hill where Archer spotted thousands of Alliance soldiers patrolling the fortress and surrounding area, loaded with goods plundered from nearby.

”They’ve been hitting villages hard,” Aeris remarked, scanning the scene. ”Think their leaders know we’re coming?”

”No,” Archer said. ”They’re just bracing for us. The Pope and Emperor know we’ll strike, they don’t know when or where.”

Demetra giggled at his answer, but nodded. ”Damn right they don’t, once our soldiers land here, they’ll trample all these fools and free the people. We’ll show them what it’s like to live under Draconia.”

Following that, Aeris transformed into her Dark Wraith form, chilling the air around them and making the shark woman jump back just as an eerie voice echoed out. ”I’ll rescue the people, once I do that, I’ll join you in the attack.”

”Sounds good to me,” he replied as she vanished into the shadows.

This sudden scene made Demetra shiver. ”Damn, wraith can be creepy sometimes when she transforms.”

Archer began laughing but agreed. ”Yes, she and her grandmother tend to do that, it’s not surprising, thanks to not being accepted by anyone but me.”

”Do you have a thing with the older Redcliff woman?” she questioned, narrowing her eyes.

”No, I’ve barely met her,” he honestly answered. ”But she’s my type of woman though, tall, curvy with big boobs.”

Demetra’s aura flared, causing him to continue. ”Just like you are, my love. I love your muscles, big boobs, and gorgeous navy hair.”