The World Dragon's Heir-Chapter 160: Clay To Copper

The alterations to the plan took them through dinner, but by the time that she left for the night, Tutor Lucy was satisfied that their plan was balanced in revenue without requiring Dominic to add more revenue from either his own work or the estate’s coffer.

They would have ten standing guards for the estate and surrounding area, then they would supply weapons for the hunters and woodsmen, who were usually the first to notice any threat, and most likely to need to deal with it.

That added another thirty militia to the village defence force once they were at full population.

But they didn’t expect to get there in the first two years.

The recruitment plan was to get all the essential people and a third of the farmers in the first year, then the necessary, but not critical, residents and another third of their full farm resident population in the second with a recruitment campaign.

Dominic worked all night to get a revolver finished, and still managed to get a little sleep before the maids came in at first light to let him know that he had visitors.

Dominic did his best to make himself look presentable and threw on a set of Sorcerer robes with slippers to go out and meet the guests.

Tutor Lucy was back, along with a man about her age, mid-fifties, possibly sixty. He had the pale skin that only a person who spent all their time indoors could have, but his eyes were sharp, and he looked approving when he assessed Dominic.

"Sorcerer. I am told that you are a competent gunsmith. I have the two spell gems that you requested. I did not have a magitech orb of fieldstone wall in stock, just the gem. If that’s acceptable to you, we can make a trade." He explained, without introducing himself.

"Of course, Engineer. One Mana Revolver of Swiftness, created at level fifteen and Rare grade."

Dominic hadn’t gotten too elaborate with the design, but he had stamped a design into the cylinder and burned one into the wooden handle.

"Oh, that is nice. Understated, but the visible areas are decorated. I am told that these are quite reliable, is that true?" He asked.

Dominic nodded. "The trigger mechanism will need rebuilding at around ten thousand rounds, as there is a wear point on it that can’t be eliminated without increasing the movement’s resistance. It’s spring steel."

The Engineer nodded, then immediately took out a screwdriver to disassemble the grip and the side cover.

Lucy just shrugged, used to the ways of the tech obsessed.

But Dominic was actually proud of the internals of his mana revolvers. He had refined and reinforced them after seeing where the magitech rifles were wearing out fastest.

"Flawless. Excellent work, young Gunsmith. I would have never expected such work from an apprentice. Yes, this is a good trade."

The last was muttered to himself as he placed the two spell gems on the table.

Dominic took out his spellbook and recorded the new abilities, then put them all back in storage.

"Was that a magitech book?" The engineer asked.

"Yes, I traded my first Rare blade for it. It records spell gems for future use."

The older man nodded. "I know the item that you mean. Quite useful as a Grimoire, so you never forget a spell, even if it is flawed and won’t attune, so you can never level them up."

That wasn’t true in Dominic’s hands, but it was a useful misconception. People would be less eager to trade him new spells if they knew that he could instantly use them at the same level as all his other abilities.

But when Dominic checked the book, he noticed that it was now at level 8. All of the practice he had with Area Barrier spells during the siege had increased the level of the book as it channelled the spell.

If he kept pushing to increase his magical aptitude, he might be able to get himself up to the level where he would be considered a Master Mage.

Dominic wasn’t sure where the change was, but he was sure that the rank did exist. It was in the etiquette book. Plus, there had to be intermediate steps, as the Second Prince had his Battle Mage Trade Skill Core at level forty, and he was considered an Archmage.

So, perhaps level twenty or twenty-five to be considered a Master?

His spells should be suitably impressive by then.

But he had more to worry about than just the level of his spells.

For one, it was slowly sinking into his brain what he was actually doing. He was attempting to become a Prince Consort of Cygnia. Arranging for himself to marry an actual Princess.

An adorably nerdy bookworm Princess.

Who liked to kill monsters and drink with the Paladin Order in her spare time.

It still didn’t quite seem real.

The Engineer chuckled. "You look like you’re having an existential crisis. Was the pistol that precious to you?"

Dominic shook his head. "I’ve made another, and nearly a hundred uncommon grade versions. It just occurred to me that I might have an actual chance at this. The winning an engagement to Princess Alexis part of the existential crisis, that is."

The aging Engineer laughed. "Now, that I can understand. I was the second son of a Knight when I married the oldest daughter of a Baron who had no sons. It might not be the same degree of prestige, but it was a huge thing for my entire family."

"Moving from Knight’s son to Baron is a big thing, for certain. Noble politics and rankings really are a complex game for everyone involved. I thought I understood them until I got myself involved." Dominic agreed.

"I had to learn how to manage a farm holding. You have to learn how to properly pamper a Princess. I wish you the best of luck." The Engineer joked.

"Alright, Amos. We need to get to work. Did you want to stay and help, or are you busy?" Lucy asked.

"I will stay. Perhaps the Sorcerer has something interesting to show me today."

Dominic laughed and placed one of the stamped Mana Pistols made with Clay to Steel on the table.

"I’m sure I can find something entertaining. Can you guess how long it takes to make that?" Dominic replied.

Amos sat down at the table with them and began turning the item in his hands.

"It’s stamped out of clay? Brilliant. Mass-produced magitech. I wish I could do that, but alas, I am not a Sorcerer."

Keeping the Engineer entertained and happy shouldn’t be too difficult.

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