?Archer didn’t reply to Eldric immediately as he scanned him and a few other warriors. He wanted to see how strong they’d grown as the soldiers under Eldric were some of the best Mohamet found in the Draconia Army years ago.

Eldric Blackclaw

Black Dragon

Level: 505

Rank: Supreme Mage

Eloy Summerwind

Dragonkin

Level: 101

Rank: Magus

Jenson Butterbean

Human

Level: 100

Rank: Master 𝘳𝑎.𝒸ℴ

Amara Silverclaw

Wolf Demi-human

Level 103

Rank: Magus

‘Oh **, they’re strong. But what’s with this Butterbean name? I’ve never seen one like it, Archer. ‘ He thought internally before chuckling.

He felt satisfied by their strength and high rank, but curiosity gnawed at him regarding Eldric’s methods. He decided to ask the black dragon once they returned to Draconia due to the wide-eyed stares and murmurs that he was getting. The Avalonians stood shocked as a sizable contingent of soldiers materialized within the heart of their fortress.

General Jehovah and Sia looked taken aback. His dragonkin woman turned to him quizzically as he explained, ”These soldiers will help you with hunting the beasts and bandits that are overrunning Summerfield.”

As he finished speaking, he sent Nyctros a message telling him to stop hunting and bring him everything they had collected when he ordered. The shadow general agreed, and the shadow army stopped hunting the bandits, allowing Sia and his soldiers to do it instead.

Archer turned to the general and requested, ”Jehovah, I assume you will house my troops while they are assisting Sia?” .

The grey-haired man nodded, ”Of course, White Prince.”

With that sorted, he turned to the black dragon, who served him well by training his elites. Now two hundred stood straight waiting for his orders, which he gave, ”Eldric. Take your soldiers and help Sia clear the Summerfield Duchy. You will be fighting humanoids and monsters. Due to this, you will gain valuable experience that you can share with the other generals so they can train their subordinates. Once your main mission is completed, escort her back to Starfall City and make sure she’s safe.”

The black knight saluted him. ”It will be done, My King. No harm will befall the queen.”

Archer smiled in response before continuing, ”I will teleport you and the soldiers back to Draconia once the mission is complete.”

”Yes, My King. It would be our honor to help.” Eldric said before tending to the soldiers standing in formation until Jehovah signaled for his second in command to approach.

A younger woman stepped forward and received instructions to escort Archer’s soldiers to the barracks for some much-

needed rest. After Eldric and his soldiers departed, Jehovah bid farewell as he left with the remaining troops under Sia’s command so they could rest and recover.

Once alone, Sia turned to him with a questioning look, ”Queen? The last time I checked, I was the General of the Stormbreaker Legion’s husband. What have you gone and done now?”

Archer grinned before looking around to spot a stone staircase leading to the top of the wall. Deciding to inform her of his plans, he dragged her toward it and ascended. When they got to the top, he sat on the edge, and Sia followed him as he started speaking, ”Ophelia thinks I should leave the College Of Magic as it doesn’t teach me anything that my library couldn’t. At first, I didn’t understand, but I do now.”

”I’m the white dragon, Sia. I’m so rare that empires would either try to get on my good side by marrying their daughters to me or try to kill me, which would become more common after I won both tournaments. So I ultimately decided to create my own kingdom and bring peace to this chaotic world.”

When Sia heard this, she commented, ”Why do you plan to fight the Avalon Empire and the other kingdom? You will be seen as evil, Archer, feeding into the Church’s fears and rumors about you! What you’re trying to stop will become true if you go down this road. Power corrupts husband! You will be tainted by it.”

“So what, Sia? If it prevents your and the others’ deaths, so be it! I’ll become the world’s devil, the evil mastermind they fear, but at least you’ll be alive to witness it! I’d sooner meet my end than watch my loved ones suffer, condemned by the fanaticism of some random religion or ruler! I’ll embrace the darkness this world needs if it means my women can live freely, without fear or oppression!” Archer’s words echoed with a fervor born of desperation, his tone laced with frustration and resolve.

He looked over the snowy landscape and revealed something he hadn’t told anyone else, ”The Church and Novgorod empire has been sending assassins after me. My shadows managed to kill them before they got to me, but it’s only getting worse.”

Archer looked back at the dragonkin woman and asked, ”What am I meant to do, Sia? I can’t run forever and hide in my domain because I want to explore and discover new lands, but I can’t do that while being attacked from all sides.”

He took a deep breath and continued, ”So I’m creating a kingdom that Thrylos has never seen before. We will conquer this world if given a reason to, but in my realm, our children will grow and thrive with all the love and care they need. I want to give them what I never had in this life. I want to sever the fate of this chaotic world and bring in a world full of love and peace at the tip of my claws.”

Once he finished speaking, the couple felt the biting wind whip through the snowy landscape as they stood before each other. He noticed her eyes filled with concern and urgency.

“Archer, please,” she pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion. “I understand your frustration, but becoming the very thing they fear will only perpetuate the cycle of violence. You’re better than that. We’re better than that.”

Archer’s jaw tightened as he listened, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Sia, you know as well as I do that they won’t let us live in peace. They’ll keep coming after us, trying to destroy everything we’ve built. I refuse to let them win.”

“But at what cost, husband?” Sia interjected, her voice tinged with sadness. “Becoming the devil they want you to be will only bring more pain and suffering. We can’t fight darkness with darkness.”

Archer turned to face her, his expression determined. “I’m not becoming the devil, Sia. I’m becoming the solution. I will bring peace to this world, even if it means being the monster they fear. I refuse to let our children grow up in a world consumed by war and hatred.”

Sia searched his violet eyes, seeing the fierce resolve burning within. She knew then that she couldn’t dissuade him from his path, no matter how hard she tried. But she also saw something else – a glimmer of hope, a vision of a better future.

Sighing, she reached out and took Archer’s hand in hers. “Then I will stand by your side, Archer. I will help you create the world you envision, where peace reigns supreme, and people can live without fear.”

A small smile tugged at Archer’s lips as he squeezed her hand gently. “Thank you, Sia. Together, we will build a new world. Now let’s go talk to the others and get their opinions on the matter.”

Archer opened a portal to his domain and strode through with Sia. When the couple arrived, most girls were present except for Hecate, Hemera, Nefertiti, and Ella. Without hesitation, Archer summoned them, prompting looks of confusion from the missing members.

The atmosphere crackled with uncertainty as Archer’s words hung in the air. “Girls,” he began, his voice steady yet persistent, “it’s time I share my plans with you. After the tournaments, I’ll be leaving the College of Magic. It no longer has anything to offer me, but you can continue if you wish. I aim to build up my kingdom until it becomes the sole superpower of Thrylos. And when the wars erupt, which they will in five years, we’ll be prepared to defend ourselves.”

As his words sank in, reactions varied among the group. Teuila, Talila, Nefertiti, Sera, and Nala lit up excitedly, while Hecate, Hemera, and Ella remained unfazed, offering supportive smiles. Sia’s grin widened, mirroring her husband’s determination.

On the other hand, Leira, Llyniel, and Halime appeared taken aback, their expressions a mix of surprise and shock. The cat girl asked apprehensively, ”Is my homeland safe? You won’t invade Avalon will you?”

”No. I have no plans to invade Pluoria but Verdantia if the Church and Novgorodians keep attacking me. Plus, your family will also be mine when we marry Leira. Why would I invade your homeland?”

She looked relieved along with Llyniel and Halime, but his next words shocked them, ”But if your homelands were to fall to an enemy, I will invade and free them, but only if they agree to serve the Draconia Empires as Vassals.”

”How dare you, Arch! Why would you subjugate my family!” Leria jumped up, demanding in an angry tone.

Please let me know if you spot any mistakes, and I will edit them. Thank you

𝘪𝑎.𝘤𝑜𝑚