Orianna’s smile lingered for a moment longer as she looked over the map, her fingers lightly tapping against the glowing surface as if already organizing the deployments in her mind.

"Then I’ll deploy them as soon as possible," she said.

Jax gave a small nod, "Good. Keep it clean. I don’t want unnecessary losses. Make sure to keep me updated on how their work is going, and any issues that appear along the way,"

Orianna scoffed lightly at that, though there was no disrespect behind it, "Of course we’ll keep it clean, I don’t lose soldiers carelessly."

"I know, just reminding you, can never be too careful after all," Jax replied calmly.

There was a brief pause after Jax said that, and any form of tension that previously filled the room just moments ago had began to slowly dissipate, replaced by a much more relaxing atmosphere now that the decisions had been made.

Lyla uncrossed her arms and let out a quiet breath, "...Then I’ll head back," she said, glancing between the two of them. "If you’re starting deployments, I’ll need to prepare support from our side. Equipment, enchantments, reinforcement tools."

Jax nodded, "Yeah. Coordinate with Sabrina too. She has the most administrative information so she’ll be of help making sure everything lines up."

"Of course, I’ll contact her right away, Her gaze lingered on him for just a second longer, "...And I’ll begin outlining the framework system we discussed."

Jax smirked.

"Looking forward to it."

Lyla gave a small nod before turning and heading toward the door. Her steps were light, controlled, her mind already shifting back into work mode.

The doors opened and then closed behind her, and just like that, only Jax and Orianna remained, leaving a strange silence to follow afterwards, as the duo just looked at eachother.

Orianna didn’t return to the map this time. Instead, she leaned back against the table again, arms crossing as her eyes settled fully on him.

"...You’ve been busy," she said.

Jax shrugged slightly, "Always am."

Her gaze traced over him more carefully now, as if analyzing something deeper than just his visible strength.

"...You’ve changed again."

Jax smirked faintly.

"Yeah, I get that a lot since I returned from the Faerie Realm, I didn’t think so many people would be able to notice it so easily,"

Orianna huffed softly.

"Of course I got a read, who do you think I am, but it’s still quite annoying you know," Orianna said.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

She pushed off the table, stepping closer.

"Every time I start to get a read on you," she said, stopping just a short distance away, "you go and become something else."

There was a faint glint in her prismatic eyes now.

"...Makes it hard to catch up,"

Jax chuckled, "Sounds like a challenge."

Her lips curved slightly, "...It is."

A brief silence followed but that was quickly followed by Orianna’s expression shifting subtly. She didn’t lose any intensity, but it changed direction.

"...Speaking of challenges," she said, her tone just a touch lighter now.

Jax tilted his head slightly, "What?"

Orianna’s smirk turned sharper and more playful.

"...When are you going to take me up on my offer? It’s been so long I wonder if you forgot or are just annoying me. Either option is equally insulting,"

Jax blinked once, wondering what she was talking about, but he didn’t let that show on his face. Instead, he just smirked and looked her dead in the eyes, "...Which one?"

She rolled her eyes faintly.

"Don’t play dumb."

She stepped just a fraction closer.

"The one where I said we should get... closer."

There was a deliberate pause on those last words. Jax studied her for a moment and then chuckled.

"...You don’t waste time, do you?"

Orianna crossed her arms again.

"I don’t see the point."

Her gaze didn’t waver.

"I know what I want."

Jax’s smirk widened slightly.

"...Fair enough."

There was a brief silence.

Then, "Tomorrow."

Orianna blinked.

"...What?"

Jax shrugged casually.

"How about we go out together tomorrow?"

That caught her off guard, "...Go out?"

"Yeah," he said simply. "Outside the capital. No war room. No soldiers. No responsibilities for a few hours."

He looked at her directly.

"Just us."

Orianna stared at him for a moment and then a wide grin spread across her face. "...Hah."

She let out a short laugh.

"...Didn’t expect that."

Jax shrugged.

"Thought I’d switch it up."

Her eyes gleamed now, something excited flickering beneath her usual battle-hardened composure.

"...Alright."

She nodded once.

"I’m in."

Her grin sharpened slightly.

"...Don’t disappoint me."

Jax chuckled.

"Wouldn’t dream of it."

There was a brief pause.

Then Orianna stepped back slightly, her expression returning to something more composed—but the energy around her had clearly shifted.

"...I’ll finish preparing the deployments tonight," she said. "So tomorrow’s clear."

"Good."

Jax turned toward the door.

"Then I’ll see you tomorrow."

"...Yeah."

He didn’t linger.

The doors opened as he approached and he stepped out. The Military District felt just as intense as before, but Jax barely paid attention to it now.

His mind had already shifted to other plans.

Space folded around him once more, and in an instant, he was gone appearing in the Demon King Palace that welcomed him back with familiar grandeur.

High ceilings. Dark, elegant architecture. Mana flowing smoothly through every inch of the structure. Servants moved efficiently through the halls, immediately bowing as he appeared.

"Your Majesty."

Jax walked through without slowing. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

His presence alone parted the path ahead of him.

He reached his chambers quickly.

The large doors opened, and he stepped inside. Looking around, he saw it was cleaned, and could sense Serika’s scent, so he knew she was probably just here cleaning up his room.

Jax had a smile on his face as he noticed that and exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders slightly as the weight of the day settled.

"...Alright."

His golden eyes flickered faintly. Then, he spoke.

"Natasha. Alexi."

His voice wasn’t loud, but it didn’t need to be, carrying through the structure of the palace itself directly into the ears of both of them.

"Come to my room."