Chapter 355: Elyndra’s Plans!

The Next Morning!

The first sunrise over Aeternum Noctis after Jax’s return arrived quickly, as Jax had spent the entire previous day and night with Serika, indulging in pleasure.

The sky above the Demon Kingdom shimmered with its familiar mixture of crimson and violet hues, with Dragons flying in and out towards the Dragon territory, and merchants prepared to open up for business.

Jax had fallen asleep alongside Serika, and had only just woken up, now standing alone on the eastern balcony of the royal palace with a cup of freshly brewed tea rested in one hand.

His other hand remained tucked inside his coat pocket.

Below him, the capital had already awakened. Blacksmiths hammered enchanted steel, caravans entered through the enormous western gates, Dark Elves opened herb stalls.

Beastkin children raced one another through wide stone avenues despite repeated warnings from exasperated parents.

It had been multiple months since he had taken over as the Demon King, and yet the Demon Kingdom had transformed from a fractured kingdom that was on the ropes, to one that was now prospering.

As he was having his sip of tea, Jax’s thoughts inevitably drifted toward the ocean and Meridia.

Jax reached up, his fingers lightly brushed the hidden crystal pendant. Immediately, he felt the familiar gentle warmth of Meridia’s blessing.

"It really is convenient."

According to Meridia, the necklace would guide him anywhere throughout the oceans and grant him unrestricted access to the Merfolk Kingdom.

Protect him from countless underwater dangers, and identify him as a guest personally welcomed by the Primordial Goddess herself, a far better outcome than he’d expected when leaving for the Western Varoza Ocean.

"Your Majesty."

A respectful voice interrupted his thoughts and Jax turned. A palace maid stood several meters away with a polite bow.

"The Prime Minister is available whenever you are."

"Sabrina?"

"Yes."

Jax nodded, "I’ll head there now."

The maid bowed once more, "I shall inform her."

The maid quietly departed and several minutes later.

Jax walked through the primary administrative building in the Capital in the administrative building.

Secretaries hurried between offices carrying stacks of reports. Messengers entered and exited almost continuously. Officials discussed trade figures.

Military officers reviewed deployment maps and construction planners argued over where to prioritize the available resources.

Everyone was busy as expected.

One secretary noticed Jax first, "Good morning, Your Majesty!"

The others immediately stopped and every official bowed respectfully, "Good morning, Demon King."

Jax smiled, "Morning. Please don’t let me interrupt."

Almost immediately, the entire hallway resumed working. Something that hadn’t happened during his first week as king.

Back then, everyone had panicked whenever he appeared.

Now, they’d grown accustomed to him. He appreciated that. Eventually, Jax stopped before the enormous doors of Sabrina’s office.

A small plaque rested beside the doorway - Prime Minister.

Jax knocked.

"Come in."

He pushed the door open. The office looked exactly as he’d remembered.

Bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling. Maps covered one entire wall. Another wall displayed trade routes, diplomatic agreements, military logistics and agricultural reports.

Three windows overlooked the capital. Magical holograms displaying valuable information littered the area.

Stacks of paperwork covered nearly every available surface.

At the center of all that organized chaos, Sabrina sat behind her enormous desk.

Her long hair had been tied into a practical ponytail today. Half-moon spectacles rested upon her nose while she carefully reviewed several documents simultaneously.

Without even looking up, she spoke.

"You’re a day later than I expected, spent too much time having fun?" Sabrina asked

Jax smiled, "You know I can’t reject my women,"

The Succubus Saintess just chuckled at that, "We’ll see about that,"

Jax simply laughed as he took the seat opposite Sabrina’s desk.

"I’ll take that as a challenge."

Sabrina adjusted her glasses, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips before her expression settled back into its usual composed professionalism.

"I’m sure you would."

She neatly stacked the report she had just finished reading before setting it aside.

"So," Jax said, leaning back comfortably in his chair, "What changed while I was gone?"

Sabrina didn’t even need to think about it, "Honestly?"

She folded her hands atop the desk, "Not much."

Jax raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

She nodded, "You’ve built a strong foundation with the Kingdom, and all the clan leaders know their jobs, we know what we need to do, so even while you were gone, the Kingdom remain stabled. Construction for extra facilities is continuing ahead of schedule and the witches work on agriculture has begun to see preliminary results,"

She paused before adding with a small smile,

"Good, seems I was right to put my trust in you all," Jax said with a smile

Sabrina reached toward a neatly organized stack of correspondence and withdrew a single emerald-colored envelope bearing an elegant silver seal, "This is the only development of real significance."

She slid it across the desk and Jax immediately recognized the crest, "The Faerie Kingdom."

"More specifically," Sabrina said, "Queen Elyndra herself."

Jax opened the letter, quickly reading through the beautifully written message, a small smile appeared, "So she’s finalized the date."

Sabrina nodded, "Two months from today."

Jax placed the letter back onto the desk.

"That’s sooner than I expected."

"She apologized for the delay," Sabrina replied, "Apparently there were several matters requiring her personal attention within the Faerie Realm before she could leave for an extended diplomatic visit."

"Makes sense."

"She also confirmed that this will be an official royal visit."

Jax nodded thoughtfully.

"Meaning she’ll arrive with her full diplomatic delegation."

"Exactly."

Sabrina tapped another document waiting beside the letter.

"I’ve already begun drafting preparations."

Jax smiled.

"I figured you would."

"There was no reason to wait."

She pushed several folders toward him.

"The guest residences are already being renovated. The diplomatic district is receiving additional security, and the palace staff have begun preparing reception protocols appropriate for welcoming a reigning monarch."

Jax skimmed through the reports before setting them back down.

"Good."

He looked back up at Sabrina.

"Continue with everything you’ve planned."

She nodded once.

"I intend to."

"I’ll be leaving for the Merfolk Kingdom tomorrow, but I’ll make sure I’m back well before Elyndra arrives."

Sabrina smiled confidently.

"I expected no less."

Jax stood from his chair.

"Two months is plenty of time."

"It is," Sabrina agreed. "By the time Queen Elyndra arrives, Aeternum Noctis will be ready to welcome her properly."

Jax looked out one of the office windows toward the bustling capital beyond. The city below was alive with activity.

It had taken months of constant work, but the Demon Kingdom was steadily transforming into the prosperous nation he had envisioned.

He smiled, "Then let’s give the Faerie Queen a visit she’ll never forget."