Preparations Complete

Yohane came back carrying a smallish wooden crate.

He set the crate on the table and took the contents out.

"That everything?"

"Yes, more than enough."

Alexia checked each item one by one and confirmed there were no issues.

"All done."

Azu had finished drawing the diagram on the ground exactly as shown on the paper she'd been given.

"You're surprisingly dexterous."

"Really? Thank you."

Azu looked pleased at the praise.

"Then I'll start the setup."

"Yeah, go ahead."

Alexia began placing the catalysts along the diagram on the ground.

From Yohane's perspective, he had no idea what she was doing.

But Alexia's expression was so serious that he didn't interject.

Once all the prepared catalysts were arranged on the diagram, a magic circle formed.

"Azu, come here."

"Okay."

Led by the hand, Azu was guided by Alexia into the center of the magic circle.

"Activating the magic circle takes time and mana. The actual casting is tomorrow, but I want to start the activation now."

"Um, what should I do?"

"Just keep holding my hand."

Still holding Azu's hand, Alexia closed her eyes.

Seeing that, Azu mimicked her and closed her eyes too.

Light traveled from Alexia's feet into the magic circle on the ground.

Mana was flowing through it.

Elza cast a blessing on the two of them.

A blessing couldn't increase mana itself, but it seemed to have the effect of reducing consumption.

It also enhanced the effectiveness of spells.

Azu was essentially serving as a mana tank.

Before long, the light passed through the entire magic circle, and Alexia staggered.

I hurried over to support her before she could collapse.

Her face was slightly visible under the hood, and she looked a bit drained of color.

"I'm fine…"

She said that, but her legs didn't seem to have any strength in them.

Azu wasn't nearly as affected.

She was just lightly perspiring.

Azu was only assisting, after all. The bulk of the burden fell on Alexia.

I put Alexia's arm over my shoulder and guided her to a chair.

When I brought a drink to her lips, Alexia obediently put her mouth to the cup and drank.

"The drain was just worse than I expected."

Bit by bit, Alexia's energy returned.

"So the preparations are done?"

"Yes. The spell has been activated. It needs time before it can be triggered, so I'll trigger it tomorrow."

"How much mana does that take? Will you be alright?"

"My, are you worried about me? Don't be. Tomorrow won't be as draining as today."

She said that and picked up the cup herself, drinking the rest of its contents.

Yohane gazed at the magic circle on the ground.

It glowed with a blue light, the catalysts shining brightly.

Even someone utterly indifferent to magic would feel something distinct standing before this circle.

Just standing near it, I felt a coolness like being at the edge of a lake.

"What happens if someone erases the magic circle?"

"The spell itself won't vanish. But I use the circle to support the spell after activation, so it would be a problem if it disappeared."

"Sounds like we need someone to stand guard."

Saying that, Yohane headed straight to the Adventurer's Guild and submitted a quest form.

It was a summons for Finn.

"You're using me a bit too casually, don't you think? An overnight watch?"

Luckily, Finn was still in the city.

"I want those three rested for tomorrow when we make it rain."

"Meanwhile I don't get any rest…"

"Consider it a job, yeah?"

"Fine, whatever." Finn sighed.

She accepted. Two gold coins for one day of guard duty.

"You two seem to get along well."

When I returned to Azu, she said that and approached me.

She seemed slightly more irritable than usual, if I wasn't imagining things.

"Someone who moves for money can be trusted within the bounds of that money."

"What about me? Can you trust me?"

"Isn't that a given at this point?"

"Just felt like asking."

With that, Azu clasped her hands behind her back and fell into step beside me.

After watching the magic circle for a while, we left the watch to Finn and returned to the inn.

Finn said she'd blend into the darkness and monitor the circle from the shadows.

Something about not being seen was part of her professional code.

Alexia lay down the moment we reached the inn.

There was no reason to stay up late.

Everyone went to sleep promptly, saving their energy for the next day.

 

＊　＊　＊

 

And then the next day came.

When I led the slaves to where the magic circle was, Finn was brushing dust off her hands.

Several men lay tied up with rope.

"Morning. Sleep well while leaving everything to little old me?"

"Yeah. Slept like a dream, honestly."

At that, Finn snorted as if to say give me a break.

"Good for you. These guys were trying to erase the magic circle."

"Hmm. People from the city?"

"They are, but that's not the point. Scum who'd been selling water at jacked-up prices behind the scenes. Turn them over to the officials if you want. My job's done."

With that, Finn took her pay and disappeared.

As I was wondering what to do with these guys, some city residents came and dragged them away.

Probably people who'd been forced to buy water at inflated prices.

I pretended not to see any of it.

Alexia still had her hood up.

Honestly, I didn't think it would matter if her identity got out at this point… but it was better to let her do as she pleased.

Despite how early it was, the city's residents had already begun gathering to watch the rain-making magic.

If this ended in failure, the aftermath would be a bit frightening.

But I trusted Alexia and left it in her hands.

Alexia planted her battle-axe in the center of the magic circle as a makeshift staff and took Azu's hand in her left.

With Elza's blessing as the signal, she triggered the spell.