In this country, it rarely rains, so water doesn’t collect in ponds and the like through natural flow.
Huh? Come to think of it, I don’t remember it ever raining before.
Hearing Hanako’s story, Kent tried to recall any days it had rained since he came to this world but couldn’t find a single one.
If it doesn’t rain, there should be a water shortage, but I haven’t worried about it at all.
Normally, if it doesn’t rain, it should lead to drought and a water shortage. However, the town of Tiol, where Kent lived, was the largest city in the country and had a large population. Despite this, the river flowing nearby always had water, and water could be drawn abundantly from the wells. Kent hadn’t paid much attention to it before, but Hanako’s story made him start to question things.
Hmm, normally it would be like that. But this land is different. Underground, there are many things like rivers of various sizes called water veins. Water gushes out from their openings, forming everything from small ponds to large lakes, depending on the thickness of the water veins and the size of the openings. Water flows out from these ponds and lakes to form rivers, and towns and villages were built along them.
Is that so?
I’ve never heard such a story either.
Even though you’re young, you’re quite knowledgeable, as expected of an adult.
I don’t understand any of this at all.
Kent, who was listening to Hanako’s story, was surprised, as were the village chief, Brook, and Parker.
Hmm, and then, for some reason, the movement of the water veins changes, and when the openings of the water veins close, the water stops gushing out, and the ponds and lakes dry up.
In other words, the current situation of this village is that the pond that is the water source is in such a state, isn’t it?
Hmm, I can’t say for sure without seeing the actual place. However, even if that were the case, water should gradually flow out, and the water level in the pond should drop, so it doesn’t explain why the water suddenly disappeared. This is just a hypothesis.
The village chief asked Hanako, partly for confirmation. Hanako said she couldn’t be sure without seeing the site and explained that it was just a hypothesis.
I’d like to ask one more thing. Before, there were several other villages around this village, but could it be that those villages disappeared because the water veins closed?
Hmm, I can’t say for sure. However, as the village chief says, there were indeed several villages nearby before. Whether they couldn’t be maintained due to an aging population, collapsed due to internal strife, or became uninhabitable due to water shortage, I don’t know.
I see. I only heard about it from my grandparents, so it was something I wouldn’t know anyway.
The village chief listened to Hanako’s story and asked her about the stories he had heard from his grandparents, but he did not get a clear answer.
Hanako, do you really not know?
Kent had something on his mind from Hanako’s words and asked her in a low voice.
Hmm, I really don’t know what happened during the period when I was restricting my abilities. But if I investigate, I’ll know right away.
I see.
Hanako told Kent in a low voice that it would be easy to investigate with her abilities.
Well, well, let’s put aside the difficult talk and have a drink now. Come on, come on, Hanako, have a good drink.
Hmm, I will.
You’re quite a drinker.
Parker seemed to dislike difficult conversations and changed the subject, pouring sake for Hanako.
You seem to be offering a lot, but is your sake supply okay?
Hahaha, many people in this village are heavy drinkers, so we made plenty in the autumn and stored it up.
We all made it together. But the village chief told everyone to stop drinking as soon as the water shortage started.
Of course.
At this banquet, the food was served in small portions, but there was plenty of sake. When Kent, who was a little curious, asked, the village chief explained the village’s situation. However, Brook, who joined in the conversation, seemed dissatisfied that the village chief had imposed a ban on drinking for everyone as soon as the water shortage began.
Why? If I’m thirsty, I can just drink alcohol to quench my thirst, can’t I?
It’s true that it temporarily quenches thirst when you drink it. However, afterward, you’ll want even more water. Some people didn’t listen to me and drank, and they had a hard time later.
Brook said that if she was thirsty, she could drink alcohol to quench it, but the village chief explained the reason for the ban.
It’s true that as the village chief says, drinking alcohol has a diuretic effect, causing the body to excrete water, and it’s said that a lot of water is needed to break down the alcohol in the body.
Is that so? I believe what the village chief says, but if Kent says it, it seems true.
Brook, do you believe what Kent says more than what I say?
Of course. He’s the benefactor of our village, after all.
Kent, the village chief, and Brook had a lively conversation, sharing a bit of trivia.
Hanako, you’re quite a drinker.
Hmm, no problem at all. Parker, you drink too.
Oh, excuse me. Phew. The villagers are weak drinkers, so they don’t drink with me competitively. Hahaha.
Hmm, Parker is just stronger than others, but you can’t beat me.
You’ve got some nerve. Alright, it’s a match, Hanako.
Hmm, I accept.
Meanwhile, Hanako and Parker were drinking heavily and having a great time.
Well, it’s about time. Everyone, did you have a great time tonight? We’ll clean up tomorrow, so let’s call it a night.
After some time passed, the banquet ended at the village chief’s command.
Kent and Hanako, did you enjoy yourselves?
Yes, we had a very good time.
Hmm, it was fun.
The village chief, after finishing his talk in front of the villagers, returned to where Kent and his companions were. He then asked Kent and Hanako for their impressions.
That’s good. Then I’ll be counting on you tomorrow.
What were we talking about?
Kent had also had some drinks and didn’t remember everything he had discussed with the village chief. He couldn’t recall what he was being counted on for.
We were talking over drinks. Well, that’s alright. We’re going to see the place where the pond was tomorrow.
Hanako, did you hear that?
Hmm, we were talking about it.
I see. Village chief, I understand.
Kent didn’t remember, but when he confirmed with Hanako, he learned that such a discussion had taken place.
I’m glad I had an interesting conversation with Kent tonight. Well, I’m going to bed then.
Good night, village chief.
Hmm, good night.
The village chief said so and returned to his house.
Well, what should we do?
Parker-san, he’s completely asleep.
This is the first time I’ve seen my husband drunk and passed out. Still, Hanako is amazing. I wonder where all this alcohol fits into such a small body.
After the village chief left, Brook was troubled looking at Parker, who had passed out drunk.
Hmm, hehe.
Hanako, who often had a blank expression, seemed to smile slightly after winning the drinking contest with Parker.
Was the drinking match fun?
Hmm, it was fun.
Hanako replied happily to Kent’s question.
I can’t carry him home by myself, so could you please help me, Kent?
Parker had a very good physique, and it was obvious he was heavy just by looking at him. Brook couldn’t carry him alone, so she asked Kent for help.
Of course. Should I carry the top or the bottom?
Thank you. Then, could you take the top?
Understood. Ugh, oh, heavy!
Kent readily agreed, but Parker was heavier than he expected, and even if he could somehow lift him, he realized it would be difficult to move him in that state.
We might need a stretcher.
Hmm, it’s difficult to prepare one now. And if I ask someone else, everyone has already gone home.
Kent and Brook, who had given up trying to lift him, were troubled looking at Parker, who was sleeping soundly.
Hmm, I’ll carry him.
Huh? How are you going to carry him?
As they were struggling, Hanako offered to carry him. Brook, assuming it would be impossible for Hanako to carry Parker given their physical differences, asked Hanako how she planned to do it.
Hmm, I’ll carry him like this.
No way! How can you lift my husband so easily with that build?
Hanako slipped her hand under Parker’s body and lifted him with ease. Brook was very surprised to see this.
Hmm, I’ll carry him home, so please open and close the door.
Wha, I understand. Thank you.
Parker, who was being carried bridal style by Hanako, was brought into the house and laid down on the bed.
