The World Dragon's Heir

Prince Russel smiled at Alexis. "Speaking of my soldiers, where did they go?"

Dominic gestured out the door. "There is a barracks building in the compound, set up with multiple cots. They're setting up in the barracks while our farrier checks over the horses.

If there is anything else that they need, just tell the staff. But the barracks have all the essentials, including a stove to cook on, if they prefer to make their own meals.

I know that Beth has dinner for everyone going."

The Prince turned to the kitchen. "So, that's where the old woman went. I was told that she had left the service of the Palace when I returned, but nobody thought to tell me that she had left to go work for the Princess.

She always did play favourites."

Beth poked her head out of the kitchen to wave at the Prince, who smiled and nodded at her.

A moment later, a maid came in with a small plate containing a single square of brownie with chocolate syrup on top. The sight of it made Prince Russel laugh.

"See what I mean? The woman makes the most wonderful snacks, but when I want one, this is what I get. Meanwhile, my sisters would go in and come back with a whole bowl full of cake and ice cream." He explained as the plate was set in front of him.

Alexis smirked. "That's because Princesses are meant to be pampered, but nobody likes a soft and idle Prince. It's for your own good that she kept you all in shape."

The Prince took a small bite of the brownie, then gestured toward Dominic with the spoon.

"What are the chances that I can get a gear upgrade for my men before they start on patrols? We will be here a month, working to clear the area. I intend to route them on overnight trips so that they can reach more of the area, but they are a traditional unit.

A few Noble officers with rifles, but everyone else is working with common grade swords and spears from the Royal Forge.

If you've got higher grade gear, I know that they would all appreciate it. It would also bring more of them home safely after we find the holdouts that are hiding around here." He asked.

Dominic nodded. "I don't have any right now, but I can make more. Spears are fastest, but I can make Mana Pistols fairly efficiently."

Russel shook his head. "The spears should be fine. I know that swords take time to forge, and these reserves are all drafted from my lands. None of them have ever handled a pistol before. We don't have time for weapons training."

"Ah, good point. While I can make them a lot of weapons, your lads will be eager to get back home to their families and never have to swing a sword again in their lives." Dominic agreed.

"Well, that's the theory. But I suspect that it won't work out that way. Even when we get home, they're not being discharged. The threat of the Dagos Civil War spreading across the border again is too high.

But at least they'll get to be on guard from their own hometown, and they'll be earning pay while seeing their families." Prince Russel explained.

Alexis tapped the table as she considered the situation. "I would suggest that you take at least half the men in a single group when you're going south. You can send smaller units to scout north and ensure that everything is fine, but the risks to the south are much higher.

Also, there is a village of trolls north of us. They're friendlies, so don't have your men attack them."

Russel shot a suspicious look at Dominic, who shrugged. "You're not wrong, it is my fault. But Wavemates has always been like that. I'm just bringing things back to how they have always been. Now that we have more territory, I suspect that we will be getting more requests for settlements from other demihuman groups.

I'm not going to object to most of them, and then they can be folded into the oversight of whatever Baron or other Noble takes over the territory.

The letter didn't say anything about more Barons, but I suspect that there will be more than twenty under us eventually."

Prince Russel shrugged. "I doubt that the King expects this region to suddenly be densely populated. You have the first few Barons very close by, but there is no harm in letting them settle into a role more like a border station.

Some will prefer that independence, as it lets them work to impress the King on their own.

But I would suggest that more strongly for the Barons who have been elevated from the younger sons of higher Peerages. The son of a Duke or an Earl, given a Barony, is more likely to have the skills and connections needed to get a promotion within a single generation."

Alexis winked at her brother. "I guess that not everyone can expect a high position simply for the number of people they can kill."

Prince Russel lifted his glass in a toast. "I can't argue with that, Baroness. You probably have no idea the chaos that Duke Dominic's elevation made within the Peerage and at the Assembly of Nobles.

Going from untitled to Duke is unprecedented, even if he was born a foreign Prince and performed great deeds.

Most war heroes are given the title of Knight, or perhaps Baronet. They aren't normally brought into the peerage at all, much less at the very top. It isn't my place to question the King's decision, but it is certainly controversial."

"It is working out in our favour, though. With the title of Duke, it is clear that the King favours him, and that there won't be any higher Lord making rules for this region. It has attracted the majority of our residents.

Now that we're getting set as a proper village, we will gather even more of the disillusioned from Stansia Province, plus the refugees from Castle City and even Darden.

The Merchants' Guild has been recruiting skilled workers for our new factory.

You'll love this. We're going to make magitech lights and fireplace inserts. No more wood and coal cooking, no more dark nights." Alexis explained.

"And commoners living like minor Nobles. No wonder they like you so much."