The World Dragon's Heir - Chapter 725: Integration

Chapter 725: Integration

Alexis rose from her chair and smiled at Benedict.

“Why don’t we go meet the rest of your unit? They’re going to be spending a very long time here in the Manor, if Dominic has accepted them as his Royal Guard.

So, it’s in everyone’s best interest to see that the two forces get along.”

Benedict nodded. “I believe that you will get along well with the team. They are all top performers from the Academy’s training program, but grades aren’t everything. They were specifically chosen by the teachers for their ability to work together as a cohesive team.”

The midwife helped arrange Alexis’ clothing before they left the room, ensuring that there were no wrinkles from sitting for an extended time.

Downstairs, the two Guard forces were beginning to get along well, and they had moved out into the yard to show the new arrivals around the essential areas. They would need to learn the layout of the building as soon as possible, and there was a lot of building to learn, when you included the courtyards behind the main manor, as well as the underground tunnels.

They would get to those later.

“Are there any signature spells that I should know about before we meet with the team?” Alexis asked.

“There are a few that the Wavemates Royal Guard all know. One is the Uniform Disguise spell. When active, they will all look like one of two people, either a male or female Royal Guard.

It’s quite useful in general situations, as it allows us to lift our visors without being recognized as anything more than a guard.

They are Battlemages, so there are naturally quite a few combat spells that they all know, but the signature spell of the guard is [Wing Blast], which creates a huge rush of wind magic that can be used to throw enemies back, or to help get us into the air.”

“You can fly?”

“I mean, yeah. Not because I have wings, all Battlemages know flight magic of some sort. The extra wind blast throws us into the air, to get a faster start, or to intercept incoming targets.

It is a wonderfully useful magic when used properly.

But more importantly, it’s a nonlethal spell. I don’t know how much you know of the previous dragon King’s policies, but he was strictly pacifist. Now, that didn’t end well for him, when he was surrounded by human nations that were not pacifist.

Not for his Nobles, either. Men who had become too complacent after centuries of peace within the Kingdom were unprepared or unwilling to fight back, thinking that Dagos would spare the commoners.

But that’s not the point.

What I’m trying to say is that pacifism has shaped much of the policy of the Wavemates Royal Guard training.

We have developed many skills that are intended to delay, hinder or restrain, without killing. In the last decade, many combat skills were reintroduced, with an added focus on practical combat instead of ceremonial.

But the old traditions were never removed, so we have many ways to keep the peace.”

Alexis smiled. “That is actually going to be quite useful. Mages who can restrain troublemakers lead to prisoners who can be questioned later, instead of bodies and guesses about their intentions.”

Benedict smiled. “Well, I am a personal disciple of a former Lord Inquisitor. I also have spells and skills to get answers out of even the most reluctant or magic resistant prisoners.”

Alexis nodded. “The Royal Guard in Cygnia is trained with similar techniques. What they lack is a reliable way of bringing in prisoners alive.

That, the effort to capture them without allowing them to self-destruct, is the hardest part of getting to the truth of things. If you truly have a reliable method for securing traitors, the entire nation will come to thank you for it.”

Benedict nodded. “It is quite effective, and when they are fully restrained, they can’t even bite down on poison pills hidden in their mouth. When they can’t end their own lives, there is no option but to answer.”

Alexis led the way to where the two groups of Guards were currently discussing the details of the walls with Dave and the other Daves.

“I see that everyone is settling in well. Was there anything that we needed right away?” She greeted them.

“No, Your Highness. We’ve got everything well in hand now. The new Guards have been shown their dorms, and we’ve nearly finished the tour of the Manor.

All that is left is to discuss the usage times for the training grounds, and to introduce them to the rest of the city.”

Alexis nodded. “That can wait, they will meet with the locals the next time that Dominic goes out. Until then, it’s better not to reveal their identities to the people of Wistover. Mystery is part of the Royal Guard experience, after all.”

Benedict nodded. “We also disguise ourselves while working, so even if we go out into town now, nobody will recognize us the next time that they see us. It would be a bit counterproductive to introduce us to everyone as the Royal Guard.

In a larger Palace, we usually pose as common Palace Guards when we’re in our own faces. Only when we’re disguised will we be fully uniformed as the Royal Guard.”

Colonel Wilkes seemed confused, but the guards weren’t going to transform here in the open where anyone could see. Not knowing who was under the disguise was the sole purpose of the spell. If only one of them did it, what would even be the point?

“Alright, if you’ve got this all handled, I need to have a long talk with my dear husband. It appears that he has been willing to side with that treacherous midwife, and is on the verge of suggesting something stupid.” Alexis insisted.

Dominic sighed. “Wish me well, brothers. If I don’t make it out of this discussion alive, know that it is wiser not to ask your future wife to go on bed rest.”

The guards laughed at Dominic’s solemn tone, and Colonel Wilkes gave him a crisp salute.

“Farewell, brother. May you heal rapidly.”