Draya tilts her head slightly, but she doesn't argue. She knows better.
Alix leans forward, resting his forearms on the desk. "I'm going to start reviving my officials. It'll lighten your workload."
Draya's eyes flicker with understanding, but there's no sign of relief—just quiet acknowledgment. "That would be wise, Your Majesty. The kingdom is growing faster than expected. More hands would ensure efficiency."
Alix chuckles. "So you do think I've been overworking you."
Draya's lips twitch into the faintest of smiles. "I would never say such a thing, Your Majesty."
Alix shakes his head in amusement before his expression turns serious. "Prepare the palace. Soon, we'll be welcoming some old faces back to life."
Draya bows slightly. "Understood."
Alix leans back in his chair, his gaze settling on Draya. "But first, tell me—how many gold coins do we have right now?"
Draya doesn't hesitate. "With the two cities combined, we currently have over 300,000 gold coins. I already allocated 100,000 for development, so that leaves you with over 200,000 at your disposal, Your Majesty."
Alix nods, satisfied. "That should be enough money."
Without wasting any more time, Alix stands. In an instant, the space around him distorts, and with a pulse of dark energy, he vanishes from his chamber.
He reappears deep underground, in the Resurrection Room—a vast hall hidden beneath the palace.
The air here is thick, heavy with an ancient power that lingers like a silent whisper. The walls are made of dark stone, their surfaces carved with intricate patterns of forgotten magic. Faint red luminescence pulses through the veins of the rock, casting eerie shadows that shift unnaturally.
At the room's center stands the Resurrection Altar—a massive black stone slab, covered in glowing runes that pulse with deep crimson light. The moment Alix steps forward, the runes react, brightening as if recognizing his presence.
A low hum resonates through the chamber.
Alix places a hand on the altar. Immediately, a wave of energy rushes through him.
The runes flicker, their crimson glow intensifying as Alix channels the gold coins into the altar. The energy surges outward, filling the chamber with a deep, resonant hum.
One by one, the revival process begins.
A dark mist rises from the altar, swirling violently before condensing into a physical form. The first figure solidifies—a towering, reptilian monster clad in heavy robes, his emerald-green scales gleaming under the dim light. His sharp, calculating eyes flick open.
"Lirik, Minister of Finance," Alix announces, watching as the newly revived official kneels before him.
"Your Majesty," Lirik breathes, his voice a deep, gravelly rumble. "Thank you for reviving me."
Alix nods. "Your expertise is needed again. The kingdom has grown, and I require someone I can trust to oversee its economy."
Lirik presses a clawed fist to his chest. "It will be as you command."
Before he can say more, the altar pulses again, and another figure emerges. This time, a slender, silver-furred beastkin takes shape. His piercing blue eyes dart around the chamber as if assessing everything in an instant.
"Vaelin, Minister of Intelligence," Alix states.
Vaelin exhales sharply, flexing his claws before kneeling. "Your Majesty. It seems much has changed."
Alix smirks. "A lot. I trust you'll get up to speed quickly?"
"Of course," Vaelin replies smoothly. "Information is my trade, after all."
Another surge of power. The next figure forms—a hulking, dark-skinned ogre with four arms, his muscular body wrapped in ceremonial armor. His deep-set red eyes lock onto Alix as he drops to one knee.
"Thano, Minister of Infrastructure," Alix declares.
Thano thumps his massive fist against his chest. "It is an honor to serve again, Your Majesty. Tell me, what do you need built?"
Alix chuckles. "You'll find plenty of work waiting for you."
One after another, the officials continue to return.
A hunched, bat-like humanoid with leathery wings and sharp, beady eyes—Morrak, Minister of Commerce.
A three-eyed serpent-like being, his movements fluid and hypnotic—Sissari, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
With each revival, Alix feels the weight of responsibility shifting, the burden of governance no longer solely on his shoulders. As the last of the officials kneel before him, he surveys them, satisfaction settling in his chest.
"Welcome back," he says, his voice calm yet firm.
The ministers kneel before him, their gazes filled with a mix of reverence and quiet determination. Alix lets the silence linger for a moment before speaking.
"As you all can see," he begins, his voice steady, "in the last war, all of you died. And we hit rock bottom."
A heavy stillness fills the chamber. The memories of their deaths, the destruction of their kingdom, and the fall of their people flicker in their eyes. Even those who pride themselves on their composure—like Vaelin and Sissari—can't hide the flicker of emotions crossing their faces.
"But things have changed," Alix continues. "Right now, the kingdom has two cities and over three hundred thousand residents. It's not what we once had, but it's a foundation—a new beginning."
Lirik, the Finance Minister, inclines his head. "Three hundred thousand…" His reptilian eyes gleam with thought. "Considering the rapid recovery, the economic structure must be unstable. We'll need to regulate trade carefully to prevent inflation."
Morrak, the bat-like Minister of Commerce, clicks his tongue. "I assume human merchants are still active in our lands?"
Alix nods. "Yes. Delon City, in particular, is attracting attention."
Alix glances at Thano. "Your department has the most immediate task. We need infrastructure to support our growth. Housing, roads, fortifications—everything."
Thano grins, cracking his massive knuckles. "No complaints here, Your Majesty. Just give me workers, and I'll have cities rising in no time."
The ministers exchange brief glances, their unspoken communication clear. They may have just returned from the dead, but their instincts remain sharp.
Alix exhales, his gaze sweeping over them. "You all know what needs to be done. Get to work."
One by one, they bow. "As you command, Your Majesty."
Without hesitation, they leave the Resurrection Room, each one already forming plans, strategies, and adjustments for the new reality of the kingdom.
Alix watches them go, a small smirk playing at his lips.
'They'll adapt. They always do.'