A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 974: All Those Years Ago

The guards relaxed as Archer waved to them and returned to their duties. He entered the Waystation entrance and noticed only a few carriages were present. The smell of delicious food wafted through the air, hitting his nose.

ʼI wonder what they are cooking; it smells nice,ʼ he thought as his stomach rumbled. ʼIt was built on a backroad up north, surrounded only by farming villages. So it shouldnʼt be too busy.ʼ

The place was beautifully decorated and painted white, with Draconian banners decorating the walls. Archer quickly noticed the crucial moments in the kingdomʼs history. One was when he demolished the old cities of the previous empire to build the Draconian ones, which were much better.

ʼIt was a good idea to destroy them as my cities are superior to anything on Thrylos,ʼ Archer mused with a smile.

He glanced around the entrance hall and noticed it gave off a welcoming feeling while keeping the travelers warm in the Frostwinter weather thanks to his designed central heating that most buildings had.

Archer entered the dining hall and noticed groups of merchants and Draconian citizens scattered across the room. They were tucking into their meals and chatting to the people on their tables.

ʼSeems like people do visit this place, maybe to trade with the villages?ʼ

After he glanced around the dining hall before going to the counter where the food was being served, Archer reached the bar stall and sat. He noticed an older woman with blonde hair and striking black eyes waiting behind the counter while cleaning some glasses.

When sitting down, she looked at him with a friendly smile before speaking in a professional voice, ”Hello, young man. Iʼm Sienna, owner of the Hungry Horse Diner. How can I help you on this cold Frostwinter evening?”

”Give me some ale and whatever special youʼre serving, please,” Archer said with a charming smile that caused the womanʼs cheeks to go red as he slid a gold coin across the counter.

Sienna nodded before serving him a drink and going to the kitchen while he listened to the few conversations in the hall. Archer took a sip of the sweet liquid, which tasted delicious, and he thoroughly enjoyed it as he tried to come up with some inventions.

He continued drinking while ordering more ale and relaxed in the Waystation. While doing that, he noticed Ari appeared in the entranceway, looking in his direction with a smile. Her sudden entrance caught everyone off guard as they knew who she was.

Archer heard the whispers thanks to his dragon senses, which caused him to think, ʼWhat is she doing here, and how did she find me? It must be the bond.ʼ

”Thatʼs Agrippina Wyldheart, the leader of the Fireheart Faith and one of the kingʼs wives,” one man said.

”Why is she here? Weʼre in the middle of nowhere,” a woman questioned with a confused voice.

While this was happening, Sienna reappeared, holding a plate of fries and sauce that she had placed in front of him. ”Here you go, these are the inventions of our king. He called them delicious fries,” she said in a friendly voice.

Archer thanked the owner and started eating as the Elemental woman walked over to him and sat beside him, saying with a big smile, ”My Lord, why did you wander off? I would have joined, especially if I knew you wanted to eat.”ʼ

He shrugged, sipped his ale, and ate some fries before replying, ”I was looking for some peace and quiet, so I decided to explore Draconia and ended up here.”

Ari joined him, and Sienna soon placed a flask of ale before her. As the couple chatted about various topics that Archer found enjoyable, the older woman noticed his smile and, feeling inspired, leaned in to kiss his cheek.

ʼWhy does she always do stuff that catches me off guard?ʼ he thought.

The unexpected gesture surprised Archer, but he quickly responded by kissing the Elemental woman who loved it. Afterward, the two broke apart and enjoyed the ale and fries Ari seemed to love as she dipped them in the spicy sauce.

”These are lovely Arch,” she said after eating some. ”Who came up with such food?”

Archer grinned before replying, ”It was me; I sell the recipe through the Wyldheart Shops that popped up across Draconia.”ʼ

Following that, the couple continued to eat and drink late into the night; they left the Waystation and waved away the guards off to take them in a carriage as Archer wanted to take the train to Dragonheart City,

Ari agreed, as she had never been on one before. The couple started walking a few miles west toward the closest train station. While strolling, the older woman questioned, ”Why arenʼt we flying, Master?”

Archer turned to the white-haired woman and answered, ”I wanted to spend more time with you, Ari, plus we can ride the train together.”

She nodded in agreement as the duo continued walking. The night was quiet, and birds were chirping from the forest that bordered the road. Archer sensed something heading their way, which fascinated him.

The couple halted in their tracks, Archer poised to strike, when a Shadow Tiger materialized before them, causing him to stop. The beast, as massive as a rhino, had piercing yellow eyes that locked onto him.

With a calm, deliberate motion, he extended his hand and gently stroked the tigerʼs ear. Instantly, the imposing creature softened, sprawling onto its side in a display of contentment as it basked in his attention.

”Master, this is a Shadow Tiger, and they are rare monsters who stay away from us,” Ari commented. ”I would have never thought there was one of Draconia.”

”They can live in shadows, right?” he questioned the older woman, who nodded.

Archer looked at the monster and spoke in a friendly voice, ”Do you want to live in my shadow? You will be able to absorb pure mana from my body.”

The Shadow Tiger looked at him, and a womanʼs voice sounded in his mind, ʼCan my husband join?ʼ

ʼYes. Tell him to come out,ʼ Archer replied with a warm smile that put the monster at ease.

Following that, the creature stood up and let out a call, bringing out a bigger Shadow Tiger who nudged its giant head against Archerʼs body. He chuckled before stroking the male monster, who started loving the attention.

While this was happening, Ari was watched with a smile before commenting, ”You have a way with intelligent monsters, Master. They already seem to love you.”

ʼYour mana is delicious, White Dragon. May we travel with you? My wife and I can hide in your

shadows,ʼ the maleʼs deep voice rang out in his mind.

Archer looked at the giant Shadow Tiger and nodded before warning, ”You will not be in my shadows when Iʼm with my women. Youʼre not seeing them regardless of being a monster. I

will not allow it.”

Once he was finished speaking, Ari started giggling, causing him to turn to the Elemental woman, ”Whatʼs so funny?”

”Youʼre so protective over us, I love it,” she replied radiantly.

Archer shook his head with a smile and turned to the male Shadow Tiger. The creature gave a quick nod of agreement. The female Tiger added, her tone considerate, ʼWeʼll move to another spot whenever you desire privacy, Master.ʼ

He nodded in acknowledgment, and the two Shadow Tigers leaped into his shadow, prompting a shared laugh between him and Ari. The Elemental woman quipped with a smile, ”It seems youʼve acquired some impressive bodyguards, Master.”

”No wonder they came to find me. They are eating loads of my mana, but itʼs not affecting me that much,” Archer answered before the two made their way to the train station on the quiet

road.

When they arrived at the quiet platform, a booth was situated on one side, with Homeguards patrolling the station. Archer guided Ari to the booth, where he purchased two tickets for

forty silver.

They then settled in, awaiting the arrival of the train. While sitting there, Archer glanced up to see the beautiful sky shimmering thanks to the glowing stars. He watched shooting stars pass, leaving a colorful trail behind it.

Archer loved the picturesque scene he witnessed. ”Iʼve always loved watching the stars from the Draconian Mountains; I find myself always on my balcony watching the sky at night,” Ari said, which brought him back to reality.

He glanced at the white-haired woman with a charming smile before answering, ”Ever since leaving the Ashguard Castle all those years ago, Iʼve always loved the night sky.”

Following that, a loud horn sounded in the distance, signaling the trainʼs arrival in Dragonheart City. When the couple saw this, they jumped up and waited for it to stop as bright lights lit up the tracks and station.

It stopped in front of the couple, and Archer noticed a few people getting off while they got on. They were hit by warm air that welcomed them to the cold outside. He sat down and was joined by Ari, who leaned up against him with a happy smile.

Archer grabbed the womanʼs dainty hands as he glanced out the window only to see miles of farmland and homesteads dotting the landscape. When the train started moving, it sounded its horn again and left the quiet station behind.

As the train journeyed south, Ari drifted off to sleep, her soft, endearing snores bringing a smile to Archerʼs face as he gazed out at the beautiful landscape of Draconia. [Drop some powerstones, comments, and gifts to help the novel grow; I appreciate all the

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