A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1663: Whatʼs Going On Here?

Archer was looking at a city built from black stone, lit up by mana lanturns hanging everywhere. When Meredith saw this, her eyes widened in surprise as she muttered. ʼʼThis place looks like a dark mageʼs haven.ʼʼ

ʼʼIt does, doesnʼt it?ʼʼ Malakia added. ʼʼI can feel the mana seeping off every building.ʼʼ

ʼʼMakes sense, I did let them live if they agreed to pay taxes, aid the empire, and stop the slave trade, which was the hardest thing to bargain,ʼʼ he revealed. ʼʼItʼs the reason their dark magic is still here.ʼʼ

The two women nodded in understanding as the maid responded. ʼʼMakes sense, but do they help Draconia?ʼʼ

Archer chuckled at her words. ʼʼYes, they do, in fact, itʼs their magic that keeps Necromancers and bad guys out of our borders.ʼʼ

ʼʼArenʼt Morena and Demacia Necros?ʼʼ the lioness spoke up, looking confused.

ʼʼTheyʼre mine,ʼʼ he replied with a grin. ʼʼPlus, they use their powers to help Draconia.ʼʼ

ʼʼThe Death Army?ʼʼ the blonde teased.

ʼʼThatʼs the one,ʼʼ Archer said.

Following that, they began walking through the street, noticing most people were mages and there wasnʼt just one race; it was most of them. Dark Dwarves haggled with a Dark Elf over some trinkets. He enjoyed the scenes playing out until a sudden alarm blared out, causing the Homeguard to rush around the city.

Just then, Malakia turned to a nearby Wolf Demi-Human and asked. ʼʼWhat is that?ʼʼ

ʼʼA Long Winter storm is bearing down on us,ʼʼ she answered, panic appearing in her yellow eyes.

When Archer heard this, he led the two women to the nearest inn after he sent out a pulse of mana, and thatʼs when he realized a wave was heading straight for Ashkari. Once the trio reached the nearest inn, they bought the highest room and rushed to it. From the balcony that has a perfect view of the city.

He stepped out only to see a shield covering the entire city, just as a sonic boom hit Ashkari, forcing people to cover their eyes thanks to the power, minutes before the wave crashed into it, shaking the ground, making people panic when they felt it, wreaking havoc outside the protected area.

Meredith appeared beside him with a worried expression on her pretty face as she watched the chaos outside the city. She shook her head and questioned. ʼʼWill it get to us?ʼʼ

ʼʼNo,ʼʼ Archer confidently replied. ʼʼThe barrier will stop it, or I will.ʼʼ

Just then, even more waves hit, but the Dark Magic held firm, pushing the water away from Ashkari, allowing the citizens to relax. Malakia looked amazed at such a thing as she spoke. ʼʼThe storms on Avidia will be nothing with these things.ʼʼ

ʼʼEvery city in the empire will get them eventually,ʼʼ Archer revealed, sitting down in the chair that allowed him to watch the city.

ʼʼHow much do the shields cost?ʼʼ the blonde inquired, a curious glint in her green eyes.

ʼʼTen thousand gold coins per Mana Generator,ʼʼ he answered honestly. ʼʼBut there are so many cities, it will take years to get one to every settlement. Itʼs why the government is focused on supplying them to the cities on the coast.ʼʼ

ʼʼWill Goldenmane get the machines?ʼʼ Malakia asked.

Archer nodded just as thunder boomed overhead, shaking the building as the Mana Storm descended on the city. People down below rushed for cover as rain began to fall, sending the children rushing home. The Dark Magic couldnʼt do anything about the cold, but thatʼs where the apartments come into play.

The central heating would keep the citizens warm as the weather got worse. While sitting there, Meredith offered them. ʼʼDo you two want some food? I can go downstairs to order some?ʼʼ

ʼʼYes please,ʼʼ he replied. ʼʼBe careful.ʼʼ

When the blonde heard this, she glanced at Malakia. ʼʼDo you want to come, Mala?ʼʼ

The lioness agreed and followed Meredith out of the room, leaving Archer alone to rest until they got back.

***

(Kaelira)

The trainʼs rhythm pulsed beneath Kaeliraʼs feet, a steady hum that contrasted with the unease creeping up her spine. The wall dominated the view outside the frosted window. It stretched endlessly across the horizon, its polished surface gleaming like obsidian under the fading sunlight.

Towers appeared all across its length, their silhouettes sharp against the sky, each crowned with a faint, pulsing glow that felt alive, almost watchful. Gates broke the uniformity at intervals, their designs hinting at a purpose beyond mere defense. She was curious about all this and turned to Jasmine.

ʼʼDoes this separate Draconia from the rest of Orientia?ʼʼ she inquired.

The Water-Elf nodded in agreement. ʼʼYes, beyond it is the Green Sea, a place where the Orc Kingdoms roam and fight while living nomadic lives.ʼʼ

This caught the Wyrm Princessʼs attention, but she decided to wait when they were at a city wall that dotted Draconia Orientia. She continued looking out the window, admiring the landscape as they closed in on a place called Hiroko City was built where the wall touched the sea, as a bustling port popped up around months ago.

Khela told her they could continue on our explore the place as itʼs home to all the new things that come from Draconia. Kaelira agreed, and the trio stepped off the train as it stopped in the local station. Jasmine looked around, noticing dozens of soldiers lingering around, causing her to approach one of the train staff.

ʼʼWhatʼs going on here?ʼʼ the Water Elf asked, a curious glint in her blue eyes.

Kaelira watched as the young man turned to them, a worried expression as he revealed. ʼʼHumanoid monsters have attacked the wall, the Homeguard pushed them back, but many have gone missing; theyʼre gathering adventurers to travel beyond it to find any survivors.ʼʼ

ʼʼHow many have vanished?ʼʼ she finally questioned.

ʼʼFive hundred or so,ʼʼ the worker answered.

When Jasmine and Khela looked horrified, as Kaelira suggested. ʼʼWhy donʼt we join in on finding them?ʼʼ

The other two glanced at the gold-haired woman and became excited as they agreed before the trio headed toward Hirokoʼs Cityʼs guild. After half an hour, the group arrived only to see dozens of adventurers lingering outside, waiting to enter. The lioness turned to her, asking. ʼʼWhat made you want to join in on the search?ʼʼ

ʼʼI want to see the other side of the wall,ʼʼ she answered honestly. ʼʼTo see if thereʼs much difference between the two realms.ʼʼ

After speaking, Jasmineʼs blue eyes widened before Khela revealed. ʼʼOh, itʼs much different and I canʼt wait for you to see.ʼʼ

Following that, the three waited for a while until the guild master, who was an older man, announced that every person joining would be paid two gold coins for offering their services to help find the survivors, but warned that it would be dangerous and most could die after they passed through the wall.

Once that was done, the three were joined by seven others and ordered to search the land between the wall and Rosewatch, a small village a few miles east. After finding out their mission, the group of ten was escorted to the towering wall that loomed over the outpost. Its stones, scarred by time and battle, cast long shadows as the morning sun climbed higher.

Kaelira felt her heart quicken as they approached the massive iron gate. The guards heaved it open with a groan, revealing a road that stretched east, disappearing into a dense jungle that seemed to pulse with life. Her gold eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the thick canopy, its leaves interwoven with vines and speckled with bursts of colorful flowers.

She had expected barren plains or ruins, not this thriving wilderness. A thrill of excitement coursed through her, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her dagger. The jungle promised danger, but also secrets waiting to be uncovered. As the group stepped onto the road, the air grew heavy with humidity and the distant calls of creatures.

They pressed forward along the vine-covered road, the jungle closing in around them. Vines dangled like curtains, and the air buzzed with the hum of insects and the chatter of hidden birds. Kaelira scanned the foliage, her senses sharp. The other adventurers moved cautiously, their weapons drawn, eyes darting to every rustle and snap.

Barely a mile into the jungle, a sharp crack split the air. Before anyone could react, a mantis-like creature, its sharp forelimbs gleaming, lunged from the underbrush. Its eyes shone with hunger as it towered over the group. The oldest of the adventurers, a grizzled man with an axe.

The stranger barely had time to raise his weapon before the creatureʼs claws slashed down, pinning him to the ground with a sickening crunch. Three more people were killed before Kaelira jumped in. She rushed forward, punching one of the monsters, blowing it apart, gore flying everywhere.

Moments later, the Wyrm Princess rushed forward, killing the creatures that appeared. They realized she was dangerous and fled into the jungle, fleeing for their lives.