Chapter 428 Noodles
Archer observed with a grin as the Nightmare Tigers deposited humans in front of him, while Stella, though scared, found comfort in his protective embrace.
He gazed at the frightened people trembling with fear, he inquired with a smirk, "Do you know who I am, humans?"
They all responded with shaken heads, eliciting a grin from Archer, who then sent a message to Leira, beckoning her to join him.
A portal materialized, and a purple-haired girl emerged, her face lighting up when she spotted him.
However, her eyes widened in surprise as she noticed the little girl clinging to him. With a curious tone, she crouched in front of Stella and asked, "Who's this?"
Archer smiled and replied, "I'll introduce her to everyone once we've wrapped things up here."
Leira nodded and turned to see a dozen humans kneeling on the floor. She couldn't help but wonder about Archer's intentions, and she asked, "What did you need, husband?"
The moment the men spotted the cat girl, recognition dawned in their eyes, causing their eyes to widen in astonishment.
Archer couldn't help but an evil grin as he remarked, "Now you know."
After speaking he stood up and placed Stella on the chair before turning to the kneeling men with excitement in his eyes.
That's when the Nightmare Tigers brought one more man who made Stella yelp when he was dropped on the floor.
She darted toward Archer and clung to his leg, leaving him wondering what might be troubling her.
Kneeling in front of her, Archer tenderly embraced the frightened little girl and inquired with a concerned tone, "What's troubling you, little lady?"
Stella initially mumbled her response, so Archer gently prompted her to speak again. She finally managed to say, "That human hit me when I was first brought here."
His anger flared at the revelation, and he immediately lifted Stella in his arms, hugging her tightly.
"No one will hurt you again," he reassured the little girl, his comforting words having a calming effect on her.
She nodded in agreement and then called for Teuila and Talila, who were positioned behind the detained men. "Girls keep an eye on them."
Archer then walked over to Leira and instructed her to notify the city guards about the imminent trouble but reassured her not to worry.
With a nod, she hurried off, accompanied by two tigers at Archer's command, serving as her protectors while the rest returned to the domain.
Once she was out of sight, Archer signaled Teuila to approach and take Stella. She gently held the girl and, followed by Talila, walked away, heading towards the entrance.
As they moved out of the immediate vicinity, Archer smiled and began casting Soul Sunder on all the men present, excluding the one who had harmed Stella.
Archer's relentless actions left all the men lifeless, their bodies collapsing to the floor with thuds.
He approached the last man, looming over him, and ruthlessly stamped on one of his knees, reducing it to dust.
The man's screams filled the air, but Archer was not finished. He continued his brutal assault, crushing the man's remaining knee under his heel.
He cast Aurora Healing on the unconscious man, causing him to awaken with a shout, but before he could react further, he received a harsh slap.
Archer opened a portal to the Nightmare Ant colony and forcibly threw all the bodies through it after extracting their hearts.
Turning to face the man, Archer wore a cold smile as he declared, "You'll soon wish I had killed you, but for what you did to Stella, you won't escape. You'll be devoured alive by my ants."
He grabbed the man by the collar and hoisted him up, stepping through the portal to emerge in the queen's chamber.
Upon seeing him, Vivienne immediately bowed and greeted him, saying, "My Lord, how are you? It's been a while since I've seen you."
Archer returned her greeting with a smile, replying, "I'm fine, Viv. I start classes tomorrow, so I'm just relaxing."
The ant queen nodded in understanding but she couldn't help but inquire about the human in Archer's hands.
"What is this?" Vivienne asked as she pointed at the mangled body.
Archer's smile remained as he slapped the man and responded, "Can you have one of your children slowly consume him, please? He harmed a little girl and needs to be punished."
The ant queen consented and instructed a group of workers to drag the human to the larvae chambers, where the young ants would gradually consume him.
With the task entrusted to the ants, Archer, content that the man would face his deserved punishment, created another portal and stepped through it, returning to the warehouse.
Inside, he discovered approximately twenty city guards aiding the people who had been held in cages.
The three girls remained on the sidelines, patiently anticipating his return. As soon as they caught sight of him, their faces brightened with smiles.
He approached them, returning their warm expressions with one of his own. Leira was the first to speak. ''What happened?''
As Archer came to a halt in front of them, he shared the news, saying, "I fed the man who hit Stella to the Nightmare Ants."
The girls displayed mixed reactions upon hearing his words. Stella, in the safety of Teuila's arms, seemed content, engaged in a conversation about her sword.
Archer then inquired in a cheerful voice, "Do you all want to grab something to eat, or were you occupied with other matters?"
Talila responded first, saying, "Well, Teuila and I were mapping out your training, so we'll continue with that."
He nodded in acknowledgment of their plans. Leira then expressed her intention to return to the palace and inform her parents about the corrupt orphanages to have them shut down.
Archer smiled, kissing each girl, and accepted Stella from Teuila, who then stepped through one of his opened portals.
Once they had departed, Stella hugged him tightly before they left the warehouse. The guards showed their appreciation as they let him pass.
Afterward, Archer sought something to eat, considering it was early afternoon, and came across a surprising find: a stall selling noodles.
Approaching the stall, he seated himself and placed Stella on a nearby chair. It was at this moment that he noticed just how small she was for her age.
With a shrug, he settled in, and the elderly man behind the counter inquired, "What would you and the little girl like?"
Archer gazed at the elderly man and placed their order. "Give us two large bowls of noodles, old man," he requested.
He then retrieved a gold coin and handed it to the old man, who accepted it and began preparing their meal.
As they waited, Archer observed the bustling crowd, noting the numerous families shopping with their children.
He glanced down at Stella, who mimicked his actions by turning in her seat.
With a smile, he spoke to her, "Once the sun sets, we'll head to the domain and set up a bedroom for you. Tomorrow, you'll begin working with Hecate."
Stella nodded and returned to observing the people around them.
Meanwhile, Archer's thoughts shifted to the corrupt nobles who had aided other kingdoms and the individuals responsible for his exile to the Nether Realm.
The prospect of claiming their wealth excited him, and he began to make plans to visit these nobles while riding on the back of a Netherbeast.
All the while showing Stella the breathtaking scenery of their journeys. Just as his thoughts were consumed by these plans.
The cheerful voice of the old man brought him back to the present. "The food is ready. Enjoy!"
Archer turned his attention to the delicious noodles before him and began to eat. However, he soon noticed that Stella wasn't touching her food.
Concerned, he gently encouraged her, saying, "Eat your food, little lady."
She nodded with a smile before tucking in while Archer did the same. He picked up a forkful of the steaming noodles, twirling them and lifting them to his mouth.
As he took his first bite, his eyes lit up with delight. The noodles were a perfect blend of flavors - savory, slightly sweet, and with a hint of spice.
The warmth of the broth and the satisfying texture of the noodles created a harmonious and mouthwatering experience. A pleased smile spread across his face as he savored the taste.
He couldn't resist another mouthful, thoroughly enjoying the noodles. Pleased with the taste, he wanted more.
With just one bite in his mouth, Archer looked up and addressed the stall owner, saying, "Old man, please cook as much as you can for me, and how much?."
When the man heard him he quickly gave him the price. ''Seven gold coins boy.''
The stall owner appeared taken aback but quickly nodded and began cooking more noodles while Archer and Stella continued to eat.
Archer nodded and handed over the seven gold coins to the man. Stella, who was still enjoying her noodles.
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This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺