A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1470: What Was That For?

Archer approached the beautiful Fire Elf as he continued. ’’Join Draconia, and I give you my word, those demands will cease. Your people will not only be spared such exploitation but will thrive under our protection, free to forge their future.’’

Embera’s orange orbs narrowed slightly, studying him with a blend of skepticism and intrigue, as if weighing the sincerity of his offer against the bad history between the two of them.

’’Would I still be a ruler?’’ she questioned.

’’Yes, but a queen that only takes orders from me,’’ Archer answered. ’’Nothing will change, apart from things will get better across Avidia.’’

When Embera heard this, her eyebrow arched, but she nodded. ’’Give me some examples of what you can do?’’

’’Draconia grows so much food that we can supply the whole continent with enough food to survive the upcoming famine,’’ he answered.

Every Fire Elf’s head snapped toward him as Azrianna spun toward him. ’’What did you just say?’’

Archer glanced at the younger woman before revealing. ’’Thanks to all the wars happening across Thrylos and the Alliance’s army building, a horrible famine will strike the world.’’

Embera looked shocked, but he continued talking. ’’Don’t worry, I’ll send a fleet of transport ships full of food and my legions will secure your lands, so your security won’t be a concern for your people anymore.’’

’’So it’s an invasion?’’ a random man asked from the side.

Archer’s head snapped toward the Fire Elf, and he let out a deep growl that rumbled through the hallway, causing the stranger to go stiff. He vanished and appeared in front of the man, smirking.

’’If I wanted to invade Duskfire, I would’ve used my monsters or legions to take it before the famine hit,’’ he said. ’’Yet I appeared here alone. No soldiers or any intention of fighting. I’m here to help, but you’re ruining that.’’

’’Duke Pyro,’’ Embera’s low voice sounded. ’’You dare insult my guest? Do you remember what happened the last time you spoke up?’’

Archer watched the older elf man shiver in fear as he backed off, causing the older woman to glance at him. ’’Would you like to come for a walk? Alone?’’

’’That would be nice,’’ he replied, approaching the empress.

Embera slid her arm into his while speaking. ’’Thank you for not reacting, the nobility have been acting up since the war turned against us.’’

Following that, she guided him to her private garden before questioning. ’’What’s your goal? World domination? An evil empire?’’

Archer chuckled at those words, but nodded. ’’Partly, I want to give the normal people peace where they can raise their families in a peaceful world, unlike the previous one hundred years and all its wars.’’

Embera’s orange eyes widened in stunned disbelief as his words sank in, her composure momentarily faltering. He pressed on, his voice steady and resonant, carrying the weight of his vision.

’’Look at Draconia,’’ he said. ’’It was once a fractured land, a dozen warring kingdoms tearing each other apart. I ended all that by creating my realm.’’

With a wave of his hand, Archer created a shimmering mana screen that materialized in the air between them as he wanted to show the empress what Duskfire could gain from joining him.

The screen flared to life, displaying vivid scenes of Draconia’s history: an island of rival kingdoms now thriving as one, bustling cities rising from the ruins of war, fields blooming, and diverse peoples working side by side under a shared banner.

Embera’s gaze snapped to the display, her gaze tracing the scene, captivated by the transformation laid bare before her. Moments later, she turned back to Archer, her expression a mix of awe and curiosity.

’’That was... remarkable,’’ she admitted. ’’But how is it that you pour your wealth into endeavors that yield no profit? What drives you to invest in such things?’’

Archer’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile, his violet eyes gleaming. ’’Wealth is meaningless to me if it only serves to fill coffers,” he replied. ’’I build for the future, for my people, for their prosperity, for a legacy that endures beyond gold. Draconia thrives because its strength lies in its unity and the well-being of the normal people, not in hoarding riches for fleeting gain.’’

Seconds later, he vanished only to reappear at the Fire Elf’s side, his breath a warm caress against her ear. ’’Come, Embera, my flame. Join me, join us, and together we’ll weave a world where your Fire Elves blaze free, unshackled from the Alliance’s cold grip, thriving in a realm.’’

Embera’s eyes glowed, locked onto his, her fiery locks shimmering like embers in the wind. ’’Words are cheap, White Dragon,’’ she teased. ’’Prove your power. Heal my scorched lands in the north, and then we’ll talk of visions.’’

A wicked smile curled his lips, his gaze drinking her in. Without a word, he stepped closer, his hands finding her waist. In a heartbeat, he swept her upward, soaring into the sky, the world below blurring into a tapestry of twilight.

The wind rushed past, tangling her orange hair, as his grip tightened, possessive yet thrilling. But Embera was no damsel to be carried. She let a playful scoff and pressed a hand against his chest, her touch firm and teasing.

’’Not so fast, charmer,’’ she purred.

Embera pushed free, her body igniting, a soft blaze as she unfurled shimmering wings of flame. With a twirl, she took flight beside him, her laughter a melody of defiance and allure. ’’Follow me if you can keep up.’’

She led the way, her fiery form cutting through the clouds like a comet, guiding him northward to the ravaged lands of her people. Below, the earth lay cracked and ashen, a desolate scar crying for renewal.

When Archer saw the expanse of the northern lands, a silent vow stirred in his chest. The scarred earth, ravaged by years of war and steeped in the echoes of death, seemed to plead for redemption.

His piercing gaze softened, a flicker of resolve igniting. With a slow, deliberate breath, he closed his eyes, his presence radiating a quiet intensity that made the air hum. ’Now let’s restore this place to prove my power to this milf,’ he thought.

Archer extended his hands, fingers splayed as if coaxing secrets from the wind. A pulse of powerful violet mana surged from his core. It cascaded outward in a radiant wave, sinking into the cracked, ashen soil.

The ground trembled faintly, as if awakening from a long slumber. Roots stirred beneath the surface, and the air grew thick with the scent of life reborn. Embera stood beside him, her eyes wide.

As the mana wove its magic, tendrils of vibrant green began to pierce the earth. Grass, lush and defiant, sprouted in waves, spreading across the once-dead land. Wildflowers, bold in their hues of violet and gold, bloomed in clusters, painting the landscape in all kinds of colors.

Saplings pushed upward, their leaves unfurling. Her breath caught, a soft gasp escaping her lips as she turned to him. It was once a graveyard of her people’s legacy. ’’By the flames,’’ she whispered, her voice a sultry blend of awe and challenge. ’’You wield more than pretty words.’’

Her gaze lingered on him, searching, as if daring him to reveal the depths of his strength. The land’s rebirth mirrored the spark kindling in her heart, and in that moment, the Fire Elf Empress saw not just a dragon, but a force capable of reshaping her world.

Embera’s eyes gleamed with a primal fire as she stepped closer, slow and deliberate, a predator savoring her approach. The reborn land pulsed beneath her feet, its life mirroring the heat in her gaze.

Archer stood still, his breath steady, but his eyes locked on hers, sensing the shift in her intent. Without warning, she closed the distance, her lips brushing his neck in a fleeting, electric moment before her teeth sank into his skin, sharp and sure.

A thin trickle of blood welled as her fiery mana surged forth, intertwining with his shadowy essence. The air crackled, their powers melding in a dizzying rush, a connection forged in blood and magic.

Without a word, Archer leaned in, his hand gently grazing her cheek, and pressed his lips to hers in a sudden, searing kiss. Her gaze widened, a flash of shock sparking through her, but the surprise melted into a slow, accepting smile against his mouth.

She leaned into him, her fingers curling into his cloak, embracing the bold gesture with a warmth that rivaled her flames, their connection deepening in the stolen moment. After a few minutes, they separated.

’’What was that for?’’ the older woman commented.

Archer chuckled before kissing her on the nose. ’’To prove that I’m serious about helping your empire.’’

Following that, he continued healing the land as Embera watched him with an excited expression as all kinds of landscapes reappeared that hadn’t been here for centuries and would shock all Fire Elves.