A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1686: Theyʼre Perfect

Archer spent time with the women and decided it was past due that he should check on Avidia and the Demon Princess; he hadnʼt seen her in a while, and teleported to the southern part of the continent. He reappeared outside the Demon capital, where he noticed dozens of merchants who traveled to and from.

ʼLooks like everything is peaceful despite the Long Winter,ʼ he mused.

With a wave of his hand, he conjured a disguise the Homeguards or Legionnaires wouldnʼt recognize. Once done, he approached the gate and stood in line while sending out a wave of mana, scanning the entire Demon Capital. He found Nemuia in the palace, alongside her father.

The energy set off alarms through the city, making him grin as the Draconians prepared for an attack within seconds. He teleported to the wall and then to the ground below, entering without anyone seeing. Afterward, he made his way toward the palace as his soldiers appeared from nearby barracks.

They rushed toward the wall, but he sent out another wave, this time for everyone to recognize it was him. He decided to stop hiding and remove the disguise. He grew taller, and his white hair returned. Pointy ears twitched at every little sound, shocking the surrounding people.

Archer shrugged off the gawking stares and hushed gossip swirling behind him, vanishing in a crackle of teleportation energy that split the air like lightning. Moments later, he materialized atop the palace ramparts, boots thudding against ancient stone as hulking demon soldiers charged in a thunderous stampede.

He flashed a predatory smirk. ʼʼIʼd tread carefully with your next moves.ʼʼ

The words hit them like a shockwave of something more powerful than theyʼd ever seen. The soldiers froze mid-stride, weapons trembling in iron grips. Their commanderʼs eyes bulged in raw terror, his mind reeling. ʼThis isnʼt a man, itʼs an ancient predator, risen from the abyss to devour us whole.ʼ

Before anyone could react, someone was there, beaming as a red blur slammed into him as he hugged the Demon Princess Nemuria, whom he had been neglecting over the last through weeks. ʼʼArcher! Itʼs been a while, handsome,ʼʼ she muttered into he crook of his neck.

She spun on the soldiers with a fierce look in her red eyes. ʼʼThis is my fiancé, Archer Wyldheart. The Emperor of Draconia, the fate changers, the greatest Dragonto ever to live! Put your weapons away now!ʼʼ

Just then, a portal opened and Thalion, the leader of the Oathkeepers, appeared, pointing his greatsword at the biggest Demon, declaring. ʼʼI challenge you to a fight for bearing a weapon at my lord!ʼʼ

Archer was caught off guard and started laughing before clicking his fingers, sending the Demon Commander flying backward, crashing into the nearby wall, causing the palace to shake. He glanced at the knight with a serious expression. ʼʼWhy are you not with Freya, Thal? I thought I assigned you to protect her?ʼʼ

ʼʼSheʼs with Lady Sia,ʼʼ Thalion instantly replied. ʼʼI sensed someone threatening you and had to come.ʼʼ

ʼʼAnd you think a simple Demon can hurt me?ʼʼ

ʼʼOf course not! But itʼs the principle!ʼʼ the knight answered.

ʼʼThen donʼt worry about that sort of thing,ʼʼ Archer explained, smiling. ʼʼI have so many bodyguards around me, no one can get close.ʼʼ

Just as those words left his lips, Agrippina appeared from his shadow alongside Aeris, who was in her Wraith form, scaring everyone around them, including Nemuia, who tried to back off, but he grabbed her. ʼʼThatʼs one of your sisters, Nem,ʼʼ he reassured the white-haired beauty.

Agrippina giggled. ʼʼItʼs a pleasure to meet you, Nemuia, sorry I havenʼt come sooner, but Artemis is a handful,ʼʼ she explained.

ʼʼWhoʼs that?ʼʼ the Demoness questioned.

ʼʼMy daughter,ʼʼ Archer was the one to speak this time. ʼʼI have thirteen children now, well, I have for a year now, but more are due once the others unpause their pregnancy.ʼʼ

This answer confused Nemuia, but Aeris expressed with a giggle. ʼʼI was the same, but you get used to it. Plus, the little ones are adorable, like little versions of Arch but cuter.ʼʼ

Archer glanced at the Wraith, who stuck her tongue out at him, making everyone laugh as the Demoness continued. ʼʼCan I meet them? Iʼve been stuck on Avidia since our last date, helping out the family run the new kingdom.ʼʼ

ʼʼYes you can,ʼʼ he replied. ʼʼAnd how has that been going? Still getting the food shipments?ʼʼ

ʼʼThankfully,ʼʼ the red-skinned beauty sighed in relief. ʼʼUntil a week ago, the crops were growing, but thanks to the Companyʼs new stuff, weʼve achieved our goals.ʼʼ

When the words left Nemuiaʼs lips, the other two women giggled, and Archer nodded. ʼʼGood, Hali and Lynʼs work has been crucial to helping the new kingdoms in the empire. Otherwise, they wouldʼve rebelled, but now the people depend on us to survive the Long Winter.ʼʼ

In a heartbeat, the four vanished from the ramparts in a swirl of violet light, appearing deep within Draconiaʼs obsidian palace. Archer strode ahead, the women trailing behind in a ripple of excited chatter that bounced off vaulted ceilings. Nemuiaʼs voice was mid-sentence when a bright, bell-like giggle cut her off, spilling through the nursery archway like liquid starlight.

They stepped inside and froze. Three tiny whirlwinds of chaos reigned supreme while Sia watched from the side alongside Leira and Sera. Freya, with white hair flying like a battle standard, launched herself at Kela with all the fury a one-year-old could muster. Kela squealed in delight, high-pitched and fearless, rolling away just in time.

Neoma, the smallest, charged her big sister on chubby legs, only for Freya to plant both bare feet square in Neomaʼs chest and shove, toppling her backward into a pile of plush wyvern toys. The nursery air crackled with giggles, shrieks, and the unmistakable scent of toddler war.

Nemuiaʼs red eyes widened to saucers, her tail freezing mid-swish as she drank in the pandemonium. A soft, involuntary ʼʼOh,ʼʼ slipped from her lips, half awe, half surrender.

Beside her, Aeris stood rooted as Freya spotted them first. The white-haired missile abandoned her siege on Kela, spun on her heel, and launched a giggling comet straight at Nemuiaʼs legs.

The Demoness dropped to her knees just in time, arms opening on instinct. Freya crashed into her with the force of a fluffy battering ram, tiny fists clutching her silk robes like battle standards. Archer was surprised at this, but a smile crossed his face as the baby clearly knew she was in the harem.

ʼʼMa!ʼʼ Freya declared, voice bright as a war trumpet.

Aerisʼs composure shattered. A low laugh rumbled in her chest as Kela toddled over next, chubby arms raised. The Wraith scooped her up, pressing the squealing child to her scaled cheek. Neoma, refusing to be outdone, latched onto Nemuiaʼs tail with both hands and yanked, toppling herself into a giggling heap.

Archer leaned against the doorway, arms folded, smirk sharp enough to cut glass. ʼʼTold you theyʼd weaponize cuteness.ʼʼ

Nemuiaʼs gaze flicked up, luminous with something dangerously close to tears. ʼʼTheyʼre perfect,ʼʼ she whispered, voice cracking like sunrise over mountains.

Aeris could only nod, throat too tight for words, as the nursery dissolved into a whirlwind of babies. Just then, the other children crawled out of a nearby room, followed by Edith and Meredith. His maid wives looked happy looking after his growing family, but the two stopped when they saw him.

ʼʼHello, husband,ʼʼ the white-haired maid greeted him with a warm smile. ʼʼIʼm happy to see you again.ʼʼ

ʼʼSame, handsome,ʼʼ Meredith added, green eyes glowing.

Following that, Archer hugged the two women and introduced each child to Nemuia and Aeris, who loved every part of the introductions as the babies made sure to attack their faces with gums and spit. Everyone laughed at this, but he sat near Sia, Leira, and Sia, who greeted him.

ʼʼHowʼs the empire?ʼʼ the Dragonkin beauty questioned, a curious glint in her blue eyes.

ʼʼSeems to be going good,ʼʼ he responded, taking out some Dragon Ale and downing some.

The women stayed with the babies as they were swarmed. Agrippina appeared beside him and whispered into his ear. ʼʼIʼm going back to the expedition; more monsters are appearing beyond the walls.ʼʼ

Archer glanced at the older woman, offering. ʼʼI can come destroy them, itʼll make things easier?ʼʼ

ʼʼNo need,ʼʼ she shook her head. ʼʼWe can deal with it and turn the Legionnaires into veterans by the time they return.ʼʼ

ʼʼGood,ʼʼ he nodded. ʼʼThey can train the next generations in whatever field they specialize in.ʼʼ

Afterward, they continued talking as Archer filled them in on everything his been up to, exciting the women. Once the sun started to set, he decided to go check on the Domain to finally take in everything he had created in the realm he had for the other ten years. He said his goodbyes to the women and children before teleporting to Domain.

[Sorry for not uploading the last 5 days, I was feeling too stressed to write anything decent due to real-life issues. Things should be back to normal, I hope. Things are looking ok, still messed up a bit, but will be fine - Negan]