Chapter 217: Future Talk
The next morning came quickly with a quiet elegance.
Soft lavender hues melted into pale gold across the sky, while the forests below awakened in waves of glowing emerald.
The luminous flowers opened one by one, releasing drifting motes of light that floated upward like a rising constellation.
Within the guest chambers, that gentle glow spilled through the balcony, brushing across the bed in warm, diffused light.
Jax stirred, his eyes opened slowly and for a moment, he didn’t move, feeling warmth pressing against both sides of his body.
It was soft and comfortable, very familiar and Jax glanced down first, spotting Serika curled tightly against his chest.
Her arms wrapped lightly around him, her cheek resting against his shoulder. Her three tails were draped across his waist and legs again, though this time they were tangled together with something else.
Jax’s gaze shifted slightly, spotting Sabrina pressed against his other side.
Unlike Serika’s soft, instinctive clinginess, Sabrina’s position was more deliberate. One leg hooked loosely over his, her arm resting across his torso as if she had claimed her place there without question.
Her breathing was slow and peaceful, her usual sharp, teasing expression replaced with something far softer in sleep.
Jax exhaled quietly, a faint smirk touching his lips.
"...Comfortable."
Serika mumbled softly.
"Mmm... Master..."
Her ears twitched slightly, pressing closer against him.
Sabrina, on the other hand, shifted just enough to tighten her hold.
"Don’t move..." she murmured, half-asleep.
Jax chuckled under his breath.
"Yeah, that’s not happening."
Carefully, very carefully, he began to move. First, he slipped his arm free from Sabrina’s hold.
She stirred, her brows knitting slightly, but she didn’t wake up. Then Serika. Her grip tightened instinctively as he shifted.
"...Master..."
Jax paused, and then gently brushed her hair back, leaning down slightly.
"Sleep."
A soft command that was gentle, but effective. Her body relaxed almost instantly. Satisfied, Jax slowly untangled himself from both of them, easing out of the bed without disturbing either.
By the time he stood upright, both women were still asleep, curled together now, Serika instinctively shifting closer to Sabrina in his absence.
Jax glanced back at them for a moment. Then smirked faintly.
"Good."
The morning air greeted him as he stepped onto the balcony briefly. Filled with that same rich, refined mana that made the Faerie Realm feel almost unreal.
He stretched once.
Then stepped back inside and dressed.
The attire prepared for him was once again elegant, dark fabric interwoven with faint silver patterns that subtly reflected the natural aesthetic of the realm.
Simple, but unmistakably refined. Once finished, Jax stepped out into the quiet corridors. Breakfast was already being prepared on one of the upper terraces.
A familiar setting, with fresh fruits, warm baked bread and golden pastries infused with mana, alongside a selection of drinks that shimmered faintly in the morning light.
Jax sat at alone this time and he ate in silence, occasionally glancing out over the vast expanse of the Faerie Realm.
Even after everything he had seen, it was still... impressive, but his mind wasn’t on the scenery. It was working, thinking about the Verdant Pact.
From Agriculture to trade routes and quality of life improvements. There was a-lot of things for Jax to think about.
The Demon King leaned back slightly, finishing his drink.
"...Yeah."
There was one person he needed to speak to. A short while later, Jax stood at the edge of one of the high terraces.
He had just talked to Aelthira who gave him permission to leave temporarily. Not that it would have been denied, but he wanted to alert them that he’d be out and would return soon.
Jax looked out over the horizon of the Faerie Realm one last time. Then stepped forward, space bending around him while mana folded.
And in the next instant, Jax vanished. The transition was seamless. One moment, the serene, glowing beauty of the Faerie Realm.
The next, he was in the structured, powerful presence of the Demon Kingdom’s Capital.
Massive black and crimson architecture stretched across the skyline. Towers pulsed faintly with magical energy, and the movement of demons throughout the city carried a completely different kind of intensity.
Jax stepped forward through the palace gates, attendants immediately bowing as his presence was recognized.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty."
Jax nodded once.
"Where’s Xara?"
"She is in the Financial District, Your Majesty."
"Of course she is."
The Financial District of the Demon Capital was a world of its own.
Tall, elegant structures built from dark stone and enchanted glass lined the streets. Magical displays hovered in the air, tracking trade, resources, and economic flow in real time.
It was... efficient.
And at the center of it all was Xara.
Jax found her exactly where he expected.
Inside a high-rise office overlooking the entire district. She stood near a large window, arms folded, speaking to several subordinates who quickly scattered the moment Jax entered.
The Fallen Angel turned, her sharp eyes locking onto him instantly. Then, a slow smile spread across her lips.
"Well."
Her voice carried that same confident, slightly teasing edge.
"That didn’t take long."
Jax smirked.
"Miss me?"
"Obviously."
She walked toward him without hesitation, heels clicking softly against the polished floor.
"Though I have to admit..."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, amused.
"I expected you to be a bit more... occupied."
Jax shrugged.
"I was."
Xara hummed knowingly.
"I’m sure you were."
She stopped directly in front of him.
"Now," she said, her tone shifting slightly, more focused.
"What brings you back so soon? I heard you had important business and went out with Sabrina and Serika."
Jax’s expression sharpened just a fraction.
"Business."
That got her full attention.
"Go on."
He didn’t waste time.
"The Faeries are partnering with us."
Silence. For exactly one second, and then, Xara’s wings flared slightly behind her, "...Say that again."
Jax smirked.
"We signed a long-term partnership."
Her eyes sharpened instantly, mind already moving.
"...Details."
Jax crossed his arms.
"They want our High-Speed Mana Trains. Full trade integration."
"And in return?"
"Agriculture. Infrastructure. Nature-based enhancements across the kingdom."
Xara went completely still.
Then slowly...
"...That’s massive."
Jax nodded.
"Yeah."
She turned away immediately, pacing once.
Her mind was already working at full speed.
"Unlimited crop growth potential..."
"Self-sustaining ecosystems..."
"Reduced resource strain..."
Her lips curled slightly.
"...And trade expansion through Faerie networks."
She stopped.
Turned back to him.
Eyes gleaming.
"Do you have any idea what this means?"
Jax smirked.
"That’s why I came to you."
Xara’s grin widened.
"Good."
She stepped closer again.
"This changes everything."
Her voice dropped slightly, more intense now.
"We’re not just stabilizing the Demon Kingdom anymore..."
Her eyes locked onto his.
"We’re about to dominate the global economy."
Jax chuckled.
"Thought you’d like that."
"Like it?" she repeated, almost laughing.
"I love it."
She turned sharply, already issuing orders.
"I want projections on agricultural output scaling."
"Trade route expansion models."
"Integration plans with Faerie transport networks—"
Then she paused.
Looked back at him again.
And smiled.
"...You did good, Demon King."
Jax smirked faintly.
"I know.".