Volume 1 - CH 24

Chapter 24 [At the rainy village, part 3]

[Have you awoken, Miss Mei]

The next day. As I woke up, in front of me was an elderly man with a brown cane on hand.

I took moments to recall while wondering who the man was. Most likely, this person is Mizuri's grandfather, the village chief.

[I have heard the news. You drove off some thieves from this land]

His body was swaying as he joyfully express. Where did he hear it from, I wonder. Perhaps my acts yesterday were spotted by the neighbor.

Thinking hard with my half-asleep brain, I looked out of the window. Today the rain doesn't show any sign of stopping too.

[It seems that you have taken care of my granddaughter. Miss Mei, I apologize for the trouble]

[No, I should be the one thanking you......wait, did I introduce myself?]

Scratching my head in bewilderment, I asked without thinking to which [Hohoho. I have heard rumors of you, miss Mei] was the response.

Now where did you hear this too? Posing the question in confusion, [from the lake town] was the answer. Ah, have it already spread that far.

[A renowned magus lady who defeated the lord of the lake or so I heard]

[It's alchemist]

I refuted with a strong stance. Like I said, it would be nice if they stop associating me with a magus.

[Apologies. An alchemist I see. Fumu]

...Hold it right there, what's with the difference in attitude. Not to mention, honorifics is used for magus but not alchemist? I had thought to depart once morning comes but it seems like it's necessary for me to spread the tales of the strongest alchemist here.

◯ ◯ ◯

[Gramps, was something decided at the meeting yesterday?]

Fixing her posture, Mizuri who was having breakfast with us probed while taking apart the rye bread.

[Umu. About that......]

The village elder stopped his hand, ahem, as he cleared his throat and began reciting calmly.

[After discussing with the neighboring village, the conclusion was that the acts of the villagers have angered the mountain god which caused the never-ending rain. Thus, we have decided to offer the maiden of welcoming rain, which is Mizuri as a human pillar to the mountain god]

...What? Human pillar. It's not as if this is a group of exorcists. What a heavy topic from the morning!?

[Mizuri. It seems like we have forced you into a difficult role......]

[No. If that's the will of the village, I will gladly......]

[Stop! Hold it right there! Don't show me this kind of development from the morning! I will do something about it so cut it out with this depressing atmosphere!]

Rising up as I hit the surface of the dining table, I interrupted the two who seems like they were at their wits end. Even if you sacrifice Mizuri, the rain it's going to stop! The weather forecast from the all-purpose map have already shown the rain will continue for at least a week!

[H-however, miss Mei you are an alchemist correct? If would be one thing if you were a magus......]

The village chief had a doubtful face to my suggestion. Truly, how long can the status of an alchemist in this world be.

[Anyway! If something is troubling you, consult me! I can probably solve most of the issues!]

Without the slightest intention to put up a front, I exclaimed. Even I myself doesn't understand why I got this desperate.

Perhaps my sincerity got through as the village chief was willing to reconsider]

[I believe you already know but, miss Mei] as he began, [rain have been falling non-stop at the area around this village. Due to that, the crops are unable to grow] as he clarified the situation.

Fumufumu. Like I thought the problem is the rain. From observing the flow of the rain cloud through the all-purpose map, the environment of this village is indeed special.

...It felt like there was a similar mission in the past. If I recall, at the foot of the mountain. Tim-kun, Liddie-chan, are you doing well I wonder.

[Regardless, so what you want is for something to be done about the rain so that the crops can grow right?]

[That's correct]

[Most likely, due to the clouds colliding with that mountain and stagnating, it has brought endless rain to this whole area]

Pointing at the faint hint of the mountain from outside the window as I explained. If a cloud collides into a mountain, it will bring rain below it. This is something that is taught by compulsory education, what we call common knowledge.

[The fastest way will be to lower that mountain but]

[You must be kidding]

The village chief is laughing but it's wasn't a joke though. It would take some time but if I prepared a great amount of bomb for mining use, surely it would......well, it's fine. Doesn't seem like he is on board with this idea.

The plan to secure a path for the flow of the cloud by blowing away the summit doesn't seem possible so I have to think of some other plan.

I changed my way of approach, even with this rain, as long as the crop grows it works out doesn't it. In times like this, it just means something is required.

Opening my trusty recipe book and flipping through it, fertilizer-based products would just get washed away by the rain, I don't seem to able to find the appropriate tool.

[Incidentally, is that peculiar clothing of yours made from vinyl wood?]

...At the moment, the village chief made a query while looking at the raincoat hanging by the wall.

[Eh, vinyl wood?]

[It can be found in the forest outside the village. The skin of vinyl wood is famous for their waterproofing capabilities, but when the younglings of the village tried to make water resistant tool from it they failed because it was too hard, or so I heard]

Heee, from the looks of it, it's a material in the same category as what I used to make the raincoat and umbrella previously. If large quantity of that material can be acquired......I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[Please lead me to that place]

Donning on the semi-dry raincoat, I made the request to the village chief.