A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1645: Almost Too Perfect

(Kaelira)

Days later, Kaelira stumbled from the jungleʼs edge, wild-eyed and muttering about the never-ending attacks. She froze as four soldiers in gleaming white armor and dark cloaks emerged, their gazes sharp with disbelief. One shook their head and stepped forward. ʼʼMy Lady, why would you venture into the Death Jungle?ʼʼ

ʼʼLooks for the nearest city,ʼʼ she answered after assessing them not to be a threat. ʼʼIʼm here to witness the White Dragonsʼ so-called greatness.ʼʼ

When the three heard this, another one who happened to be a woman commented. ʼʼOh great, another one. Should we take her to Whitehaven City or Oakheart Village?ʼʼ

ʼʼYes, letʼs lead her to the Oakheart Village,ʼʼ the older man said before turning to her. ʼʼIf youʼre looking for Draconia, we can take you to a border settlement.ʼʼ

Kaelira nodded. ʼʼOkay.ʼʼ

Following that, the humans led her toward a nearby road that she would have never seen on her journey through the jungle. The humans stayed ahead of her while she heard them guessing what she was, thanks to the powerful aura radiating from her body. She watched them, and they looked like hunters as the third one was carrying a dead monster.

After ten minutes, Kaelira spotted a plume of white smoke in the distance and narrowed her gold eyes at it. ʼLooks peaceful, there isnʼt any bandits or monsters lurking around.ʼ

The leader of the group turned to her and smiled. ʼʼHereʼs Oakheart Village; it leads to the rest of the empire.ʼʼ

ʼʼThank you for the help,ʼʼ she replied.

Kaelira headed toward the village where she spotted dozens of merchants marching along the road, wagons full of goods they wanted to sell. This caught her attention as the northern lands donʼt trade among themselves and are isolated, thanks to the constant wars that erupted all over the continents.

As the Wyrm Princess approached the entrance, she spotted a dozen soldiers patrolling the gate and ramparts. Their ornate armor, meticulously crafted to shield every vulnerability against powerful blows, caught her off guard. She hadnʼt expected the White Dragon to equip his forces with such costly, expertly designed gear.

ʼLooks like he cares about his soldiers,ʼ she thought, curious but fascinated. ʼSpares no expense in arming them.ʼ

After passing through the gate, Kaelira stepped into the bustling village. Her eyes widened at the sight of three towering structures piercing the clouds, their stone facades gleaming under the midday sun. These towers stood at the heart of the settlement, dwarfing the modest homes and shops radiating outward in a sprawl.

Villagers streamed in and out of the buildingʼs arched doorways, their movements purposeful yet unbothered, carrying bundles, scrolls, or tools. The air hummed with the murmur of voices and the clatter of daily life. Her curiosity sparked. ʼWhat were these looming towers, and what drew the villagers to them?ʼ

Moments later, Kaelira wove through the crowded streets, moving past merchants hawking fruits and craftsmen hammering at their wares. The villagersʼ faces glowed, their smiles broad and eyes bright, as if untouched by the perils in the Death Jungle. This happiness baffled her.

How could they be so at ease in a world where danger lurked beyond the gates? She paused near a market stall, where a woman laughed, handing a child a honey-dipped pastry. The childʼs giggle rang like a bell, and her chest tightened; such joy felt alien. Drawn to the nearest tower, she approached its massive doors, carved with swirling draconic artwork.

A group of villagers exited, their arms laden with books and glowing crystals, chatting animatedly. Her brow furrowed as the people greeted every soldier they came across. The White Dragon, whose warriors wore such fine armor, seemed to be respected by the Water Elves.

She slipped inside, her boots echoing on marble floors. Inside was vast; a massive foyer stood in the center. Staircases were opposite her, where hundreds of people climbed up and down. It was only then that she realized it was the places where the village people stayed.

The Wyrm Princess glanced up only to see hundreds of balconies that stretched the length of the building with doors lined up behind them. Kaelira was amazed once more as this place housed thousands of citizens, as the towers pierced the clouds. Even with her eyesight, she couldnʼt see the top of the towering structure, its peak lost to the clouds.

At its base, a vibrant cluster of shops sprawled, their colorful awnings and open doors buzzing with activity as villagers flowed in and out, laden with goods or empty-handed but purposeful. The lively scene bewildered her. Before she could ponder further, two young women approached.

Their faces were bright with warm, welcoming smiles that seemed to light up the crowded street. The lead stranger greeted her. Before she could ponder further, three young women approached, their faces lit up with welcoming smiles that seemed to light up the crowded street.

ʼʼHello there,ʼʼ the leader said, her voice bright and melodic, her smile unwavering. ʼʼAre you an adventurer?ʼʼ

Kaelira studied the women warily, their easy cheer a stark contrast to the dangers sheʼd faced in the Death Jungle. She nodded slowly. ʼʼYes. Iʼve just arrived in Oakheart Village. Why do you ask?ʼʼ

The leader, a blue-haired Water Elf with green eyes, stepped closer. ʼʼWould you like to join our group? Weʼre heading to Draconia, where dungeons teem with treasures and monsters roam the forests. Thereʼs good coin to be made there.ʼʼ

Kaeliraʼs brow furrowed. ʼʼWhy not hunt here in Orientia?ʼʼ

The Water Elfʼs smile faltered briefly, but her tone remained light. ʼʼWe come from Avidia. The adventurers there have left thanks to the Draconians. Their security is suffocating, and theyʼre obsessed with purging the swarms that plague our lands, which is good but annoying at times.ʼʼ

She was about to reply, but the second woman, who was a Lion Demi-Human, finished. ʼʼTheyʼre less strict about adventuring on Draconia, so weʼre headed there, but need to get to Westreach, itʼs the only port city that will take us to the empireʼs homeland.ʼʼ

ʼʼHomeland?ʼʼ Kaelira asked.

The Water Elf nodded. ʼʼYes, Draconia conquered these lands in the last war, but the heart of the empire is a massive island to the Southwest. Itʼs where most of the people go to live, itʼs meant to be a paradise.ʼʼ

This caught Kaeliraʼs attention as she nodded. ʼʼOkay, Iʼll join you both, but I need to become an adventurer to get my card; my lands donʼt have any guilds.ʼʼ

The blue-haired womanʼs face lit up with a warm smile as she extended her hand. ʼʼIʼm Jasmine, and this is Khela. Weʼre E-Rank Adventurers.”

Kaelira clasped Jasmineʼs hand, returning a confident nod. ”Iʼm Kaelira. I donʼt have a rank yet, but Iʼm sure thatʼll change soon.”

Jasmine and Khela gestured for her to follow, leading the way toward the villageʼs guildhall. As they walked, Jasmine spoke with enthusiasm. ʼʼEmpress Ashoka permitted the guild to establish a branch here. The previous eastern rulers clashed with the Guild Leader, but the emperor is different; sheʼs fond of Draconia and eager to meet the emperor.ʼʼ

Kaelira strolled through the village alongside Jasmine and Khela, the cobblestone streets buzzing. Market stalls overflowed with goods, and childrenʼs laughter rang out as they weaved through the crowd. In the distance, towering apartment blocks gleamed under the midday sun, their sleek stone surfaces a testament to modern craftsmanship.

Her gold eyes lingered on the buildings. ʼʼThose are stunning. Who designed them?ʼʼ she asked, her curiosity sparked.

Jasmineʼs face lit up, her hands clapping together in excitement. ʼʼThatʼs all, Emperor Archer! Oh, Kaelira, you havenʼt heard about him yet?ʼʼ

Her blue hair bounced as she practically squealed. Khela smirked, giving her friend a playful nudge. ʼʼEasy, Jas, donʼt scare her off. But for real, Archerʼs incredible. Imagine this: short, snow-white hair that shines like moonlight, violet dragon eyes that could stop your heart, and a physique like a god carved from marble. Heʼs insanely powerful, but so kind and sharp as a whip.ʼʼ

Jasmine sighed, gazing dreamily at the apartment blocks. ʼʼHeʼs the mastermind behind those. Brought them to Orientia and every other continent. Before Archer, we didnʼt have anything like this, solid homes for everyone that are cheap! The man is why the empireʼs flourishing.ʼʼ

Kaelira raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ʼʼHe sounds almost too perfect. What else has he done?ʼʼ

The lionessʼs tone turned respectful. ʼʼEverything. Roads, schools, aqueducts, hospitals, and got rid of the homeless by giving them jobs and homes, you name it. Heʼs got this grand vision for a united, thriving world, and heʼs making it real. Plus, his charm? Your panties will be wrecked.ʼʼ

Jasmine giggled, fanning herself. ʼʼI saw him at a festival once. Nearly lost it. Those eyes, Kaelira. Wait ʼtil you see him.ʼʼ

As they approached the guild, Kaelira couldnʼt suppress a smile at their enthusiasm, her interest in the Emperor growing with every step.

The Water Elfʼs green eyes gleamed as she leaned closer, voice brimming with awe. ʼʼYou wonʼt believe this, but I saw him in action once. A whole horde of Desert Barbarians, vicious, bloodthirsty raiders, stormed the outskirts of a village not far from my home village. Everyone thought we were done for. But then Archer appeared.ʼʼ