A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1642: It Wonʼt Harm You

Archer, Malakia, and Meredith continued looking through the market, only buying food and drinks for the road. Once everyone was done, they left the place and headed toward the carriage hall, where theyʼd get one to Northwatch, the northernmost city in Draconia and one that heʼd never seen.

They arrived at the hall, which was built next to the Adventurerʼs Guild that had been set up recently. When the lioness saw this, her blue eyes widened in surprise as she questioned. ʼʼWhen did the guild arrive? I thought they died out during the war?ʼʼ

ʼʼIt did,ʼʼ he revealed, dodging a group of laughing children running by. ʼʼBut Draconia has many places full of monsters, and adventurers have flocked to the island to earn gold again.ʼʼ

ʼʼDo they pay the government a share?ʼʼ Meredith asked after wrapping herself in another cloak.

ʼʼYes, itʼs twenty percent on their earnings, but thatʼs covering all taxes,ʼʼ he replied. ʼʼThatʼs less than half of what they paid before, and it generates so much gold thanks to their willingness to pay. The managers deliver it to the banks daily and do so gladly.ʼʼ

The two women stared at him as if heʼd lost his mind, which made Archer chuckle. With a flick of his hand, he revealed a vision of Guild Managers across the empire making payments. Thanks to the mana generators in most buildings, he could see most things happening, but it gave him a headache after a while.

When the scene faded, a confident smirk crossed his face. ʼʼWhy would I lie to you?ʼʼ he said. ʼʼI run a realm with less taxes, enough for my people to thrive, and our income hasnʼt dropped. Itʼs grown so much, in fact, that weʼre constructing a massive bank in the north just to manage it.ʼʼ

Following that, the trio arrived at the Carriage Hall and noticed there was a line waiting to book one. After Archer saw this, he sighed. ʼʼWe wonʼt be able to get one, letʼs walk for some time, and Iʼll summon a monster to pick us up.ʼʼ

They agreed thanks to not wanting to wait in line. The group left Sunfire City and stepped onto the road that led north. While traveling up it, he noticed fewer people heading in that direction, only to realize the snow was up to their waist, but his mana was melting the stuff, allowing them to get through.

The merchants they did see were using big Ironhorn Oxes that barreled through the white blanket. Archer and the women continued as Demacia sent him a message through the tattoo. ʼArch, Morena needs my help? Do you mind if I stay here until itʼs complete?ʼ

ʼHave fun, Dem,ʼ he replied, smiling to himself.

After that, Archer led the women up the road until the merchants vanished into the distance, prompting him to summon a massive Transport Nightmare Ant. They climbed on its back, sitting in the chairs Vivienne created for the creatures. Meredith looked nervous, but he reassured her.

ʼʼIt wonʼt harm you, Mere,ʼʼ he said.

When the blonde heard this, she smiled in return as the antʼs wing buzzed and they took off as Archer ordered. ʼʼHead north and avoid being seen.ʼʼ

As the words left his lips, the monster shuddered, and a surge of mana rippled outward, forming a forcefield that hid them from the eyes below. Moments later, they soared through the air, heading toward Northwatch, at long last, after years of Aishaʼs insistence that he visit.

The wind howled past as the trio rode under the pale light of the sky. Below, the world had turned to white, endless fields of snow stretched toward the horizon, broken only by jagged mountains and the faint glimmer of frozen rivers. Archerʼs eyes swept across the frozen expanse, the chill biting at his face.

There was something serene about the northern lands as small farming villages dotted the landscape. He was sitting in silence while admiring the land as Meredith and Malakia gossiped about Sunfire City.

***

(Lucrezia, Aurelia, Ashoka, and Eveline)

Eveline was throwing up as the ship came to a stop in the sheltered bay. Lucrezia and Aurelia appeared on the top deck as Ashoka spoke to the women. ʼʼCara said we need to stay here until the storm passes. It seems like the other expeditions have found similar havens from the Long Winter.ʼʼ

ʼʼIʼll scout out the nearby water,ʼʼ Lucrezia offered, a wicked smile crossing her face as she jumped over the side.

She transformed into her Primal form and crashed into the dark water. Aurelia glanced at the Tigress. ʼʼGet the marines ready to land and have the legions prepare the materials for an outpost. I believe weʼll be here for days.ʼʼ

When the Mermaid said that, the three women turned to the bayʼs entrance and noticed the waves crashing down, causing complete chaos. If any of their ships were to try to escape, they would be torn apart. This made Eveline want to throw up, but she steeled herself and sat down on the nearby bench.

Following that, Aurelia leaped into the sea below and swam toward the beach. Ashoka went to organize the marines. Eveline shook her head and trailed behind the tigress as the ship rocked side to side. They traveled down the vessel until reaching the Landingcraft area, where the commander was briefing the soldiers.

As the duo stepped inside, they all knelt,t but Ashoka waved them away. ʼʼGet ready for deployment. Weʼre setting up in an unknown land, and the other expeditions have been attacked by all kinds of things, so be on watch.ʼʼ

The ships erupted into chaos as Marines and Legionnaires scrambled into the landing craft, the thunder of boots echoing through the massive bay. Sirens blared, orders were shouted, and the heavy doors groaned open to reveal the churning sea below as they rushed toward the shore.

Eveline clung to the inside of one of the craft, packed tight with Oathkeepers and the tigress, who glanced over her shoulder, a teasing glint in her amber eyes. ʼʼYouʼre going to love this, Eve,ʼʼ she purred.

The rabbit woman barely had time to protest before the driver slammed the throttle forward, and they lurched violently, plunging from the bay and crashing into the rough waters below with a teeth-rattling impact. Cold spray erupted over them, soaking everything as the engine roared to life, driving them toward the distant shore.

***

(In a faraway land)

Volcanoes erupted across the darkened continent, rivers of molten fire carving through the land. From within one of those fiery deluges, a colossal shape stirred, a monster swimming through the lava as if it were water. With a thunderous splash of molten rock, the creature leapt free.

Its body shifting midair, scales melting into skin until a man landed upon a jagged outcrop, steam hissing. Moments later, a portal tore open nearby. A delegation emerged, their faces etched with fear. The leader stepped forward and knelt, voice full of respect. ʼʼLord Tarran, we come to warn you. The White Devil is on its way.ʼʼ

At the words, Tarranʼs golden eyes narrowed to slits. ʼʼWhat did you say?ʼʼ

ʼʼThe White Dragon Legions,ʼʼ the man continued. ʼʼTheyʼre sweeping across the world, conquering everything in their path. Theyʼll reach this continent within years. And we know the Wyrm hate dragons as fiercely as our own people do.ʼʼ

Tarranʼs gaze hardened, his voice like rolling thunder. ʼʼWhat do you know of our hate?ʼʼ

His aura flared, heat shimmering in the air like a brewing storm. Suddenly, the lava behind him erupted again, and three more figures burst forth; lava rained down around them. The three figures landed beside Tarran, molten rock sloughing from their forms as their bodies cooled into solid flesh and armor black as obsidian.

Their eyes glowed like dying embers. The leader of the delegation flinched but held his ground, lowering his gaze. The air itself seemed to warp beneath the pressure of the Wyrm Kingʼs power, and he was starting to regret coming to this place to try to save his people from the incoming war.

ʼʼYou come to my domain,ʼʼ Tarran said, his voice low and dangerous, ”speaking of dragons and devils as if I have forgotten the wars that burned this world.ʼʼ

He stepped closer, each movement radiating heat, his bare feet leaving glowing prints on the stone. ʼʼTell me, mortal, why should I care?ʼʼ

The kneeling emissary swallowed hard. ”Because, my lord, when the White Devil comes, there will be no dominion left to rule. Not even yours.”

One of the three newcomers, a woman, her hair a cascade of smoke and flame, laughed, a sound like cracking firewood. ʼʼYou think your prophecies frighten him? The king has slain creatures older than your gods.ʼʼ

ʼʼEnough.ʼʼ Tarran raised a hand, and silence rippled through the molten valley. Even the volcanoes seemed to hesitate. ʼʼSpeak plainly. What do you want of me?ʼʼ

ʼʼTheyʼve taken Pluoria from us, Avidia, and now Orientia; thereʼs no escape from Emperor Archerʼs claws. If he comes to Pyraen, heʼll take over, stripping everything from the land, turning it into a barren rock.ʼʼ