Chapter 185: Deal!
Chapter 185: Deal!
For several moments after Queen Elyndra finished speaking, the throne room remained completely silent.
The illusions she had conjured faded slowly into drifting motes of green light, dissolving into the ambient mana that filled the chamber.
Jax stood calmly before the throne, his golden eyes studying the Faerie Queen carefully. Behind him, Sabrina had already begun analyzing the proposal in her mind.
Her strategist instincts were moving rapidly.
A neutral power as ancient and influential as the Faeries openly aligning themselves with the Demon Kingdom. Even if the Faeries did not fight in wars, their economic support alone could shift the balance of the world.
Queen Elyndra watched them patiently. She was not rushing the decision. A being who had ruled for thousands of years understood the value of silence.
Finally, Jax spoke.
"You’re offering quite a lot."
Elyndra nodded calmly.
"We are."
Her wings shifted gently behind her, scattering faint prisms of light across the chamber.
"For centuries we have watched the world from afar."
She leaned slightly forward.
"But the era unfolding now is... different."
Her green eyes held quiet seriousness.
"The rise of the summoned Heroes."
"The Divine Goddesses interfering more aggressively in mortal affairs."
"And the rapid evolution of the Demon Kingdom under your rule."
She folded her hands together.
"We believe that remaining entirely isolated would be... unwise."
Sabrina spoke next.
"You mentioned cutting off trade with the Holy Church and the Kingdom of Lumeria."
The Faerie Queen nodded.
"Yes."
One of the faerie courtiers shifted slightly at that statement.
Elyndra continued calmly.
"We currently maintain limited trade with both factions."
"Mostly natural resources, magical herbs, and rare flora."
She tilted her head slightly.
"But if we are to form a meaningful partnership with the Demon Kingdom..."
Her eyes glimmered.
"Then our loyalties must be clear."
Serika blinked in surprise.
"You would really stop trading with them?"
Elyndra looked toward the fox-kin gently.
"Yes."
Her voice carried no hesitation.
"The Faeries value balance."
"But we also value trust."
She returned her gaze to Jax.
"A long-term alliance cannot exist if we are simultaneously strengthening your greatest enemies."
The throne room fell quiet again.
Jax considered her words carefully.
This was not merely an economic agreement.
It was a declaration.
Even if the Faeries remained officially neutral in war, the moment they cut off trade with the Church and Lumeria...
Those factions would understand exactly what it meant.
Sabrina spoke softly beside him.
"It’s a powerful move."
Jax nodded slightly.
Then he looked back toward the throne.
"You’re serious about this partnership."
Elyndra smiled.
"Completely."
Jax folded his arms thoughtfully.
The offer was attractive.
Extremely attractive.
But what interested him most was something deeper.
The Faeries had existed since ancient times.
Older than most kingdoms.
Older than most demon clans.
And they were choosing to work with him.
Not the Church.
Not the Human Alliance.
Him.
After a few seconds, Jax finally spoke.
"Very well."
Sabrina glanced at him.
Serika’s ears perked.
Jax continued calmly.
"I accept your proposal."
The entire throne room seemed to relax slightly.
Several of the faerie courtiers exchanged pleased glances.
Queen Elyndra’s smile widened warmly.
"I am glad to hear that."
She raised one elegant hand.
A glowing circle of emerald light appeared above her palm. From that circle, a rolled parchment slowly materialized.
But this was no ordinary parchment. It shimmered faintly with ancient magic. Runes flowed across its surface like living ink.
The Faerie Queen stood from her throne.
The movement alone caused a gentle wave of mana to ripple through the chamber. Her wings spread slightly as she descended the short steps from the tree throne.
When she stopped before Jax, she held the scroll out toward him.
"This is the Verdant Pact."
Jax accepted the parchment. The moment his fingers touched it, he could feel the magic embedded within.
Elyndra explained calmly, "It outlines the terms of the partnership."
Sabrina leaned closer as Jax unrolled the document slightly. Her crimson eyes scanned the first several paragraphs rapidly.
The details were extensive. The Faeries had clearly prepared this carefully.
Elyndra continued.
"I would like you to review it thoroughly."
Her tone remained gentle.
"There is no rush."
"You may take the night to consider it."
Jax nodded.
"And tomorrow?"
Elyndra smiled softly.
"You may return it to me with your final approval."
She paused.
"Or propose any adjustments you deem necessary."
Sabrina appreciated that.
A flexible negotiation.
Smart diplomacy.
Jax rolled the scroll closed again.
"Understood."
Elyndra stepped back slightly.
"Until then..."
She gestured toward Aelthira.
"Our guests should rest."
The faerie keeper bowed immediately.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Elyndra looked back to Jax.
"You are honored guests in our realm."
Her wings folded gracefully behind her.
"Please enjoy our hospitality."
She glanced toward Serika kindly.
"I believe the gardens will interest you greatly."
Serika’s tails twitched excitedly.
Then the Queen looked toward Sabrina.
"And our libraries may interest you."
Sabrina’s eyes gleamed.
Ancient faerie knowledge?
Yes.
That would definitely be worth exploring.
Elyndra inclined her head once more.
"We will speak again tomorrow, Demon King."
Jax nodded.
"I look forward to it."
Aelthira stepped forward.
"If you would follow me."
Jax, Sabrina, and Serika turned and walked toward the grand doors of the throne room.
As they exited, the massive wooden doors closed behind them silently.
The palace corridors felt quieter now.
More relaxed.
Aelthira led them along a curved balcony overlooking the glowing gardens below.
Night had begun to fall across the Faerie Realm.
But even night here was beautiful.
Soft glowing flowers illuminated the forests like constellations scattered across the earth.
Floating lights drifted lazily through the air.
Serika leaned over the railing slightly.
"It’s so pretty..."
Aelthira smiled.
"The Faerie Realm does not sleep as the mortal world does."
She continued guiding them through several hallways and ascending bridges of woven vines.
Eventually they reached a quieter wing of the palace.
Three large doors stood at the end of a corridor made of living wood.
Aelthira opened the first door.
"This will be yours, Demon King."
Jax stepped inside briefly.
The room was spacious.
A large bed grown from soft white branches stood near the center.
Balconies overlooked the glowing forest valley below.
Natural light crystals illuminated the chamber with a gentle golden glow.
It felt less like a bedroom and more like a peaceful sanctuary.
Aelthira then opened the second door.
"For Lady Sabrina."
Sabrina glanced inside.
Her room was similarly elegant, though decorated with slightly darker flowers and deeper emerald tones.
She nodded approvingly.
"Not bad."
The third door opened for Serika.
The fox-kin gasped immediately.
Her room overlooked a garden filled with glowing fox-shaped spirits made of light.
Her tails began wagging instantly.
"Master! Look!"
Jax chuckled softly.
Aelthira clasped her hands politely.
"If you require anything during your stay, please inform the attendants."
She bowed slightly.
"Rest well."
Then she departed quietly down the corridor.
Serika turned toward Jax excitedly.
"This place is amazing!"
Sabrina leaned against the doorway of her room with a small smirk.
"Well, Demon King."
She folded her arms.
"Looks like you just secured an alliance with the oldest race in the world."
Jax looked down at the glowing contract still resting in his hand.
Then out toward the endless forests of the Faerie Realm.
A small smile touched his lips.
"Let’s read the fine print first."
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