Strongest Kingdom: My Op Kingdom Got Transported Along With Me-Chapter 54:The Nobles Fighting For Scraps

"I greet my new master," she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alix watches her for a moment before speaking. "Child, what is your name?"

She hesitates, as if unsure if she’s allowed to answer. Then, after a moment, she swallows and whispers, "Liss."

Alix nods. "Be at ease, Liss. You don’t have to kneel."

The girl flinches slightly but obeys, shifting uncomfortably as she looks up at him.

Alix then turns to Varkas. "Drop the disguise."

Varkas nods, and in the next moment, both of their appearances shift. The illusion fades, revealing Alix’s features—his sharp face, pale skin, fierce eyes, and faint scales along his arms. Varkas, too, lets his true form emerge, his monstrous features stark and intimidating.

Liss’s breath catches. Her red eyes widen in disbelief. Then, the weight of everything crashes down on her. Her body shakes violently as she stares at them, tears spilling from her eyes.

"Sir, P-please… help me!" she cries, her voice cracking. "I don’t want to go back to the humans! Please, I’ll do anything!"

Alix kneels down, keeping his voice steady. "Calm down, Liss. We are going to help you."

Liss’s breath catches. Her small body tenses before her expression crumbles. Tears well up in her eyes, her voice desperate. "A-Also! Save him! You have to save him!"

Alix’s gaze sharpens. "Who?"

"My big brother!" she sobs, her tiny hands clutching the bars. "They took him too! H-He’s a slave to a noble! Please… I’ll do anything, just—just save him!"

Alix’s expression remains calm, but his eyes darken slightly. He turns to Varkas, who is already looking at him, awaiting orders.

"Calm her down," Alix says quietly.

Varkas steps forward, kneeling beside the cage. His voice, usually cold, softens just slightly. "I will, Your Majesty. And… thank you." Then he turns his gaze to Liss.

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Alix understands the weight behind those words. He knows what Varkas is feeling—this moment is far too familiar for him. In the game, Varkas once had a daughter. She had been captured, enslaved by humans, and ultimately killed. It was that tragedy that fueled his hatred toward those who enslaved monsters.

Now, he had a chance to save at least one child.

Liss sniffles, but she looks at him with wide eyes. "You’ll save him?"

Varkas gives a firm nod. "We will."

Varkas pat her head, his eyes locked onto Liss’s. "After this auction, we will save your big brother. I promise you that."

Liss stares at him, searching for any sign of falsehood, but all she finds is unwavering resolve. A shaky breath escapes her lips, and the tension in her small body finally eases. "O-Okay…" she whispers, wiping at her damp cheeks.

Alix, watching the exchange, smile and said. "Good. Now, let’s focus."

The auctioneer’s voice booms across the hall, bringing the crowd’s attention back to the stage.

"And now, we present what was meant to be tonight’s grand finale—a rare artifact from an ancient ruin! Behold, the Crimson Moon Pendant!"

With a dramatic flourish, an attendant unveils a beautiful necklace with a deep red gemstone at its center, swirling with faint magical energy.

Murmurs ripple through the crowd.

"A mana-amplifying relic?"

"I heard it boosts fire spells immensely!"

"A treasure like that is priceless!"

Alix, however, remains unimpressed. Compared to the skill books he provided, this item is minor.

The bidding begins, and as expected, the nobles go wild. The price climbs rapidly—three thousand, ten thousand, twenty thousand gold in mere moments.

Alix leans back, swirling the wine in his glass as the numbers climb. The nobles are desperate, their voices growing louder with each bid. But he already knows—this is nothing compared to what’s coming next.

Varkas watches the stage with mild disinterest. "They’re fighting over scraps."

Alix smirks. "Let them. The real show is about to begin."

The Crimson Moon Pendant is finally sold for thirty-five thousand gold, and the auctioneer claps his hands together.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what an incredible bid! But… tonight is far from over."

A murmur spreads through the hall. The auction was supposed to be finished—what else could they possibly have?

The auctioneer grins, letting the anticipation build before dramatically gesturing to his assistants.

"We have an exclusive addition to tonight’s event! Something so rare, so extraordinary, that it will surely shake the very foundations of power in this room."

The tension thickens.

With a theatrical motion, the auctioneer unveils a velvet-covered stand. On it, three books rest, their covers glowing faintly with enchantment.

"Behold—three Tier 1 skill books!"

"This isn’t a joke, is it?! Where did they get such a thing?!"

The auctioneer laughs, raising a hand for silence. "Ladies and gentlemen, please! The starting bid is set at fifty thousand gold per book.

Nobles immediately begin barking orders at their subordinates.

"Go! Get more gold, now!"

"Find the treasurer, tell him to prepare everything!"

"I don’t care what it takes—I need that book!"

The bidding starts instantly.

"Fifty-five thousand!"

"Sixty thousand!"

"Seventy thousand!"

The numbers climb at a dizzying pace. Some nobles throw in bids without hesitation, while others grit their teeth, weighing their options. The sheer rarity of skill books pushes them to their limits.

"One hundred thousand!"

Gasps ripple through the crowd. The tension is thick, but the frenzy doesn’t stop.

"One hundred and ten thousand!"

"One hundred and twenty!"

The nobles glare at each other, beads of sweat forming on their brows. Some have already backed down, their wealth unable to compete. But a few are still in the fight, their gazes burning with greed.

"One hundred and forty thousand!"

The room holds its breath. Silence lingers—until one last voice cuts through.

"One hundred and fifty thousand!"

The hall erupts in murmurs. No one dares to bid higher. That price for a single Tier 1 skill book is already absurd.

The auctioneer lets the silence stretch before slamming his gavel down. "Sold! For one hundred and fifty thousand gold!"

Cheers and sighs fill the air—some thrilled, others bitter with defeat.

Alix watches it all unfold, a smirk tugging at his lips. "And that… is just Tier 1."