A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1671: And Why Is That?

Lioren watched the older him block, he spun, he bled but not every strike could be turned aside as he made sure the little ones survives. He listened as steel found flesh again and again, crimson blooming across his chest as he staggered yet refused to fall, his body a crumbling fortress for the children he loved more than life.

After fighting for some time, the older him knees hit the marble, but his body stayed upright, a blood-slick wall between the children and the attackers. The assassinʼs sword slid free of his ribs with a wet hiss, blood rushed down him in rivers. He swayed, Lionheart clattering from numb fingers, yet his arms never dropped from their protective arc.

Behind him, Aslanʼs small voice cracked through the smoke. ʼʼUncle Lio, no!ʼʼ

Freyaʼs scream was a shard of glass, Selinaʼs sob a broken prayer. Their tiny hands clutched at his cloak, pulling, pleading, but he only turned his head and gifted them the softest smile the world had ever seen. ʼʼShh,ʼʼ he rasped, blood bubbling at his lips. ʼʼYouʼre safe. Thatʼs all that matters.ʼʼ

The assassin raised his blade for the killing stroke, eyes gleaming with triumph. Liorenʼs vision blurred, edges going dark, but he saw the childrenʼs faces, terrified, tear-streaked, alive. A warmth bloomed in his chest fiercer than any wound. He had done it. He had protected the little ones.

Just as the killing blow landed, the manor doors detonated inward. Archer erupted through the splintered frame, wings unfurling like midnight banners, roar splitting stone. Violet fire licked the air as Nala followed, fists blazing. The assassin had time for one startled gasp before claws closed around his throat.

Bone snapped. Flesh tore. The rest of the attackers lasted seconds, incinerated, shredded, scattered like ash on the wind. Before he could take in anything else, he was dragged back to the present, where he was standing in Archerʼs office with Ella, Aisha, governemt and company officials.

Lioren shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he gazed down at the little girl cradled in his arms. She had finally quieted, her wide blue eyes locking onto his with innocent curiosity while she babbled softly. The sound warmed him, and he gently passed her to her Dragonkin mother, Aisha, who scooped the child close.

ʼʼDonʼt let the visions trouble you,ʼʼ the older woman whispered, brushing a strand of hair from the girlʼs face. ʼʼWe all glimpse them when we hold this little menace, itʼs just one of many possible fates.ʼʼ

***

Archer flew northwood but the portal suddenly close as if they already knew he was coming, he stopped over the shore of a Goblin Empire that began to attack him using planes and other aircraft, shocking him silly. His eyes traced the machines as the humanoids piloted them like experts.

Without trying to anger the races here by taying on the northern continent, he vanished, reappearing moments later outside the palace in his human form, shocking the Imperial Guard with his sudden arrival. He teleported back to the office only to notice Lioren was gone, causing him to look at the women.

Ella pointed at Freya. ʼʼShe showed him one of his fates, seems to have effected our friend. Go see him after the meeting, heʼs in the palace bar,ʼʼ she revealed.

ʼʼOkay, but back to the reason I called you here,ʼʼ he said sitting down after taking the giggling Freya.

Archer went over everything, from the basics to complex and the two women listened to everything. Once he was down talking, Aisha glanced at him, pen in hand. ʼʼHow do we plan to pay for all this?ʼʼ

ʼʼIʼll personally do it,ʼʼ he answeredm smirking. ʼʼI have more then enough wealth. Iʼll keep ownership of all four islands but rent out everything to citizens, the Company or other businesses to earn the gold back, after two hundred years the ownership transfers to the government after a vote of the populations there.ʼʼ

ʼʼWhy that long?ʼʼ Ella inquired, looking confused. ʼʼThatʼs a bit much? What about taxes?ʼʼ

ʼʼAll goes to Draconia, the extra profits will go to me or to improve the isands,ʼʼ he responded, going through the numbers. ʼʼThatʼs after all expenses have been funded.ʼʼ

Aisha nodded. ʼʼWhat if they stay in your control?ʼʼ she questioned, writing down everything.

ʼʼInstead of the current five percent rate, Iʼll increase it to twenty,ʼʼ Archer answered with a chuckle. ʼʼDoes that make you happy?ʼʼ

ʼʼCan the government get the contract to ferry people toward it? Iʼm sure the Company doesʼt need those routes?ʼʼ a young woman asked from the corner.

When Archer glanced at her, she stiffened as if she commited a crime but he smiled. ʼʼDeal. But how do you plan to get the ships? Thousands of people will travel there every week?ʼʼ

ʼʼWe can buy them from the Company,ʼʼ the stranger answered, then quickly introduced herself. ʼʼIʼm Mira, my lord. I work in the governemnt development department, also try to get contracts for the others.ʼʼ

His gaze settled on the young woman, his age, yet unmistakably not human. A mouse demi-human: the small, rounded ears atop her head gave it away. Petite and strikingly beautiful amid the drab ranks of government clerks, she drew his eye like a spark in shadow. He spoke to her. ʼʼStay behind, Mira. I want to know what other contracts you need.ʼʼ

This caught Ella and Aisha off guard, prompting the women to grin at him as they continued going over everything until the sun started to set. Things were settles as the Company would take Emberhaven and build the Draconia Monster Park as the government would supply everything at a fair price.

Everyone was happy and went to leave apart from the mouse beauty who looked nervous as they were left alone. Sia had collected Freya hours ago to feed the little gremlin, he shook his head and turned to Mira. ʼʼWhat does the government need?ʼʼ he inquired, curious at what they could want.

The young woman looked surprised but quickyl answered. ʼʼThereʼs many things, too much for me to handle. The list is getting smaller thanks to Empress Fianna helping me this morning.ʼʼ

Archer stood up and approached the woman, sitting beside her as he went through the list she gave him. After reading it, he said the Company would take them all, then sent a message to Ella who happily agreed to put their massive business to work. After that, Mira looked at him, nervously.

ʼʼWould you like to go for a drink?ʼʼ she asked, hope sparkling in her brown eyes.

ʼʼAlright, do we head to Dragonheart or would you prefer somewhere more private?ʼʼ he answered.

ʼʼPrivate, you canʼt be seen with a simple government clerk,ʼʼ she said, looking guilty as the words left her lips.

Archerʼs eyebrows rose as he asked. ʼʼAnd why is that?ʼʼ

Mira looked torn but let out a sigh, explaining. ʼʼIʼm a private person and would rather not have the entire government section gossiping about me, my lord.ʼʼ

ʼʼOh thatʼs fine with me,ʼʼ he answered.

Following that, Archer used his mana to change himself to the point that noone can recognize him as they went out drinking. He asked Ella to tell Lioren to stay in the guest quarters and he will meet him tomorrow afternoon. The Half-Elf agreed and began getting to work.

The mouse woman looked shocked as she muttered. ʼʼSilver hair and blue eyes? It looks good on you, my lord.ʼʼ

Archer chuckled at this and nodded when glancing into the nearby mirror. He grabbed the workers hand, teleporting to Pluoria and appearing outside one of the recently built cityʼs the legions constructed. Mira looked surprised before the duo walked toward the city gates that were guarded by the Homeguard.

While walking through the city, the mouse woman turned to him. ʼʼCould the government get some ships for the transport department?ʼʼ

He chuckled at her words, only to reply. ʼʼYes just talk to Ella, you want to talk buisness while getting drunk?ʼʼ

ʼʼYes thatʼs what friends do, donʼt they? I donʼt have any since moving here,ʼʼ she revealed, frowning.

ʼʼWhat about a lover?ʼʼ Archer questioned.

ʼLeft me when I came to Draconia,ʼʼ Mira replied, looking hurt by admitting it. ʼʼHe comes from Avidia and hates the Draconians for conquering his city and putting some of his family to death.ʼʼ

He felt guilty but shrugged, explaining. ʼʼIt was needed to improve their lives and survive through the Long Winter. Look at the other continents, they are struggling, spending every coin on food from our markets, we even sell it cheaper but itʼs not enough.ʼʼ

Following that, Mira nodded in agreement. ʼʼThat is true, Iʼve heard stories from the captains who sail to Northwood and the other side of Orientia. They say itʼs chaotic and people suffering all across the land.ʼʼ

ʼʼI know, itʼs why Iʼve sent food free of charge,ʼʼ he revealed. ʼʼBut it only stems the tide and doesnʼt solve the problem that their own leaders have to deal with, not me without invading them and started another war.ʼʼ