A Journey That Changed The World. - Chapter 1531 - 1531: What Did They Do To It?

Archer stood observing his soldiers as they slaughtered the last of the creatures haunting Starfall City and its abandoned streets. Once the task was complete, Inara commanded the Drakeguards and Legionnaires to sweep through, securing the area.

The battle for control went on for another week, as the Draconians methodically cleared and occupied the entire Avalonian capital. During this time, Archer found solace in moments spent with the newborns Elise and Amelia.

The two infants glowed with joy at his arrival, their radiant smiles warming his heart amid the grueling campaign on Plurioa. He visited the other four children and all his wives, leaving him utterly exhausted.

Archer sat on the balcony of an inn in the secured heart of the city, cradling Evelyn, the small cat-girl, in his lap. She bounced with uncontainable excitement, her joyful babbles filling the air as she delighted in the moment.

”You see, my little darling,” Archer said, capturing Evelyn’s wide-eyed attention. ”This is where your Mama comes from, and your silly grandfather Osoric too.”

At the mention of her family, Evelyn clapped her tiny hands with glee, her excitement bubbling over. She had recently met Leira’s parents, who had been occupied managing their Duchy on Draconia.

When her parents first laid eyes on the little girl, their hearts swelled with captivation at the sight of their newborn daughter, her delicate, snow-white hair. They cooed and fussed over her, their voices soft as they marveled at her tiny fingers and bright, curious eyes.

He cradled the infant gently in his arms, his protective instincts flaring as he felt the weight of his new responsibility. Following that, he summoned his wings and took flight, soaring toward the distant spires of the royal palace.

Archer had the baby nestled securely against his chest. As he flew over the city, a sudden, gnawing unease twisted in his gut, an instinct honed by years of survival. The air grew thick with an ominous energy.

Before he could process the warning, a series of deafening explosions tore through the capital. The sky lit up thanks to bursts of fire and smoke, and the ground below shuddered as buildings crumbled into heaps of rubble.

Soldiers, caught off guard, were thrown through the air like ragdolls, their cries drowned out by the chaos. His heart raced as he tightened his grip on his daughter, his wings beating furiously. In a split-second decision, he vanished into the Domain, narrowly escaping the destruction that now engulfed the city in a storm of fire and ruin.

The shockwave from the explosions slammed into Archer, sending him spiraling through the chaotic skies. His wings faltered against the force as he plummeted out of the sky, the wind roaring in his ears.

Instinctively, he curled his wings tightly around them, shielding Evelyn from the debris and fury of the collapsing city. As they crashed into the ground, he absorbed the impact, ensuring the precious bundle in his arms wouldn’t feel anything.

Evelyn, blissfully unaware of the danger, let out a peal of delighted laughter, her tiny voice a stark contrast to the destruction around them. Archer, his heart still pounding from the fall, seized the moment to distract her further, gently tickling her soft cheeks with a feather-light touch.

Her giggles grew louder, her bright eyes sparkling with innocent joy, utterly oblivious to the chaos that had nearly claimed them. A weary but relieved smile spread across Archer’s face as he came to a stop, his wings still wrapped protectively around her like a living cocoon.

The world beyond might be crumbling, but in that fleeting moment, Evelyn’s laughter was a beacon of hope, grounding him amidst the storm of ruin. ”Enjoying yourself, little lady?” he questioned, chuckling.

After the heartfelt moment, Archer rose to his feet, dusting off the grime from his battle-worn armor, and activated his teleportation crystal with a faint hum. In an instant, he reappeared in the grand, opulent halls of the palace.

Cradling the beaming Evelyn in his arms, he sought out Leira, his beloved wife. As he handed the giggling toddler to her mother, Leira’s green eyes sparkled. She took in the sight of his once-pristine cloak now caked head to toe in dust and grit.

She then glanced at their clean daughter, whose bright laughter filled the room. Her lips curved into a playful smile, a soft, teasing giggle escaping her as she gently brushed a speck of dirt from Evelyn’s tiny cheek, her tail flicking with affection.

”You bring the war home with you, my love,” she purred. ”But our little star remains untouched by the chaos.”

Archer chuckled before rubbing the little girl’s hair after casting Cleanse on himself. ”I was showing her Starfall City, or what was left of it.”

When Leira heard this, a strange expression appeared on her pretty face. She shook her head and asked. ”What does it look like now, Arch?”

With a flick of his wrist, Archer used his Mana Manipulation, creating a screen that hovered in the air before them. The display flickered to life, revealing the heartbreaking sight of Starfall, the once-lively capital of the former Avalon Empire.

The city now lay in ruins, with crumbling spires, scorched streets, and shattered homes, painted a grim picture of devastation. As Leira’s eyes fixed on the scene, her breath hitched, and a wave of sorrow washed over her delicate features. Her tail, usually lively and expressive, drooped as tears welled in her eyes.

His heart ached at her pain. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and enveloped the young woman in a tight embrace, his arms a steady anchor against the storm of her grief. Leira leaned into him, her soft ears brushing against his chest as she trembled, her voice barely a whisper.

”What did they do to it?” she murmured, her words heavy with anguish, as if the destruction of her home had carved a wound deep within her soul.

Archer tightened his hold, his resolve hardening as he vowed silently to restore what had been lost. After that, Leira’s gaze remained locked on the now desolate wasteland of smoldering rubble and ash. The distant wails of survivors echoed faintly through the magical display, each sound piercing her heart like a dagger.

Her fingers curled into fists, trembling with a mix of grief and rage, as the weight of her homeland’s ruin pressed down on her. Archer kept his arms around her, his steady presence a promise of support.

Moments later, the mana-sustained screen shifted, revealing looters scavenging through the debris and shadowy figures patrolling the shattered streets. Leira’s tail twitched involuntarily, her feline instincts bristling at the sight of invaders defiling her people’s sacred ground.

A low, guttural growl rumbled in her throat, barely audible but laced with fury. ”They’ll pay for this,” she whispered, though tears still traced paths down her cheeks. She turned her head slightly, pressing her face into Archer’s chest, seeking solace in his arms. ”How could they destroy everything we built? My history, my home…”

Archer’s jaw tightened, his anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. He gently tilted her chin up, meeting her tear-streaked gaze. ”We’ll rebuild, Leira. I swear it. Starfall will rise again, and those who did this will face justice.”

His words, though soft, carried the weight of an unbreakable vow. Evelyn, still cradled in Leira’s arms, babbled softly, oblivious to the tragedy unfolding on the screen. The toddler’s innocent cooing broke through the tension, a reminder of the hope they still carried.

The young cat woman’s expression softened as she looked down at her daughter, stroking her tiny head with a trembling hand. ”For her,” she murmured, her voice steadier now. ”For all of them.”

Archer nodded, his hand resting on Leira’s shoulder as the screen dimmed, the mana sustaining it fading. ”For all of them,” he echoed, his mind already racing with plans.

Following their talk, time seemed to blur as Archer assumed direct command of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Armies, spearheading a devastating campaign across the war-torn plains of Plurioa. With no mercy, he led his forces, their banners snapping in the wind as they carved a path through the enemy landscape.

The three armies, a formidable coalition of seasoned warriors and arcane war-machines, now converged on the northern heartlands, their sights set on a heavily fortified stronghold, the final bastion guarding the approach to the Alliance’s capital.

As siege engines rumbled and the air crackled with the anticipation of battle, Archer’s strategic brilliance positioned his forces to strike a decisive blow, ready to shatter the enemy’s defenses and claim victory for their cause.

He stood atop a rocky outcrop, his keen eyes surveying the Dragonfire Company as they prepared their heavy cannons for the attack on the fortress walls. The air hummed, the clank of metal and low murmurs of the crew blending with the distant rumble of the Plurioan winds.

With discipline, the company stacked dozens of glowing Mana Shells beside the gleaming barrels, their faint blue light casting eerie shadows on the ground. Nearby, a soldier stood vigilant, their weapon drawn to guard the ammunition against any sudden enemy raid.