The World Dragon's Heir - Chapter 558: Talking Soup

Chapter 558: Talking Soup

“Well, you two can discuss soup on the way to town.

I’ve sent some mages to the rest of the group, and they will ask them to follow us, and not to settle into some random Baron’s house while he’s waiting for the wedding ceremonies to finish before he moves in.”

The refugees laughed. They could definitely see someone trying it. But they wouldn’t be surprised if they were chased back out by the local Barons.

Especially if they had just been titled and assigned lands.

“If you want to load back into the bus, I will lead you to the right spot, and ask some of the soldiers to help you get set up. They’re usually free to have someone help, and it assures them that you’re not a threat.” Dominic suggested, then turned to the massive woman.

“Why don’t you jog with Dave? He looks like he wants to talk about soup.”

The young woman laughed. “Yes, I think he does.”

In the bus, the town guards wondered why they had been brought along at all. Dominic had it handled without any issues, and the refugees seemed much more happy to see him in particular than any number of humans.

“No need to rush, keep it slow, the ground here is rough, and we’ve got all afternoon to get you settled into camp. It doesn’t look like it’s going to rain today, and tomorrow we can start moving you out to new homes.”

The driver smiled back at him. “That’s the best news we’ve heard in a decade, Your Grace.”

That seemed like an overstatement, in Dominic’s estimation, but the driver was one hundred percent serious.

It really was a horrific change compared to life under the Dragon King. Life under the King of Dagos, whose Nobles treated Commoners like trash, and the decade long drought, had changed everything.

Plus there was the flight of so many of the demihumans, sorcerers and even the Techno Wizards.

Their entire lifestyle had collapsed down around them in the capital region, and the military patrols were so strict that they could barely travel to deliver goods to the city.

Forget trying to flee, they had cracked down on that early. Anyone who tried to run into Axbridge was treated as a traitor to the nation.

On a good day, that got you killed by the patrols.

On a bad day, your death was much slower.

But now with the flooding, there were no patrols. They had all fled for safety at the first sign of danger, and that let everyone run.

The big woman who had left the bus came up to jog beside Dominic as they returned to town.

“Are you serious about them being willing to take all of us in? There are a lot of people in the second group.”

Dominic nodded. “It will depend on their skills. There should be housing for at least fifty families under each of the Barons before you have to start building more.

We’ve been using magitech tractors, so most families are working a Virgate each. There is more than that in each Barony, though not all of it will be workable, and many of them chose lands that are better for hunters and woodcutters, even tough most of us are using Magitech fireplaces now.”

“Where do you get those? I heard about them in the capital, but couldn’t afford one.”

“We make them here. That big warehouse on the far side of town, with the forge stack? That’s the fireplace factory.

We have a whole team of apprentice Techno Wizards in there, as well as the potters making the fake logs. It’s become our biggest source of revenue.”

Her face lit up as Dominic explained the situation. “And do you make more magitech items?”

“Lamps, some small-scale items at local shops, and airships.

Airships will be the next big revenue source for the Duchy, now that we’ve finished testing the new design. Did you have the sort of magical aptitude for the job?”

She shook her head. “Not me. I’m good with a forge, so I might be alright in some shops. But I don’t have the patience for fiddly stuff like magitech circuits.”

“Well, if you keep talking soup with Dave, you might end up as someone’s good farm wife.”

She laughed and gestured at herself. “You think that I’d actually find a proper husband? I might do better applying for the town guard.”

“You’d be well suited. But you’re not the only taller than average sort in town.

Wistover is something of a gathering point for Sorcerers and other Monster Blooded sorts that didn’t have anywhere else to go. Not every mixture leads to much magical aptitude, especially the Ogres, who inherit magic resistance.”

“And you just take them in?”

“Have you ever tried to say no when a half Ogre bouncer tells you it’s time to leave? They’re in high demand for heavy labour as well.”

There were only two families with Ogre blood that Dominic knew of, and one were farmers. The other had a son working at the Inn, while the father was a woodcutter.

The trip to the clearing wasn’t long, and the soldiers had already sent a detail over to meet them.

“What are we doing?” The Lieutenant asked.

“Help them set up camp. There are many more coming. Make sure that they have cooking facilities, and I will add them to the rotation for the witches and their delivery tomorrow.

Other than that, they should have the basics.

Oh, I’ve got a fireplace on me, set them up a hearth or fire pit with that. You’ve got someone who can use Fieldstone Wall, or Stone Transmutation, right?”

The Lieutenant shook his head. “Nope. No mages on our team, but we can find stones to make one naturally.”

Dominic waved off his concern. “I will make a grill and oven setup. Miss, I forgot to get your name, what do you have for food left?”

“Potatoes, potatoes, and more potatoes. We might have some carrots and onions as well.”

The Lieutenant laughed. “I’ve got ration packs. We’re not using them up at the expected rate when the farms are sending us fresh food every morning. You can make a ham and potato soup. There are spices in the pack.”

“Praise the Lords! Something other than potatoes!”