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nAs the group entered the bedroom, they all piled onto the bed. Archer instructed the girls to leave one side of the bed vacant.

nWith Hecate in mind, Archer conjured an image of her and snapped his fingers.

nInstantly, the girls ceased their chatter, turning their attention toward him, waiting. After a brief moment, the bewildered moon elf materialized on his lap.

nLooking around in confusion, Hecate then directed her gaze toward Archer, “How did you manage that?” She inquired.

nArcher returned the smile, proceeding to explain that he could accomplish such feats within his domain. Hecate nodded in comprehension.

nCrawling over to his side, Hecate embraced him in a hug. Sera nestled on his chest, while Nefertiti settled on his other side after triumphing over the other three girls to secure a spot.

nTeuila and Ella claimed the lower part of the bed, Hemera curling into a ball and using his leg as a cushion.

nA thought crossed his mind. ‘These girls are truly unique.’

nThe night’s embrace enveloped the room, casting a tranquil spell as Archer and the girls lay intertwined in a cocoon of slumber.

nSoft moonlight gently filtered through the curtains, painting gentle shadows on this serene scene.

nTheir breaths wove a tranquil melody, a tangible testament to the trust and camaraderie that tightly bound them as one.

nArcher, surrounded by the warmth of his girls, drifted into a deep and dreamless sleep.

nHis mind wandered through the realms of unconsciousness, finding solace in the stillness of the night.

nThe events of the day, the battles and the laughter, faded into the background as dreams painted their own stories.

nAs the hours melted away, the moon began to wane, making way for the approaching dawn.

nWith the gradual shift in the sky, a chorus of birds stirred to life, their melodious chirping growing in intensity.

nAmidst the symphony of nature’s awakening, Archer’s consciousness began to stir. The distant calls of the birds reached his ears, coaxing him out of his slumber. .

nThe world outside was alive as his eyelids fluttered open, adjusting to the soft morning light that filtered through the curtains.

nHecate’s sleeping face greeted him then he spotted the other girls, each lost in the realm of dreams.

nArcher took a moment to savor the scene’s tranquility before he gently shifted, careful not to disturb the girls around him.

nAs he moved, Sera’s head shifted slightly on his chest, and Nefertiti let out a contented sigh in her sleep.

nHe gently moved the girls off of him and executed a Blink, transporting himself out of the bed. He pivoted to check if his movement had stirred any of them from slumber.

nTo his relief, they all remained sound asleep. Stepping out of the bedroom, Archer found himself in an empty living room.

nHe decided to brew some tea for himself before making his way out onto the balcony. As he emerged onto the balcony, he noticed that the sun had not yet risen.

nSeating himself, Archer began sipping his tea, his gaze fixed on the unfolding scene before him. Moments stretched into minutes as he absorbed the tranquil atmosphere.

nGradually, the sound of soft footsteps reached his ears, drawing his attention to the door. His gaze shifted to find Feyra stepping out onto the balcony.

nSeeing him, she offered a warm smile and greeted him. “Good morning, Archer. Isn’t it a delightful morning?”

nHe nodded at the female knight who seated herself nearby. Archer turned his gaze toward her and started a conversation. “What are the Sparrows planning to do when we return to the empire?”

nFeyra’s expression turned thoughtful as she took a moment to contemplate the question before responding. “We’re going to take a break. The reward for this quest was a lot so we want to relax.”

nA smile curved Archer’s lips as he listened to her response, considering it a practical notion.

nAt that moment, she directed a question at him. “Do your feelings for Talila hold sincerity, or is it merely the pleasure of flirting?”

nHe regarded the woman before him, his reply sincere. “I genuinely care for her.”

nCuriosity danced in her eyes as she inquired further, “What draws you to her?”

nArcher found himself wondering about her intention but opted for honesty. “I’m drawn to her warrior spirit, her ability to stand her ground, and her unwavering stubbornness.”

nFeyra’s laughter filled the air as she concurred, and the two of them continued conversing until the break of dawn.

nWith Feyra getting up to wake the other two, Archer watched the redheaded knight’s departure before eventually getting to his feet.

nArcher made his way to the bath chambers and started to wash himself for a while before putting on some boots, pants, and a shirt.

nHe made his way to the kitchen as he smelt bread, Archer came across Ella and Nefertiti cooking.

nWhen he entered they turned to him with a smile as Ella greeted him. ”Morning Arch. There’s some bread for you.”

nWith a warm smile, Nefertiti placed the plate in front of him. On it sat a slice of bread that looked absolutely mouthwatering.

nThe bread’s golden crust glistened, and Archer picked it up and started eating it, he loved the bread so much that the two girls gave him more.

nArcher stood up and informed the group that he would take the bread and eat it while walking. They all nodded in agreement.

nBefore he could leave the domain, Ella spoke, “We will contact you when we’re ready.”

nHe nodded and opened a portal to the road they had left on. Stepping through, he felt the wind blowing.

nAs Archer walked down the road and ate the bread, he managed to get close to the swamp. However, due to his greed, he accidentally stumbled into it. .

nAs his feet became wet, he glanced downward and realized he was standing in swamp water. It was at that moment he sensed a ping approaching him.

nTurning his gaze towards the source, he initiated a scan.

nSwamp Drakes

nRank D

nObserving the information, Archer swiftly began casting fire-based Elemental Bolts, launching them toward the approaching creatures.

nUpon impact, the spell triggered a massive explosion, propelling the beast out of the water and causing it to crash onto the ground.

nEmerging from the water, Archer conjured his claw and swiftly dealt the finishing blow to the creature, yet more pings resonated in his awareness.

nWithout hesitation, Archer unleashed the fire bolts that streaked through the air, homing in like guided missiles.

nThe bolts found their mark, striking the Swamp Drakes and abruptly halting their advance.

nSurveying the area, Archer then made his way to the road. Eventually, the girls contacted him, appearing one by one. Even Hecate joined the group.

nLooking around, Hecate began, ”Mistveil Swamp. This path leads to the Nagendra Kingdom.”

nArcher nodded, prompting the other girls to voice their thoughts.

n“It looks eerie, and the smell is quite off-putting,” Sera spoke.

n“I’m in agreement. I can sense creatures all around us, likely submerged in the water,” Teuila added.

n“We’ll need to proceed with caution,” Ella advised.

nNefertiti and Hemera nodded, aligning with the others. Archer offered them a smile, gesturing for them to continue on their way.

nAs they walked, Talila and the Sparrows issued warnings about the swamp’s perilous nature, emphasizing the importance of sticking to the road.

nArcher nodded, and the group pressed onward. However, after a few hours, Hemera and Hecate decided to return to the domain to focus on their studies.

nNefertiti also left due to her morning classes. Only Ella, Teuila, and Sera remained. Talila and Cecelia started a conversation among the three remaining girls.

nRadyn, Darius, and Novius engaged in their own discussion while Archer took the lead at the front of the group.

nEventually, they stumbled upon a devastated campsite, carriages strewn about in disarray. The group halted, their attention drawn to the scene before them.

nArcher noticed blood stains on some of the carriages, while the girls discovered drag marks. Novius made the grim discovery of the first torn-apart body.

nDeciding to proceed with heightened caution, the group continued their journey. With every step further into the swamp, the atmosphere grew increasingly somber.

nA pungent scent of blood began to permeate the air as they reached a clearing. Upon stepping into the clearing, their eyes widened in shock.

nThe scene was overwhelming, causing some members of the group to even vomit in response.

nBefore them lay a nightmarish scene. Bodies of humans, elves, and demi-humans were impaled on wooden posts, their limbs missing, and their lifeless forms hanging limply.

nBlood stained the ground, the posts, and the very air. The sight alone was enough to make some members of the group wince and look away.

nThe smell was revolting, a nauseating mix of death and decay that hung heavy in the damp air.

nEven Archer had to cover his nose, trying to bear the strong smell. But it wasn’t just the shocking scene of death that frightened them.

nIn the midst of the bodies, there were creatures that looked like distorted versions of humans.

nThese beast-like beings had twisted features, making them look like horrifying versions of people. They were eating the remains of the victims, which was a horrifying sight to witness.

nA

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