Chapter 337: On their Way!

Astra remained beneath the warm blankets for several long minutes after Jax spoke. "Get ready. I’m taking you out on a mission later."

The bedroom door closed softly behind him as Jax walked out, a comfortable silence returning to the room which was illuminated by the gentle glow of enchanted crystal lamps, their warm golden light mixing with the late morning sunlight pouring through the palace windows.

Beyond the glass, Astra could see the Demon Capital slowly awakening into another busy day.

For a while, the Dragoness just lay there.

"...A mission," The word echoed pleasantly in her mind and a smile slowly spread across her face as she thought more about it.

She had expected many things after spending the night with him and had a-lot of thoughts as to why he’d randomly appear in her room, but being invited on a mission with him, just the two of them, wasn’t one of those initial expectations.

Her heart fluttered as she thought more about the Demon King, the man she gave herself to once again.

"I..." She covered part of her face with the blanket as she sank in thought, "...He’s really bringing me, I wonder where we’re going,"

Not assigning her somewhere or telling her to stay behind, but now choosing her above everyone else, and bringing her on a mission.

That simple distinction meant far more than she expected. Eventually, Astra gathered herself and climbed out of bed.

The soreness lingering throughout her body reminded her that the previous night had certainly happened, causing her cheeks to warm for only a brief moment before she shook her head.

"Focus, Focus Astra" She said to herself, taking a deep breath as there was work to do.

A Dragoness like her could not spend all day hiding beneath blankets. She walked toward the enormous wardrobe prepared for her within her royal chambers.

Unlike her old life as just a random Dragon in the Dragon Isles, where practicality almost always won over appearance, her wardrobe within the Demon Palace contained dozens of outfits prepared specifically for her.

Elegant gowns, royal dresses, formal attire, travel clothing, all of which were enchanted for both beauty while maintaining combat and movement practicality.

She looked over each thoughtfully, "If we’re going on a mission..."

Her eyes settled upon something far less eye popping. A fitted black and crimson traveling outfit designed specifically for movement and not drawing too much attention to itself.

The attire consisted of durable enchanted fabrics reinforced with dragon-thread stitching. High boots, very comfortable gloves and a light cloak.

The clothing retained an elegant appearance worthy of royalty while clearly being meant for travel rather than court.

"...Perfect."

After dressing, Astra braided part of her hair back, allowing the remainder to flow naturally down her back.

She glanced into the mirror, admiring her look, "...Better."

The remainder of the morning passed quietly. Several palace attendants greeted her warmly. The servants had clearly grown accustomed to addressing her respectfully as one of the Demon King’s Queens.

She returned every greeting with genuine kindness. Unlike many royal courts she had read about in history across various species, this palace lacked any sort of fear, as everyone wholeheartedly believed in Jax.

There was discipline, structure, and most important of all, immense efficiency.

Every time Astra witnessed this, she admired Jax a little more, thanking the Gods for sending him to the Demon Kingdom to be their King.

She eventually wandered through one of the palace gardens while waiting.The gardens had expanded considerably over recent weeks.

Thanks to cooperation between the Witches, the Dark Elves, and now even the visiting Fae, flowers from countless regions bloomed together beneath magical sunlight.

Mana butterflies drifted between crystal blossoms. Small magical birds perched atop flowering trees. Water flowed peacefully through enchanted streams.

"It keeps changing..."

Astra smiled softly, "He really is transforming this kingdom."

Some distance away. She noticed something familiar.

Seraphina. The little Mermaid Princess was sitting beneath a flowering tree with several rescued Merfolk children.

Serika sat nearby beneath the shade, watching over them with her usual relaxed smile. The children appeared to be drawing pictures on enchanted paper.

One had drawn fish while another had drawn what appeared to be an enormous whale.

Seraphina had naturally drawn Jax and Astra couldn’t help smiling, "...That’s surprisingly accurate."

Seraphina looked up, "Astra!"

She immediately waved enthusiastically and Astra walked over, "Good afternoon."

Seraphina smiled brightly, "Look!"

She proudly held up her drawing for Astra to see, "I made Jax!"

Astra examined it carefully, the proportions were questionable as Jax appeared almost twice as tall as every nearby building.

His sword was nearly the size of a mountain and his hair looked strangely fluffy, but it was cute, and that was really all that mattered.

"...I think he’d appreciate it," Astra said.

Seraphina beamed, "I knew it!"

Serika quietly chuckled from nearby.

"He’ll probably frame it."

"He better."

The peaceful atmosphere continued until a familiar voice interrupted, "There you are."

Astra turned and spotted Jax approaching across the garden, hands in his pockets, relaxed as always.

Despite carrying the responsibilities of an entire kingdom, he somehow managed to look as though he had merely gone for a walk.

Seraphina immediately stood, "Jax!"

He smiled, "Hey."

She hurried over and hugged him without hesitation. He gently rested a hand on her head, "Everyone behaving?"

She nodded enthusiastically, "Mhm!"

Serika looked toward him, "Finished already?"

"For now, but I have more stuff to do soon," Jax explained.

His attention shifted toward Astra, "You ready?"

Astra nodded immediately, "I’ve been ready."

"I figured."

Seraphina looked between them curiously.

"...Where are you going?"

Jax crouched slightly to meet her eye level.

"I’ve got something important to investigate."

She blinked, "...Dangerous?"

"Maybe."

Her expression immediately became concerned but Jax smiled reassuringly, "I’ll be careful."

Seraphina looked at him for several seconds and then nodded, "...Okay."

Astra walked beside him as they left the gardens. Once they had entered one of the quieter palace corridors, she finally asked the question that had been lingering in her thoughts.

"So..."

She looked toward him.

"What exactly is this mission?"

Jax glanced sideways, "It’s... become bigger than I expected."

"Oh?"

He nodded. Then began explaining everything. From the search through the Western Varoza Ocean.

To Sabrina’s reports. To the hidden Merfolk Kingdom. To the strange divine presence concealed beneath the sea.

To contacting Sona. Meeting the Dark Enchantress in her divine library. Learning about the mysterious Primordial Goddess.

Finding the ancient underwater temple. Entering Meridia’s divine realm. Meeting the Goddess herself and finally, the favor she requested.

Astra listened without interrupting. The further the explanation continued, the wider her eyes became.

"You met another Primordial Goddess?"

"Yeah," Jax responded.

"..." Astra stared, "You say that so casually."

Jax shrugged.

"She was reasonable," He continued, "Meridia agreed to guide me to the Merfolk Kingdom."

Astra immediately brightened, "So Seraphina will finally see her family,"

"Assuming I complete the favor first." Jax said.

"The investigation." Astra responded.

"Exactly."

"What awakened beneath the ocean?"

Jax shook his head, "She doesn’t know."

"...Even she doesn’t know?" Astra was shocked.

"Apparently not."

That was slightly unsettling to Astra. If an ancient Primordial Goddess personally wanted something investigated, whatever had awakened likely wasn’t insignificant.

Astra became thoughtful, "So..."

She looked at him, "You want me there because you think it’ll become dangerous?"

Jax considered the question, "Partly, but it’s not like I can’t handle myself after all," He said with a smile, "It was mostly because I just wanted to bring you along,"

She blinked, "...Just because?"

"Yeah."

A warm feeling spread through her chest and she smiled, "I like that answer better."

They eventually reached one of the palace’s private teleportation chambers. The room itself was enormous.

Dozens of magical crystals floated overhead. Protective enchantments shimmered faintly along the walls.

Only Jax and his women were permitted unrestricted access here.

Jax stepped toward the center and golden mana gathered naturally around him.

Astra moved beside him and she looked upward, "...I’ve actually never explored the deep ocean before."

"You’ll like it." Jax said.

She smiled.

"You’re making me curious."

"Good."

Golden light spread outward. Reality bent and space folded quietly around them. The palace vanished.

Cold ocean currents embraced them almost instantly. Unlike ordinary people, neither of them reacted with surprise.

Jax’s magic immediately expanded. A shimmering sphere of mana surrounded Astra before the pressure could even reach her.

She blinked, "...I can breathe."

"You’ll be able to as long as you’re near me."

She experimentally inhaled and it felt completely natural. No water entered her lungs.

The surrounding mana effortlessly sustained both breathing and movement.

"...Amazing."

She slowly turned.

Then froze.

The ocean stretched endlessly around them. Sunlight filtered through distant layers of blue far above.

Massive coral forests glowed in every imaginable color. Schools of luminous fish flowed like rivers of living light. Towering crystal formations rose from the seabed.

Ancient stone cliffs disappeared into the abyss.

Mana drifted through the currents like tiny stars.

"It..."

She whispered.

"...It’s beautiful."

Jax smiled faintly.

"I had about the same reaction."

A group of brilliantly colored fish swam curiously around Astra before darting away again.

She laughed softly.

"I never imagined the ocean could look like this."

"It gets even better."