A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1182: Whatʼs Going On Here

Archer twisted the lock, ensuring no one could bother him, before collapsing into a chair by the fireplace. He released a small burst of dragon breath, igniting the hearth. Warmth filled the room, but it did little to soothe the cold ache in his chest.

ʼIʼll never fall for a womanʼs sly games again,ʼ he thought as his rage burned.

Once settled, he leaned back in the chair, his breathing shallow and uneven. The flickering firelight danced across his body, illuminating the hideous injuries. His eyes drifted down, catching sight of the open cuts that oozed sickly, yellowish pus.

The wounds refused to heal, which made everything worse. Gritting his teeth, he scanned the damage, deep slashes carved across most parts of his body, stab wounds that pierced into muscle, and raw, jagged skin torn open.

It was then he noticed the full extent of her cruelty: the last two fingers of his left hand were gone, and part of his right arm was flayed. The gruesome sight made him cringe, his stomach twisting with a mix of pain and regret.

ʼShe did a number on me,ʼ he thought bitterly as his tongue started to hurt. ʼBut what cuts the deepest is knowing I let lust lead me straight into her trap.ʼ

Archerʼs body bore the marks of his inhumane torture, each injury proof of the cruelty Apollonia inflicted on him. He confined himself to his room, shunning the outside world and even avoiding the women in his life.

He desired to be alone, grappling with his hideous appearance. Yet, even as he longed for recovery, the agony within him stopped his efforts. Each attempt to use mana only triggered searing waves of pain, leaving him unable to heal.

Even knowing that Archer cast a Cosmic Shield around the room and poured the remaining mana into it. He coughed up some blood before slumping into a nearby chair as he thought while angry, ʼFuck any woman outside the harem.ʼ

Following that, he sent a message to Ella with a slurred voice that angered him even more, ”Ban all women outside of the harem from the palace. I want Meredith and Edith to be my maids. Apart from that, get the others out or Iʼll kill them.”ʼ

Following that, Archer summoned an army of Nightmare Assassin Ants, Broodmaw Warriors, and Chull Praetorians to guard this part of the palace, along with the Imperial Guard. While sitting there, a portal opened as a meow reached his ears.

He turned toward the little black cat and stepped through the portal along with Vivienne, who had a relieved expression on her beautiful face. When the ant queen saw him, she frowned before asking, ”Why are you locking yourself away? The women want to see you.”

Archer shuddered at the thought of them seeing him like this. The idea made his chest tighten with a mix of shame and pain. He shook his head, his torn tongue making every word an agonizing effort.

His voice came out strained, raw, and barely audible. ”I want to be alone.”

The redhead stepped forward, her voice soft as she tried to reassure him. ”Thereʼs nothing wrong with you, handsome. Everyone still loves you.”

Her words hung in the air, but instead of comfort, they sparked bitter laughter from him. The sound was raw and unhinged, as he forced himself to his feet, the effort causing blood to pool beneath him.

With a wave of his hand, he dismissed his clothes, revealing the gruesome scars and injuries that disfigured his body.

***

Vivienne watched helplessly as the man she loved and cherished unravel before her eyes. Every movement, every bitter laugh, tore at her heart. When he stood, unsteady but resolute, she instinctively stepped forward, wanting to support him.

But Archer waved her off, a silent command that froze her in place. Then, with a simple gesture, he dismissed his clothes, and the sight of his scarred and broken body made her breath hitch.

Her eyes widened in horror as his clothes vanished, revealing the raw, jagged slashes and deep wounds that crisscrossed his body. Blood oozed from every injury that littered his body.

ʼOh no,ʼ she thought as emotions welled up.

Only a few small patches of untouched skin remained amidst a sea of carnage. Her knees threatened to buckle as she took in the sight of her beloved. The bitch had spared almost nothing his chest, arms, legs, even his back bore the marks of her sadistic handiwork.

Tears welled in Vivienneʼs eyes, her voice trembling as she whispered, ”What did she do to you?”

”She opened my eyes to my foolishness,” Archer answered, which hurt her as his voice with laced with self-hated. ”Now leave me alone for a while, please. I want some time to myself, Vivi.”

Vivienneʼs heart sank at his words, but she forced herself to nod, her voice soft and understanding. ”Alright, darling. Just summon me if you need anything.”

As she turned to leave, she paused with her hand on the door, glancing back at him. Her voice wavered, but her sincerity was unmistakable. ”I still think youʼre handsome, Arch. Nothing will ever change that.”

”Wait,” he said, causing her to stop.

Vivienne turned around only to see him taking off the mask, only to recoil back on instinct, as it was horrific. The once handsome, familiar features she adored were now brutalized beyond

recognition.

Deep, jagged wounds tore through his cheek, exposing his teeth below. His once handsome face was now a hideous mockery of what they had been. A brutal wound was open and

festering with pus from his temple to his jaw.

She quickly noticed his pale complexion, once flawless, was now a patchwork of green and yellow discoloration. But the worst was his eye. That beautiful violet eye, once brimming with life and emotion, was now swollen shut, surrounded by dark, angry bruises.

The sight was heartbreaking, but before she could speak, he did in the same mutilated voice, ”Leave, and tell the others not to come.”

Following that, Vivienne watched as he sat down again while falling into a daze. She left the room only for the shield to block entry once again. When outside the room, she quickly noticed maids rushing down the corridor.

Shortly after that, she bumped into Edith, who looked concerned but focused on ushering the women out. Vivienne approached her and questioned, ”Whatʼs going on here?”

The white-haired woman glanced at her before answering, ”Husband has ordered all the maids out of the palace. Looks like the incident has scarred him.”

”Itʼs bad, she brutalized him and I wonʼt stand by while she rots in the dungeon,” Vivienne commented as her rage exploded. ”Iʼm going to feed her to the larvae before healing her

again.”

Edith giggled while replying, ”Go see Ella or Brooke. Those two are leading the harem who have gathered here.”

Vivienne nodded before leaving the maid behind and strolling through the palace, only to notice all the wives lingering about. She saw Teuila, Lucrezia, Dellah, and Kassandra chatting in the garden while Llyniel circled a fountain, muttering to herself.

”They look stressed, but itʼs understandable with how bad Archer is,ʼ she mused before seeing Ella chatting to a navy-haired woman, Sia, Talila, and Nefertiti.

When the five women saw her, their eyes narrowed with curiosity. The half-elf, her expression unreadable, was the first to speak. ”Hello, Vivi. What brings you to the real

world?”

The others watched silently, their gazes lingering on her. After a moment, Ella stepped forward and spoke with a smile. ”Girls, this is Vivienne, in case you havenʼt met her. Our husband likes her, and the two have been courting.”

Vivienne watched as the navy-haired woman stepped forward, her eyes puffy and red, because she had been crying. But quickly extended her hand. ”Iʼm Alexa Davis,” she said, her voice steady but upset. ”His childhood love.”

She took it as Archer informed her that it was a greeting from his old world. Following that, she turned to Ella and questioned, ”Can I see that bitch? I want to feed her to my larvae.” When the group heard this, they trembled, but Nefertitiʼs pink eyes glowed with anger as she exclaimed, ”Make sure she doesnʼt die, I want to test my new Arcane spells on her.”ʼ Vivienne started laughing as Sia commented, ”Donʼt worry, Hecate or Ari can heal the

Terravian.”

Ella looked at her before nodding. ”Talila will take you to the dungeon, but ensure to return her soon. The others want to dish out some punishments before the Necromancer sisters put a

slave crest on her.”

ʼʼI will El and thank you,” she replied as a frown appeared. ”Husbandʼs wounds are bad, I can see it changing him, he doesnʼt deserve what happened.”

Alexa shook her head before explaining. ”Thereʼs no way he can change. Even after being murdered, thereʼs a part of him still inside. Archer is stronger than anyone thinks.”

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