A Journey That Changed The World. - Chapter 1670 - 1670: Don't Worry, Little Ones

Archer and Kassandra were still in Halime’s tower as he pointed at something. ”Here’s a small library for scholars studying Draconia’s lore. Over there, study hall, dorms, and halls open to the mists. I’ve added guided paths for the students to explore the marshes, where they can see creatures that only appear in the fog. It’s a place to find peace and learn.”

The Kraken Princess sat back, dark eyes sweeping over the mana images and blueprints, where all four islands pulsed would make Draconia even stronger. Brightreef’s wild energy, Emberhaven’s warm luxury, Verdantreach’s bountiful fields, and Serenemire’s formed a perfect balance, each island complementing the others.

”You’ve built a world within a world,” she said softly. ”Each island has its own heart, but together, they’re unstoppable. The Company and government will be begging to fund this.”

Archer chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. ”Let’s hope so. I’ve poured enough effort into these designs to shock the people once again.”

He glanced at her, his expression softening. ”What do you think? Any changes before I present this to the Ella and Aisha?”

Kassandra studied everything, her mind racing with the possibilities. “It’s brilliant, Archer. But maybe add a few more exhibits at Brightreef? Let visitors feed some of the tamer creatures. It’ll draw families and making the children happy.”

She paused, a playful glint in her dark eyes. ”And maybe a wine bar at Emberhaven. Draconians do love drinking.”

Archer laughed, grabbing his pen before drawing on the plans, adding her suggestions. ”Done and done. Let’s make this vision sing.”

Following that, Kassandra, Halime and Llyniel returned to the expedition after a few hours leaving him alone. He stood up and decided to meet the two women who would help him bring his plans to life. After sending Ella and Aisha a message to meet him at the palace without whatever help they needed.

They agreed and he teleported to the nursery to see his children before the meeting. He noticed most were asleep apart from Freya who sat in her cot, glancing at him with a big smile as she let out an adorable babble. Archer picked the little girl up and placed a love-filled kiss against her forehead.

”Hello my little princess,” he happily said. ”I’ve missed you so much.”

Just then, Ella said they arrived and in his office causing him to ask Freya. ”Want to come to a meeting with me? Maybe you can help us?”

His eldest daughter clapped and her smile grew wider as she agreed, causing him to cuddle her tightly which she loved. Archer carried her through the palace only to step into his office only to come to a stop when seeing a old face he hadn’t seen for years. Lioren, Nala’s brother stood there smiling ear to ear.

”Hello, old friend,” the lion man greeted. ”Been avoiding me have you?”

”Of course not!” Archer replied. ”I just get busy, everyone knows what I’m like.”

Lioren stepped forward and hugged him, making sure not to hurt little Freya who clung to his side, watching the stranger get close with her face. He returned the gesture before introducing his eldest. ”Lio, this is my eldest child, Freya Wyldheart.”

His friend stepped back, looking at the white-haired girl whose blue eyes were full of curiousity as the lion man spoke. ”She’s adorable, Arch. Reminds me of you and Lady Sia. I’ve just met Aslan, I can’t believe how much he looked like you and sister.”

”Nala was here?” he curiously muttered.

”Yes, she popped by to spend time with Aslan,” Ella was the one to answer.

Archer nodded and turned to Lioren. ”What are you doing now days? In the Legions I see?”

When his friend heard his words he started laughing and responded. ”Arch, I’ve been with you since the beginning. From the invasion of Avidia, the fall of the Alliance fortress where you breached the wall, the conquest of our homeland Pluoria, and the dreaded battles of the east. I command the 2nd Legion now, we’re stationed on the Northeast Island for training.”

A smile crossed his face at Lioren’s reply. ”Good, because part of this meet involves the 2nd Legion who are being reassigned for a couple of years.”

The lion man’s eyes lit up as Aisha finally spoke. ”Arch, what are these plans you told us about?”

Archer glanced at Freya, wrapping her in mana so she would float beside him as he sat in his chair, taking out a massive stack of papers, dropping them on the desk. ”I guess I’ve been contemplating on the four islands that circle Draconia. I’ve renamed each one again, this time they will have a purpose.”

He slid Brightreefs plans to Aisha, continuing. ”Check these out, the others have been collecting thousands of rare monsters and exotic creatures from the expeditions. I purposed they put them in a park that will benefit the empire. These plans are the start.”

After speaking, Aisha flicked through the plans, her blue eyes scanned the pages only to show how shocked she was. Archer handed Ella the plans for the Northwest island which was Emberhaven, Draconia’s holiday resorts. The Half-Elf was amazed as she looked at him with a smile.

”Can the Company take this, handsome?” she asked, a hopeful expression crossing her face.

Archer gave her a nod. ”Yes, with your reach we can adviretise it to the entire world, make Draconia a paradise that the enemy lords can’t live without,” he said, grinning ear to ear.

Aisha’s head snapped to him with wide eyes. ”You’re going for soft power! You devious bastard!” she exclaimed.

Lioren began laughing as he looked at Serenemire, whistling. ”Damn buddy, are you looking to get those Novgorodian nobles hooked? They’l send their children here, these building make the College of Magic look like a childrens school.”

”That’s the plan,” Archer replied, his smirk growing wider as Freya giggled at his reaction.

He glanced at the little girl and revealed, smiling at her. ”You and your siblings will be attending this place, Frey. It will be what unites this world and stop all the petty wars that plagued Thrylos.”

Just then, his senses prickled, causing him to jump up, declaring in a serious tone when realizing what it was. ”Another Terravian realm is opening! Aisha, show the empire the battle that will happen to prove that I’ve got even stronger.”

In a blink, Archer vanished from the chamber, materializing high above his palace. With a thunderous roar that shook the skies, he unleashed his colossal Dragon form, towering like a living mountain, white scales gleaming under the sun, instantly seizing the awe of every soul across Draconia.

A single, earth-shattering flap of his titanic wings unleashed a hurricane gale that whipped across the island. Then, with fury blazing in his eyes, he rocketed northward toward Northwood, the untamed northern continent still untouched by his conquest or the Great War.

***

(Lioren)

”Wow, he’s changed,” Lioren muttered in surprise once Archer vanished. ”More mature, more level headed.”

Just then, little Freya appeared in front of him, babbling as she held her hands out, causing him to look at his old friend Ella, who nodded with a smile. ”She’s wants to be held, Lio. Your her uncle after all. Nala see’s Frey as her first daughter.”

”Alright,” he replied, taking the little girl in his arms as she rested her head against him, making the others smile.

Aisha commented, an amused glint in her eyes. ”Looks like you’re a natural with children. When are you and the girls having cubs?”

Lioren smiled, letting out a chuckle. ”Not yet, work keeps us too busy and now we have Aslan, along with the others, we’re not in a rush. It’s crazy to have thirteen nieces and nephews.”

Moments later, he felt his one of his braids being pulled as Freya tugged at it before crying her heart out. Lioren was shocked and tried to calm her down only to be shown a vision that made his heart drop. He witnessed a scene in his mothers home with Nala, Archer and an older him, visiting their parents with Aslan but something went wrong.

The manor was attacked, Archer was fighting with the leader alongside his sister while he guarded three childre. Aslan and two of his sisters, Freya and a blue-haired girl who he recognized as Teuila’s daughter, Selina. They were scared, cuddling each other as a scream echoed out causing his head to snap in the sounds direction.

His future self whirled toward the sound, Lionheart sword igniting with a defiant blaze. Voice steady despite the storm in his eyes, he knelt in front of them. ”Don’t worry, little ones. I’ll hold them off until your father gets here.”

The promise rang like a vow etched in fire. Then the shadows struck. A human assassin lunged from the darkness, blade flashing like lightning. Older Lioren parried with a clash that sang of desperation, throwing himself between the killer and his family. Blow after blow rained down each one a thunderclap of doom.