Grud says "Yes. The bison are ruled by strength. If you prove yourself stronger than their chieftain then they will swear loyalty to you."

"That should be easy enough. I need to stay in Illium for at least the next three days, but if you can set something up after that I will meet them."

Grud says "As you wish, My King!"

"Annya, how are the outcasts doing?"

Annya says "They are doing great! The soldiers you sent have already helped fight off several slave raids! The outcasts will follow you, no matter what. They love you!"

"That's great! Okay, Pol, first off, good work dealing with Pine!"

Pol says "Thank you, My Lord."

"Now I don't need specific numbers, but in general how are we doing?"

Pol says "We can afford all the current projects without touching the money from the Mage guild. Even then we would still have extra money."

"So, we can afford to pay the army? Even if it grows larger?"

Pol says "Easily! We are making money faster than we can spend it."

"Okay, then let me help you spend it. First, Annya, are the outcasts willing to accept coins?"

Annya says "Yes, we have introduced coins already and the outcasts know what their goods are worth."

"Good! There is no point paying the army in coins if they can't spend them. How about the outcasts who want to be soldiers? Have we started recruiting?"

Leonarr says "Not yet. I wanted to get the army sorted out before adding new troops."

"Alright, let's start recruiting then. They will need time for training. Recruiting is open to both males and females of any tribe. Even if they are not fighters, we will need support personnel. Grud, that includes your people, we will need engineers."

Grud says "Really? I'm sure some of my people will be interested!"

Leonarr says "Your Majesty, how big do you want the army to be?"

"Set your goal to fifty thousand. Not all at once of course, build it up slowly."

Leonarr says "That many?"

Pol says "We can afford it."

Annya says "Why so large an army?"

"Keep in mind that as the tribes join us their warriors will be brought into the army. Other than the demon invasion I also want to be prepared in case we have to go to war with the empire."

Pol says "Why would we go to war with the empire?"

"If they refuse to release our people from slavery then we will free them by force!"

Leonarr says "Yes!"

Pol says "Understood. I will make sure Leonarr has all the funding he needs."

Leonarr says "Funding is great and all, but I don't feel qualified to create an army. I can lead the army, but I don't know how to set up the support system."

"Unfortunately, neither do I. We will have to find someone who knows that stuff and hire them to advise you."

Leonarr says "That would help a lot!"

Just then we are interrupted as Sarah comes up with a tray of refreshments for us. Considering the amount of talking we have been doing it is a welcome interruption. Sarah knows everyone's favorite drink and quickly hands them out.

"Sarah, do you know if anyone among the summoned was military in our world?"

Sarah says "Military? Yes, I think there is one."

"Do you think he would be willing to hire on as an advisor and help us build the army?"

Sarah says "I don't know, but I can ask her."

"Oh, it's a woman? Is she a crafter?"

Sarah says "No, she is one of the combat summons. She relocated here and joined the adventurer's guild."

"Can you check and see if she is in town right now? If she is I would like to speak with her."

Sarah says "Sure, I will check right now."

"Thank you. We will wait until after I talk to her, if she doesn't want the job we will look elsewhere."

Leonarr says "As you wish."

"Alright, Pol, the next task I have for you concerns the kingdom. I want you to send any building materials or anything else useful for rebuilding to Mercy. And no matter what she says, do not accept any payment."

Pol says "Alright, I will see to it."

Annya says "What's the reason for this generosity? Just curious."

"It is a small attempt to make up for the damage to her capital. It may have been an accident, but I did level the capital."

Annya says "Oh, I guess that makes sense."

"Alright, Pol, the last thing I want you to do is to start building influence in the Free Union. Slowly, of course, but by the time I am Beast King, I want enough influence to affect their decisions. Oh, and anyone who is involved in the slave trade, crush them!"

Pol says "Absolutely, My Lord!"

"Other than that, everything else should proceed as originally planned. Any questions?"

Pol says "No, I understand your wishes."

Leonarr says "Is there anything else you want the army to do?"

"For now just focus on training. We will wait until we have an advisor and see what they have to say."

Leonarr says "Understood."

When there are no other questions I end the meeting, but I make sure to thank them for their work. Once everyone leaves I sit and enjoy the rest of my drink as I enjoy the quiet. It has been a long morning, just as I have the thought Sarah appears with my lunch.

"Sarah, if you were psychic you would tell me right?"

Sarah laughs and says "I am not, but if I was I would tell you. I am just very good at my job. Oh, I got a hold of Melissa, she is in town and willing to meet you. She should be here in a half hour or so."

"Excellent! Thank you, Sarah."

Sarah says "No problem, enjoy your lunch!"

After Sarah leaves I do as I am told and enjoy my lunch, leaving not a scrap behind. Just as I am finishing the last bite, Sarah returns with another woman. She is not what I was expecting, she is short, not much over five foot, and slim.

From the way she walks I can tell that her slim build is all muscle, she is what I would call wirey. She has short purple hair, which makes her look rather punkish, and I wonder how she dyed it. I stand up as she walks over and she stops to look up at me with disbelief on her face.

Melissa says "The rumors are true, you are huge!"

"Ha ha! Nice to meet you too!"

Melissa says "Sorry, I just wasn't expecting that. My name is Melissa, it is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Ash."

"Just Ash is fine. Please have a seat."

Melissa says "So, what can I do for you, Ash?"

"Sarah tells me you were military before we got summoned?"

Melissa says "Correct, I was in the marines."

"In that case I was wondering if you would be interested in working for me as a military advisor. You see, I plan to become the Beast King and am building an army. The problem is, other than movies, I have no real knowledge of how to build it."