A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1679: Like My Home, Arch?

Archer looked at Bella, who was staring up at him, big blue eyes waiting for him to respond. He shook his head, smiling. ʼʼI wonʼt exhaust myself again, even though the Domain was expanded.ʼʼ

ʼʼOh, really? Was that the shaking my scouts felt on the ground?ʼʼ

ʼʼYes.ʼʼ

Following that, Bella led him toward her palace, which was beautiful thanks to the Honey Blocks the workers used to build the hives and other buildings they needed to continue creating the substance that the Company sold in the empire. ʼLooks like itʼs used in more than food, I wonder how strong these things are,ʼ he mused.

By the time the duo reached her private quarters, it reminded him of the treehouse, as it was comfortable and homely-looking, with soft brown wood making up everything. ʼʼThis place is nice, Bel,ʼʼ he commented, glancing around.

ʼʼThank you, handsome,ʼʼ the blonde beamed. ʼʼI wanted to create something like your treehouse to help out.ʼʼ

Bella gestured to a squadron of bees hauling a still-twitching wyvern carcass toward the hive. ʼʼWeʼre eating good.ʼʼ

ʼʼGood, do you want anything done to the colony?ʼʼ

When the Honey Bee Queen heard this, she instantly replied. ʼʼYes, some more protection for the outer hives. Raiders have been stealing some of the honey, which annoys me.ʼʼ

Archer chuckled, closed his eyes, and created a massive stone wall encircling the Colony, but he wasnʼt done; he made the wall hollow so the bees could build their own defences. He knew the blonde would be happy with the new protection her Swarm now had from the many monsters that lurked around their warehouses.

After he finished, he turned to Bella. ʼʼGo check out the new wall, it should be good for hundreds of new hives and defences.ʼʼ

Her big blue eyes widened. ʼʼAre you sure you donʼt mind if I go, I mean, you came to visit me and here I am rushing off like a mad woman?ʼʼ

ʼʼGo,ʼʼ he replied, smiling. ʼʼIʼm going to see the others and check up on the other Swarms.ʼʼ

When Bella heard this, she leaned over, kissing him on the cheek, a big smile appearing before she took off, soaring through the air as he teleported to the Broodmaw Colony, deep under a western mountain range. Archer appeared at the entrance, strewn with thousands of Wild Orcs that were being slaughtered by the creatures he had used during the Great War.

The Mantis-like creatures werenʼt showing mercy as they impaled some of the injured monsters as workers dragged piles back into the darkness. While standing there, the Broodmaws rushed toward him, but a soft, seductive voice echoed from the entrance as Circe stepped out of the dark.

She stood in her true form, a Broodmaw the size of a fortress, her obsidian scythes gleaming like they could split mountains. Then a blinding light flared from her core, and she shrank, folding into a human silhouette. Archerʼs breath caught as the glow faded, revealing a gorgeous black-haired woman.

ʼDamn, I forgot how beautiful she truly is,ʼ he mused.

Circe rolled her shoulders, stretching; the motion sent her big boobs swaying beneath a thin shift, the curve of her waist flaring into hips that begged to be gripped. Circe shook her head as a bright smile appeared. ʼʼHandsome! Iʼm glad you came to visit me, itʼs been over a year since weʼve seen each other.ʼʼ

ʼʼIʼm not going to explain, you all know me too well now,ʼʼ Archer answered, chuckling. ʼʼNow is there anything my Broodmaw Queen needs?ʼʼ

When Circe heard this, her dark eyes widened at the question, but she nodded. ʼʼYes, more space and another mountain range blocking the southern pass. Monsters keep attacking, interrupting our expansion.ʼʼ

ʼʼIsnʼt that good? Your food chambers should be full to the brim?ʼʼ

ʼʼYes, but when we donʼt have the room to store them, then it goes to waste.ʼʼ

Archer nodded in understanding, closed his eyes before pouring his mana into the Domain, expanding the Broodmaw Colony, giving them one hundred times the space, leaving him out of breath and sweating as the effort started wearing him down, thanks to the amount of energy he was burning through.

When Circe saw this, she rushed up to him, worry appearing in her dark eyes. ʼʼYou didnʼt have to go that far, handsome. I know it takes a lot out of you.ʼʼ

ʼʼMind if I rest here for a while?ʼʼ he replied, wiping the sweat from his brow. ʼʼIʼve already got most of the mana back, but that doesnʼt stop the strain on my body.ʼʼ

Without a word, Archer snapped his fingers, and the world folded around them like parchment. A heartbeat later, they materialized in the heart of the colony, inside Circeʼs private quarters. The air hit him first: cool, damp, laced with the tang of stone and the faint sweetness of night-blooming vines that clung to the walls.

The chamber itself was carved into the living flank of a mountain, its far wall nothing but a sheer drop. Beyond lay a vast lake, so still it mirrored the constellations in perfect silence. A balcony of polished basalt thrusts out from the rock face like a defiant tongue, cantilevered over the abyss.

An overhang of natural stone arched above it, a protective barrier that turned the balcony into a sheltered alcove open to the sky yet safe from rain. At its center stood a bed: not some mortal frame of wood and straw, but a slab of midnight marble veined with silver, draped in layers of silk the color of deep water.

Pillows spilled across it like storm clouds. The whole arrangement seemed less placed than grown, as if the mountain itself had exhaled the furniture into being. From this aerie, Circe could lie beneath the stars, the lake a private mirror below, the wind her only curtain. When the older woman saw his reaction, she smiled.

ʼʼLike my home, Arch?ʼʼ she purred. ʼʼHow about you rest here for a while? Iʼd love to spend time with you.ʼʼ

Archer waved his hand, casting Time Warp around the place, giving them plenty of time together as he collapsed on the bed, giving him a view of a nearby waterfall that spilled into the lake below. He couldnʼt help but praise the Broodmaw beauty. ʼʼThis place is beautiful, Circe. I may have to come here more often or recreate it in the empire.ʼʼ

ʼʼBroodmaw Workers and the Dark Termites will be able to make something amazing,ʼʼ the older woman revealed.

ʼʼMaybe I will,ʼʼ he muttered, enjoying the night sky stretching over the Domain.

Following this, the two relaxed as Circe made some tea for them as she listened to the workerʼs words through her mind. The older woman turned to him. ʼʼThe Brood are saying we have room for years to come, thank you,ʼʼ she said.

Archer gave her a charming smile. ʼʼThatʼs alright, if thereʼs anything else that needs to be done, just let me know.ʼʼ

They lingered for some time until exhaustion claimed him, the toll of expending so much mana finally pulling him into sleep. While he slumbered, Circe slipped into bed beside him, nestling her head against his shoulder before surrendering to her own dreams as thunder rolled overhead.

Rain poured down around them, spared from the downpour by the overhang. Hours later, he stirred awake, refreshed. He glanced outside to find the storm had intensified, a fierce rainstorm now raging over the Broodmaw Mountain Range as thousands of Broodmaws dragged screaming monsters into the dark tunnels that littered the area.

Archer got out of bed and noticed the Domain was alive with life as trillions of creatures rose with the sun. He smiled and approached the edge, where he looked over, only to see a wave of creatures heading out to hunt. He guessed it was the hunting parties Circe sends out to refill the food chambers.

While standing there, he felt a pair of arms wrap around his shoulders as the dark-haired beauty nibbled on his ear. Her sharp teeth sent a shiver down his spine while greeting the Broodmaw Queen. ʼʼMorning, Circe. How are you feeling this morning?ʼʼ

ʼʼGood, especially that I got to hug you at night,ʼʼ she answered, moving toward his neck. ʼʼWill you stay longer?ʼʼ

Archer nodded. ʼʼOf course, itʼs not like I have a war to attend to,ʼʼ he responded.

Following that, Circeʼs smile turned radiant as she kissed his cheek. ʼʼIʼm going to make breakfast,ʼʼ she informed. ʼʼWait here for me, handsome.ʼʼ

The older woman headed toward a nearby kitchen while he continued admiring the Broodmaw valley that was hidden from the outside world. Archer was happy with the Domain so far, as it was out of his control anymore, thanks to the number of monsters that called it home.

While standing there, he checked in with the harem and learned everyone was okay, busy working, but okay. This news made him happy as he could relax without worrying about them all. Thatʼs when he spotted a flock of flying monsters soaring high above the valley, heading north toward a massive jungle.