A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1441 1441: Seventeen, If I Remember Correctly.

Finally, Nala pulled back slightly, her blue eyes glinting with mischief once more. ʼʼNow, donʼt go getting all soft on me, handsome,ʼʼ she said, poking his chest lightly. ʼʼWeʼve still got my grandmother to go see, and Iʼm not about to let her ruin our day.ʼʼ

She stood, stretching her arms above her head, her tail swaying excitedly. ʼʼSo, whatʼs the plan? You know Iʼm ready to fight, baby or no baby.ʼʼ

Archer admired her unyielding spirit. ʼʼThatʼs my girl,ʼʼ he said, brushing a strand of golden hair from her face. ʼʼWeʼll reinforce the defenses and take the fight to them if they try anything dodgy.ʼʼ

He leaned forward and kissed the lioness on the forehead before finishing. ʼʼBut you are staying out of the fight. Iʼm not risking you, Iʼll need you to break the ice between me and your grandmother.ʼʼ

Following that, Archer scooped Nala into a princess carry as Elara went to leave the wall to shore up the defences. He quickly took off and flew toward the Goldenmane camp just as she looked at him.

ʼʼArenʼt you bringing the 1st Legion?ʼʼ She asked. ʼʼI thought it could be a show of force for grandmother.ʼʼ

When Archer heard the comment, a low chuckle escaped his lips, quickly building into a deep, amused laugh that echoed around them. After a moment, he shook his head with a confident smirk.

ʼʼThereʼs no need to concern myself with mortal soldiers,ʼʼ he smoothly said. ʼʼI command legions, trillions of monsters and shadows at my beck and call. I could summon them in seconds if I chose to. Let them come.ʼʼ

Beside him, Nalaʼs brilliant blue eyes shimmered with anticipation, the light of impending conflict reflecting in their depths. As they descended toward the Goldenmane encampment, the air around them seemed to crackle with tension.

They touched down just outside the campʼs perimeter, dust kicking up around their feet. Instantly, the soldiers spotted them, their discipline faltering as fear surged through the ranks.

Shouts rang out as they scrambled to respond. Spears were leveled with trembling hands, and a loose circle began to form around them, nervous, desperate, and entirely unprepared for what they were facing.

Archer had a smirk on his face before exclaiming. ʼʼTake me to your empress, she is here to see me after all.ʼʼ

When the Goldenmane soldiers heard Archerʼs words, a ripple of shock passed through the ranks. Their eyes widened in disbelief, and murmurs spread like wildfire as the weight of his claim settled in.

The commanders quickly stepped in, barking orders to reestablish discipline and form up properly. Spears steadied, though tension still crackled in the air. One soldier, bolder than the rest, cautiously stepped forward.

But as he caught sight of Nala, he faltered mid-step. His eyes locked on her face, and confusion flickered across his expression. He blinked, then muttered just loud enough to be heard, his voice tinged with awe. ʼʼYou look like the Empress when she was a young woman… only with white skin.ʼʼ

Nalaʼs grin widened, her sharp canines catching the light. Pride gleamed in her blue eyes as she gave a playful nod. ʼʼShe is my grandmother, after all,ʼʼ she said, her tone light. ʼʼThough I turn a lovely brown if I stay in the sun too long.ʼʼ

The soldier stepped back, clearly unsure whether to bow or stare. A moment later, one of the senior commanders approached, his face unreadable but his posture respectful. With a curt nod, he gestured for them to follow.

ʼʼCome with me,ʼʼ he said, leading them deeper into the camp.

As they walked, the atmosphere shifted. Soldiers lined their path, eyes tracking their every move. Some looked on in awe, others in suspicion, and a few with something approaching reverence.

Whispers stirred behind them, a mix of fear, curiosity, and something else, hope, perhaps. The camp, once bustling with rigid order, now held its breath, unsure what to make of the strangers who had walked so boldly into their midst.

Ten minutes later, Archer spotted a massive tent set up in the center of the camp. While walking, Nala leaned over and whispered. ʼʼDonʼt you feel uncomfortable with all these soldiers looking at us?ʼʼ

ʼʼNo,ʼʼ he instantly answered. ʼʼThey are ants compared to me and look down.ʼʼ

The lioness did that and noticed thousands of eyes lingering in his shadow, causing her tail to go straight in shock. ʼʼThere are so many, itʼs creepy,ʼʼ she muttered

ʼʼTheyʼve been protecting you girls for years,ʼʼ Archer revealed just before reaching her grandmotherʼs tent.

Moments later, the commander turned to them and spoke respectfully. ʼʼGo inside, she is waiting for you.ʼʼ

Following that, they stepped inside only to smell a strange smell, but Nala got excited as her tail started swaying side to side. Without a second thought, he waved his hands and got rid of the smoke.

Archer glanced at the lioness before revealing. ʼʼItʼs not good for you or the baby.ʼʼ

Just then, a mature voice sounded out. ʼʼBaby? Are you telling me my long-lost granddaughter is pregnant?ʼʼ

ʼʼGrandmother!ʼʼ Nala exclaimed and rushed toward an older woman.

When Archer laid eyes on her, a flicker of genuine surprise crossed his face. She stood at his height, an imposing figure in her own right, and he could sense it immediately: the unmistakable presence of a Pseudo-God.

Though not as powerful as he was, her aura pulsed with raw potential, a quiet storm beneath the surface. Her hair, long and untamed, cascaded around her shoulders in wild waves, like Nalaʼs, though hers was a striking shade of silvery grey rather than golden blonde.

Her body was sculpted and curvaceous, with an hourglass figure that radiated strength and elegance in equal measure. The older womanʼs skin, a deep, rich brown, was smooth and unblemished, gleaming slightly in the light like polished obsidian.

She carried herself with effortless confidence, the kind that could silence a room without a word, and Archer instinctively knew she wasnʼt to be underestimated, causing him to think with a glow in his violet eyes. ʼI need to steal her away from the Alliance.ʼ

Following that, the older woman hugged Nala, smiling. ʼʼItʼs good to see you again, Little Cub. Iʼve missed you greatly, but to reunite and learn that you are pregnant is even better.ʼʼ

The younger lioness was happy, but the stranger turned to him with narrowed blue eyes as she introduced herself. ʼʼIʼm Empress Malakia Goldenmane, Iʼm glad you finally turned up. Iʼve been waiting days.ʼʼ

He gave her a charming smile, replying. ʼʼSorry for that but I had problems to handle elsewhere alongside the damned Alliance army.ʼʼ

When Malakia heard this, she sighed. ʼʼThere was nothing I could do, the commander was adamant that he could take the wall before you returned. Now enough of all this, sit down and let me catch up with my pretty grandbaby.ʼʼ

The younger lioness couldnʼt help but smile as Archer sat down, pulling out a bottle of ale and starting to drink as Malakia revealed. ʼʼI see youʼre halfway through the pregnancy, by next winter the baby will be here.ʼʼ

ʼʼThatʼs what Brooke and Ari said,ʼʼ Nala replied with a happy expression. ʼʼI think sheʼll start kicking soon.ʼʼ

ʼʼOh my,ʼʼ Malakia commented. ʼʼHow do you know itʼs a girl?ʼʼ

Nala glanced at Archer, curiosity flickering in her eyes. He offered a small, knowing smile before speaking, his tone casual but edged with amusement.

ʼʼOne of my wives, Hecate, had a vision in her sleep,ʼʼ he revealed. ʼʼShe saw a group of little girls… Turns out, a whole lot of the others ended up pregnant around the same time, not long after.ʼʼ

The older womanʼs face lit up with a radiant, almost mischievous smile. Her eyes sparkled with both amusement and approval as she turned her gaze to him, studying him more closely now.

ʼʼWell,ʼʼ she said with a soft laugh, ʼʼSounds like theyʼve got themselves a very fertile husband. So tell me, how many are expecting?ʼʼ

Her voice was teasing but warm, as though she already knew the answer would be impressive, and wouldnʼt be surprised if it grew by the hour. Archer thought for a second before answering. ʼʼSeventeen, if I remember correctly.ʼʼ

Malakiaʼs eyes widened in surprise, but the shock only lasted a moment before it gave way to laughter, deep, genuine, and contagious. Nala joined in, her grin stretching ear to ear as she playfully nudged Archer with her elbow.

ʼʼHeʼs just like the Southern Hares,ʼʼ she said through her laughter. ʼʼThey mate like crazy, and so does this handsome dragon.ʼʼ

The older lioness chuckled harder, shaking her head. ʼʼThen itʼs no wonder half your household is glowing,ʼʼ she said. ʼʼWith a reputation like that, Iʼm surprised there arenʼt more!ʼʼ

Following that, the three of them continued chatting about the pregnancies that Malakia was strangely interested in. Nala noticed this and gave him a knowing smirk before sending a message through the tattoo. ʼSheʼs interested in you, keep charming her.ʼ

Archer couldnʼt help but chuckle, prompting the older woman to question. ʼʼWhatʼs so funny?ʼʼ