He cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Anyway, it's good that you're all here. I have something to tell you."
The crowd's attention focused entirely on him.
"As your Lord, I have recognized your devotion," he began. "And so, I am going to give you all a blessing."
"A blessing?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Excited whispers. Shocked gasps.
He cleared his throat again.
The crowd fell silent immediately.
"I have been watching over you," he continued. "I have seen your hard work. That is why I wish to reward you."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"But this is not all. I want to make a change to how you show your devotion to me, your Lord."
The beastmen listened intently, hanging on his every word.
"While praying is great... I do not like lazy followers."
Some of them flinched.
"I want you to build a kingdom for me." His gaze swept across them. "Don't you want that?"
The response was immediate.
"We want to! We want to!"
Their voices rose in unison, fervent and eager.
