Strongest Kingdom: My Op Kingdom Got Transported Along With Me

Alix stands across from her, arms crossed, golden eyes calm but measuring. Then, after a pause, he speaks.

"I might have a way to get you stronger… faster."

Karnessa straightens, her expression alert. "Oh?" She steps closer, her voice eager. "What is it, Master?"

Alix just smirks faintly. "You'll know soon."

Before Karnessa can press him, he turns away, already walking back toward the city.

By the time they return to the manor, the sun is already low, casting warm orange light through the garden walls.

As they step into the corridor, the sound of hurried footsteps echoes ahead.

"Alix!"

Velira rushes around the corner, eyes wide with urgency. She stops in front of him, breathing slightly fast, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I finally found you."

Alix tilts his head. "Why? What happened?"

Velira glances around to make sure no one's close, then lowers her voice. "That blacksmith I told you about."

Alix nods slowly, his tone calm. "Yeah. What about him?"

Velira leans in. "He came over today. Spoke with my father. He said… he succeeded. He forged a Tier 6 weapon."

Alix's eyes narrow slightly, though he doesn't show much surprise.

'So… Xansen finally pulled it off.

With the technique I gave him, it was only a matter of time.'

"And?" he asks.

Velira folds her arms. "Well, no one else knows. Just me, Father… and now you."

Alix lets out a short breath through his nose, a faint smile tugging at the edge of his lips.

"That's great news," he says calmly. "Your clan now has two Tier 6 weapons."

Velira nods, though her expression is thoughtful—troubled, even. "Yeah… In these past few days, everything's been going great, actually. Too great."

Alix asked. "Is that a problem?"

She hesitates. "It just… feels like the calm before something bad. You know? Like we're being set up for a fall."

Alix glances at her, then shakes his head slowly. "Don't think about it. You'll lose your edge waiting for something that may never come."

Velira exhales, then nods. "Right."

Alix's tone shifts slightly as he asks, "By the way, is your clan planning to fight the invading monsters?"

Velira stiffens, then nods again—more firmly this time. "We don't really have a choice. The monsters from the other continent are getting worse. Stronger. Bolder. Even with some of the Empire's subordinate forces joining the war, they've only managed to slow the advance."

Her voice drops slightly. "Not stop it."

She continues, "Since our clan is one of the empire's subordinate houses, we have to join. My father's already preparing deployment orders."

Alix's eyes narrow a touch, thoughtful.

'So… my forces can't advance anymore. They're being held back by the empire's main line. But…'

He exhales internally.

'Since they haven't called me, it means things are still under control. For now.'

Alix turns his gaze out the window, eyes thoughtful.

'I guess it's time I return… and start my summoning spree.'

Alix shifts his gaze back to Velira, his voice calm but resolute.

"Velira, we'll be leaving tonight."

Velira's expression falters. Her smile fades, and though she tries to keep her composure, the sadness in her eyes is clear. "…I see."

She lowers her gaze, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear before speaking again, softer this time. "You don't really want to join my clan, do you?"

Alix doesn't answer.

He doesn't need to.

Velira looks up at him again—eyes searching, voice just a little shakier. "…I thought maybe you would. After everything."

Still, Alix remains silent, but the look in his eyes isn't cold. Just steady.

Velira lets out a quiet breath, then forces a small smile. "Well… thank you. For everything you've done."

She glances toward the hall. "Let me tell my father, at least. So we can see you off. My mother's… well, she's busy trying to break through to Tier 5. She's been locked in for days."

Alix gently shakes his head. "Don't bother."

Velira blinks. "Why?"

Alix's voice is low but final. "Because I'm going now."

Velira opens her mouth slightly, as if to protest, but stops herself. Her shoulders drop a little.

"…I understand."

Then Velira straightens, eyes flicking up to meet his. "Be careful, Alix."

Alix nods once. "You too."

He turns, cloak brushing against the floor as he walks past her—down the corridor, and out into the fading light.

Velira watches him go, her chest tight.

"…I hope you come back someday," she whispers, though she knows he won't hear it.

Inside a modest restaurant tucked along the quieter end of the city's main street, Alix sits at a table by the window. The place is calm, filled with the soft murmur of conversations and the occasional clatter of bowls and cutlery. Karnessa sits across from him, sipping quietly from a steaming cup, her eyes flicking to the door every now and then.

Then the door opens—and in walks Xansen, brushing ash from his coat, a grin tugging at his scarred face.

"Sorry for the wait," he says, stepping over to them. "That damn Velkain just wouldn't let me go. Kept giving me supplies, tools, enchantment manuals—you name it."

Alix chuckles lightly, resting his hand on the table. "It's probably a good thing I didn't run into him before leaving. I might still be stuck there."

Xansen pulls out a chair and sits, leaning back with a grunt. "No kidding."

Alix looks at him steadily. "You good now? We'll be leaving right after this."

Xansen doesn't answer right away. Instead, he turns his head, gazing out the window. The city outside is bathed in warm amber light, the streets bustling with people—humans and thier monster slave, side by side. No one's shouting. No one's chained. Laughter carries on the breeze.

"You know…" Xansen says slowly, "this city's like a damn paradise compared to the rest of the continent."

He rests his arms on the table. "Even the monster slaves here… they're not being treated like animals. Back in most places, you're lucky if they let you sleep indoors."

Alix nods slightly. "I saw it while roaming around."

Xansen gives a half-smile—tired, but genuine. "I'm gonna miss it. Never thought I would. But I will."

Alix pushes back his chair. "Then let's not drag this out."

Karnessa stands as well, brushing dust from her cloak. She looks between the two of them.

Outside, the last light of the day is fading behind the hills. The three of them step into the twilight, leaving behind the warm glow of the restaurant, the clink of cups, and the soft chatter.

None of them look back.

---

Inside one of Alix's sleek floating carriages, the gentle hum of enchanted propulsion fills the quiet air. The interior is spacious, lined with dark wood and subtle gold inlays, with cushioned seats facing each other. Outside the window, the last traces of city light fade as they ascend into the open sky.

Karnessa sits beside Alix, her eyes fixed on the glowing skyline, but her mind clearly elsewhere.

After a moment, she speaks, voice soft but certain. "Master… I've been dying to ask this."

Alix glances at her.

"Who are you really?" she continues. "Are you… some kind of emperor?"

Alix exhales, not surprised. "I suppose I never told you," he says. "I'm a king. Of a monster kingdom—across the sea, in the other continent."

Karnessa blinks, her eyes narrowing slightly as she processes it. Her gaze drops, thoughtful.

The silence stretches until she speaks again, more hesitantly this time. "Master… those monsters that have been invading this continent… the ones the empire is fighting… are you—"

She doesn't finish.

Alix looks forward, his tone flat. "I am their king. They're my soldiers."

Karnessa stiffens, the realization hitting harder than expected.

Across from them, Xansen, who had been leaning back with his arms crossed, slowly turns his head to look at Alix. He stares, eyes wide with disbelief.

"…Are you serious?" Xansen says finally. "You could've mentioned that earlier."

Alix shrugs slightly. "If I told you, It might've scared you off. You might not have wanted to join my kingdom."

Xansen lets out a sharp breath, rubbing his face. "You think?"

He leans forward now, voice low and cautious. "Are you confident? About going against the empire?"

Alix's voice doesn't waver. "If I wanted to, I could destroy the empire right now."

Xansen stares at him.

He's not joking.

There's no boast in his tone. No exaggeration. Just quiet certainty.

Then he adds, "What about the Ashedge Clan? They're decent people."

Alix's expression cools. "As long as they surrender, I won't do anything to them."