My own aerial survey, plus the expertise of my scouts had provided me with a decent map of northern Sylvania, over which me and the Elector Count of Stirland were pondering over.

While there was still a large gap between the Army of Stirland and the Army of the East, there were not any big towns between.

Lichenheim was barely 1000 people to take over, and after that only the wild lands and forests til Templehof. And quite little corruption now.

I glanced at the pile of loot from Konigstein and decided to split it in two. "Half of the gold for a grand highway til here at Konigstein. And perhaps a military road towards Swartzhafen. The rest of the gold to equip your army with better weapons, including rifles and cannons." I decided with a glance at the Great Count.

The man just nodded, perhaps considering the loot was his right all along. "Sounds good."

"I am preparing a new model of armor for my own Army of the East, a cloth gambeson covered in chainmail and a few armor plates, including over the heart and the left shoulder like a knight's pauldron." I added while placing a few sketches on the table.

A few of the Stirland Captains stole a peek at the armor design and then pouted.

"My officers seem disappointed." the Count noted in a curious voice.

"Ah, because they imagine the troops going into melee all the time. Plate armor is heavy and cumbersome, but sadly does not protect against bullets or bombs that much. Instead, the chainmail will protect against most common weapons like swords or zombie bites, should the undead even get past the guns." I countered with a shrug.

Plate armor was also expensive, not to mention difficult to carry on foot. And rifles could pierce it anyway.

The Count grabbed a nearby musket and took a firing stance, his left pauldron covering a third of his body. He wore a nice suit of armor, but none of his soldiers had anything like that. "I see where this goes. A good helmet, the left pauldron and a rifle, and my soldiers would be like a knight, when behind a wall. Maybe in a hip-deep ditch."

I wouldn't go that far as to compare a normal soldier to a knight, but the Count had a good head on his shoulders. He got the gist very fast.

"Plus, the cost of equipping a soldier will drop from 10 gold per armor suit to 1 gold, including their weapon. Thus, 3000 soldiers in decent armor for 3000 gold." I pointed out with a wave towards the sacks of gold on the floor.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Gentlemen, please wait outside." the Count demanded before his angry Captains could voice their outrage.

I sipped a bit a of wine while the officers filed out of the room.

"Building chainmail may be cheaper than plate or lamelar armor, but the iron rings are still heavy, and difficult to link up." the Count noted in a knowing voice.

I smiled a bit too wide. I might be living in a medieval world, but I wasn't a medieval man. "Jet, make a chainmail suit." I ordered to the Dragon looking through the window at us.

An extremely fine suit of woven Goldenweave appeared in the room, and then fell on the table. Sure, this thing was more expensive than a suit of runic armor, but that was not the point. Jet had seen my armor design too, and could produce a mail suit with a single spell.

"I meant to say, chainmail suits made out of woven steel wire. A full suit would weigh less than 5 kilograms. Probably 6 kilos with the defense plates." I explained while wrapping the Goldenweave suit over the wooden torso which kept his armor at night.

Flying out the window, I collected my new Wizards and had them ride the Imperial Dragon once more. Jet took off towards my Castle, while I waited beside the window. "I don't know who can make steel wire like this." the Count spoke in a soft voice.

"So make your own. I already have an Imperial Arsenal in Waldenhof producing steel, just need to draw the hot steel into wires. If you sell that Goldenweave suit, you will have enough funds to start." I said in response, then flew after the speeding Dragon.

We stopped an hour to check on the army units taking over Templehof, the followed the new road to Eschen and then reached my own Castle in the evening, right in time for dinner.

Jet took off for the mountains to find some food, while I escorted my new Wizards to meet my wives.

Anika and Gissela had barely got to know each other, when the new women joining us at the table created an awkward silence.

"A Life and a Light Wizard now?" my wife asked in a cold voice.

I just nodded and tasted the soup. Perhaps I should fly to Ind or Cathay and buy some pepper. Our food was quite bland.

"Did you two just join our Wild Guard?" Gissela asked the new Wizards.

Rivia smiled a bit confused, and ate her soup in silence.

Alana got the hint and turned to measure me for a another kind of meal. "I expect to be treated with respect, my lord husband." she demanded in a dignified tone.

I picked up the white diamond ring I had already prepared and placed on the table, lighting up the room and Alana's face.

As she took the ring and tried it on, all three of my wives stared at the oblivious Rivia.

"I was almost dead. Maybe worse. Becoming the wife of the strongest man in the world isn't so bad." Rivia muttered even as I took out an emerald ring and placed on the table.

Hmmm. Things went easier than I thought. The smell of fried chicken entered my nose as the next course arrived. Perhaps a bit burned, but not as bad as Jet throwing his dragonfire at zombies. It could be worse. I decided tonight I would be happy and just enjoy life.

It will get so much worse. Not point dwelling on bad things. I just smiled kindly as Rivia placed the ring on her finger, and smiled warmly at me.

Anika glared for a second at me, before cutting into her chicken with a frost blade. Perhaps I should warm her heart again?

Women were such a mystery.