Chapter 45: Rolling hills
Before Archer left the Domain, he went to a bench he had made earlier to start eating the hearts. After he ate everything, he checked his status. 'Status.'
[Experience: 7100/9000]
[Level Up: 76>78]
[SP: 0>45]
[Call Lightning: 2>3]
[Fireball: 2>3]
[Element Bolts: 0>1]
[Aura-Detector: 3>4]
He was happy with the boost. Archer looked around. He couldn't see anyone but noticed how beautiful the sunrise was. 'Draconis.'
All his Draconic features appeared as he took off, flying towards the jungle. Ten minutes later, he arrived, hovering above the treetops.
Looking around, he couldn't see anything. He quickly descended to the ground and started walking.
A few hours later, his ears picked up a noise not far from where he was, so he headed towards it.
After walking for a little while, he spotted some soldiers. Archer wanted to get closer, so he climbed up a tree.
He was perched on a branch overlooking the area and spotted a group of twenty-one soldiers looking for something or someone.
Recalling the man's words from a couple of days ago. ''They must be looking for me.''
Archer wondered who these soldiers were; they had blue metal armor that covered most of their bodies.
As they continued their search, he watched them from his vantage point, their armor glistening in the morning sun.
It was made of a unique material, combining sun steel and other metals, giving it a distinctive sheen. The armor was crafted to provide maximum protection to the wearer, covering them from head to toe.
The armor consisted of multiple interlocking plates, giving them the flexibility to move quickly in battle while remaining fully protected.
Someone meticulously crafted each plate with intricate designs and patterns etched into the metal.
They had their helmets off so they could see their surroundings easier. Their armor had been polished to a high shine, reflecting the sun and casting a blue glow.
The soldiers were also equipped with several weapons, including spears, swords, and shields. The soldier's footsteps echoed across the jungle as they diligently searched the area.
As they got closer, the armor seemed to glint and sparkle in the sun, nearly blinding him because of the shine. But thanks to his eyes, it didn't affect him too much.
''Why the fuck do they polish it like that?'' He spoke to himself.
They were about ten meters from the tree he was in when he finally heard them talking. ''Captain, what are we meant to be looking for? Did the King mention anything?''
The captain turned to the man who spoke. ''All we know is that he's a white-haired boy with horns and violet-colored eyes. The church managed to gather information about him.''
This alarmed Archer, causing him to mumble to himself. ''Fucking church, seems like they won't leave me alone.''
He promised himself he would return the favor one day, and the soldier who spoke first asked another question. ''Why is our kingdom, the church, and the Kheesara Kingdom trying to capture this boy?''
The captain answered before carrying on with the search. ''Well, the church fears him because he's a white dragon, and the Kagia Kingdom fears his reaction to the King's war on the dragon-kin tribes in the west.''
Archer's ears perked up; what he had just said greatly interested him. He wanted to meet more Dragon-kin.
After all, the only one he knew was his so-called mother. ''Let's take a rest. Don't wander off too far.'' The captain shouted out, and the soldiers looked relieved as they sat down.
Archer smiled as he got an idea. Flying into the air, he cast Element Bolts made from water. He didn't want to burn the forest for no reason.
Dozens of blue bolts appeared around him as they sped toward the resting soldiers, targeting all but the captain.
He needed the information the man had. All twenty died, not knowing how as the water bolts struck them in the head.
The captain looked scared and confused as Archer landed in front of him with a loud thud as he dropped from the sky.
With a creepy smirk plastered on his face, scaring the man even more. Dismissing his claws, he sped forward, slamming his fist into the soldier's gut.
Making the man stumble back and fall on his ass. After the gut punch, Archer looked at him with glowing violet eyes before starting the interrogation. ''Why are you searching for me?''
The man nodded, agreeing to talk. ''The King wanted to capture you because he thinks you're a threat due to the Dragon-Kin war he conducted years back.''
''What did you do with the survivors?'' Archer asked.
He looked nervous as he quietly spoke. ''They are in slave camps in the Kagia Kingdom.''
Picking the man up by the neck with his tail, he started to strangle him as he spoke in a threatening tone. ''Give me the locations now!''
He quickly started spewing out all the locations where the King kept the Dragon-kin. ''The Forgotten Caverns in the north, Rolling Hills, which is in the south of the kingdom, and the Whispering Woods in the north. There's a camp there for logging.''
Archer remembered all the places while asking the man to point toward the Kagia Kingdom. The man pointed off to the left before he snapped the soldier's neck, dropping his body to the ground.
Summoning his claws, he used them to rip out all twenty-one hearts and stored them in his Item Box.
When he got to a city, he was going to sell them, taking one last look at the dead before walking away, leaving them to be eaten.
Flapping his wings as he leaped into the air, he started flying towards the southern part of the Kingdom. Making his way to the Rolling Hills first to free the enslaved dragon-kin.
Admiring the scenery as he spotted a herd of beasts running through a clearing. Not long after that, he flew over a massive lake, trying to hide itself inside the jungle.
He saw a familiar beast lurking just below the surface. He got a brilliant idea as he made his way back to where the Swamp Drakes were, when he arrived he hovered above them.
Archer took a deep breath as his chest expanded and his lungs filled with air. Suddenly, he let out a mighty roar that unleashed a stream of fire from his sharp-toothed mouth.
The flame was a bright violet color, soaring through the air with incredible speed. The pack of swamp drakes scattered as the heat from his breath washed over them.
Their scales began to sizzle and steam as the intense heat beat down on them. The jungle seemed to come alive as the violet flames from Archer licked at the foliage, igniting leaves and branches as it went.
The swamp drakes tried to dodge the blaze, but the fire moved too quickly. They let out ear-splitting screeches and cries as their bodies began to blacken.
Archer's Dragon's Breath was relentless, moving, burning everything in its path. Nothing stood a chance against it.
Other jungle animals fled the scene, not wanting to suffer as the swamp drakes did. He stopped his attack as he examined his handy work.
Seeing a beautiful violet glow erupting from the lake's surface, illuminating the entire jungle surrounding it.
Flames danced and flickered in the gentle breeze, casting an ethereal glow across the water.
The glow spread, climbing higher and higher into the sky, encircling the lake in a mesmerizing violet hue.
The jungle came alive with the light of the flame, transforming into a mystical, otherworldly place.
Leaves on the trees glowed with soft violet light, and the flowers bloomed in purple, pink, and orange shades.
''Beautiful,'' Archer whispered to himself.
Admiring the sight for a little while, he gathered the four swamp drake bodies floating on the lake and continued his journey south.
He flew over the dense canopy, his heart excited as he witnessed the view. The foliage is a green sea below, and the air is filled with the sounds of exotic birds and chattering beasts.
His wings beat against the air, sending ripples of energy streaking across the sky. They are impossibly strong, effortlessly lifting him higher and higher, allowing him to soar gracefully over the treetops.
The sun beamed from above, creating dappled shadows that danced across the jungle below. Archer couldn't help but admire the beautiful scenery despite the unexpected attack from cannibals.
The wind whistled through his hair as he scanned the landscape, searching for his destination.
With a sharp twist of his wrists, he commanded his wings to speed up their flapping, propelling him forward with incredible speed.
His vision cleared as he rose higher into the sky, and he spotted the rolling hills in the distance.
With a determined grin, he angled his wings downwards and descended, picking up even more speed as he flew through the air.
The wind roared in his ears as he shot over the jungle, zigzagging between tall trees and darting around rocky outcroppings.
Archer's eyes sparkled with exhilaration as he felt the raw power of his wings pushing him forward with incredible speed.