Preparing for Rain

"Is the Water Elemental Stone not ready yet!?"

Baron Aarg's voice echoed through the room.

His aide wiped sweat from his brow as he made excuses.

"It's shrunk considerably since we started. Just a little more."

"There isn't much time until the next Senate selection, you know… If the Count secures a seat on the Senate, we can leave this backwater behind and return to the Imperial capital. A viscountcy would be all but guaranteed."

He snatched up his glass of wine and drained it in one gulp.

Then dabbed at the wine on his lips with a handkerchief.

"Phew. I can't help being thirsty."

"Speaking of which, my lord. It seems some water sellers appeared yesterday."

"Hm? Well, I'm sure it sells."

"What shall we do?"

"Leave them be. The people have been grumbling about the lack of water handouts. At least this takes some heat off us. Anyway, I can't stop thinking about it. I'm going to check."

Baron Aarg pushed past his aide and left the room, heading straight for the smithy attached to his manor.

The smithy's interior was engulfed in staggering heat.

At its center, the Water Elemental was being held captive.

Several mages stationed outside the room sustained a magical barrier, pinning the elemental in place.

Directly beneath it, a pile of burning stone blazed, channeling heat into the elemental.

"It's shrunk quite a bit since the start."

"Indeed. I expect it will crystallize into an Elemental Stone in another seven days."

"Seven days. That would put us just in time. Add more burning stone."

"Understood."

The Water Elemental, engulfed in the chamber's ferocious heat, was slowly evaporating.

"To think a single elemental could affect the surrounding area this much. Well, I suppose that's precisely what makes it valuable."

"Honestly, it does weigh on my conscience a little."

The aide's words drew a snort from Baron Aarg.

"This land's been fertile for ages, hasn't it? It's better to experience thirst and hunger occasionally."

"That's…"

"A city whose only asset is food production. Stable enough, I suppose, but it doesn't line my pockets. Besides, the previous lord hunted every last monster and magic beast to extinction."

As the two spoke, one of the aide's subordinates came running toward them.

"E-Excuse me."

"What is it? Keep your voice down."

"There's a visitor… from the House of Magnus."

"House of Magnus? Who?"

"He says his name is Carolus-sama."

Baron Aarg thought for a moment.

"The third son of House Magnus, if I recall. Left home for a journey since he won't inherit the title."

"He'd like to see you, the lord of this city. Apparently, he lived here for several years in the past."

"Hm. I can't very well turn away someone from the House of Magnus. Show him to my chambers immediately."

"Yes, sir."

Shortly after, Carolus was ushered into Baron Aarg's room.

"It's been a while, Baron Aarg."

"Mm? Have we met?"

"Yes. At a party, back when I was still living at the Magnus estate. It was quite some time ago, so I wouldn't blame you for not remembering."

Baron Aarg studied Carolus as he thought.

Ambitious as he was, he'd made a point of memorizing every person of standing.

To forget someone connected to a house of higher rank at a party… that was a blunder.

If anything, perhaps they'd exchanged nothing more than a passing greeting while he was occupied with something else.

"So, what brings you here? I'm a busy man."

"I stopped by a nostalgic place and found it much changed. I was hoping we could talk a little."

Baron Aarg looked Carolus up and down.

The third son of the House of Magnus.

He held no title of his own, so Baron Aarg had no obligation to bow and scrape.

All he needed to do was avoid treating him discourteously.

"We've been in a bit of a drought. Do come in."

"A drought, you say. I've seen those before. They're terrible things. Well, pardon the intrusion."

As he followed Baron Aarg, Carolus's eyes were not on the baron but somewhere else entirely.

He glanced back in the direction of the group that had been selling water and murmured under his breath.

"Heh. Same magical power as always. Your skills haven't dulled, Alexia."

 

＊　＊　＊

 

"Did someone say something just now?"

Alexia turned around and asked Yohane.

They had wrapped up water sales early under the pretext of preparing for rain, and were in the middle of gathering what they needed.

"No, I didn't say anything."

"Then never mind. Rain, rain…"

"Is it going to be that hard?"

"It's not easy, but I said I'd do it. I don't go back on my word."

With that, Alexia began jotting down a list.

"Get these for me. I've narrowed it down to catalysts that should be easy to find. You should be able to get everything."

"Let's see here. Water crystal, tear stone, mystic stone?"

"Chop chop, we're short on time. Get going."

"Alright, alright. These should be available at an alchemist's or a tool shop."

Yohane headed out to procure the supplies.

"I can leave the tools and materials to Master. It's his line of work, after all."

"Is there anything I can help with?"

Azu asked Alexia.

"Then, Azu, help me draw this pattern on the ground. The bigger and neater, the better."

"Okay. I'll do my best."

Azu studied the paper she was given and began sketching the design on the ground with charcoal.

The lines were a little wobbly, but within acceptable range.

"What should I do?"

"Elza, I'm going to work you hard tomorrow, so you can rest for now."

"Oh?"

"As I am right now, even a small area would be a stretch for rain. Tomorrow, I'll need you to maintain a blessing all day."

"All day? Well, alright. Helping people is part of a priestess's calling."

Preparations steadily progressed.

The nearby residents watched from a distance, careful not to get in the way.

Most of them looked skeptical at the claim that it would rain.