The World Dragon's Heir

Chapter 624: Simple Order For Pops

Lord Blackwell mentally calculated how long it would take Dominic to drop off a load of metals for the Master Smith, and how long to make it to the stadium after he inevitably stopped to chat with his mentor.

“Alright, that should be fine. We won’t keep you here too long. There isn’t anything major in the morning reports, anyhow. Today is a light day, other than the tournament.”

Fahad scoffed. “And the ten airships of Cygnian Noble spectators who arrived this morning. The new Inn is going to need an expansion at this rate, and the campgrounds are overflowing.

You’re going to make a fortune, Duke Wistover.”

The Advisor shrugged. “Guests are expected for a tournament. Besides, the real winners here are going to be the Merchant’s Guild. Who do you think chartered the airships, and who has the stockpile of locally made magitech?”

In a way, that was still a win for Wistover.

Half the goods were made by shops owned by the Duchy, so they would do alright with the sales. But if Dominic’s memory was right, the airship team should have a second vessel ready soon.

If that came into service in the next few days, the Duchy would make out like bandits in the bidding war for the airship.

The more Nobles you had on hand when the good stuff came out, the better the price.

“I certainly hope that we do well. With so many new businesses, this is their first chance to really get a leg up and establish a reputation.

If they don’t make a good impression this week, things are going to get difficult for them, and their competitors will seem even better in comparison. It will be a test of character for most of our population, and only the factory workers will truly be spared.

They’ve already built their reputation.”

Dominic ate as they talked, trying to keep himself on schedule.

The Royals were all excited to get to the event, and Dominic knew that he had to do a commencement speech before the first round, introducing the Knights and formally starting the event.

After that, Julio would be doing the announcing, but the first introductions had to be by the host, and Alexis had managed to escape, so he couldn’t use her as the pretty figurehead of the Duchy.

Such a sneaky wife.

He had no idea where she might have gotten such levels of irresponsibility from.

He couldn’t even think that with a straight face, but the Advisors took his smile as a sign of excitement for the tournament.

“Alright, it has been a pleasure, but I’m off now. I will see you all in the arena soon.”

Dominic left for Pops’ forge with a full entourage of Trolls and a quartet of veiled maids. So many that it was suspicious.

“Is there a reason that I have so many staff members to go to the forge?”

The maid by his right shoulder shrugged. “What can I say? Big muscled Knights are sexy. The Princess is out, she doesn’t need us right now, and we don’t have any house duties this morning.”

Dominic laughed, but nodded in agreement. “Alright, I see why you wanted to come along now. You’ve also got medical training, so there is a chance for a bit of hands on first aid, should one of the single gentlemen happen to be injured.”

“You’ve been reading her romance books again, haven’t you?”

“One or two. I’ve got to live up to expectations.”

Dave rumbled with amusement. “Is that the secret? I will ask Ingrid to get us romance books to help find ladies.”

The maids quickly held up their hands to stop the Troll from sending that message.

“No, that’s a limited technique. I think it only works for Dragonkin who are chasing Princesses.”

Watching Dave try out the techniques found in romance novels without anyone guiding them was either going to be tragic or fatal. It was better that they stopped that train of thought before the big man got too far down it.

Dominic entered the forge and found both Dwarves hard at work, while the clerk with the bubbly personality waited out front for customers.

“Duke Dominic, welcome. Pops is in the forge, waiting for your arrival. Head on back.”

“Thanks. It looks like you’re getting used to the rhythm of this place. I don’t see any empty shelves.”

The young woman laughed. “Yep, he gets mad if there are empty shelves. Says that it encourages people to ask dumb questions. So, if we run out of things, I have signs for the empty spots now with an estimated restocking time.”

That was new, and a great idea.

But Dominic was in a hurry, so he went straight back to where Pops had set out freshly refined clay with labels for what he needed.

It was just Cart Bright and Mana Steel. But Dominic made much better versions of them than anyone else did. With a hundred kilos of each, Pops should be set for most of a month, even with the extra business from the tournament.

“So, you’re branching out into armour, are you?” He joked as he made the clay into ten kilo bricks of metal.

“As hard as I’ve tried to avoid it, it’s inevitable. Too many know that I was the Royal Forgemaster, and now they come to me for weapons and armour as well.

No matter how many times I tell them it’s a tool forge, they know the truth.” The old Dwarf complained.

“Well, at the very least you’ll be able to take this chance to teach Mead all the tricks to repairing magitech armour without fully rebuilding the circuitry.”

Pops winked at him. “And here I never did get to teach you that.”

Dominic shrugged. “I’ll figure it out eventually. I’ve mostly got the technique down now, from repairing rifles.”

“Thanks for the assistance. Now, you’d best get running off to the tournament before the Royals get bored and start making wagers on things that don’t have proper odds at the bookmakers.

As soon as they start, everyone around will try to copy them and bet on it as well.”

Dominic frowned. “I swear, there has to be a limit to how many Kings you’re allowed to have in one spot. Even for a special event. Just thinking about all that could go wrong stresses me out.”