A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 892: Hold On Tight, Duchess

Once Archer reached Pluoria, he returned to his humanoid form and realized that his tail had spikes going down the spine when it swished behind him. He was now standing on a tall mountain that overlooked the Crownlands in the Avalon Empire.

With a wave, Archer summoned his Shadow Army, which materialized around him, and Nyctros appeared before him. The shadow general knelt in front while speaking, ”Shadow Prince. What is your command?” ”Slaughter every Swarm monster you come across and bring me their hearts,” Archer ordered. ”I will head south while the shadow creatures spread like a wave.”ʼ

Nyctros nodded before letting out a loud screech, causing the shadows to flow down the mountain. Archer kept summoning more until his mana ran low. While standing there, he noticed a reddish-gold dragon flying toward him.

Once it got closer, a bright light radiated from the dragon before it transformed into Fianna, who appeared before him. The mature woman looked normal but had draconic eyes, which he found beautiful.

Fianna smirked, ”You need to claim me, Arch; the tattoo will fade just like Tiamat warned,” she said while approaching him. ”We got a couple days; thereʼs enough time to cement the bond, Fi,” Archer replied. ”For now, we can end the Swarmʼs threat and force them back into the Underrealm until Draconiaʼs ready to invade it.”

The mature womanʼs eyes widened, ”You want to conquer that nightmarish realm?”

He nodded before explaining, ”Itʼs full of unlimited resources we could mine to make the kingdom even wealthier. Plus, no other kingdom has ever claimed territory in the Underrealm, and I want to be the first.”

Fianna shook her head before grabbing his collar and kissing him without warning. Archer quickly returned it with a passionate one of his own. She couldnʼt keep her hands off him but soon stopped kissing before whispering, ”Can we have a quickie, please? I need my new husband badly.” ”Enemies incoming,” Archer announced, sensing multiple presences converging on them from all directions. He shifted gears immediately. ”Get ready.”

The blonde woman nodded in acknowledgment before assuming her dragon form. Meanwhile, Archer opted to unleash his Draconis form. As he activated it, additional scales decorated his body, claws emerged, and his teeth elongated into formidable, razor-sharp points.

Thatʼs when a dozen Terravains appeared, causing Archer to burst forward and grab one by the face while slapping another with his tail. The enemy was sent crashing into the side of the mountain.

Archer looked at the struggling Demi-God before crushing its head and launching its body at its allies, who were trying to catch Fianna, who was training them. This made him laugh before he used Blink to intercept three of them.

He cast Eldritch Blast and Void Blaze, which engulfed the trios and caused them to scream in pain as Archerʼs magic burned them to dust. Following that, the battle continued for another twenty minutes due to the Terravians fleeing.

Fianna chased after them while Archer watched with a smile on his face. Nyctros sent him a message that they had found a Swarm Haven in the north, which caught his interest. He called to the blonde woman, who started following him as he flew toward Frostholm.

It took him an hour to fly slowly across the Avalon Empire while targeting any monster swarms he spotted. Archer soon arrived above Frostholm, which looked like a haunted city, which intrigued him.

Nyctros suddenly appeared, ”My Prince. The Swarm retreated her through the broken wall and reinforced the city for your arrival.”

Archer grinned, ”Good, pull the shadow army back to hunt the Swarm while I clear the city and claim all the wealth.”

After that, he approached the city with Fianna, flying behind him before she returned to her humanoid form. She shook her head, saying, ”I wonder why I got so used to flying.” ”Itʼs in your blood now; for example, itʼs like walking; you know how to do it, and itʼs something you canʼt forget,” Archer explained.

Fianna nodded, ”Can I join you?” ”Of course, My Duchess,” Archer replied with a charming smile that caused her cheeks to grow red.

Archer chuckled before descending to the entrance of Frostholm City just as several spells shot out from the shadows. He waved his hand, causing the magic to fizzle out, and then he returned the attack with Plasma Missiles.

The violet projectiles streaked into the city, triggering explosions that echoed across the landscape. Moments later, cries of agony filled the air as a horde of Mutated Humans surged out of a gate.

They charged towards Archer, who grinned confidently. Fianna, however, grew anxious at the sight of the approaching monsters. Just as the creatures closed in, a violet shield enveloped them, courtesy of the Cosmic Shield, causing the monsters to crash into it futilely.

Archer watched the horrifying humans with light grey skin and glowing red eyes, who had a row of shark-like teeth-replacing their old ones. Fianna held his arm tighter while glancing around.

She quickly spoke, ”Why does it feel like theyʼre asking to be killed?”

After that, Archer cast a Crown of Stars that shot like supersonic missiles and pierced hundreds of skulls. The horde dropped to the ground, allowing the couple to move forward without problems.

They walked down the deserted streets where dust-covered broken stalls lined the road while the stores were dark. Archer used Aura Detector to find any enemies and soon found hundreds were surrounding them.

With a smile, he cast Crown of Stars and Plasma Missiles but held them back until the monsters were in position. They were about to attack minutes later, but Archer sent the spells flying at them.

The creatures tried to flee, but the violet motes chased them like tracking missiles while the Plasa Missiles decimated the bigger monsters. Fianna watched this in shock as hundreds of creatures died every second.

As they continued walking through the city, the couple encountered the skeletal remains of its inhabitants. Soon, they arrived at a deep hole, and Archer used his Aura Detector to sense thousands of monsters lurking below. ”Hold on tight, Duchess,” Archer said, grasping Fianna before leaping into the hole.

Fianna clung to him tightly, closing her eyes as they descended into the darkness. Archer spread his wings, slowing their fall until they landed in a tunnel that reeked of decay. They both covered their noses with clothes before glancing around.

Scanning their surroundings, Archer sensed something rushing towards them. Reacting swiftly, he cast Cosmic Shield just in time as several wolves collided with the protective barrier.

With a quick thought, he unleashed Void Blaze at the monsters. The violet flames consumed the wolves, reducing them to ash. Yet more creatures emerged from the nearby tunnel, prompting Archer to move towards it with resolute determination.

Fianna followed closely behind, staying protected within the shield. The duo traveled deep into the Swarms tunnels, killing any monsters they saw. It took them twenty minutes to reach an underground city.

As Archer activated Aura Detector, he was bombarded with billions of signals, causing a throbbing headache that soon faded. Summoning the shadow army again, they materialized around him as they had on the mountain.

Pointing towards the city, Archer directed them to descend upon it. Chaos ensued as the shadows swarmed the Swarm hideout, spells and cannons firing in all directions, reducing ramshackle buildings to rubble.

While destruction unfolded before him, Archer watched with amusement. Beside him, Fianna stood in shock, unable to understand the rapid devastation of the city within mere minutes, but as time passed, the noise stopped.

The underground city was quiet, and no monsters appeared when they approached the entrance. When Archer stepped in, they saw piles of corpses with their chests ripped out and other bodies being sucked into the shadows.

Nyctros appeared, making Fianna jump, which caused Archer to laugh before the shadow general started speaking, ”My Prince, I have all the hearts you requested. Do you want them now?”

When Archer heard this, he transformed into his Shadow Prince form, which again scared Fianna. However, he soon opened his giant maw, and Nyctros poured bloody hearts into his mouth until thousands were put into it.

Feeling the surge of newfound experience, Archer found himself invigorated. As they ascended to the surface, they encountered a black dragon with one red eye and another yellow.

Archer was startled by the dragonʼs sudden appearance; though it wasnʼt as giant as his new form, it was still significant. Sensing a desire to communicate, Archer turned to Fianna. ”Wait by the entrance, My Duchess,” Archer instructed. ”Iʼll join you shortly.”

The blonde woman nodded before summoning her wings and taking flight. Meanwhile, a bright light radiated from the newcomer, revealing a stunning woman. However, something about her caught Archerʼs attention, causing him to think, ʼSheʼs crazy!ʼ

Thatʼs when a womanʼs amused voice reached his ears, ”Tiamat was speaking the truth. You have appeared after all these years.”ʼ

Archerʼs eyebrows raised, ”Youʼre expecting me?” ”I am, and now that youʼre here, I can leave this place and exact my revenge upon the vile

Swarm who plague this world,” the voice declared. The person behind the voice stepped forward, startling Archer.