Chapter 276: Extra Workers
After four days of relative peace and hard work, the guard on duty reported a Merchant Guild Caravan coming from the west.
They were about to cross the bridge and head into the village with six trucks, so Dominic went out to meet them. With any luck, this should be the convoy with their architect.
Dominic had dozens of pages of sketches ready for various products, and now he was ready to start with the true test of all his efforts.
Proving that they worked.
But with the merchant caravan coming, it would have to wait.
The Caravan didn’t turn into the village when they crossed the river. Instead, they turned to park in front of the Ducal Manor, confirming Dominic’s suspicion that the Architect and his team were on board.
The convoy came to a stop just as Dominic stepped onto the porch. The Merchant Guild representative hopped down and walked over with a huge smile on his face, much more enthusiastic than delivering contracted workers would justify, no matter his cut of the commission.
"Duke Wistover, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I have just what your Duchy has been looking for." He declared.
"Oh? It sounds like you brought me something more than just an Architect." Dominic replied.
The merchant nodded happily. "Indeed I did. The Merchant’s Guild bought out the Bothersia Prisoner Auction in Bridmin. We have managed to get you almost an entire mage tower.
Now, the authorities executed the Sect Leader and all the Elders, but we managed to get most of the acolytes, and the price is very reasonable."
Dominic narrowed his eyes in suspicion. There had to be a catch. Bothersia wasn’t the biggest fan of Sorcerers and Demihumans, but they didn’t have a law against their presence.
So, if they had purged an entire mage tower, there was likely an excellent reason for it. Which meant that these were likely to be genuine criminals. Criminals that had such a reputation that the Merchant’s Guild had brought them with the caravan for nearly four thousand kilometres.
Nobody kept stock that long, and especially not an entire mage tower.
Mages had genuine skills, they were welcome everywhere. Even if they had to be auctioned off one at a time and put under supervision, they should have all been sold long before they got anywhere near Stansia Province.
They had come across two countries after they left Bothersia, after all.
"Alright, what are the details. I will buy up the contracts if they’re not going to be a disruptive force." Dominic agreed.
That made the Merchant a bit nervous, and he immediately changed the topic.
"We can discuss that at the end of our delivery. I have brought your Architect as well. He’s got a three-man team with him, and all are skilled in the construction arts."
He waved the men forward, and the architect bowed to Dominic, while subtly speaking in the Wavemates hand language.
{Prince Dominic, welcome home. I look forward to working with you to rebuild the village.}
Dominic smiled. "Welcome to Wistover. We have grand plans for the village. Not just the burnt houses, but also for apartment blocks and factories. I intend to make an entire magitech factory in town, to serve as our primary export."
The architect nodded happily. "And which family might own the factory? I will make plans to arrange it in the off hours of rebuilding the village."
"Mine. The factory will be owned by the Duchy directly, and I am hoping that we can find a few suitable Magitech Engineers to train the workers. I wish to export magitech household goods. Lights, restroom facilities, showers and such. Not just for Noble houses, but in bulk without ornamentation for common homes." Dominic explained.
The Architect and the Merchant shared an excited smile.
"So, you wish to bring back the glory days of a fully magical society, but with magitech? We will fully support that mission." The Merchant agreed.
Villagers and farmers were beginning to make their way toward the caravan, and the Merchant turned his attention their way.
"You have more food again? Didn’t anybody tell Wistover that there is a famine going on? So much crop land was destroyed, and the rest of the eastern continent is in a drought. Cygnia is mostly breaking even, but many regions are starting to ration. But even Mitfield is running short on food in the cities." He explained.
Dominic shrugged. "We’ve got good fields and witches. We haven’t even had to turn on the irrigation yet. Which is probably a good thing because most of it is broken."
{We should move the mages before the farmers get here. There are things you should know.} The Merchant gestured.
{Obviously. You moved them across two entire countries without selling them.} Dominic replied.
{Don’t you think that I would have gotten rid of them if I could? You’ll understand when you are around them for a few minutes.}
The mages came out of the caravan in an unhurried line, looking around in awe at their surroundings and chatting excitedly.
Wilkes nudged Karl’s shoulder.
"Why is there a whole group of Puritans here?" He whispered.
"Their tower was expelled from Bothersia, so we’re gaining some mages. At least, most likely. It’s not finalized yet." Dominic replied.
The Royal Guard frowned. Those weren’t just mages. They were Vestal Virgins of the Purity Sect mage clans. They were cursed to cause immense pain to anyone who touched them with ill intent or lewd intentions.
Their Clan wasn’t local to Cygnia, but every Royal Guard knew who they were.
The most insufferable humans on the face of the planet.
At least from a Guardsman’s point of view.
"And you want to take them in to form a new mage tower here?" Wilkes confirmed.
"Most definitely. They make excellent advisors because they know you can’t slap them for speaking their mind without hurting yourself." Dominic joked.
One of the mages, a young acolyte boy who might not yet be in his teens, giggled as he heard Dominic’s comment.
Julio ushered the mages into the house, where Dominic could hear them politely greeting the staff, and Beth fussing about how skinny they all were.
They might get along just fine.