The World Dragon's Heir - Chapter 358

Chapter 358: Bella Returns
The caravan came to a stop, and an older Dwarf in ornate metal armour hopped down.

“Duke Wistover, I presume?” He asked.

“Indeed. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Guild Master. I see that you brought a rather large contingent with you.” Dominic agreed.

The Dwarf smiled. “Tactical relocation. You see, the taxes are high to rebuild after the war, and the war effort didn’t pay well. Plenty of mercenary minded families are looking for a fresh start after they auctioned their old homes for funding.

Then there are the folks from Aramos Village. The village is expanding, and they bought out a bunch of farmers to build a suburb. There is some huge lout there who seems to know you, and convinced them all to come here.”

Dominic smiled. “I worked with him in the past. In my capacity as a travelling Steam Smith. I was Pop’s Apprentice in Cygnia City, you see.”

The Dwarf smiled. “I came here because he was here. No better place for me than a town with a proper Dwarven Smith. Looks like you’ve got a few in town, though.”

Dominic shook his head. “One smithy, one carriage shop, and a large magitech factory so far. Those are the smoke stacks you’re seeing.”

“You’re not the old man’s apprentice anymore?” The Adventurer’s Guild Master asked.

Dominic shook his head, and held out his arm, where he still had the skill core socketed into his arm guard.

“I’ve reached Journeyman, and he took a new Apprentice. She’s an adorable one, a girl named Mead.”

The Guild Master smiled. “Oh? Now that is a good name for a blacksmith. But we can catch up after I start getting everyone settled. Should I call the farmers out?”

“Might as well. If you don’t, Wiz and Bella are likely to run over here anyhow.”

“Too late.” The Guild Master laughed as he saw the gunslinger running in their direction.

“Dominic! Did you come here for the tax-exempt restart too?” Bella called as she ran up to them.

“Oh, you know the Guild Master? Perfect. We’re going to have such a great time here. I brought the whole family, and Aramos Village paid us enough for the farm that I think we can get a good spot here too.” She announced.

Dominic winked at her. “You missed a few things while I was gone. Welcome to Wistover, my family’s ancestral home. By the order of the King, I am Duke Wistover now, and I have married Princess Alexis.”

Bella froze. “Wait, back up. I missed a step in there somewhere.

How did you go from travelling blacksmith’s apprentice to Duke? And you married one of the Paladin Twin Princesses?”

Dominic laughed. “I will explain it all later. But there is plenty of good farmland here. In fact, we’re not even charging for it, we’ve just got some conditions. The base plots are forty acres, residency is contingent upon maintaining a home on it, and no family can claim more land than they can work.

There are plenty of abandoned farm houses left, though they’re a bit further from the village itself. As you can see, we’ve got a lot of visiting military guests at the moment, but there is more than enough work for adventurers.

With nobody living in the region for a decade, the roaming monster problem is everywhere.

The only ones that aren’t an issue are the trolls, who have their own village not far from here. We’ve got an agreement with them not to cause trouble for each other.”

Bella nodded slowly, taking in the information. “Well, I do hope that you can make time to explain it all, now that you’ve got so many responsibilities, Your Grace.”

She bowed, and Dominic laughed at her awkward courtesy.

“Do all the farm families you brought have an adventurer with them?” Dominic asked, changing the topic.

Both Bella and the Guild Master nodded, while the Guild Master took out a list of personnel.

“Most of them have more than one. The only exceptions are the farmers from Aramos, as Wiz and Bella are the only adventurers from that group.

It averages out to more than one per family anyhow, as most of the ones who came from the northeast have veteran soldiers who were adventurers before they were drafted.

There are more than enough to serve as caravan guards, field patrols and anything else that you might need.”

“That is wonderful news. Many of our locals are trained hunters, and I’ve equipped them with magitech rifles as a supplement to their usual bows. It makes them better able to deal with roaming monsters, though the silent bows are more popular for hunting still.” Dominic explained.

Bella’s eyes sparkled with excitement at that news. “So, you have more weapon recipes?”

“Yes, but I’m not a full-time blacksmith anymore. I did spend some time as a gunsmith for the army during the war, though. So, if you’re having issues with the pistol I made you, just let me know.

I’ve also got some lower grade mana revolvers available. I typically sell them to the Merchant’s Guild for their caravan guards.” Dominic explained.

Bella nodded. “I heard. Though, I didn’t realize that it was you. A gunslinger working as a caravan guard was the one who told us about the special status of Wistover, and the good land to settle on, now that Aramos Village bought out the old farm.”

“We should put this off for later. Come up to the Manor for dinner, and bring Wiz. Guild Master, please join us as well. But first, I should explain the situation to the families, and show your Guild Hall staff to their new base of operations.

It’s currently serving as an officer’s entertainment venue and event centre, so it’s not empty, but the office areas are unoccupied, and ready for you to move in, as are the staff quarters.

You may wish to stay in the village itself, and there are new houses available, but we put in a few apartments for the Guild members in the building.” Dominic explained.

If he timed this right, they should have everyone scattered and looking for just the right farmstead before the Merchant’s Guild caravan arrived.