A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1619: I Needed To Stop Worrying

Archer was standing on the top deck watching Verdantia appear on the horizon, making his paranoia increase the closer they got. Moments later, he sent out a flock of Mana Birds that flew toward land to see if any enemies were waiting to ambush the fleet while not actively fighting.

After a few minutes, the creatures spotted a Novgorod Fleet sailing in their direction. ʼAre they trying to attack?ʼ he mused.

Just then, Oliviaʼs calm voice echoed in his mind, putting him at ease. ʼHusband, the Alliance is sending a message that a fleet of theirs is here to escort us to Verdantia, thanks to rogue elements in the army.ʼ

This caught his attention. ʼThanks for telling me, just saw them using the Mana Birds and wondered what they were up to,ʼ he replied.

Following that, several horns echoed out across the sea; it was the Alliance signalling their arrival, prompting every cannon in the fleet to aim toward the enemy, but Oliviaʼs voice rang out across every ship. ʼʼDo. No. Fire! Theyʼre here to escort us to southern Verdantia.ʼʼ

Upon receiving a return signal, the Alliance ships slowed their advance but continued moving forward. As they drew nearer, the vessels positioned themselves ahead, maintaining their distance without initiating an attack. Archer watched as the Draconians maintained their course.

As the coastline came into view, the lead ship signaled with a series of sharp flag movements, directing them toward a port nestled in a bay. The waters grew calmer, and the air carried the hum of activity from the shore. When they approached, the port revealed itself, a harbor lined with docks and cranes, their silhouettes stark against the morning light.

A large crowd had gathered along the waterfront, packed tightly, stretching from the stone quays to the streets beyond. Moments later, Archerʼs ears twitched when the murmur of voices grew louder, as the ships glided closer. Banners fluttered in the breeze, their colors unfamiliar to him.

The enemy ships peeled away, forming a loose escort as they guided them to a designated berth. He watched in fascination as the Draconian sailors secured the ships with ease. The crowdʼs chatter swelled, some pointing, others whispering, their eyes fixed on the newcomers.

A few figures in ornate uniforms stood at the forefront, their postures rigid, suggesting they were the leaders waiting for them. The air was thick with anticipation, as if the port itself held its breath, waiting for what would come next. While taking everything in, Teuila appeared beside him, a worried expression crossing her face. ʼʼWill we be safe here?ʼʼ

ʼʼWeʼll be fine, if they try anything, I have the Dragon Warriors and monsters to unleash on their homeland,ʼʼ he confidently responded. ʼʼPlus, the Alliance also needs a break; theyʼve lost billions of soldiers, half the world, famine, and now the Long Winter.ʼʼ

ʼʼThatʼs good,ʼʼ Teuila said, sighing in relief. ʼʼI needed to stop worrying.ʼʼ

Archer gestured toward the nearby docks, where a crowd of protesters blamed him for the famine, their shouts held at bay by a cordon of Alliance soldiers shielding the fleet from the chaotic people. The blue-haired beauty giggled at this as she responded. ʼʼLooks like the emperor and pope need peace, do they think they can win the war after this?ʼʼ

ʼʼMost likely,ʼʼ he answered, chuckling at the thought. ʼʼWait until they meet Morena and Demaciaʼs death army, their building, it will shock every enemy soldier to the core, winning us the war.ʼʼ

ʼʼThatʼs unless the Terravians get involved, but after I destroyed one of their realms should make them back off,ʼʼ he concluded. ʼʼFor a while, at least.ʼʼ

As the ship docked, the Oathkeepers streamed onto the shore, forming an impenetrable barrier, sealing off any approach to Archer or the women accompanying him. He stood calmly, his gaze fixed on the horizon, awaiting Aishaʼs arrival with the rest of the harem members who came with him.

The Imperial Guard soon joined the ranks of the giant knights, their combined presence an imposing spectacle that silenced the murmurs of the gathered crowd. Emperor Anatoly Novgorod and Pope Jeremiah, observing from a platform, were taken aback by the scene unfolding before them.

Their eyes locked onto him, and the two menʼs expressions were full of disdain and revulsion. Archer, undeterred, grinned at them, a shit eating grin crossing his face that made their hate intensify. With a theatrical snap of his fingers, he summoned Yevdokiya, the Novgorod Princess, who materialized beside him.

Her startled yelp echoed faintly, drawing her fatherʼs attention. Anatolyʼs face contorted with fury at the sight of his daughter alongside his enemy, his rage only fueling Archerʼs amusement further as the young woman spoke in her thick Russian accent. ʼʼAre we here, Arch? Is this happening already?ʼʼ

ʼʼYes it is, Yev,ʼʼ he answered, smirking.

The air crackled as the two leaders tried to calm down, while he reveled in the chaos his presence had ignited. Archer stepped off the ship as Aisha joined him with Yevdokiya standing on the other side. Kassandra, Demetra, and Teuila stayed right behind them. Mary had chosen to guard the children who were sent to the Domain so theyʼd be safe.

When they touched Verdantia soil, the Dragonkin leaned over. ʼʼNo robbing banks while weʼre here, we can earn a lot more from peace than taking their wealth,ʼʼ she whispered.

ʼʼI know how diplomacy works, wife,ʼʼ he grinned in response. ʼʼWe can make so much gold off the Alliance until theyʼre ready for war.ʼʼ

ʼʼSo weʼre ramping up production of the secret weapons?ʼʼ

ʼʼIʼve already sent the order to Del,ʼʼ Archer revealed, a twinkle in his violet eyes. ʼʼItʼs the strong who survive in this world, Aisha, and being one of the strongest, my empire will be a powerhouse; nothing will rival us once the weapon is finished.ʼʼ

ʼʼAn air force, underwater forces, a navy to rival any throughout history, and a fanatic army that would happily die for you,ʼʼ Ausha said in amazement. ʼʼAnd the Dragon Warriors, the best soldiers Iʼve ever seen.ʼʼ

ʼʼNot to mention the people thriving like theyʼre,ʼʼ Yevdokiya added. ʼʼIʼve seen the peasants living like nobles on Verdantia, now Avidia, Pluoria, and part of Orientia are experiencing that. Theyʼll never want to return to the old ways.ʼʼ

As the grey-haired womanʼs words sliced through the air, Aishaʼs eyes widened, a storm of shock and dawning realization swirling within them as she whipped around to face him. ʼʼYou scheming bastard,ʼʼ she beamed. ʼʼYouʼve had this entire thing orchestrated from the start, havenʼt you? Just how much did you know?ʼʼ

Archerʼs lips curled into a sly, predatory grin, his violet eyes glinting with the cold amusement of a chessmaster watching his opponent realize theyʼve been checkmated. He let out a low, mocking laugh as they advanced toward the emperor and pope, their silhouettes looming like pawns in his grand design.

ʼʼOh, my beautiful Aisha,ʼʼ he purred, his voice dripping with menace. ʼʼI knew everything. Every move, every countermove. I knew theyʼd be foolish enough to target our shipping routes, but my underwater forces, bolstered by my Primal wives, crushed their pathetic ambush before it could even take root. I foresaw their desperation, their wealth bleeding dry, their armies crumbling under the weight of a war they could never win, especially now Iʼm near godhood.ʼʼ

Archer couldnʼt help but laugh as he finished. ʼʼA ceasefire? Pfft. It was inevitable. Theyʼre not here because they want peace, theyʼre begging for it because Iʼve left them no other choice, and they need to regroup.ʼʼ

ʼʼThen what?ʼʼ

ʼʼI unleash my Death Army, new weapons, and my monsters,ʼʼ he answered, a manic smile crossing his face as his aura exploded, forcing the women back. ʼʼThey targeted my family, thereʼs no mercy for what Iʼm going to do to every single one of them.ʼʼ

Yevdokiya shivered as she whispered. ʼʼWill you spare my mother?ʼʼ

Archerʼs laugh increased before snapping his fingers, and a mana screen popped up as a soft voice echoed out. ʼʼMy love! When are you coming to see me? Itʼs been a week since I felt your lips.ʼʼ

The others giggled as Yevdokiya went bright red and snapped. ʼʼMother! Donʼt speak like that around me!ʼʼ

ʼʼAra, ara, look who found her place,ʼʼ Anastasia teased, a smile crossing her pretty face. ʼʼArcher here is a darling, your father has got him all wrong, and I fully support Draconia after coming to see the truth.ʼʼ

ʼʼWe have to go, Ana,ʼʼ he suddenly said. ʼʼMeeting your ex-husband and the pope. Weʼll come see you later.ʼʼ

ʼʼAlright, my love! See you soon,ʼʼ the older woman replied as they reached Emperor Anatoly, who was staring at Yevdokiya.

Archerʼs growl sliced through the tension, yanking the manʼs gaze back to him. ʼʼSheʼs with Draconia now,ʼʼ he snarled, his voice laced with possessive triumph. ʼʼI was the one who pulled her from death, and now sheʼs mine; her power will forge my empire into something unstoppable.ʼʼ

The older man stiffened, his face a mask of barely contained fury, but Archer relished the moment. The meeting had given him a front-row seat to the enemy emperorʼs unraveling: hair turned silver from the relentless strain of war, his weathered face carved with lines that made him look a decade older than his forty years.