Strongest Kingdom: My Op Kingdom Got Transported Along With Me-Chapter 354 - 353: The Meeting (part 2)

"No one is claiming certainty," he says, voice deep, steady, immovable. "General Jared reported the possibility, not confirmation. A beast with abnormal strength."

Alden nods to Virtil in silent approval.

Charles continues, his tone unflinching.

A Duke at the far table stands.

"But… why only Nam City? Why that region? What changed?"

All eyes shift again to Stegran.

Not accusing.

Not brave enough for that.

But they stare.

And Stegran sees it.

He laughs again—louder this time, though beneath it is the faintest edge.

"So I see," he says, fingers brushing the arm of his throne. "You believe I allowed the monsters to grow? That I am sheltering them?" He leans back.

A wave of terror ripples through the hall at his casual words.

The hall holds its breath.

Many nobles expect it now.

An accusation.

A command.

A direct clash between crown and Marshal.

Several already brace themselves, eyes flicking between Alden and Stegran, certain they are about to witness history being torn open.

But Alden surprises them all.

He exhales slowly, then raises a frail hand.

"Enough," he says quietly.

The single word carries farther than any shout.

Alden turns his gaze away from Stegran and lets it sweep across the hall instead, over the sweating nobles, the trembling Marquises, the pale-faced Counts.

"Pointing fingers will do nothing," he continues, voice steady despite the strain beneath it. "Suspicion will not save a single life."

The nobles freeze.

Some blink.

Some swallow.

Some release breaths they didn't realize they were holding.

Alden looks back at Stegran.

"I know this," Alden says. "As one of the three guardians of this kingdom, Marshal Stegran will protect Alnera until his final breath."

A ripple of shock runs through the hall.

Several nobles stiffen, their hearts pounding.

Did the king just defend him?

Stegran's brow lifts, only slightly, but his eyes sharpen.

Alden continues before anyone can speak.

"To remove all doubt," he says calmly, "and to ensure no one here harbors suspicion toward Marshal Stegran…"

The nobles lean forward instinctively.

"…Marshal Stegran will lead the eradication of the monster invasion."

The words land like a hammer.

The hall explodes inward, not with sound, but with terror.

Sweat beads instantly along noble foreheads.

A Count grips the edge of the table.

A Marquis turns pale.

A Duke's knees almost give way.

In their minds, one thought screams louder than all others—

Suspecting a Marshal was the last thing we wanted to do.

Because no one wants thier families to disappear overnight.

Stegran stares at Alden for a long moment.

The silence stretches.

Then—

He laughs.

A rich, amused sound that echoes through the hall and makes several nobles flinch.

"Well now," Stegran says, rising slowly from his seat. His robe ripples. "How generous of His Majesty."

He places a hand over his chest in mock reverence and bows—just barely deep enough to be polite.

"To entrust me," he continues, smiling broadly, "with both clearing my name and leading your precious nobles into battle."

His gaze flicks briefly toward Charles.

Sharp.

Assessing.

Unfriendly.

Then back to Alden.

"If this is truly Your Majesty's will…" Stegran says softly, eyes gleaming, "…then I will grant your "last wish"."

The word last hangs in the air like poison.

Dargan chuckles under his breath, amused.

Vanthe watches silently, eyes unreadable.

Charles remains standing, expression calm—but his fingers curl slowly at his side.

Virtil's gaze hardens.

Alden meets Stegran's eyes without blinking.

--- 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The meeting ends without ceremony.

No cheers.

No relief.

Only urgency.

The moment the nobles leave the Grand Assembly Hall, fear turns into motion.

Carriages rush through the capital streets.

Messengers sprint ahead of banners.

Seals are stamped. Orders are barked.

Across the kingdom, one command spreads like wildfire.

Recruit adventurers.

Most nobles do not dare commit their full armies, not when rumors of quasi–Tier 7 beasts whisper through every corridor.

Soldiers are loyal.

But adventurers are expendable.

By noon, recruitment notices flood every Adventurers' Guild within noble territories.

---

In Stonefall City adventurers' Guild

The guild hall is usually loud.

Today, it is overflowing.

The stone building groans under the weight of bodies packed shoulder to shoulder. Adventurers crowd the notice boards, voices overlapping, boots scraping, steel clanking.

"Monster eradication contract?! Sponsored by a Marquis?!"

"Look at the reward—are you seeing this?!"

"Ha! Monsters again? Easy money."

A massive parchment hangs at the center board, freshly sealed with noble wax.

Emergency Subjugation Request

Target: Monster forces advancing from Nam City

Open recruitment – Adventurers welcome

Rewards scaled by contribution

High-grade mana stone are mentioned.

Titles are hinted.

Prestige is promised.

Excitement crackles through the air.

After all, in the minds of most humans—

Monsters are prey.

The guild doors swing open.

Four figures step inside.

And the noise dips, not into silence, but into awareness.

Four adventurers step into the Stonefall City Adventurers' Guild, their boots striking the stone floor with steady, unhurried confidence.

The first is a tall man in dark steel armor etched with silver runes, a massive greatsword resting casually across his back. The blade alone is worth more than most houses in the lower district. His short black hair is tied back, his expression calm and sharp. Called Ronan, frontliner, leader.

At his side walks a woman in emerald-and-gold leather armor reinforced with mana-threaded plates. A longbow of pale dragonbone hangs over her shoulder, its string faintly humming with stored energy. Her sharp eyes scan the hall out of habit, counting exits, measuring threats. Called Lani, sharpshooter, scout.

Behind them is a broad-shouldered man wearing heavy blue plate armor engraved with sigils of reinforcement. A tower shield is strapped to his arm, its surface marked by old, carefully repaired cracks. A warhammer rests against his shoulder like an extension of his body. Called Brick, shieldbearer.

Last comes a slender figure in flowing violet robes trimmed with gold. Rings glitter on every finger, each set with a different mana gem. A polished staff crowned with a crystal core floats slightly above his palm, sustained by precise control. Called Solace, mage, controller.

The moment the four step fully inside, the guild reacts.

Not with cheers.

Not with fear.

With recognition.

Whispers ripple outward like circles in water.

"Is that…?"

"No way."

"They're back already?"

"T–The Azure Fang," she breathes.

That is their party name.

One of the most famous Diamond Rank parties in the whole kingdom.

Ronan stops just inside the doorway, his gaze sweeping the overcrowded hall. His brows knit slightly.

"…Why is it this packed?" he asks, voice low and steady.

Lani tilts her head, eyes already on the central notice board. "This isn't normal even for a festival week."

Brick snorts, shifting his shield. "Feels like half the city decided to become adventurers overnight."

They move forward, people unconsciously parting for them. No one blocks their path. A few adventurers nod in respect. Others stare openly at their equipment, at the quality of their enchanted armor, the gleam of mana-rich metals, the unmistakable presence of veterans.

Ronan stops before the central board.

His eyes flick across the parchment once.

Twice.

Then his jaw tightens.

"…Nam City," he murmurs.

Lani reads over his shoulder, her earlier amusement fading. "Monster invasion. Large scale. Noble-sponsored."

Brick lets out a short laugh. "Hah! Look at the reward. They're really throwing money at this."

Solace doesn't laugh.

"Open recruitment," he says quietly. "That means they don't want to use thier own men."

Around them, conversations buzz.

"Easy monsters, easy pay!"

"We'll wipe them out in a week!"

Ronan studies the parchment a moment longer, then straightens.

"Lani," he says calmly, without raising his voice, "go gather more detailed information. I want to know thier troop movements, how strong the monsters are, and who's actually commanding this operation on the noble side."

Lani nods immediately. "On it."

She turns already, slipping toward the side counters and information boards, her movements smooth and practiced.

Brick watches her go, then chuckles, resting his warhammer more comfortably on his shoulder.

"Leader," he says, half-amused, "aren't you being a bit too cautious? They're just monsters." He jerks his chin toward the crowded hall. "Even a million of them—sure, it'll alert the whole kingdom, but they won't be a match for us."

A few nearby adventurers nod in agreement, clearly overhearing.

Ronan doesn't look at Brick right away.

He keeps his eyes on the notice board.

"Monsters don't scare me," Ronan replies evenly. "What worries me is when nobles panic, and recruitment happens this fast."

Brick snorts. "You're overthinking it."

Ronan finally turns, his gaze steady and sharp.

"I prefer to know what I'm walking into," he says. "Rather than charging in blind because someone promised gold."