CHAPTER 319: WILLOWFORD

Raegar pulled Zahara close, their foreheads touching, her book’s glow casting soft light across their faces. ’’Couldn’t have done it without you,’’ he admitted, his voice raw with pride.

She smirked, brushing sweat-soaked hair from his brow. ’’We’re one, Rae. And I’ll always be there to help.’’

’’Thank you,’’ he muttered, turning to the corpses.

Raegar summoned his army of Fusion Soldiers to gather them up, only to realize the Forest Giants were Tier Six monsters, his face scrunched up as he threw the corpses to the Fusion Ogres, who enjoyed the feast. When Zahara saw this, she was confused and turned to him with a questioning expression.

’’Why did you waste such creatures?’’ she asked.

’’They were a young herd, not strong enough for me,’’ he answered as Arthur appeared beside the blonde.

Following that, he dismissed the soldiers and returned to the camp where Nivara was waiting, red eyes full of admiration. ’’Rae! I saw you fighting those monsters, it was amazing!’’

Raegar was shocked by her praise but smiled at the Dark Elf. ’’That’s the only beginning. I have one Element to level up before moving to Tier Two.’’

When the women heard this, they looked at him with wide eyes as he continued, sitting down and relaxing. ’’When this Darkness comes to the world, I’ll be there fighting the monsters that come.’’

’’I’m afraid it won’t be that easy, Ael’varyn,’’ Nivara admitted. ’’The enemies are strong and many, they’ll swarm the world and destroy everything.’’

’’So where do I play into all this?’’ he asked, drinking some tea Zahara handed him.

’’You’ll fight for the survivors of the Fall,’’ the Dark Elf explained. ’’It cannot be stopped, it’s life. Worlds get reset and started anew. Thanks to the gods’ whims.’’

Raegar continued asking questions thanks to being curious. ’’So we lead the last remnants of people?’’

Nivara nodded. ’’That’s what the scrolls say, but who knows? Nothing’s set in stone and things can change,’’ she revealed. ’’I’ll find out more when we travel south, hopefully there’s more Fusion Soldiers or even another knight I can find,’’ he said, finishing the tea which warmed him up. ’’There are some dangerous ruins on a peninsula further south. I can take you to it when we arrive.’’

’’Thank you,’’ he replied.

Zahara handed them more tea before letting out a yawn. ’’I’m going to bed, my love. Using too much Aether has made me sleepy.’’

’’Alright,’’ Raegar responded, giving her a charming smile. ’’I’ll join you soon.’’

The blonde smiled and entered the tent where the others were resting, leaving him alone with Nivara. He turned to the dark-grey-skinned beauty and asked in a curious tone. ’’Don’t hate me anymore?’’

Just then, her red eyes lit up as she lunged forward she putting her blade against his neck, but he noticed it was playful. The Dark Elf leaned forward, lips brushing against his ear. ’’Do you want me to hate you? Or would you prefer this?’’

Without letting him answer, she bit into his neck, drawing blood as her teeth grew sharper. Raegar grunted but let the young woman do what she wanted. Seconds later, she leaned back, wiping her mouth. ’’That is a Moon Mark, it will keep the harlots from harassing you when we go to my city.’’

’’So I’ve been claimed by a Dark Elf assassin?’’ he questioned, a smirk crossing his face.

Nivara giggled and nodded. ’’Maybe? I don’t want my sisters charming you, and I must admit they’re beautiful compared to me,’’ she commented with a bitter expression.

’’You’re gorgeous, Niv,’’ he reassured. ’’Don’t be so insecure, I find you good on the yes. Especially your silver hair and dark gray skin.’’

When hearing his words, a spark ignited in the assassin’s big red eyes. She surged forward, her lips meeting his in a fiery, slightly clumsy kiss. He was surprised but returned the gesture as he held the woman’s waist as they continued until Nivara leaned back, looking at him. ’’Thank you for the compliment, you’re not a bad human after all.’’

Raegar smiled at the Dark Elf and revealed. ’’I’m barely one after growing stronger.’’

A concerned expression appeared. ’’What’s wrong?’’

’’I feel myself changing thanks to the Aether,’’ he revealed, looking toward the nearby river that rushed by.

’’That’s just your Aether Pools growing, silly,’’ Nivara giggled.

Raegar’s eyes widened as a memory surfaced, a book from his school days that described exactly such a phenomenon. The pair lingered in their quiet moment, the Dark Elf nestled comfortably in his lap. As the clouds drifted north, a sea of stars emerged, revealing a beautiful canvas, making his heart race.

’’Wait until we reach the mountains that border my homeland,’’ Nivara suddenly said. ’’Beautiful views.’’

’’Can’t wait to see it,’’ he replied.

Just then, the grey-skinned beauty let out a yawn as she stretched her arms, causing her boobs to jiggle right in front of him. His lust exploded, but she booped him on the nose. ’’Because I admire you, doesn’t mean I’ll open my legs to you, Ael’varyn.’’

Raegar’s head tilted as a confused expression formed. ’’I have no such intentions, yes, the kissing is nice and your looks excite me, but I’m not going to rush you into bed over that, I’m more civilized than that.’’

Nivara giggled at his response and nodded. ’’Good, us Dark Elves love romance, especially us females.’’

’’Then, after we drop the others at Drakenwood, do you want to go for something to eat?’’

When she heard this, her lips twisted into a grin as she answered. ’’That sounds good to me, Ael’varyn.’’

After their conversation, Raegar and the Dark Elf stepped into the tent, their eyes greeted by a surprisingly spacious interior. The central area opened into a cozy, well-lit expanse, with several private bedrooms branching off along the curved walls, each marked by intricately woven curtains.

Raegar paused, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he marveled at the tent and its size far greater than the outside looked. Memories of past nights spent in this enchanted space flickered through his mind, and with a contented sigh, he crossed the soft, patterned rugs to his own bedroom.

Pushing aside the heavy curtain, he stepped into a familiar haven adorned with simple yet comforting furnishings, a plush bed, a small wooden desk, and a flickering lantern casting warm shadows. Easing himself onto the bed, he let the day’s tension melt away, savoring the quiet.

Soon, Raegar fell asleep when the exhaustion overwhelmed him and by the next morning, he felt stiff but could move without any pain. He stepped outside only to see Alice, Zahara, Nivara and Drusilla cooking as Selene and Dominique exited the bathroom, smiles on their faces when spotting him.

’’I didn’t know this place as a small bath,’’ the Demoness commented. ’’It’s peaceful in there.’’

The Vampress nodded, asking. ’’When are we leaving? After breakfast?’’

’’That’s the plan,’’ Raegar answered.

Afterward, they lounged comfortably until Zahara served their meal: a plate of eggs and bacon that set their stomachs growling. As he began to eat, a gust of wind rattled outside, drawing his gaze to the window where ominous dark clouds loomed, casting the land in shadow.

After finishing their meal, the group bundled up in heavy cloaks. Raegar packed away the tent and extinguished the fire, and they set off along the Kingsway, heading south toward Alice’s home. The road was nearly deserted, with few merchants braving the harsh weather as they trekked across Dawnfire.

The group trudged along the Kingsway for days, their cloaks shielding them from the wind. Gray skies weighed on their spirits, but they pressed on, driven by the promise of shelter at Alice’s home. The road remained quiet, with only the rare merchant cart rattling past, its driver hunched against the cold.

Raegar led the way, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon, while Zahara hummed softly to keep morale high. After three days of travel, the clouds began to part, and slivers of sunlight pierced the gloom. By the fourth day, the sun blazed fully, warming their faces and drying the muddy path beneath their boots.

The air felt lighter, and the group’s pace quickened with renewed energy. Late that afternoon, they crested a hill and spotted a small village nestled in a valley below. Its thatched roofs gleamed under the sunlight, and the streets, now dry and dusty, bustled with villagers tending to their daily tasks.

’’Finally,’’ Alice sighed, a smile breaking across her face. ’’That’s Willowford. We’ve entered the southern part of the empire.’’

As the group descended the hill toward the village, the landscape opened into a patchwork of sprawling farms encircling the village. Golden fields of wheat swayed gently in the breeze, and rows of green vegetables stretched toward the horizon, basking in the sun. The scent of freshly turned earth and crops mingled with the smoke of chimneys.

Cows lowed in the distance, and a few farmers, their sleeves rolled up, paused to wave at the travelers before returning to their work.