The World Dragon's Heir - Chapter 474

Chapter 474: Marital Migration
The radio reports started to flow in, relayed by the airships overhead.

There were dozens of airships overhead, and multiple convoys coming from the closer cities. Causter, Lympsbury, Castle, Darden, and even rumours of a convoy coming out of Staptontave in Dagos, which was not only highly suspect, but potentially highly problematic.

If they were infiltrators or soldiers, it was a violation of the border.

If they were debutantes from Dagos, looking to marry out of the country, it was a political nightmare.

One that Dominic would rather not deal with.

Then, word that an airship had set off from Biverlow, carrying a full load of young men from the Noble Academy, and another from the capital in Mitfield, carrying minor Noble ladies, though the Palace had already sent ladies by portal.

“We’re going to have to warn the Adventurer’s Guild to prepare for an influx of guests. The events in the Manor are easy enough, but it looks like we’re getting everyone who can manage to make their way here.

Even the young fellows who weren’t draft aged.”

Julio pinched the bridge of his nose. “Is it too early in the day to start drinking, Your Grace?”

“There is Rum in the cabinet.”

Part of the issue was that there were so many coming, but there were so many ladies of various loyalties.

The ladies from Stansia Province came from families that were formerly Dagos aligned, though they were Wavemates Nobles before the war. They had been deemed safe enough to continue to live on the land, though most of them had been stripped of titles.

That didn’t matter when it came to marriage, a Noblewoman without a title was still a Noblewoman, even to the most hardcore of purist families.

It was Dominic that had an issue with it.

Julio poured himself a drink, filling the tumbler with Rum, and Dominic took the decanter from him, drinking from it directly.

“Well, at least we prepared for an influx of guests.

However, I just realized that we already have a rather significant number of Noblemen in Wistover.”

Julio frowned, then sighed. “The Officers of the Security forces that came to accompany the Envoys and the Princes.”

“Exactly. They’re all Noble born, and many of them are still young men.

They will need to be invited as well, it would be absolutely horrendous manners to expect them to remain on station during an event of this scale.”

“And that means we’re almost guaranteed to get attacked again.” Julio added.

“Now we’re on the same page. There is no way that idiot Kaizon will pass up the chance to attack during the festivities, whether it’s with mages, monsters, or his remaining forces.

He’s losing the war, rumour has it that he’s fled the country already, and he will be looking for vengeance.

Likely on me personally.”

“You two have some real history, I agree. But why would he go after you in his last stand? I suspect that he will go after someone more important to Cygnia’s succession.”

Dominic snapped his fingers. “You are brilliant. We need to send a message to the Capital. If we have Crown Prince Claudius and the Prince Alex here, then we’ve got almost all the potential targets in one spot.

The only other option would be to go after the King directly, and he’s got plenty of guards.”

“You say that like you’re planning a war right here in Wistover.”

Dominic shrugged. “If it means wiping out the last loyalists of old Dagos, I don’t care if I have to make it rain blood on the fields. It started here, and we can end it here.”

“Well, that’s … graphic.

However, I suspect that the farmers might have a somewhat different outlook on that sentiment.”

Dominic took another long draw off the rum bottle and laughed.

“Yes, I suspect that they would. It’s not like we can just go to Shersdonia and demand that they turn over the Prince and his allies. Not when there is a good chance the King is supporting them.”

“Then we focus on what we can control. If you want to send out the message that we have a need for as much space as we can manage, I will prepare the supplies for our new arrivals.

Dave and Larry can only do so much to keep the pantry stocked, and we will need to start buying from the farms, which are already sending most of their excess to the soldiers camped on the edge of the city.

Fortunately, the Trolls have been excellent for the crops, and we’re not in a shortage.” Julio decided, looking resigned to his fate.

Dominic took that chance to escape for a few minutes, but only made it to the door before he encountered a runner from the Axbridge force, who had arrived to deliver a message.

“Perfect timing. Let your Officers know that we will soon be inviting all the Noble born men who are in need of a bride to come to the Manor for a dating event.

We have gathered a number of debutantes, so when we call for them, be sure that they come ready to put their best foot forward.

As much as possible, given their limited supplies.”

The soldier smiled. “Of course, Your Grace. I am certain that they will be overjoyed to hear it. Fortunately for the enlisted men, many of the officers are either common born or past the age where they are interested in debutantes.”

The soldier gestured to himself, being into his middle years already, and Dominic patted him on the shoulder.

“There will be noble born tutors and nannies among the crowd as well, should you happen to be a single man.”

“Not myself, but be sure that you go talk to the Mitfield force as well. They have a few reluctant bachelors who could use a good wife to keep them in line before they die career soldiers with no heirs.”

Dominic nodded. If nothing else, arranging a side event for the noble born servants and the lower officers might help keep tensions down in the camps.