A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1569: You Two Are So Adorable

Archer cradled the tired Antonia gently in his arms, with Ari walking closely beside him, as they traversed the towering ramparts that sealed off the Draconian quarter of Orienta. The walls stretched across a vast mountain pass, flanked by riversides and crossings that extended for miles, standing as a barrier against the world beyond.

ʼʼThe lands that weʼve conquered are already thriving thanks to the government workers flooding the port cities,ʼʼ the Elemental woman revealed. ʼʼI heard the poor are praising you in the streets while your soldiers feed them.ʼʼ

ʼʼNameless kingdoms and empires trode on them and forgot they existed, but not me,ʼʼ Archer said, a proud smile crossing his face. ʼʼWe will lift everyone until Orienta worships me and our empire. Iʼll give them so much freedom theyʼd never want to go back to the way things were.ʼʼ

Ariʼs violet eyes shimmered with delight at his words. ʼʼIʼm so glad you feel this way,ʼʼ she said warmly. ʼʼSeeing you smile lights up my heart. Itʼs refreshing compared to the wild young man I met all those years ago, untamed and driven by your anger.ʼʼ

Archer let out a chuckle, nodding in agreement. ʼʼOh, youʼre right gorgeous,ʼʼ he replied. ʼʼBack then, I was a reckless young dragon, giving in to every instinct. But now? Iʼve grown, matured. Iʼve learned to master my emotions and carry myself with a bit more wisdom.ʼʼ

Following that, the two of them stopped walking as Antonia squirmed in his arms, causing him to prop the little girl on his shoulders. She grabbed a handful of his hair, giggling as she was up high. When Ari saw this, she couldnʼt help but fuss over the baby, who seemed not to care.

The older woman giggled. ʼʼYou two are terrors. Sheʼs only a few weeks old, and you treat her just like Freya and the others.ʼʼ

ʼʼWhy would I treat any of them differently, Ari?ʼʼ he questioned. ʼʼMy parents preferred my other siblings over me, well, in this world, not Earth, but the point still stands.ʼʼ

Moments later, Antonia rubbed her snotty nose on his head, making sure she wiped everything on his snow white hair before giggling. He stopped and glanced around at the smiling girl. ʼʼDo you mind, little miss? Now I have boogers all over me.ʼʼ

Archer scooped up Antonia, gently grabbing her baby gown, and hoisted the white-haired little demon until their eyes met. The little girlʼs gaze sparkled, her giggles bubbling out like a tiny fountain of joy, coaxing a wide, adoring grin onto his face. ʼʼOh, you think you can stir up mischief out here on the frontline, my little troublemaker?ʼʼ he teased, his hand inched toward her chubby belly.

Antoniaʼs eyes widened, catching his sneaky move, and she squirmed with a peal of laughter, kicking her tiny legs in a mock attempt to escape. But it was too late! His hand darted forward, tickling her belly with gentle fingers. She curled up, her cackles ringing out like tiny bells, filling the air with the sweetest baby giggles as she wriggled in delight.

The tickling lasted only a few gleeful seconds before Archer paused, sensing his little demon had had her fill. Antonia flopped back in his arms, catching her breath, and he pulled her close, wrapping her in a warm cuddle. ʼʼYou know I love you, Antonia Wyldheart,ʼʼ he murmured. ʼʼThank you for bursting into my life, my little spark.ʼʼ

At his words, Antoniaʼs silliness melted away. She gazed up at him, her big pink eyes locking onto his, and flashed the gummiest, most heart-melting smile she could muster. A stream of happy babble spilled from her, as if she were trying to tell him just how much she loved him, too.

ʼʼOh my goddess!ʼʼ Ari exclaimed. ʼʼYou two are so adorable!ʼʼ

Archer glanced at the white-haired woman and held Antonia close. ʼʼIʼm kidnapping her now, wife. Youʼll never see this gremlin again,ʼʼ he teased, chuckling at her amused expression.

In an instant, Archer vanished into the Domain, reappearing high above the sprawling landscape as his wings unfurled. Cradling Antonia, he took flight, soaring through the crisp air. The babyʼs eyes widened in wonder, her tiny face alight as she gazed at the world below, taking in every detail.

They glided toward the towering entrance of the Nightmare Ant Colony, its massive structure looming like a monument carved from the earth itself. Archer landed just outside a massive hole with hundreds, if not thousands, of worker ants coming and going, carrying monster bodies to feed to the ever-growing hive.

When touching the ground, Vivienneʼs voice echoed through the tunnel. ʼʼBring my youngest daughter here, handsome. I havenʼt met the little angel yet.ʼʼ

He smiled at this and looked at Antonia. ʼʼWant to meet your mana, Vivi? Sheʼs gonna love you.ʼʼ

Following that, Archer entered the Nightmare Antʼs home where they were greeted by a a Carrier Ant and climbed on its back, exciting the little girl even more as she took in everything around her. Creatures scuttled by, ignoring their presence thanks to Vivienne marking him as hers.

The air thrummed with their silent acknowledgment, a quiet reverence that seemed to ripple through the hive. Soon, the Carrier began its steady descent down a vast, winding tunnel. They was bathed in a soft glow from moss, its faint light weaving through layers of ancient, compacted mud, casting delicate patterns that danced in the shadows.

Archerʼs breath caught as he extended his mana, scanning the surroundings, and the true size of the colony unveiled itself to him. It was a subterranean marvel, sprawling for kilometers in every direction, a network of tunnels, chambers, and hidden alcoves that pulsed with life and purpose.

The colonyʼs reach was boundless, halting only where it pressed against the borders of the Broodmawʼs home, a neighboring hive controlled by Cersei. Their journey through the labyrinthine tunnels stretched on. The air grew cooler, laced with the rich scent of honeydew and dead bodies, and he felt the weight of the colonyʼs history enveloping them.

At last, they arrived at the heart, Vivivenneʼs sanctuary, nestled deep within the sprawling underground world. Archerʼs eyes widened as he took in the Ant Queenʼs home, its polished surfaces gleaming softly under the mana lights. It was both a home and a throne that she ruled over the colony from.

Moments later, the door opened and a heavily pregnant Vivienne stepped out with a big smile, stretching across her face. ʼʼMy love! You bring me a delicate angel to meet. Come here!ʼʼ She exclaimed.

Archer stepped forward as Antonia began giggling as the redheaded woman pulled silly faces at her when they got close. ʼʼVivienne, meet mine and Agrippinaʼs daughter, Antonia Wyldheart.ʼʼ

When the older woman heard this, she leaned in and scooped the little girl into her arms before pampering her with kisses, causing Antonia to burst out into laughter as she tried pushing the Ant Queen away. ʼʼYou canʼt escape me! Your nbig sister Freya tried and failed young lady!ʼʼ She exclaimed.

This only excited the baby more, making Archer smile as the powerful Pseudo God was acting silly with his youngest daughter. Antonia was loving the attention until she got fed up and reached for him. He swooped in and grabbed her as she rested her head in the crook of his neck.

ʼʼLooks like all the excitement has exhausted her,ʼʼ he muttered, smiling. ʼʼSorry about that Vivi, mind if I come in?ʼʼ

ʼʼDonʼt worry about it, my love,ʼʼ she waved his apologies away. ʼʼSheʼs still a little baby, Iʼm sure being with you for a while would tire any of the children out.ʼʼ

Following that, they entered the house and Archer was ushered toward a nearby chair, pushing him into it. He took out a bottle before feeding Antonia who greedily chugged down the milk. When the Ant Queen saw this, her red eyes gleamed. ʼʼThose things are useful, drinking too much of our milk will send mana shooting through their little bodies.ʼʼ

ʼʼYes thatʼs why I created it,ʼʼ he revealed. ʼʼItʼs take pressure off the women whoʼs given birth.ʼʼ

Vivienne happily nodded as she began making tea for them, speaking. ʼʼWhy donʼt you sell it to all the mothers of the empire? It could bring in so much gold that youʼll be swimming in it.ʼʼ

ʼʼMaybe I will,ʼʼ Archer responded. ʼʼThatʼs is a good idea you know.ʼʼ

His greed exploded when hearing the Ant Queens words but soon Vivienne brought him some sweet tea. He took a sip and felt the refeshing liquid pouring down his throat, reenergizing himself. ʼʼOh this is nice,ʼʼ he complemented the older woman.

Moments later, Archer resumed feeding Antonia, carefully cradling the bottle. The white-haired baby, her pink eyes sparkling, reached out and grasped his finger with surprising strength. Her grip sent a wave of love through him, and he couldnʼt help but smile as he gazed down at her, marveling.

ʼʼYouʼre so adorable my little Antonia,ʼʼ he whispered. ʼʼNow eat up and Iʼll take you back to your mother.ʼʼ