CHAPTER 236: GUILD PROPOSAL

Dominic nodded as he read the list. "I think that we should discuss that in private. I have a proposal for you.

But first, we should get everyone settled. I like to know where everyone has chosen to stay. The woodcutters are free to pick any of the intact houses near the tree line. Only one of them is occupied right now, by our local healer and midwife.

There are a number of farmers, and you will meet them later. But do let me know what shop you have picked. There are residences above all of the surviving shops, so please move in at the one you picked.

The tailor is down the street on the left. The sign is still there. Originally, there was only one in town, so I don’t know if you want to work together or open two shops in a small town.

The steam fitter is next to the forge. There is a master smith and toolmaker in the forge, say hello before you go rummaging next door so he knows you’re not a thief.

For the artificer and Techno Wizards, just pick anywhere intact and make it home."

The majority of the new arrivals nodded in understanding, but one of the Techno Wizards had questions.

"You are the new Duke of Wistover, but who were you before?" He asked.

"Dominic Wavemates, nephew of the Earl of Wistover. I grew up on the outskirts of this very village with an artificer and a Techno Wizard for parents. I am also an Apprentice Blacksmith, with some training in magitech weapon and orb creation." He explained.

The Techno Wizard frowned. "I know that name. Where do I know that from?"

The Artificer, a younger man who looked like he might still be a student, poked him in the side.

"This is Wistover." He whispered.

"Right. Dominic Wavemates. The Butcher of Wistover. Well, now the Duke of Wistover. No offence intended, Your Grace." The older man realized.

"It’s good to be home." Dominic agreed.

The Merchant’s Guild member smirked, and Dominic didn’t miss the fact that the group was quietly celebrating the fact that he was an original Wavemates Noble who hadn’t turned his loyalty to Dagos.

The tractor that Pops had been repairing trundled down the road past them, pulling a large plow. The sight made the steam fitter sigh in relief. The more steam vehicles they had in town, the better it was for business.

Dominic and the Merchant’s Guild’s courier waited while everyone spread through town, looking for a new home.

After a few houses, the mood turned somewhat sombre. Everyone had realized that the reason there were so many fully stocked and complete homes was because the last occupants had been killed defending them.

Normally, that would be enough to keep the superstitious away from moving in at all. But the new Lord was the one who had avenged his village, according to both the Dagos Nobles who cursed him, and the Resistance members who praised him in secret as a folk hero.

So, if he was here, and he had let the houses stay up, then it should be fine to move in.

Fifteen minutes later, everyone had chosen a place, and the tailors had agreed to share one large shop. Not the previous tailor’s shop, which had apparently been partially burnt, but one that Dominic faintly remembered as a produce house.

"Now, how about I have a nice chat with the Merchant’s Guild about purchasing the goods they have sent my way? Please follow me into the manor, and we can have the staff bring refreshments."

Julio opened the door for them as they approached, and nodded politely at his fellow Merchant’s Guild member before bowing to Dominic.

"Ah, Julio. Good timing. Can you get the maids to bring us coffee? The Merchant’s Guild has sent us supplies." He explained.

"Of course, My Lord."

The Castellan bustled off, and the merchant gave Dominic a curious look.

"You managed to hire one of the Guild’s accountants as your Castellan? Or head of staff? That is impressive."

Dominic chuckled. "It was a fortunate turn of events. There was no managerial position available for him where he was, and I made a decent offer for his services."

One of the veiled maids led them to the secondary sitting room on the main floor, which was now spotless. The merchant smiled at her, recognizing the veil as part of the uniform from the VIP areas of the Merchant Guild facilities, and mistaking it as a show of solidarity between Dominic and the Guild, and not a desire by the maid to continue to hide her face.

She retreated to the corner of the room to wait for instructions, while Dominic sipped the coffee and took out two mana revolvers and a rifle.

All were Rare items, all were created at level 20.

They were the finest of magitech items that he had remaining in his inventory, and the Merchant’s eyes went wide as he examined them.

"Now I see why you wanted to do this in private. That is your maker’s mark, is it not?" He asked.

Dominic nodded. "Indeed it is. I know that the steam tractors are an expensive product, but the rest of the goods should be relatively affordable."

The Merchant nodded. A steam tractor of that size was indeed valuable, even when it was a coal powered version, like the pair that he had brought. The fact that it didn’t require magitech to build made it much more affordable, especially in Dagos.

But still, it would be close to the value of the two revolvers for the pair.

That Magitech Rifle, on the other hand, was the sort of thing that any Noble would kill to get their hands on.

Having a single one of those three weapons given to the guards of a Merchant Guild Caravan would virtually assure its safety, even in these perilous times, as long as you could find a skilled guard to wield them. So, it was a trade that he could make.