Renacido, Dragna Empire. After meeting with the various beast leaders in the Jura Jungle, Miko and others returned to their base.

“You were able to get over 200,000 new citizens?!”

Sasha was shocked when she heard what happened in Jura.

“Yup. Miko got some injuries here and there, but no one died and yet we got this many new residents.”

Momo reported.

“That’s amazing. Wait, what kind of injury did Miko receive?”

“Hahaha! It’s not serious. More importantly, were you able to do what you wanted to do at the clan?”

Leon quickly changed the topic.

“……Yeah.”

Sasha found Leon’s behavior suspicious but she decided to let it go.

“I was able to convince Raven to set up a meeting between Miko and Gallu.”

“That’s pretty impressive, Auntie. If Miko is able to convince Gallu to side with him then his standing in the clan will be no lower than a Branch Leader.”

Momo said. Sasha nodded.

“With one of the Five Guardian Beasts behind him, it will be hard to touch him.”

She looked around.

“By the way, where is Miko?”

Inside the base were only Momo, Leon, and herself. There was no one else to be seen.

“Miko went to Noir. He said that he wanted to check on how it’s reconstruction was coming along.”

“Didn’t they just started that? It can’t get that far.”

Momo smiled.

“Yeah, but we brought along some masters of construction.”

Renacido, Noir. Miko stood in front of the ruined town with a smile on his face. Beside him stood the dwarf king, Sirdrek.

“So, What do you think?”

“Hm…..It shouldn’t be hard to reconstruct but you said you want to completely recreate it right? Then it would take a lot of materials depending on what you want.”

“Don’t worry about the material. I’ll give it to you later. What do you think you can do with the material laying around here?”

“That depends on what you want. We can build a whole town using what’s laying around.”

Miko liked that answer. It had a lot of confidence behind it.

“Then I’ll have someone deliver the rough sketch of what I have in mind later. You can use it to create a blueprint.”

“I see. Then, what about our payment?”

Miko placed his hand on his chin for a bit.

“What do you want?”

“Alcohol.”

“What?”

“We dwarves love to get drunk, but there wasn’t nearly enough alcohol in Jara because we couldn’t trade with the countries around us. We could only trade with the other races in the jungle. If you can supply us with all the alcohol and food we want we are willing to become your exclusive craftsmen and constructors.”

“If that’s what you want then deal. However, since you’re my citizens I was already going to arrange for your basic needs to be taken care of.”

Miko patted his shoulder.

“So you’re pretty much working for free.”

He then laughed and walked away a bit before stopping.

“Oh, I want to change the name of this town. Could you prepare a grand sign with the new name?”

“I don’t think it’s a problem. What’s the new name?”

Miko turned around and smiled.

“Nami.”

Over the next couple days, the residents of Jara Jungle started the process of moving to Renacido thus beginning the absorption of the jungle into Renacido. The sudden appearance of monsters in the country natural caught the attention of the rest of the empire. People were shocked to hear that Miko had captured the monster haven of Jara and had accepted them as his citizens.

Even his own subordinates were shocked at first. They couldn’t understand what their boss was thinking. However, none of them could do nothing about it because Miko had made it clear that anyone who harasses these monsters will have their heads spiked for all to see. Considering his ruthless reputation, no one took it as a joke.

The beasts of Jara were also ordered to not attack or harm their humans' counterpart. If they go against these orders they’ll receive the same punishment. After news of his love of monsters became known, Miko gained a new alias.

The King Of Monsters.

“Now that Renacido has grown a lot larger, I think we need to establish a capital.”

Miko said. He and the others were at Layla’s former base. They were all seated around a round table with the mark of a dragon entangling with a crow in the center.

“A capital is a good idea. Every country needs one after all.”

Tia immediately agreed to it. She and Momo were on Miko’s right and left respectively.

“A capital is good, but do we have the funds for that?”

Sora asked.

“Actually, the money that Nebulous accumulated over two decades can pay for it.”

Layla said.

“Now that I think about it, since you guys monopolized the crime industry in the empire you must’ve been filthy rich.”

Ace looked like he got an idea.

“No.”

Miko immediately shut it down before he could say it.

“We may have lots of money from Nebulous reign and more coming in from Miko’s reign, but managing a country is very expensive. We’ll run out of money in no time if we’re not careful.”

Hina said.

“What about Jara? Don’t they have anything valuable in there like gold?”

“Leave Jara with their wealth. If we start taking their money we will seem like oppressors and they might turn against us. We have to wait until we gain their trust before we can take anything of real value from them. By then it will be of their own choice.”

Miko replied.

“As for our money issue, I already have several plans to fix it. For now, I want to focus on rebuilding the country and its image and start trading with other nations. For that to happen, a lot of money will need to be spent.”

He placed his elbows on the table, and rest his chin on his hands.

“Right now, we’ll focus on a capital. One that has a lot of businesses that can generate income for the people and the country. It must be heavily guarded yet is a place where people can come and have a great time.”

“That’s a tall order.”

Momo said.

“But not impossible.”

“But where will you put this capital?”

“Here.”

Miko pointed at the ground.

“This place is underdeveloped and pretty much a ghost town, which means it’s the perfect place to tear down and build on. Coincidentally, it’s also the center of the new Renacido after merging with Jara.”

“Question.”

Sora lifted his hand.

“I agree with making this place the capital, but there’s something that’s been bugging me. Now that the Dragna Empire has obtained Jara Jungle through you, won’t this cause the neighboring nations to be on guard? After all, the border between them and us pretty much disappeared. It won’t be strange if they consider this as the empire preparing to invade them.”

“I’ve already thought about that and asked for some help.”

“Help? From who?”

“Me.”

A vine grew behind Miko and from it, a woman appeared like she had just bloomed into existence.

“I’m sure you all remember the Dryad representative, Kai.”

Miko spoke without looking behind him.

“Is it done?”

“Yes. A 10,000ft wall of plants was successfully erected at the borders as instructed.”

“A wall?”

Miko nodded.

“Since we took Jara which was the border they could say that we’re preparing to invade them and declare war, but what if we create a new and obvious border? Then they have no excuse.”

“It’s true that there isn’t a more obvious way to tell someone that you don’t want to interact or invade their space than building a wall…..But will that really work?”

“It’s a 10,000ft wall. It’s pretty obvious that we’re telling them to stay where they are and don’t come over here. If they still want a war after that then they’ll definitely be seen as the aggressors, which gives the empire all right to defend itself with its full power. In other words, we can destroy them and rob them of everything they have after that. If they still attack while knowing that, then they’re fools.”

Miko turned and faced Kai.

“Have the humans and Beastmen there agreed to join Renacido?”

“Yes. Once they learned that they were the only ones who weren’t consulted they were upset, but couldn’t do anything but accept your offer.”

“Humans are troublesome, I prefer monsters like myself. We have a set rule where the strongest leads the pack. Humans are too egotistic, so they don’t follow this rule. Beastmen are the same, although they too are willing to follow the strong. I needed them to have it in their heads, I don’t need them, they are the ones who needs me.”

“You really dislike humans, Miko.”

“King Of Monsters is really a fitting title.”

Ace and Sora said.

“We’re humans too you know?”

Said Hina.

“Well, you guys are special.”

Miko then gave another order to Kai.

“Tell Arlan that I want her to gather her Winged Tiger brethren’s and patrol the walls that you just built. If she feels that it’s too much for them, tell her to ask the goblins and Lizardmen for help.”

“Yes.”

Kai bowed before turned into vines and retreating underground.

“I want to learn how to do that.”

Miko mumbled.

“You’re a better leader than I expected, Miko.”

Tia praised Miko with a bright smile on her face.

“Well, I have the memories and experiences of the ruler of the underworld. It allows me to think from two different point of views.”

Miko stood up.

“Are you going somewhere?”

Momo asked.

“There’s someone I need to go meet.”

“Is that today?”

Tia looked excited.

“Who are you going to meet?”

Miko paused and looked like he was searching for the right words.

“A Primordial Monster.”