A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 523 A Lewd Bandit

They burst into laughter, enjoying the light-hearted banter. Tiamara chuckled, "Corrupt them? I thought he was supposed to be a hero."

Tiamat's eyes twinkled with mischief as she continued her tale, the balcony filled with her enchanting voice. "Archer, my dear, is not your typical hero. Oh no, he's a lewd bandit with an insatiable love for gold and his girls. He has an uncanny ability to collect princesses without even meaning to."

The couple shared curious glances, uncertain whether to treat the goddess's words seriously or as part of her playful banter. The redhead raised an eyebrow.

Yet, Tiamat persisted, "You see, he unwittingly manages to annoy everyone he encounters, be it a powerful mage, a fearsome beast, or a king. But in his defense, he does it with such charm that most end up forgiving him."

Tiamara couldn't help but chuckle at the image of a mischievous Archer unintentionally causing trouble wherever he went. Aslan listened with a bemused smile, eager to hear more.

The dragon goddess leaned forward, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Aside from indulging in making love to his girls, his favorite hobby is bandit hunting. Yes, you heard it right. The white dragon finds great joy in tracking down bandits and taking their treasure for himself.''

She continued with a sly grin, "He may not be the hero you imagine, but he's a character with a heart of gold hidden beneath layers of mischief and roguish charm. Remember, every tale has unexpected twists, and Archer's story is no exception."

With a respectful nod, Aslan inquired, "Great Tiamat, so what do you need us to do?''

Her eyes sparkled with gratitude as she responded with a warm smile. "My faithful ones, I have a task for you. Please guide and train Archer. He is a unique soul, and his potential is vast. However, he must face challenges, and your guidance will be invaluable."

The two dragons nodded, ready to undertake the responsibility bestowed upon them by the ancient dragon.

Tiamara spoke earnestly, "We'll do everything in our power to help and guide him. What do you need us to focus on?"

Her gaze held a mix of wisdom and foresight. "Archer will soon face a formidable opponent, a Demi-god from the Swarm. This encounter is inevitable, and he will need your help or perish. After that, train him in the arts of being a dragon and ensure he emerges stronger."

Aslan and Tiamara accepted the task with determination. "Consider it done, Great Tiamat. We shall train him to the best of our abilities and ensure his safety in the face of this looming threat," Aslan pledged.

Tiamat's smile deepened. "You have my gratitude, dear ones. Your support is invaluable, and together, we shall navigate the threads of fate that weave around the hooligan."

That's when Aslan spoke up before Tiamat would leave. ''Goddess. Where is the boy now? And why is a Demi-god going to attack him?''

The white-haired goddess smiled, but a hint of concern lingered in her eyes before she spoke with a more serious tone. "He's trapped in the Swarm's underground tunnels in a place called the Western Wilds in the Avalon Empiire. The boy stumbled upon an ancient city in the forest, and because the boy is greedy he entered. However, the Swarm's Warlocks set an ancient trap, capturing him and eight of his girls. Now, go and find him, my silver dragons."

As Tiamat finished giving them instructions, a smile graced her as she shimmered with a nod of gratitude, slowly dissipating into nothing as she faded away.

The balcony, once graced by her divine presence, was now empty, the couple standing alone in the wake of her departure.

Tiamara turned to Aslan, and they shared a knowing look in unison. Without uttering a word, the couple leaped off the balcony.

They transformed mid-air into two magnificent silver western dragons. Their scales glistened in the sunlight.

With powerful wingbeats, they soared into the sky, their silhouettes blending seamlessly with the clouds as they embraced the ancient dragon queen's responsibility.

The sky became their canvas, and with a sense of purpose, they embarked on their journey to train and guide Archer through the challenges that awaited him.

[Ella, Halime and Leira's POV]

Ella was worried because she couldn't get hold of Archer or any of the girls. So, once classes were over, she went to find Leira and Halime.

She found the two of them and asked if they had heard from anyone, but they shook their heads, which caused Ella to sigh.

Once she asked that, she handed over a bracelet to Halime, who asked. ''What's this?''

Ella explained. ''Arch told me to give it to you. He can explain all the benefits to it when he gets back.'' 

The snake nodded, but then Leira suggested. ''Why don't we check the domain, and if they aren't there, we can wait a couple of days and go to the headmistress?''

Ella and Halime agreed. The half-elf activated the bracelet, teleporting them to the domain with hopeful smiles.

They expected warm greetings from Archer, but reality had a different plan. The domain lay silent and seemingly deserted.

The usual hustle and bustle of Archer's energetic presence, Nala's melodious tunes, and Hemera's discussions over books were absent.

The girls exchanged puzzled glances, their excitement giving way to concern. Ella tried reaching out through the tattoo but didn't feel anything.

Her attempts to contact the others met with eerie silence. Halime's brows furrowed as she surveyed the surroundings. "Where could they be? Did something happen while we were away?"

Leira, the pragmatic one, suggested, "Let's not jump to conclusions just yet. Maybe thier trapped in the city. We should go about our business and see if they return in a day or two but if not we can go to the headmistress like I suggested."

The three girls reached a unanimous decision, and Ella took charge, heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Halime and Leira settled themselves at the dining table, chatting as they eagerly awaited the meal that was soon to come.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and purple across the sky, the girls reconvened for dinner.

Ella laid out a feast of various foods, each giving a delicious smell wafting through the air, attracting the other two's attention.

Leira, her purple cat tail swaying behind her, leaned back in her chair and spoke with a voice that carried a certain weight. "He's gotten into trouble again."

The snake girl looked at her and asked in a curious voice. ''What do you mean?''

''Arch said he found an ancient city, and most places like that are really dangerous and tend to have traps everywhere,'' Leira answered as she started eating.

Ella stood up abruptly, worry flashing in her eyes. "I can't just sit here and wait. Tomorrow morning, we'll see Ophelia. She might know something or be able to help us. I can't shake this feeling that something is wrong, and I won't rest until we find out what it is."

Halime nodded, the gravity of the situation settling in. "I agree. Waiting won't solve anything. Let's see the headmistress first thing in the morning. Maybe she can help us locate them."

Leira, though initially hesitant, saw the urgency in their eyes and nodded in agreement. "Fine. Tomorrow morning, we'll see her. But until then, let's try not to panic. There might be a reasonable explanation for all this."

The trio exchanged silent nods, resuming their quiet dinner as the night unfolded. Eventually, each retreated to her respective bedroom, seeking solace in the embrace of sleep.

Despite their attempts to send messages, communication proved elusive. As the night wore on, exhaustion took over, and one by one, they succumbed to the embrace of slumber.

With the arrival of morning, all three were up at the break of dawn. The three left the domain and made their way to the college.

As they approached the entrance, the imposing figure of Headmistress Ophelia emerged from the shadows, a serene smile gracing her lips.

Her sharp violet eyes met theirs, and she beckoned them forward as she greeted them in a calm tone. "Good morning, girls.''

"Headmistress Ophelia," Ella began, her voice carrying a blend of concern and determination, "we need your help. Something's happened to Archer and the others, and we can't reach them."

Ophelia's smile remained, but her eyes betrayed a knowing glint. "Please, follow me to my office. We have much to discuss."

The three girls exchanged curious glances but followed the headmistress without hesitation. When the group reached her office, she gestured for them to take a seat as they entered.

She settled into her chair, her gaze steady as she regarded them. ''I know that stupid dragon has wandered into the Western Wilds in the south with the others. My grandmother says our world's jungles and wilderness places are full of ancient cities and traps that could do anything.''

When Ophelia stopped speaking, she looked at the three girls and asked. ''I assume it's all the others except Sia?''

[If there are any mistakes, point them out, and I'll edit it. Thanks]