Chapter 317: Search!
Jax’s thoughts drifted back toward Seraphina. Toward the way the Little Princess unconsciously clung to him and any lingering fear she still had, about the hesitation in her voice when her family came back.
It was normal, she experienced things that no child should experience, and although Jax had sent his people to contact her family, that was much easier said than done, and seemed to be taking a while even with the assistance of other Merfolk.
His expression flattened slightly and Sabrina noticed immediately, "You look like you’re thinking too hard again."
Jax crossed his arms loosely, "Probably."
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly, "You’re thinking about the Merfolk Kingdom,"
"Yeah." Jax said.
Sabrina paused briefly and then waved one hand. Several reports vanished. The room dimmed slightly as an entirely new magical projection expanded outward.
This time, an enormous oceanic map appeared. The continent rotated slowly beneath layers of glowing mana routes, trade currents, territorial boundaries, and sea activity reports.
Jax’s eyes sharpened immediately.
"...You already looked into it."
Sabrina looked mildly offended, "Of course I did, with some help from the Merfolk we saved of course,"
Then she pointed toward a massive stretch of ocean westward from the mainland, "The Merfolk situation isn’t simple."
Several magical markers appeared across the sea, "Unlike most races, the Merfolk Kingdom isn’t openly accessible, it’s very hidden, which allows them to maintain their peace. Even with the other Merfolk’s assistance, finding the Kingdom ourselves is far easier said than done,"
Jax studied the map quietly as she spoke.
Sabrina zoomed further in, "A large portion of the ocean is effectively under Merfolk influence, especially trade routes involving deep-sea mana resources, underwater mineral veins, and certain magical currents."
Another projection expanded beside it, "This entire region," A vast glowing section illuminated, "belongs primarily to them."
Jax observed silently. The territory was enormous. A kingdom hidden beneath oceans naturally possessed far more room than surface civilizations.
Still, there was no exact location.
Jax raised an eyebrow.
"Our people still haven’t figured out the precise spot, even with their help?" Jax asked.
Sabrina folded her arms, "Not precisely."
That got his full attention, "...Seriously?"
She nodded once, "The Merfolk are extremely secretive and adaptive. While we’ve gotten vague information from the Elders, it’s nothing specific. My guess is its a defensive mental magic mechanism in place to captured Merfolk don’t expose the Kingdom’s exact location,"
Several magical overlays shifted, "According to historical intelligence, their capital is hidden using ancient oceanic magic."
Mana currents flowed across the map like shifting tides, "Spatial concealment, Illusion barriers., Current displacement, Even magical interference designed to confuse divination."
Jax looked impressed despite himself, "...Paranoid much,"
"Protective," Sabrina corrected.
Her expression softened slightly, "They’ve survived multiple wars, invasions, divine interference, slavery attempts, and surface exploitation."
That made sense. A kingdom with divine bloodlines, oceanic resources, and ancient magic? Of course people would target them. Especially now as the Church already did so.
Jax’s eyes darkened slightly at the thought.
"However," Sabrina said, and one section of ocean highlighted brighter, "You do have a starting point."
Jax looked up, "Where?"
Sabrina pointed west.
"The Western Varoza Ocean Stretch."
The projection expanded into a massive open sea. Storm routes, magical current paths, trade anomalies and deep-ocean mana concentrations.
"Historical records suggest most Merfolk activity clusters around here."
Jax narrowed his eyes, "...Western Varoza."
"Mm-hmm."
Sabrina continued calmly, "Ships occasionally report sightings and there are many magical disturbances in this region.
Another projection appeared, "Most people believe the Merfolk Kingdom exists somewhere beneath this region."
Jax studied it carefully, "...Big search area."
"Extremely." Her expression turned slightly amused, "But you’re also absurdly overpowered."
"...Fair."
Sabrina gave him a look, "You’ll probably find them in a day."
"Probably faster." Jax said with a smirk.
That earned a sigh.
"Again."
She gestured vaguely at him, "Broken standards. But remember when you go to be careful,"
That got a brief pause from him, "You think it’ll be dangerous?"
"I think tensions are high." Her eyes narrowed, "If the Church already attacked their Princess..."
She hesitated briefly, "...the Merfolk Kingdom is probably on edge, especially if our message hadn’t gone through yet,"
That was true, Jax arriving suddenly, unknown could easily be misunderstood as an attack.
Though, Seraphina existing changed things. If he could reunite her? That solved half the problem immediately.
Still, first of all, he had to actually find them.
Jax exhaled softly, "...Western Varoza Ocean Stretch."
He committed it to memory instantly, painting a mental map of the mana routes, prior spatial distortions and possible concealment patterns.
He’d search everything. Every ocean trench, every magical anomaly and very hidden current. If they existed, he’d find them.
Sabrina watched him for a moment and then raised an eyebrow, "...You’re leaving immediately, aren’t you?"
Jax didn’t even hesitate, "Yeah."
Of course he was. Seraphina deserved answers. Her people deserved to know she was alive, and if the Church had escalated enough to attack Merfolk royalty, then waiting around sounded stupid.
Sabrina sighed like she’d already expected this, "You really don’t rest. You just got back from work and you’re already off,"
"Don’t worry, I’ll make time for you when I return," Jax said with a wink.
Before leaving, his senses spread outward. Far through the palace, past hallways, mmedical districts and he immediately found Seraphina’s familiar mana.
Soft like flowing water, bright around the edges, emotionally loud. Exactly the same as always.
Nearby, he sensed Serika and closed his eyes briefly.
Then reached out mentally.
’Serika’
A moment later, her voice responded instantly.
’Mm? Finished with work already?’
He could practically hear the teasing in her tone, but he paused and then
’Something dangerous?’ She said.
Then she spoke softer, ’Ah... for Seraphina.’
’Yeah’Jax responded.
Another pause and then, ’I’ll keep her occupied. Don’t worry.’
Her mental voice warmed slightly, ’Come back later though, she’s very sad seeing her family and friends this way, even though they’re healing,’
Jax exhaled quietly through his nose, "...Attached so much already."
Amusement brushed lightly across the bond and then more teasing,’Though she isn’t the only one waiting for you to come back,’
Jax rolled his eyes slightly, ’Behave,’
The mental connection faded naturally afterward. Sabrina was already watching him knowingly, "...Mental message?"
"Yeah." Jax responded.
"...Good luck." She said.
Jax nodded once.
"Keep things running."
"Obviously." She said as she rolled her eyes.
Mana began gathering around Jax and golden light spread quietly through the chamber. Reality distorted and nearby administrators instinctively stepped back.
Sabrina crossed her arms.
"Try not to accidentally start an international incident."
"No promises."
"...Jax."
"I’m kidding."
Then, Jax vanished.
Far away, above endless ocean. Cold winds moved across rolling waves beneath a vast open sky. The Western Varoza Ocean Stretch stretched endlessly in every direction.
Deep blue waters, massive currents, mana storms hidden far beneath the surface. Ancient things moving in darkness.
It was beautiful and unpredictable, and standing silently in the sky above it, Jax appeared, his hands in his pockets, golden eyes glowing faintly as he looked across the horizon.
"...Alright."
A faint smirk formed.
"Let’s find a hidden kingdom."