The World Dragon's Heir - Chapter 672: General Marshall

Chapter 672: General Marshall

Lord Blackwell cleared his throat. “I don’t think that it will be that bad. The flooding of Kinewen is already receding. There will be a huge amount of cleanup work to do, but the residents who haven’t fled the area will be able to move back in this month.

At least, move in enough to start cleaning up.

The buildings are mostly stone, there is a city wall which would have slowed the current of the river, so they’ll mostly be digging the city out of the mud.

Or, more likely, building new levels on top of the old buildings and turning the silt buried levels into basements. Kinewen still had a lot of dirt roads in the low city, and it won’t take much for them to be raised a few metres.

There are other cities in the same state.

Witheton, the Axbridge Capital, has been rebuilt at least four times, each time stacking a new city on top of old after a major flood. It wouldn’t surprise me if Kinewen actually has an old city under the new, layers of abandoned roads with new city built over them.

But that’s not really our problem, just a bit of relief for our issues.

So, do you want me to get the team arranged to build a road to Lympsbury? Four hundred kilometres won’t be fast, but we can do it if we’ve got the mages and equipment.”

Dominic nodded. “Get the factories on it. Make two or three more of the roadwork machines that we’re using around town, and recruit mages from the two Sects to run the road to Lympsbury. The Merchant’s Guild will help with supplies, since they want the road as much as we do.

You can fly faster than going overland, but low-value goods aren’t ever going to be worth the cost of air freight except in an emergency.

Plus, it’s not practical to stop an airship at every Barony Manor.”

The Advisors shook their heads at the thought.

It was certainly possible to do it. But it would take nearly as long to get the airship anchored and launched as it did to fly the distance in between.

“First things first. We need to do the roads to the Baronies as well,” Alexis reminded them.

“We’ve already budgeted and assigned teams for that. They’re on it already, and the reports are in for the major walking routes that have been used to get here for the tournament.

Those are the first roads we will do, and then extend them to the Baronies.

It will be more effective in the immediate region, but by the time that we finish them, it will be clear where else they need to go.

Have faith in the system, we will have everyone connected on time and on budget.” Jenna, their aged accountant Advisor, assured her.

Sir Charles smiled as he saw the others intensely planning infrastructure projects.

“You know, I do believe that I signed on for the best job out of all of us.”

Alexis gave him a smile that sent a shiver up the Knight’s spine.

“Oh, it only seems like it now because things are going well. When it all goes to shit and the locals start to get upset about projects that we haven’t finished, shortages of supplies and everything else up to and including the banditry by the refugees, it’s all up to you to keep public sentiment positive with strategic events.”

“Dammit. I should have known there was a catch.”

Dominic laughed. “Have you forgotten your ancient history? In times of hardship, give them entertainment and food, and the masses will overlook nearly anything. We will take care of the food production, you’re responsible for the entertainment.

You just have it easy until things get bad.

However, we’ve now got cavalry patrols with rifles and magical spears. If it comes down to it, we’re better equipped than most to deal with bandit groups taking hold in the Duchy.”

Whatever they were going to say next was interrupted by Dave shuffling his feet.

“We have a very big visitor.” He explained.

Dominic wasn’t sure what that meant. The Royals had just left, none of them should be back yet.

However, when he stepped into the doorway, he realized that Dave meant that in the most literal possible way.

Their new guests were a pair of Giants, a dozen Mountain Trolls and a black winged dragonkin, with his claws and wings out. They weren’t acting hostile, but Dominic knew that transformation was a sign that the more bestial side of the dragonkin was in charge.

Or, he might have better control than Dominic did.

John Mackay, the sheep farmer who was once a Wavemates Royal Assassin, was waiting in the distance, just visible to Dominic. He must have seen them coming, and he was ready for things to get hostile.

Dominic let his claws and fangs extend as he stepped forward, but the visiting group didn’t show any reaction.

Instead, they waited for him to walk down the driveway to greet them at the gate.

“Prince Dominic, it’s a pleasure to meet you.

I am General Marshall of the Burlish Resistance Army. We have come here today in hopes that the Royal Dragonkin might lend us their aid in retaking the northeastern wild lands of Burlish for the sapient species.

We have had a devilish time finding you, Your Majesty. I know that the Wavemates Empire fell, and most of the survivors left this world, but still, I had not expected to need to send a thousand men all over the continent, only to find you were still living at home.”

Dominic laughed. “A reasonable misunderstanding. However, I believe that we have a few things to discuss. For example, why you arrived in combat form.”

Dominic shifted back to usual, and the dragonkin gave him a confused look.

“How did you do that?”

“You don’t know how to relax your draconic features? Oh, that must be horribly inconvenient when dealing with others.”

The General sighed. “You must be young, Your Highness. I’ve never met a Dragonkin that can change their appearance. At best, we just use clothing to hide ourselves. Either it is an aspect of the Royal Lineage, or something unique to yourself.”