A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1634: A Big Softy

Archerʼs lips quirked into a half-smile as he set another stack of gold coins on the counter, ten this time, more than the scarves would ever be worth. ʼʼYour work deserves reward and I want to pay,ʼʼ he said simply, leaving no room for protest.

When the older man saw this, he stammered his thanks, eyes gleaming with gratitude as Archer gathered the scarves. With everything stored in the Item Box, he melted back into the crowd after saying his goodbyes to the stall owner. People parted around him, whispers trailing in his wake, but he ignored them, already imagining the joy on his childrenʼs faces.

The marketʼs atmosphere was happy despite the horrible weather, but for now, he was content to be a father, a husband to loads of women, and a man bearing gifts through the snow-dusted streets of his capital city. He continued traveling through the streets, admiring what had been built over the years.

He noticed the snow-dusted pathway grew wider, the cobblestones giving way to avenues lined with statues of himself and the women. The air grew sharper, laced with the salty tang of the sea. The distant cries of gulls mingled with the rhythmic creak of ships and the shouts of dockworkers.

When Archer approached the port, he noticed the docks were sprawled along the waterfront, wooden piers and stone quays stretching as far as the eye could see, glittering under a thin layer of frost thanks to the afternoon sun. Ships of every kind crowded the harbor: sleek galleons from the southern isles.

All he could see was different kingdomsʼ emblems decorating hundreds of vessels docked in the trade port; sturdy cogs from Frostwood, full of furs and amber; and slender, oar-driven vessels from Orientia, their hulls painted with dragons. The port was proof of the empireʼs reach, a center where goods, cultures, and ambitions collided.

He paused at a railing overlooking the main pier. Below, the port thrummed, dockworkers hauled crates of spices, silks, and rare woods, their breath puffing in the cold air as they called out in all kinds of tongues that he could hear. Merchants in fur-lined cloaks haggled fiercely, voices rising over the clatter of barrels and the groan of ropes.

A group of sailors laughed as they unloaded fish from nets, scales catching the pale light. Nearby, a scribe recorded shipments, his quill scratching against parchment as a towering stack of ledgers grew beside him. Archerʼs sharp eyes caught every detail, the way a merchantʼs hand lingered too long, suggesting smuggled goods.

The nervous glance of a captain as a guard patrol passed by, Archer sent a message to the commander using mana. When the Homeguards received this, they rushed over to the sneaky merchant. The soldiers began searching the wagon before finding the hidden goods that he hadnʼt paid import tax on.

Archer didnʼt wait for the outcome and descended a set of stone steps toward the docks, his boots silent on the icy stone. He blended with the crowd. After walking for ten minutes, he ended up at a fishmongerʼs stall. He paused to admire a display of shellfish, their shells glinting like jewels.

The vendor offered him a toothy grin. ʼʼFresh from the deep, traveler! Care to try a steamed oyster? Warm you right up.ʼʼ

He declined and moved on, passing a ship unloading barrels of wine from the vineyard provinces located on Avidia; the air smelled of oak and grapes. At another pier, a group of traders from the desert realms bartered over bolts of silk. When he reached the end of the pier, he stopped to gaze out at the horizon, where the sea met the sky in a haze of blue.

Archer spotted another storm on the horizon, causing him to sigh in frustration just as the cityʼs shield covered Dragonheart in a protective barrier. Seconds later, a wave headed toward them, crashing into it. The whole thing shook but held firm; he was surprised and pleased with his creation.

Years ago, he crafted the Mana Generators to shield Draconiaʼs coastal cities from relentless storms. The capital, perched on the western shore, had to relocate a few years back when its original site ran out of space. Curious about the generatorsʼ performance, he teleported to Eastwatch to inspect the defenses.

Upon arriving at one of the homelandʼs bustling trade hubs, he noticed the protective shield faltering. With a sigh, he channeled his mana into the construct, bolstering its strength. Just as he reinforced the barrier, a typhoon crashed against it. The city trembled under natureʼs fury, but thanks to his timely intervention, the protection held firm.

Archer felt sweat dripping down his back as cheers erupted from the city streets. After doing that, he vanished back to the palace. He reappeared in Freyaʼs room, where she was playing with the teddy he had previously bought her. The little girlʼs head snapped in his direction as a bright smile lit up her face.

ʼʼHello, pretty girl,ʼʼ he said, sitting beside her and pulling out a fluffy pink scarf.

When his daughter saw this, she clapped her hands as he wrapped it around her body; the fabric engulfed the white-haired baby. Freya clapped her hands excitedly as she grabbed the gift and cuddled it. Next, Archer took out the cup of hot chocolate, creating a straw using his mana.

ʼʼHere we go,ʼʼ he said, smiling. ʼʼTry some of this, Frey. Youʼll like it.ʼʼ

His eldest took the cup and tried to take the straw, but missed it, making Archer laugh before helping the little girl. She began drinking the hot drink and shivered in delight just as Sia stepped into the room. A smile appeared, greeting him. ʼʼHello husband, itʼs good to see you back. Was the trip to Dragonheart good?ʼʼ

Archer didnʼt reply straight away, jumping to his feet and approaching the dark-haired beauty. He took out the blue scarf he bought and quickly wrapped it around her neck, shocking the older woman. ʼʼYou got something for me?ʼʼ

ʼʼOf course,ʼʼ he replied, chuckling at her shocked reaction. ʼʼI bought one for everyone left back at Draconia. The others are out having fun while you girls are looking at the thirteen gremlins.ʼʼ

Sia giggled and suddenly gave him a tight hug, shoving his head into her seductive cleavage. This made the white-haired bundle of joy laugh in the background, causing the duo to quickly break away as they turned to the smiling little girl. He moved toward her, grabbing the babyʼs little belly and tickling her.

Freya erupted into a fit of uncontrollable laughter before he started kissing her face, making the happiness radiate from her. Sia stood back, grinning at the scene as she commented. ʼʼI love the way you are with our daughter and the other children. Who wouldʼve expected the great Dragon Emperor to be a big softy?ʼʼ

ʼʼOnly when it comes to my wives and children,ʼʼ Archer leaned up, looking at the Dragonkin woman.

Freya babbled out, her arms reaching him for more kisses, and he did just that, making the little girl hug his head as he picked her up. Wrapping his eldest in his arms while letting out a yawn. ʼʼIʼm going to kidnap this little one for a cuddle, do not come find us,ʼʼ he said.

The older woman couldnʼt help but laugh at this as they vanished into the Domain. Once the father and son appeared in the treehouse. He looked at the happy Freya who was already bouncing in his arms. Without waiting, he summoned Kela, Neoma, Isis, Tarek, Elise, Amelia, Salina, Aslan, Antonia, Ravena, Artemi, and Evelyn.

With all his children sitting on the bed looking at him, wide eyes and smiles on their faces. He nodded at their reactions. ʼʼIʼve told your mothers that Iʼm keeping everyone for a while, Iʼm gonna make you some food and spend some time with all of you.ʼʼ

He marched in front of the bed as their little heads followed his movements, and he began joking with the gang of children. ʼʼI want no screaming, burping, or farting, get it?ʼʼ

Just then, Aslan burped and Taker farted, causing the girls to giggle as Ravena tried to stand up, using the side of the bed to shuffle along. He quickly caught the little gremlin, scooping her into his arms, looking at her messy red hair and big violet eyes, glancing at him with a big smile.

ʼʼYouʼre just like your mother, Ravena,ʼʼ he said.

She wiggled around in his arms, but he started kissing all over her face, making the little girl laugh. When the others saw this, they wanted the same treatment and shouted out to him. He finished up with Ravena and put her down before attacking the others, causing a fit of giggles to echo throughout the treehouse.

Once Archer finished pampering the babies, he took out thirteen cups of hot chocolate with straws and began feeding each one. When the sweet treat touched their lips, they went wild. He quickly wrapped the scarves around them, ensuring the little ones were warm as the cold air seeped into the room.