Strongest Kingdom: My Op Kingdom Got Esekaid Along With Me

But there's no sound. No movement. The once-thriving monster capital, filled with the clamor of merchants, the roars of beasts, and the laughter of goblin children, is now a ghost town.

Alix sighs, his breath visible in the cold air.

"As expected... Not a single citizen left," he mutters, his tone bitter. "A city built for thousands, now empty."

The lizardman guard hisses softly, his tongue flicking out.

"We'll rebuild, Your Majesty. Monsters are resilient."

Alix smirks faintly, his gaze sweeping over the desolate streets.

"Resilient, yes... but scattered."

He walks further into the city, his guards flanking him. They pass a massive fountain in the shape of a hydra, its multiple heads spewing streams of water into the cracked basin below.

"This kingdom was supposed to be different," Alix says quietly, more to himself than his guards. He thought, 'I chose monsters because everyone else picked humans—boring, predictable. I wanted a challenge, and I built this place from nothing.'

His voice rises, tinged with frustration.

"And now, it's all gone. Wiped out in one war. All that work... gone in an instant."

The orc guard speaks, his deep voice steady.

"Your Majesty, you're still here. As long as you live, this kingdom can rise again."

Alix glances at him, his smirk returning, though faint.

"You're right. We're not done yet."

He stops in the middle of a grand square, the silence pressing down on them like a weight.

Alix stares at the empty square for a long moment, then turns sharply on his heel.

"Enough wandering. Back to the throne room.",

The guards silently follow as Alix strides through the deserted streets, his black cloak trailing behind him. The towering gates of the castle creak open as they approach, and soon he's seated on the massive obsidian throne, its jagged edges glinting in the dim torchlight. His fingers tap against the armrest as he waits, his crimson eyes fixed on the shadows dancing across the walls.

The sun dips below the horizon, and the room darkens. Just as the last rays of light fade, the air shifts. From the darkness near the throne's base, a figure materializes—silent and fluid, as if stepping out of the void itself. A member of the Shadow, clad in tattered black robes, kneels before Alix, their voice a low whisper.

"Your Majesty, we've scouted the area around the city."

Alix leans forward, his gaze sharp. "Report."

The Shadow continues, his tone steady despite the weight of his words. "We've found scattered groups of monsters and beasts. None have ventured close to the capital, but they linger in the surrounding regions. And we found no trace of humans."

Alix nods, his expression unreadable. "Go on."

"There is a goblin village to the northeast, about half a day's journey on foot. We also encountered an unfamiliar monster to the south."

"Unfamiliar?" Alix narrows his eyes. "Describe it."

The Shadow tilts their head slightly, as if recalling the details. "It stood over ten feet tall, its skin a sickly green, with sharp tusks protruding from its lower jaw. Its body was muscular, but its features were brutish—almost porcine."

Alix's eyes flicker with recognition. He waves his hand dismissively. "Nice job. If there's nothing more, you can go."

The Shadow bows deeply before dissolving back into the darkness.

Once alone, Alix leans back in his throne, his mind racing.

"That sounds like an orc," he murmurs to himself. "But not the ones from the game. Those were massive, yes, but refined—intelligent, even. This... pig-faced brute is something else entirely."

He closes his eyes, piecing together the fragments of information.

"This world... it's similar, but not the same. Even the monsters are changing."

Alix opens his eyes, his expression hardening as determination takes root in his chest.

"Even if I'm not in the game anymore—or if this is some entirely different world—it doesn't matter. I will conquer this world. It's mine to take, just like before."

Alix smirks, then turns and strides back to the throne. He lowers himself into the seat, his sharp gaze fixed ahead, as though already envisioning the kingdom reborn.

"But that's enough for today. Tomorrow, I'll decide my next move."

He leans back, letting the weight of the day settle over him, his mind already planning the steps to reclaim his lost empire. The torches flicker, and the room plunges into silence once more.

The next day, Alix sits on his throne, his eyes fixed on the vast empty hall before him. His fingers tap rhythmically against the armrest, and a faint sigh escapes his lips.

"If only Luan were here," he murmurs. His voice is soft, almost wistful.

"Luan, my best strategist. In the game, the AI was so advanced that I could rely on him to devise flawless plans for conquest. Compared to the strategies of those top kingdoms, Luan's were unmatched."

His crimson gaze darkens slightly as memories of their countless victories flood his mind. He straightens, brushing the thought aside, and calls out.

"Shadow."

In an instant, the room shifts. From the dim recesses of the chamber, figures materialize, their forms fluid and silent. One by one, the members of the Shadow kneel before him, their black robes billowing like smoke.

"I have a task for you."

The Shadow nearest him speaks, "Your command, Your Majesty."

"I want you to seek out the leader of that goblin village to the northeast. Invite them here."

The Shadow remains still, listening intently as Alix continues. "But listen closely. Refrain from using brute force or intimidation. No threats. No fear. Make it clear this is an invitation, not a demand."

"Is that clear?" Alix's gaze sweeps over them.

"Crystal, Your Majesty," the lead Shadow replies.

"Good," Alix says, leaning back into his throne. "You're dismissed. Carry out the task immediately."

Without another word, the Shadows dissolve back into the darkness, leaving the room silent once more. Alix watches as they vanish, his mind already working through potential outcomes. He sits in silence, waiting for the results.