?Archer turned to see Ophelia floating over the battlefield, casting spells. Her witch magic destroyed thousands of the creatures as the Magic Knights slammed into the horde, cutting down everything they encountered.

High-level soldiers overwhelmed the creatures, who started panicking as magic swords and projectiles quickly annihilated them. While watching the scene, he spotted Giselle and Commander Morgan.

The father and daughter duo directed the soldiers into the creature’s weak points while the mages behind sent Fireballs over their heads. After seeing that, he scanned them to determine their level and rank.

Giselle Highmore

Level: 230

Rank: Arch Mage

Morgan Highmore

Level: 350

Rank: High Mage

‘Oh, they’re strong. I bet they train hard to grow so much,’ Archer pondered silently as they vanished behind one of the mana ships.

Archer stopped thinking and continued watching the chaos before him but quickly noticed the soldiers, mages, and fighters joining the battle from the crashed sites. The tide quickly turned, giving his soldiers time to regroup and slay a few more creatures.

That’s when he realized they weren’t needed and had been fighting for a while. He decided to dismiss them after they gained much-needed experience from the fight. Archer signaled Elara to sound the Draconian horn.

It would alert every soldier to head for the nearby portal, just as they’d been trained when Mehamet drilled it into them. While doing this, he and the girls stood around watching Ophelia kill the remaining mutated abominations.

His two Dragon Marshals appeared nearby. Elara ordered the soldiers to rest in the forts. While she did that, Lucian directed the cavalry through the portal he had opened.

Archer saw Elara approach them after dealing with some soldiers and gracefully knelt before them. He noticed his girls started watching the woman suspiciously, causing him to smile as he spoke.

”Everyone, this is my Dragon Marshal Elara Ravensong,” he said, introducing her to the girls. ”Since we first met, she has helped me, so treat her respectfully. She will be helping build the kingdom alongside the other legions.”

As the girls listened, their expressions remained largely unchanged, though a few smiled in response. Ella stepped forward to address the Marshal, “We appreciate your assistance in aiding our husband. It’s reassuring to know he has reliable allies watching his back.”

Hemera giggled from behind them. ”After all, he does seem to cause trouble wherever he goes,” she said, stopping to examine the battlefield with fascination.

Elara smiled, but Llyniel was the next to speak. ”Thank you for helping our husband. If the monsters had reached the people inside the crash sites, they would have brought death upon the Oakheart Kingdom.”

”You’re welcome, Queen Llyniel,” Elara replied, bowing her head while continuing, ”I was only doing my job,”

After that, Archer noticed the Dragon Marshal intending to speak, but she refrained due to the girls’ presence. He glanced at Teuila and Nala, who he spotted approaching him. ”Girls, I need to speak to Elara for a moment. Please keep an eye out.”

They nodded with a smile and started talking to Ella. He guided Elara away from the girls, leaning close to whisper into her pointed ear, “Speak your mind. I can see you want to say

Elara felt a shiver run down her spine before she shook her head and responded, “Why did we bother with this, Your Majesty? Why fight to defend the ships?”

Archer’s smile widened before he summoned his wings and scooped the dragonkin woman into a princess carry. He then jumped into the air so they could talk privately while examining the crash sites.

They ascended easily into the sky, gliding over the battlefield as he explained, “You see, my dear Marshal, it’s all about preparation. Our soldiers require training. And mark my words, once the powers on the central continent learn of our kingdom, they’ll surely attempt an invasion. We must be ready for whatever comes our way.”

“Will they really invade, Your Majesty?” Elara’s expression shifted to one of panic. “Why would they even bother with such a small kingdom?” She asked, her tone tinged with worry.

Archer chuckled wryly. “Indeed. The Novgorod Empire has forged ties with the Church of Light, which hates me. Once they learn of my kingdom’s existence, an attack is inevitable.”

Just as Elara was about to reply, they heard a meow, causing him to open a portal so the Tressyms could join him. When the flying cats appeared, they started rubbing against him as they passed him all the locations of the Novgorod soldiers raiding the empire.

When he finds out, he has a good idea and sends all the coordinates to Sia and Eldric so she can reap the glory of wiping them out. All he wanted to do was relax before competing in the Knockout Stages.

After that, Elara agreed with a smile, ”It makes sense, Your Majesty. If they fight many enemies, they would be prepared to face any threat.”

”Exactly! I’m glad you understand, Elara,” Archer commented, smiling as the dragonkin woman’s blue eyes met his.

Archer smirked mischievously before leaning in to kiss her juicy lips passionately. Elara tensed up momentarily, unsure how to respond, but soon melted into the embrace, gently caressing his cheek.

As they shared the kiss, suspended above the landscape, her face flushed bright red. She pulled back, speechless, her embarrassment evident, yet she remained silent, unable to find the words to express her emotions.

He chuckled before speaking, ”Sorry about that, Marshal. I couldn’t help myself, as I found you extremely attractive.”

She pushed a strand of her light red hair out of her face as she questioned, ” Doesn’t it bother you that I was a commoner before becoming your general?”

”No. Why would it? I don’t care if you are a commoner, noble, or princess. I like you and want to see how we get on before moving forward,” Archer answered with an honest smile.

Elara smiled when hearing his words but nodded, ”I would like that, Your Majesty.”

Archer beamed before returning to the girls when he noticed Ophelia chatting to them. As he landed in front of the group, he let Elara down before she bowed toward him and rushed through the portal where the last soldiers had entered.

Her reaction made him laugh, and all the girls looked at him, but Ophelia spoke first, ”Thank you for your assistance, Archer. We were trying to secure all the passengers before attacking.”

”You’re welcome headmistress. My soldiers needed experience, so it was the perfect time,” Archer answered with a smile.

Ophelia nodded as a few Magic Knights approached. She turned around as they spoke, ”Headmistress, the empire is sending more mana ships to pick up the people, but I’m afraid they won’t arrive until sunrise.”

When Archer heard this, he sighed before speaking, ”Gather everyone into a big group, and I’ll build a temporary wall to protect them from the beasts and elements until the other mana ships arrive.” .

”You can do that, Archer?” Maeve asked from behind him as she thanked him with a hug.

He chuckled while looking at the Avaloch Princess before answering, ”Yes, it will consume a lot of mana, but it can be done if I concentrate enough.”

She got excited as she responded, ”I cannot wait to see it; I bet it doesn’t take you too long to build.”

As Maeve answered, Sera said excitedly, and a bright smile appeared on her pretty face, “He can do it! Our husband is building strong walls to protect his kingdom.”

Archer chuckled at the dragon girl’s words but shook his head before jumping into the air and watching the Magic Knights start herding people toward Ophelia and his girls so they could be better protected.

When this happened, he used Mana Manipulation to create a ten-meter-high stone wall that encircled a large area while observing the Magic Knights as they began to herd people toward Ophelia and his girls.

Everyone watched him create a wall out of nowhere without any trouble, and when it was finally built, they relaxed due to the safety it would offer them as they relaxed. Murmurs of amazement rippled through the crowd as they gazed upon the wall that appeared out of nowhere.

Their fear gradually gave way to a sense of security as the Magic Knights secured the area. Archer watched the soldiers step forward, their armor gleaming in the dying sunlight, survey the scene, and give orders.

“Everyone, gather close! Seek shelter within these walls!” Commander Morgan announced, their voice carrying over the crowd.

Slowly, the people began to move, their hesitant steps transforming into determined strides as they followed the guidance of the knights. Families clustered together, children clutching their parent’s hands tightly.

After setting up their tents, the crowd settled within the confines of the encircling wall, and a sense of calm descended over the makeshift camp. The chaos of battle faded into the background, replaced by a quiet wind that blew over their heads.

With the people gathered safely within the walls, the Magic Knights continued their vigilant watch, ensuring the camp was secure and everyone had what they needed to rest and recuperate.

As darkness descended upon the makeshift camp, the flickering mana torches painted long shadows across the stone walls, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the encroaching darkness.

The girls erected a tent as the campsite was established, working efficiently in the dim light. An hour slipped by, and their tent stood near Ophelia’s and the other professors’, a placement that posed no inconvenience to anyone.

Outside, Archer lingered, feeling the chill of the night air against his skin as rain began to fall. He watched the scene as people hurried back to their tents, seeking refuge from the impending downpour.

The Frostwinter rains served as a stark reminder that Elderbloom (Spring) hadn’t arrived, which he was looking forward to.

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

Updated from 𝑖𝘳.𝒸ℴ𝑚