Herald of Steel

Alexander did not let the slight problem of over encumbrance let his stump him for long, as he soon came up with a way to maximize his cargo-carrying capacity.

But for now, he kept that to himself.

And addressed, "Well, I guess that wraps it up for today. Please try to complete the possession and tally of the Cantagenan treasures by today." And as one last note, I know that morale is kinda low. So, I hope leaders can pay some of the soldiers' dues from the Cantagenan loot."

Quickly, Alexander then offered a compromise, "If you are unable to pay them for the full two months, then give them at least a month's pay. And if you are unable to offer it in coin, pay them with goods."

"The commander makes a good point. I will do it," Petricuno seriously nodded at the genuine advice.

"Hehe, the soldiers have no idea what a magnificent commander they have got," Heliptos flattered.

So, having covered almost all the topics he wanted to, Alexander finished, "Well, then here's the summary of today's meeting,"

"One- Melodias will send his scouts north, Ohhh, and don't forget the double rations for those who got us the Acme route," Alexander again reminded.

"Two- Melodias will give re-assign the Cantagenan horse trainers to me."

"Three- Each group will send two hundred men for cavalry practice."

"Four- We will try to lay off excess slaves"

"Five- We will try to finish the loot collection by today."

"And six- We will have drills to test out the new command structure."

"Ohh," Alexander exclaimed, seeming to remember something, "The rains have yet to stop huh?" Alexander looked out through his tent flaps to see that the rain had not only subsisted but also seemed to have even increased its intensity.

"The soldiers might get sick in this rain," Petricuno chimed in caution.

But Alexander was not fazed, "Hmmp, the drills will occur whether the rain subsides or not. If our soldiers are afraid of a bit of water, then how are they gonna stand up to swords and arrows?"

He then commanded with gusto, "Leaders, other than Melodias will gather five hundred of their troops by lunch. All of you are to obtain your horses by then."

"And, since the soldiers will work hard today, assign them double the portions. We have the meat and I doubt any will complain after getting to eat so much meat in one day."

"Okay, commander." A chorus reverberated.

"Then let us finish today. Thank you leaders, and see you tomorrow same place same time," Alexander signaled the end of the long meeting.

But as some of them were about to exit, Alexander in a dramatic fashion cried out, "Ohh, I had almost forgotten."

"There's this tiny thing. Minor really. You see, currently, each of the groups control their own logistics with their own quartermaster. This is very inefficient and wasteful."

"So, since we will be fighting together as one army, I was just thinking of making one centralized logistics core with one main quartermaster and two assistants."

"So, how about Theocles as the quartermaster and one assistant from Menicus and one from Heliptos?"

Alexander finished this long talk under one long breath.

The reason why he had decided to bring such an important topic, a topic he had described as a minor one, which it certainly was not, at such a late time was because of a negotiation technique he had learned from his previous life.

The idea was to make a long, complicated offer just at the end of a, preferably long discussion, just as when everyone, exhausted from the meeting was eager to get out and get refreshed.

This had the phycological effect of catching the opponent off guard most of the time as they are usually too distracted by their wanting for the meeting to just end.

And luckily for Alexander, it worked like a charm here, as Heliptos practically jumped in joy, "Yes, that's an amazing idea, commander."

Menicus too did not contest Alexander's proposal, as he found the idea good for the army and also thought Theocles, who he had communicated with several times before, was a competent man to get the post.

And though Petricuno wanted to, he understood that alone, he stood no chance and so bitterly complied.

And thus, almost in a matter of moments, Alexander had managed to gain control over the food, medical, and wine supply of the camp.

He was ecstatic at the ease with which he had gained such massive control over his army and with a big smile saw the leaders off, "Esteemed leaders, please be careful on your way. And remember to use the rain to replenish your water supply."

Alexander then noticed that Melodias was having a hard time leaving the tent as if a strange force both kept pulling him into the tent and so pushing him out.

To Alexander, it was as if he was contemplating whether to get out or stay.

But at last, the mercenary leader seemed to have made up his mind and after giving Alexander a deep gaze quickly strode out.

'He's been acting so weird today.' Alexander commented in confusion and then a weird thought penetrated his mind, 'Don't tell me he's in love with me,' which sent goosebumps through his body.

Homosexuality was common in this era and many people he knew even regularly practiced it, to which Alexander was usually indifferent to.

But in no way did he swing that way and had absolutely no interest in that

But soon he cast away this ridiculous thought and thought about simply asking Melodias

if there was any problem and if he could help in any way,

But, chose to refrain at the last minute as Alexander felt he was not yet close enough to make such personal inquiries.

And so with this, the command tent became empty, save Menes who stayed behind.

But as soon as the leaders vacated, the tent space was again occupied by Alexander's own captains and a few new faces.

Along with the usual Camius, Theocles, and Pallidus, there was also Remus, Bartholomew, and a few more fresh faces.

They were all here to give their own reports or get new orders or both.

So Alexander took Menes and Pallidus's report about the training of the Cantagenans and patiently heard the typical frustrations that usually accompanied training green recruits- unruly, undisciplined, dumb, cowardly, the usual lot.

And after Alexander gave them the pep talk of- 'do your best' and 'hang in there' and 'be strict with the troops', he chose to listen to his much-anticipated report- the report from Theocles.

He then listened to Theocles's report about the progress of the Cantagenan looting and carefully cross-referenced with the numbers Menicus told him.

Thankfully the numbers were close enough.

Alexander also noticed the dark circles under Theocle's eyes and joked, "Tough night?"

"Hehe, for twenty-five million tustas I could stay awake a week." The smell of the potential money seemed to have reenergized Theocles as although his body showed signs of fatigue, his spirit was high.

Also, according to Theocles, the figure Menicus had given them of a hundred million tustas was too conservative. The much closer figure would be around hundred and twenty to hundred and thirty million.

But, Alexander did not hold this against Menicus as he did say the one hundred million was a conservative number.

Also, it had to be said that just a small initial difference in price assumption, something like only a few hundred tustas for something like a vase, can produce estimates differing by millions when the value of similar vases numbering by the tens of thousands is estimated.

Although Menicus could be underreporting the value and scheme to take the difference though Alexander chose to believe the former as there was no evidence of the latter.

"Hehe, they were up all night trying to finish the looting as soon as possible. They are still going at it now. Camius decided to tell Alexander some further interesting news.

Alexander simply smiled and praised, "You have done an enormous service for the group. Please continue your excellent work, Theocles."

"It is what I should do," Theocles humbly replied.

Then Alexander gave some good news, "You have secured very large funds for us, helping us in our most trying times. As such, in light of your massive contribution and dedication to the group, I have some very good news for you.

He then offered. "Congratulations. All the leaders today have decided to form a centralized logistics department that will control all the supplies of the army and they chose you as the quartermaster. Congralutions, *clap*, *clap*."

Following Alexander's action, the whole tent also broke into thunderous applause as many different versions of congratulations such as good job, nice and amazing were thrown at him.

Theocles was almost overwhelmed by the praise and he kneeled in front of Alexander and prayed, "I thank the commander for giving me this chance in his infinite grace. I swear as long as I possess this body, I shall strive to serve you."

"Um, I will continue to rely on your patronage," Alexander almost imperiously replied.

But there was one person who was not so thrilled.

'If only I had been smart enough to switch sides quick enough,' Pallidus thought, watching this display with bitterness in his heart as dark, treacherous thoughts splashed in there.

But, unfortunately, Alexander was so high up and so powerful now that any schemes Pallidus could think off would likely appear less than trivial to him, and could be blown away with the easiest of ease.

'Who could have known that slave could have become this powerful in mere three days? What a monster! Dammit, why did I have to offend this cursed star." Pallidus sorely regretted his past action.

But as they, 'There's no pill for regret,' and Pallidus was finding that out first hand.

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