A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1389 1389: You Pay For This? Why?

Archer was led inside the Moonriver Palace, and it was exactly how he imagined it. It was made out of brown stone with different colorful decorations all over the walls as the two of them walked through the corridors.

While doing that, the Water Elf woman glanced at him with a smile. ʼʼThanks for agreeing to help me with the paperwork. Yonali hates doing it and always goes to the government buildings to escape it.ʼʼ

He laughed, replying in an amused tone. ʼʼI donʼt mind it, thanks to using magic to help me. I help Aisha with it sometimes.ʼʼ

ʼʼIs she one of your wives?ʼʼ the brown-skinned woman questioned with a curious glint in her blue eyes.

Archer nodded with a knowing smile. ʼʼYes, she is. Aisha and Fianna control the government on my behalf, so they always look out for the people instead of lining their own pockets,ʼʼ he revealed.

When Colestah heard this, she was surprised and quickly asked. ʼʼHow much do these officials get paid?ʼʼ

ʼʼIf I remember correctly, eight gold per week and a luxury apartment by the government, but this is based on them working for the people,ʼʼ he answered.

ʼʼOh, goddess, thatʼs incredible,ʼʼ the woman murmured, her voice laced with awe.

Archer let out a warm laugh as they stepped into her private quarters. With a flourish, she shrugged off her cloak, revealing detailed Native American clothing that shimmered faintly in the soft light.

Colestah turned to him and sweetly offered. ʼʼWould you like some Moon Tea? Itʼs a specialty of the Water Elves.ʼʼ

ʼʼYes, please,ʼʼ he replied while sitting at the desk.

He noticed hundreds of papers littering the top, prompting him to ask. ʼʼIs this the paperwork you need help with?ʼʼ

ʼʼIt is, unfortunately,ʼʼ she replied, her expression heavy with resignation.

Archer gave a light chuckle at her reaction, unfazed, and began flipping through the documents sheʼd handed him. As he read, he wrote down ideas and suggestions. Colestah paused, her eyes widening as she studied him.

Shaking her head in disbelief, she finally spoke. ʼʼYouʼre serious about helping, arenʼt you?ʼʼ

ʼʼWhy wouldnʼt I be? I offered to help you with it. I hope it doesnʼt bother you, but Iʼve added some of my ideas that will help,ʼʼ he revealed.

The Water Elf Empress nodded with a big smile. ʼʼThank you, and a fresh perspective is always welcome.ʼʼ

Following that, Archer got back to the paperwork while Colestah made the two of them tea, humming a tune that put him at ease. He looked at the brown-skinned beauty who was busy boiling water.

Her slender hourglass frame was hidden by her dress, but was still visible, causing him to shake his head. ʼFocus, there are too many of them now. I donʼt need anymore women,ʼ he thought.

Archer continued with the work while distracting himself from eyeing up the beautiful elf and went through the finances of the empire. He soon realized that whoever controlled it before didnʼt know what they were doing.

ʼWhy is the imperial family paying so much gold to the nobles?ʼ he thought when realizing the biggest families were milking the empire.

This pissed him off, he waved his hands and summoned the Shadow Creatures, speaking. ʼʼBring me the heads of all these families; only kill their guards but leave them unharmed.ʼʼ

A creepy noise echoed out just as the monsters vanished into the nearby shadows, and this shocked Colstah. The Water Elf looked at the scene with wide eyes. She composed herself, questioning. ʼʼWhat were those things, Arch?ʼʼ

ʼʼArch?ʼʼ he replied with a smirk and answered. ʼʼMy monsters, I want to know why youʼre paying these greedy nobles so much gold a month. Itʼs almost half the empireʼs income, which is stupid.ʼʼ

The older woman looked embarrassed as she revealed. ʼʼMy Father did it to keep them loyal and to help in times of need. It was their armies you were fighting, not mine. My soldiers are focused around the capital and surrounding cities.ʼʼ

ʼʼOkay it ends now,ʼʼ he answered with a chuckle. ʼʼIʼll make them loyal to you, and we will build a new Moonriver Army unless you want to join the Draconia Empire, rule as a queen, but not have to worry about backstabbing, finances, security, and your people.ʼʼ

ʼʼThen whatʼs the point of being queen when the island controls everything?ʼʼ she responded with a raised eyebrow.

Archer replied with sincerity, ʼʼWhile we oversee the broader empire, youʼll have full authority over your lands. My goal isnʼt to rule over you, but to ensure your safety, help your people prosper, and transform your territory into a thriving, fertile landscape that will eventually become the breadbasket of the realm.ʼʼ

He chuckled, concluding. ʼʼThis place beats Southern Draconia in good soil once I heal it.ʼʼ

Colestah finished brewing the tea and brought it over to the table, sitting down as she answered. ʼʼWhat is your end game, and why offer this to me? We killed an untold number of your soldiers?ʼʼ

ʼʼThatʼs war, and the Draconians understand this,ʼʼ he replied with a smile. ʼʼTheyʼre okay with dying as I pay for their families to live, which costs me billions of gold a year to make sure they can survive.ʼʼ

ʼʼHuh?ʼʼ the woman blurted out. ʼʼYou pay for this? Why?ʼʼ

Archer set the papers down, his expression solemn. ʼʼThey march out there, risking their lives against my enemies. These men and women leave their families behind, journeying to foreign lands where they donʼt belong, yet fight to conquer in my name.ʼʼ

He paused, taking a slow sip of the fruity tea, and then continued. ʼʼThe least I can do is provide gold to the government, ensuring a monthly allowance for each dead soldierʼs family. Itʼs enough for them to live on, even to buy property, now that Iʼve raised the amount from twelve gold to two hundred.ʼʼ

ʼʼIsnʼt that pointless and a waste of coin? They would just horde the wealth,ʼʼ Colestah said in fascination.

Archer shook his head with a chuckle. ʼʼNo, they pay taxes, which also increased a little when the civilian council voted to offer the government extra payment thanks to Llyniel gifting the farmers who Dragon Powder.ʼʼ

ʼʼWhatʼs that?ʼʼ she asked with sparkling blue eyes.

He took out a pot of grey powder and slid it across the table, explaining. ʼʼWhen farmers and people who grow food add the seeds to this stuff, the size, yield, and time to grow improve, allowing them to grow even more food.ʼʼ

Archer closed his eyes before looking at the massive drums filled with Dragon Powder he had in his Item Box as Colestah inquired with a fascinated gleam in her eyes. ʼʼAre you selling this stuff, Arch?ʼʼ

ʼʼI will be, once the war is over,ʼʼ he replied. ʼʼThe Wyldheart Company is gearing up to open stores in Emberport and other cities across our new territories.ʼʼ

The empress nodded with a warm smile, clearly pleased. The two then returned to their paperwork, diving back into the details. After a few hours, Archer began channeling his energy into healing the lands of the Moonriver Empire as he worked.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, they still hadnʼt finished. He had jotted down a flood of ideas and suggestions, the sheer volume surprising even himself. Handing the notes to the beautiful empress.

ʼʼHereʼs everything I came up with to help your people prosper. Please, consider my offer as well; it will only benefit the Moonriver Empire,ʼʼ he informed.

Colestah smiled in reply while going through the papers. ʼʼI will, but these ideas of yours are revolutionary and will help me greatly.ʼʼ

The woman suddenly jumped up and hugged him with a beaming expression. ʼʼThank you for all the help, and yes, Iʼll think about it. Hearing your policies is swaying me, but I want to meditate on it.ʼʼ

ʼʼAlright,ʼʼ he said with a laugh, mirroring the gesture. ʼʼIʼm off to check on Draconia. Iʼll be back soon.ʼʼ

Archer was about to summon a Gate when Shadow Creatures emerged, dragging several men in their grip. A grin spread across his face. ʼʼWell, look whoʼs back. Letʼs settle this before I go.ʼʼ

The scared Water Elves struggled to free themselves, but the monsterʼs grip on them tightened as he looked at Colestah. ʼʼDo you mind if I deal with them? It wonʼt take long.ʼʼ

ʼʼGo for it,ʼʼ she responded. ʼʼAll they do is cause me trouble anyway.ʼʼ

Archer chuckled, turning to the oldest elf. He was a forty-year-old man with grey hair. He approached the elder and crouched in front of him while speaking. ʼʼI know youʼre corrupt, but Iʼm here to offer you one last chance or a swift death. What do you choose?ʼʼ

ʼʼThe White Devil! I was right!ʼʼ the man declared in a defiant attitude. ʼʼThe empress is in bed with this fiend.ʼʼ

ʼʼYouʼre insulting me when I hold your life in my hands?ʼʼ he questioned with a confused expression. ʼʼAre you honestly stupid, or do you have some secret plan to escape me which would be useless?ʼʼ