Archer couldn't help but smile at Lioran's words as the babies had made his life so much better. After a few seconds, he nodded in agreent. ''They changed my life, Lio. Each one of them helped heal from all the shit I've been through, alongside the harem, of course. I swear I'll make sure each of these precious bundles of joy is happy, never having to endure what I did.''
''I heard about it, long ago,'' his friend admitted softly. ''Nala told early on in your relationship, I hope you don't mind, I know it's private.''
Archer looked at the young man, who continued with a warm smile that he'd always had since the day they t. ''When I see my sisters smile, it proves our father was right,'' Lioran said. ''He always believed you'd be the man to help Nala soar to heights no one in the Lionheart family ever has.''
''Well, the cheeky lioness is enjoying her ti commanding a legion or exploring lost continents,'' Archer responded, chuckling when rembering Nala's retelling of her journey to the Southwest part of Thrylos.
Following that, the two continued walking through the palace, and while doing that, Lioran glanced around at all the well-ard soldiers, causing him to gulp. ''Why is this place so guarded?'' He asked nervously.
Archer shrugged. ''I like to be careful, you never know when the Terravians will appear or so other enemy,'' he explained.
The two friends continued walking and talking until they reached the palace entrance, only to be stopped by a beautiful white-haired maid who stood with her hands on her hips, her lovely blue eyes locked onto Archer. He grinned at the older woman's expression as he greeted her. ''Hello, Edith. Sorry I haven't co to see you, but I'm sticking around for so ti, so we can catch up.''
Once the white-haired beauty heard this, her face lit up, her eyes sparkled as she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his shoulders in a loving embrace. Archer returned the gesture. ''I apologize for neglecting you, my love. Empire stuff has kept busy along with the children.''
''Don't worry about it, handso,'' she replied, waving away his guilt.
Archer couldn't help but smile at this and suddenly leaned forward, kissing the older woman on her soft, plump lips. This action caught Edith off guard, and they soon separated as she spoke, cheeks a bright red. ''I have to go talk to Ella and Aisha, they are waiting for in her office.''
''Enjoy yourself, beautiful,'' he responded as she dashed off, embarrassed thanks to the affection he showed her.
Lioran was amused by the scene and decided to tease his bestfriend. ''Despite how many wives you got, you love them all.''
''Of course I do, they helped build everything, and especially with keeping grounded,'' Archer revealed. ''I would have been a world-ending threat if not for Ella, Talila, and the others reminding of what I have on Thrlylos.''
''What about Nala?''
''Her as well,'' he answered, chuckling. ''There are too many nas to ntion; those two were the first I t after leaving my childhood ho.''
''Makes sense,'' Lioran said as they stepped into the front part of the massive Draconian Palace. ''Now, where do we go without you attracting flocks of people?''
''We could go to Dragonheart, people will stay away for the most part, but we'll still attract a crowd,'' Archer suggested, rubbing his chin. ''Or we can go further south, I could disguise us so we can have an enjoyable night?''
''Why not do that in the capital?''
''Magic wards stop disguises thanks to so enemies sneaking in among the refugees and breaking the Draconia Oath.''
When the Lion heard this, his eyebrow shot up. ''How did soone manage that?''
Archer shrugged. ''Not entirely sure to be honest, it's so Terravian magic that was given to humans that allied with the Dark Gods.''
''That's heavy, brother,'' Lioran nervously chuckled. ''I'm glad I can mostly stay out of it.''
''I'm sure you're,'' Archer laughed in response.
Afterward, the pair stepped through the main entrance after the Imperial Guard let them through while bowing to him. Archer sent a wave of mana into the dragon tattoo and tracked all the won who were either in the Domain, palace, or sowhere on Draconia; all were safe and sound, allowing him to relax. He sent out a ssage telling each one of them that he was going out with Lioran and the others for the night.
As the pair reached the fortified bridge, the only link between the palace and the mainland, the won were happy, genuinely pleased to see him leaving the grounds and spending ti with one of his few close friends. Each one wished him a good ti in turn. Archer paused, then turned to the Lion with a spark of curiosity in his eye. ''Want to try Draconia's Transport Services?'' he asked. ''I haven't used them yet.''
''The trains?''
''Those are the ones,'' Archer replied, chuckling. ''I designed, paid, and helped build them, but I've never experienced it.''
''Let's get going then!'' Lioran exclaid, a big smile crossing his face, revealing his sharp canines.
The pair headed toward the entrance, but just before they reached it, Archer paused and wove a subtle spell. In an instant, their appearances shifted, ordinary travelers now, unremarkable enough to blend into any crowd and avoid drawing unwanted attention as they journeyed to Dragonheart City, now situated in the western reaches of Draconia. After a brisk five-minute walk, they arrived at the bustling terminal.
The entrance was already alive with activity: clusters of people waiting patiently and so not so patiently for trains bound for destinations across the massive island, which was the size of Arica back on Earth. Archer stepped behind a family with three children who were admiring the building that housed the platforms. He rembered drawing this exact place and was thankful that the builders followed every step.
They were in a massive foyer that branched off to all parts of the train station. To the right was the part for the many shops that call Draconia ho. The left was the ticket booths where travellers would have to pay for their journey, making the Empire quiet abit of gold thanks to running at all tis. When Lioran saw this, he was amazed, his blue eyes wide as saucers.
He turned to Archer, questioning. ''How is this place possible? I've never seen anything like it on Pluoria when we were growing up.''
Archer laughed at his friend's words but quickly explained. ''I know you use the Mana Ships to travel, and the airfields are down the road from the palace, but this place is for everyone to use, royal, noble,s and regular people. All pay the sa cost, no special treatnt to the better-off families of the empire.''
''Draconia has nobles?'' Lioran asked, looking shocked.
''Yes, it's earned rather than inherited, though,'' he replied, surprising the young man. ''There are about ten of them so far, but it's working out. Leira's parents, siblings, and other mbers of their family serve the empire in all different ways.''
''So Osoric isn't a ruler anymore?''
''No,'' Archer shook his head. ''I control Avidia, Pluoria, and so of Orientia. Now peace has settled, I can't start another war to control the others. That will have to wait for the Alliance to slip up once they're confident enough.''
Lioran looked at him with a concerned expression, but Archer reassured his oldest friend. ''I won't let them kill Draconians. I know they'll attack and have spies throughout their ranks. They'll let know when the emperor or Pope is ready to play again.''
When the young lion man heard this, he laughed before wrapping an arm around Archer's shoulder. ''Good, at least you're not bloodthirsty anymore. I rember hearing the stories pouring into the Lionheart Kingdom about your deeds.''
Archer chuckled at his friend's words but ignored them as he led them toward the ticket booths to get in line once again. While doing that, he glanced around and noticed the Hoguard was out in force. Hundreds were guarding the trainstation and its surroundings from any trouble. He was pleased with them doing their jobs, it's not like he didn't know, thanks to Aisha's constant reports.
By the ti the duo reached the booth, Archer noticed a young woman was waiting to serve them with a tired expression plastered across her face. He gave her a charming smile before speaking. ''Can I get two tickets to Dragonheart, please?''
''Two gold for both,'' she responded. ''Unless you want to upgrade to first class, which will be four gold altogether.''
Lioran looked at him, trying to convince him to choose that without words, but Archer ignored his friend and took out two gold coins from his Item Box, sliding them toward the woman. ''We will go with the standard tickets; first class is a bit too much for us.''
The worker finally looked up from her Mana Tablet, her eyes swatted between him and Lioran before nodding. ''Good choice, the seats are much better than those fancy ones,'' she revealed.
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