A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1655: Why Not Come Back To Bed?

Archer stood on the balcony, the early morning air cool against his sweat-slicked skin, still flushed from making love to the two women. His gaze narrowed as movement flickered on the horizon, a dozen pirate ships cutting through the waves, their course set for the DTS White Storm.

A raid was coming. His jaw tightened, ready to act, when explosions illuminated the sea. The Draconia Navy surged into view, three sleek Destroyers slicing through the rough waters. Their cannons roared, unleashing precise mana shells that tore into the pirate vessels at the back, reducing them to ruin before sinking.

He leaned against the rail, his eyes tracking the chaos happening on the horizon. The Destroyers pressed their attack, hulls cutting through the sea like blades. Mana shells streaked across the sky, each one a pinpoint of light that erupted into devastating blasts upon impact.

Two more pirate ships splintered under the barrage, their hulls collapsing in flames as screams echoed faintly over the waves. The remaining outlaws, reduced to a handful of battered vessels, scrambled to retreat. Engines overworked in desperation as they veered away from the relentless Destroyers.

One pirate ship, its hull scorched and listing, fired a defiant parting shot, a cannonball that splashed harmlessly into the sea. The response was merciless: a final volley of mana shells obliterated the stragglerʼs stern, sending it spiraling into the depths. HIS lips twitched into a grim smile as the surviving pirates fled, their silhouettes fading into the misty horizon.

The Destroyers held their ground, their cannons silent but vigilant, ensuring the threat was gone. He exhaled, tension easing from his shoulders, and turned back toward the DTS White Storm, ready to protect them. While standing there, he picked up the mana waves as the two captains communicated.

Archerʼs sharp ears caught the crackle of a communication crystal tucked in his belt, its faint hum breaking the silence. Activating it, he listened as a curt message from the Navyʼs flagship relayed the truth: the Empire had dispatched the Destroyers to guard the DTS White Storm, ensuring a safe journey.

Relief washed over him, tempered by the weight of the early morningʼs events. The transport ship, vital to their mission, was secure under the Empireʼs protection. Archerʼs gaze swept the horizon one last time, confirming the seas were clear, then he turned back toward the cabin.

With the Navy guaranteed, the White Storm could sail on unthreatened, and he could focus on the challenges awaiting them at their destination. He stepped inside only to notice Malakia and Meredith were still asleep, putting a smile on his face as he approached the button on the wall.

There was a menu on the side, prompting him to pick it up and go through it as he took in the dozens of meals he could order. While doing this, he spotted a few he wanted and ordered them along with several bottles of sake that they had in abundance. Once that was done, he sat down by the window as they sailed past a trade city on Draconiaʼs eastern shore.

While waiting, Archerʼs gaze lingered on the trade cityʼs lights as two crew members knocked on he door and entered, balancing trays full of his order. The aroma of smoked crab dumplings and steaming ramen filled the air as they set down the spread: a generous platter of golden dumplings, a bowl of ramen with pork slices, and five chilled bottles of sake.

Moments later, the workers left the room as he poured a small cup of sake and took a sip, the crisp warmth spreading through him as he dug into the dumplings. A soft creak from further in their room broke his focus. Meredith, her short blonde hair tousled and green eyes heavy with sleep, stumbled out, steadying herself against the wall.

She blinked at the feast before Archer, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. ʼʼYou didnʼt waste any time, did you?ʼʼ she murmured, amused, as she shuffled closer to join him by the window, the ship gliding steadily past the eastern shore.

ʼʼNope!ʼʼ he replied, a bright smile appearing. ʼʼTuck in and enjoy, Mere. We went crazy last night.ʼʼ

The blonde giggled at his words and sat down after making herself a cup of tea. Once comfortable, she spoke, grinning. ʼʼYes, we did, handsome, and Iʼm my kitty is open thanks to your monster.ʼʼ

Archer chuckled at the unexpected revelation, a grin spreading across his face. With a casual wave of his hand, he cast a gentle healing spell, a soft glow enveloping the stunning maid. She exhaled deeply. Grateful, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, sending a shiver across his body.

ʼʼThank you for that, my love,ʼʼ she thanked him, a beaming smile crossing her face.

They settled at the table, the spread of food before them a welcome distraction. He picked up a smoked crab dumpling, its golden exterior glistening, and popped it into his mouth. The delicate wrapper melted away, releasing a burst of savory, smoky flavor that made him hum in satisfaction.

Meredith, now fully awake, joined him eagerly, her chopsticks darting between the ramen and dumplings as they ate in comfortable silence, the clink of sake bottles and soft lapping of waves outside filling the air. They devoured the feast with gusto, leaving nothing behind, plates cleared, bowls scraped clean.

Archer leaned back, sipping the last of his sake, and glanced at Meredith, who was sprawled in her chair, one hand resting on her stomach, a contented but slightly pained groan escaping her lips. ʼʼToo much,ʼʼ she muttered, rubbing her bloated belly with a wry smile.

He let out a yawn, causing the blonde to suggest. ʼʼWhy not come back to bed? You donʼt need to be awake?ʼʼ

ʼʼCanʼt sleep,ʼʼ he responded, taking a sip of the sake. ʼʼI was thinking about the reason weʼre out here and realized it was needed because I have to experience the world and everything in it to understand what my power means.ʼʼ

***

(Kaelira)

Kaelira, Jasmine, and Khela continued traveling out of the village while heading for Westreach to get a ship to Draconia. While walking down the road, they had to stop when coming to a construction site, confusing the Wyrm Princess even more, as she thought. ʼWhat chaos is this?ʼ

Soldiers rushed around building a road that headed their way. When the Water Elf saw this, her green eyes widened. ʼʼLooks like the White Road has arrived! Itʼs taken over a year to crisscross Orientia.ʼʼ

ʼʼWhat are they doing?ʼʼ she asked.

It was the lioness Khela that answered. ʼʼItʼs a Draconian road, the best in the world. Iʼve heard tales of landslides, storms, and waves canʼt damage them thanks to the way theyʼre built. Father told me merchants love it thanks to the Rest Stops.ʼʼ

Kaelira was confused further as it must cost a lot of coin to build such things, and to have them all over the eastern continent shocked her. She shook her head and questioned her companions. ʼʼIs he doing it to win over the people?ʼʼ

ʼʼWho knows the emperorʼs motives?ʼʼ Jasmine replied, giving her a shrug. ʼʼBut it improves everyoneʼs lives thanks to the flood of food the empire sends every month, stops people from starving.ʼʼ

ʼʼInteresting,ʼʼ she muttered.

Following that, the trio continued, and Kaelira was introduced to all kinds of Draconian inventions, from their strange crops to the clothes the people wore. Warm and practical, well-made, it surprised her as the northern lands didnʼt care about their people, letting them suffer during the cold weather.

When reaching the main part of the White Road, she was shocked into stillness as a massive monster rushed by. She was about to attack, but Khela stopped her with a giggle. ʼʼI love your reaction, Kae.ʼʼ

The Wyrm Princess turned to the lioness, who explained. ʼʼThat is the Draconia Express, an invention of the emperor himself. It takes passengers from the Northwest to the Southwest, covering the land the empire took in the last war.ʼʼ

ʼʼWhy donʼt we take it?ʼʼ she asked, looking at the two women.

Jasmine giggled, revealing. ʼʼToo expensive for E Rank adventurers.ʼʼ

Khela nodded in agreement, but Kaelira was curious and decided to offer the duo. ʼʼIʼll pay for our tickets. I want to ride it.ʼʼ

Their eyes widened in surprise at such an offer. Soon after, the Water Elf shook her head and commented, unsure. ʼʼReally? They cost three gold per one.ʼʼ

The gold-haired beauty waved her away. ʼʼLead us to the place we can get on board, I want to experience such a thing.ʼʼ

Afterward, Jasmine led them back toward the village. She veered left onto a narrow dirt road, its edges fringed with wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. The path wound through a grove of ancient oaks, their gnarled branches casting shadows on the ground, before opening up to reveal the train station in the distance.

As the group approached, it emerged from the landscape like a vision from another world, and Kaelia stopped short, breath catching in her throat. The station was unlike anything she had ever encountered. The architecture was a breathtaking, sweeping arch of polished stone curved into spires that seemed to pierce the sky, their tips glinting in the sunlight.