A Journey That Changed The World

Archer watched as Meredith transformed into someone completely different, hiding her real identity. After that, he turned toward Malakia and weaved his man into the older lioness who began to change. She shifted into a younger version of herself with black hair and bright yellow eyes.

Once everything was finished, the older woman looked at herself and was pleasantly surprised, causing a smile to cross her face. ”Thank you, husband. This will hide me from those prying eyes,” she expressed.

He nodded and turned to Demacia next; the Necromancer was grinning. ”Change me then handsome, don;t destroy my beautiful looks though!” she mocked warned.

Archer chuckled, sending his mana into her. Soon enough, her black hair changed to blonde, the woman’s skin changed to a nice sun-kissed tan, and finally, her eyes changed to bright green. Afterward, Demacia was shocked and loved her new look and happily spun around, taking it all in.

She turned to him, asking. ”Are we keeping this disguise while traveling?”

”Yes, unless we come back here, help the expeditions, or appear in the Domain,” he answered.

Following that, the four left the palace and entered the nearby forest so the people who stayed outside wouldn’t see what they were doing. After an hour, Archer stepped onto the road that stretched around Draconia. While standing there, he turned to the women. ”Let’s head south to see Sunfire City and everything in between it.”

Everyone agreed as Meredith struggled through the snow, prompting him to melt all the annoying stuff around his maid wife. She glanced up, giving him a bright smile before speaking. ”Thank you, handsome. I’m not used to walking through this stuff; it’s been years since I’ve left the city or palace.”

Archer chuckled at this and reassured the blonde. ”You’ll be fine, Mere. It will be some time until we return. Everyone else agreed with my plan and said I needed to experience the real world instead of teleporting everywhere. Now I have to travel as a man.”

Malakia giggled as she added to the conversation. ”You make it sound bad, but I’m sure you’ll love it. Especially when exploring the different continents, I assure you they’re completely different and will give you a shock.”

Following that, Archer led them south as the empire was still alive despite the horrible weather battering the world. Merchants traveled up and down the road, but they had room to walk thanks to the legions building two separate parts. One for wagons and mounts, the other for people who walked.

It was a design he came up with when remembering the chaotic ones on Pluoria. While trekking through the snow, the patrols moved out of the way after passing by an hour ago, he noticed the sun was setting, bathing the world in a beautiful pinky orange color, making him appreciate his life.

As he was lost in his own mind, Demacia suddenly appeared beside him, wrapped in a thick cloak, but was still shivering as she asked, pointing at a distant building. ”Can we try out one of those? I see merchants going inside.”

”A Rest Stop,” Archer revealed. ”And yes, we’ll stay there, it’s built by the legions for the purpose of shielding people from the weather or just to relax if they’ve been traveling for hours.”

”That’s a good idea,” Malakia joined their talk. ”In Goldenmane, you see tents in every field when merchants travel.”

”I bet they get attacked by monsters all the time?” Meredith questioned.

”Yes, many deaths thanks to stupid people,” the Lioness answered, sighing in frustration.

”But the government should’ve put a stop to it,” Archer interrupted. ”The Homeguard is in charge of security. The legions are stationed all across the empire to keep the nobles in check. They couldn’t hope to stand against well-trained and disciplined troops.”

Malakia laughed at this and quickly agreed. ”I noticed that on my last visit. The nobles I had issues with have shut up, indulging in the many luxuries pouring in.”

Following the lioness’s words, the four pressed onward as they approached the Rest Stop. This haven, nestled along the empty stretch of dark road. Archer noticed there were one hundred Homeguard soldiers. Clad in the latest armor designed by Dellah, the guards watched everyone entering.

Once the group entered, they stepped into a courtyard. The air was thick with the aromas of sizzling meats, fresh-baked bread, and exotic spices wafting from an array of food stalls lining the perimeter. Behind these, rows of merchants tried to sell an assortment of goods essential for the road-weary wanderer.

Weather-beaten traders offered sturdy boots, thick cloaks, and gleaming knives, while others displayed maps, lanterns, and bundles of dried herbs, their voices rising in a lively chorus to attract passersby. Archer noticed they were mostly common goods that any city would sell, or he already had in the Item Box.

Malakia’s yellow eyes danced across the scene, her tail swaying as she absorbed the lively chaos of the courtyard. The market was alive even though it was on a back road; its colors and sounds captivated her senses. Meredith, standing beside the older woman, couldn’t help but smile warmly at the sight of happy travelers weaving through the stalls.

Some haggled over trinkets or stuff to help them on the road, while others secured a cozy room for the night, laughter mingling with the clatter of coin. The delicious aroma of freshly grilled meats, warm bread, and spices curled through the air, coaxing a low, hungry growl from Meredith’s stomach.

Demacia grinned mischievously. ”All that walking got you starving, Mere?” she teased. ”What do you say we get our dear husband to treat us to something delicious? Those stalls are calling our names!”

Archer chuckled at their reactions and spotted a dumpling stall, leading the three women toward it. Seconds later, they arrived, and a younger man stood behind it, looking bored but greeted them with a welcoming smile. ”Welcome to my humble store, what can I serve you, weary travelers?”

”Give me four spicy dumpling meals and glasses of sake to go with it,” he answered, putting down a few gold coins.

The owner flashed a warm smile, his eyes crinkling with delight as he set to work preparing their orders with skill built up over the years. The sizzle of meat hitting the hot grill filled the air, the scent of herbs and spices. Malakia and Demacia settled comfortably on either side of the wooden counter, their presence a striking contrast.

Archer noticed the lioness’s tail flicked, Demacia’s playful energy barely contained as she leaned forward, watching the cook. Meredith chose a seat beside the older woman. As they waited for their food to arrive. He sat there and started people watching, spotting several Homeguard talking to merchants who tried to enter the Rest Stop.

Before being granted entry, the guards inspected their documents. As the process dragged on, Demacia, standing close, subtly nudged his arm, drawing his attention with a tilt of her head. She gestured toward a tavern across the cobblestone street, where a couple stood arguing.

It was escalating, now drawing a small crowd of onlookers who stole glances at the spectacle. The Necromancer leaned closer, giggling. ”Bet you a copper it’s about coin, or a lover’s spat gone sour,” she murmured, grinning.

Archer raised an eyebrow, studying the scene. The man in the argument, broad-shouldered and clad in worn leather armor, gestured wildly, his face flushed. The woman opposite him, her cloak tattered, stood her ground, her sharp retorts cutting through the cold air, making people laugh.

Moments later, the Homeguard stepped in to stop it before anything got worse. Seconds later, the woman slapped her lover, prompting a cheer from the nearby crowd. Archer watched for a little while, but turned back when the stall owner set three steaming bowls before them. ”Here you go, spicy dumplings with noodles.”

The three women’s faces brightened as they dug in, and he nodded gratefully. “Thanks.”

Archer bit into a dumpling, enjoying the sweet burst as the fiery spice set his mouth ablaze, but he enjoyed the meal. They continued eating just as Meredith asked. ”Are we staying in a tent or renting out a room?”

”Let’s camp!” Demacia interrupted.

Malakia laughed at the Necromancer’s excited words, but Meredith agreed with a nod. ”Sounds good to me,” she said.

Following this, the group finished their food and downed the sake, burning their throats, causing the blonde maid to cough. Archer rubbed her back, trying to make her feel better, but nothing worked. The four left the stall behind after saying their goodbyes to the owner and left the Rest Stop.

After hours of travel, they found a peaceful spot by a small river flowing south that was perfect for them. Archer set up camp while the women gathered firewood. By the time they returned, he had everything ready. Some time later, the group was sitting around the fire, drinking ale as it kept the cold air away.