Archer chuckled at Alexa's reaction, but soon enough she sat down, giving him the stink eye as the group began chatting about the expedition and their excitement at the prospect of claiming new land for Draconia and starting colonies all over Thrylos, which excited him at the thought of it all.
After a few more days, the fleet was docked in Sunfire City as the sailors returned to their homes. The city was covered in snow and the streets were swept clean thanks to the caretakers that work for the government. While stepping off the ship Archer couldn't he but mutter. ''Damn weather is getting worse.''
''Yes, it is,'' Brooke said, materializing beside him. ''This is the worst winter I've seen, the cold is horrible and makes me shiver.''
''Really? I thought it would've happened in the past but I haven't read up on the weather.''
The older woman shook her head, a concerned expression appearing. ''Unfortunately, not, the scholars speak of this one being the wrose compared to anything in tha past. I'm honestly glad you've prepared for this with those apartments having heating warming them up.''
''That was the idea when I designed them,'' he responded. ''I know the winters could get cold so I put mana heaters in there, and the fuel can be bought from shops and over sellers.''
After that, the duo teleported back to the palace with the other women and babies the big group appeared in the private quarters. The children were fast asleep as his mana washed over them, putting happy smiles on their faces, making the four look even cuter. When Olivia saw Amelia beaming while asleep.
A bright smile appeared. ''These little girls love feeling your mana, it's one of the things that puts them asleep.''
Archer chuckled at the white-haired woman's words. ''Good, because they bathed in it when in your wombs, it's why they are the way they're.''
Following this, the women took the babies back to their rooms to feed and put a bed after he kissed each one on the forehead, making the ladies happy at his show of affection. Once they were gone and he was left alone, he made his way to Dellah's workshop, teleporting to her office where she was waiting.
A bring smile crossed her face before greeting him. ''Hello, husband. Brought me the plans we discussed?''
''Yes, here you go,'' he replied, taking out the blueprints and notes he created.
When the older woman saw the plans, she started going over them, her eyes widened in shock as she spoke after a few minutes. ''You've thought about everything. Food, water supplies and housing alongside many other small things.''
''There will be growing sections and parts where the people can keep animals,'' Archer responded, sitting down opposite. ''They will survive off fishing and food farmed at the bottom of the ocean.''
''What about the Deep Ones?'' Dellah questioned. ''I know they've been attacking the platforms, I've read the reports and seen the bodies that's been brought in to the givernement section.''
''Underwater cannons, and many other weapons will be used to counter their raids.''
The older Dwarf nodded. ''What about if we station some Deep Sea soldiers there? They'll be able to react faster than the Homeguard.''
''That's the plan,'' he said. ''I want to create even more types of soldiers before the war restarts or part of it does.''
Dellah glanced up at him, a curious glint in her yellow gaze. ''What does that mean?''
''Novgorod will back out, leaving the Church to fight it alone,'' Archer revealed, a smirk appearing.
''No way,'' she muttered, shocked. ''How do you know this?''
''Trade, my beautiful Dwarf wife,'' he responded with a glint in his violet eyes. ''They will come to rely on our food and other goods, this will allow us to become a no go for the citizens, forcing Anatoly to back out alongside the others.''
''You're devious, Arch,'' Dellah said, beaming. ''I hope it does come true and Draconia can finally take over. Bringing all our ideas to the forefront, helping the people thrive.''
''It worked on Avidia,'' Archer revealed. ''All the races have accepted me as their ruler thanks to not extorting or taking advantage of it.''
''You'll have a harder time with Frostwood and the other continents. They're very indepent and hate invaders.''
He shrugged, not letting the prospect of guriella warfare bother him. ''I'm not bothered, I can use my monsters to clear out any rebels while winning over the citizens with warm food and new homes. That should make them happy,'' he said.
Dellah giggled, shaking her head. ''Well I can work on a prototype for us and use the secret bay to test it. You're lucky you came at this time, I just finished the last project.''
''Do you need any help?'' Archer offered. ''I'll be free for some time once I've sorted out the expeditions everyones going on.''
This caught the older woman's as she spoke. ''Heading to the four corner, underwater and the flying islands? What about the Hollow? That would be a good place to explore.''
''Huh? The Hollow?''
Dellah nodded. ''Yes it's a place us Dwarves fear but I believe it's full of resources that will help us advance forward,'' she revealed.
''Interesting,'' Archer muttered. ''There's still a few ladies who don't want to go anywhere or the already picked out places. Should we ask them?''
''Do it.''
Following that, he sent out the message about the Hollow only to recieve positive responses from Agrippina, Vivienne, Aeliana, and Valariana/ This surprised him thanks to the Nightmare Ant Queen being pregnant but they could use the Domain if anything happened. While listening to the women, Dellah glanced at him.
''Can we propone it until a month after the others live? I want to get this prototype up and running so my workshop can build it while I'm away,'' she said, grinning.
Archer was shocked but agreed. ''Can you still help out if needed?''
''I can always teleport back here thanks to your mana,'' she reassured.
''Looks like a few of the harem will get me to themselves for a while,'' he chuckled at the thought.
''Whose heading out first?''
Archer started thinking for a second, he shook his head and answered. ''Probably Brooke and her group. They're heading for the Floating Islands in the southwest, if I remember correctly we created a long range craft that will allow them to travel for weeks without landing.''
When Dellah heard this her eyes widened in surprise as she responded. ''Oh yes. The Draconia Airship. Fitted with three extra mana engines and a storage ring full of fuel, allowing the captain to stay in the air for two months.''
Following that, the couple began brainstorming ideas for the floating settlements and the reason for their creation. Aisha reminded him that Draconia was overcrowded along with Avidia and Orientia. Only Pluoria didn't have an influx of people thanks to the empire securing it within a year.
Weeks stretched on and the Draconian Southwest Expedition was about to leave and thousands flocked to the call when Brooke and Sera annouced it to the empire. Soldiers, explorers and scholars joined, forcing the realm to create another four airships causing it to be delayed.
Archer was standing at the edge of the field as the six women rushed around organizing everything. Brooke was commanding the soldiers, making sure they had places to stay while Nefertiti dealt with their food. She was making sure the two crafts had enough to survive a few years which put his nerves at ease.
Alexa, Sera, Talila and Nala were heading his way, big smiles on their faces as the lioness was the first to greet him. ''Arch! Thanks for letting us do this, it will be good for the empire and get us new land.''
''What about if we come up against any enemy force?'' Talila questioned, her red eyes worried at the thought.
''The 1st Legion is coming with you alongside Elara,'' Archer informed the four beauties. ''I was thinking 100,000 soldiers, the best general in Draconia will aid you. Especially if the books speak the truth, strange lands with strange kingdoms.''
When the women heard this their faces lit up as Sera declared. ''I could burn them to ash, but I don't want to get injured by unknown poison ora crazy cannibal.''
Archer shivered at the mention of cannibals, forcing him to remember the ones he fought down south. He shook his head and glanced at the approaching Nefertiti. ''Nef, did you send soldiers to wipe out those tribes in Southland?''
''Yes!'' she exclaimed with a proud smile. ''Those fuckers caused so much death across my homeland, it was about time we dealth with them.''
''Was that before the twins were born?'' Alexa curiously asked.
''Yes a few years ago,'' she answered. ''I need to go back there once this expedition is over, haven't seen my parents in a while.''
''We'll go once you're back,'' Archer suddenly said. ''It would be good to see them.''
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