Chapter 29: Rain

　The Kingdom of Wernos has a dry climate, and I have yet to experience any prolonged rain. There have been some showers in the summer, but they were short-lived and few in number.

I listened to the sound of rain from the comfort of my bed, wondering how such a strong rain could fall in winter. But even after dozing off for a while, the sound of the rain only intensified. It no longer sounded like rain, but more like the earth shaking.

“Wait a minute. Isn’t this a bit unusual?”

　I thought it would calm down, but the thumping sound of the rain just kept getting stronger. I got worried, so I opened the curtains and looked out the window.

“Unbelievable!……”

When I moved the lamp closer to the window to see the pitch black outside, it was smoking white from the rain. Rain was falling like a waterfall from the roof of my house. I looked down at the road and saw rainwater gurgling down a slight incline.

　This house is located at a much lower elevation than the castle. I’ve walked around here while repairing the roads so I’ve memorized the terrain, but this is a slightly higher place in the district where the commoners live.

“But …… they said Sophia-chan’s house is near the river.”

I wonder what level of flood control this world has. Will the river flood? It will, won’t it?　I wonder if Dion has evacuated with Sophia. Is there even a place to evacuate?

　As I watched in concern, I saw what appeared to be several figures walking along the main street, which had turned into a rushing stream. Where were they going in this rain?

One of them was coming toward my house.

“That height…could that be Henry?”

I hurriedly put on my gown and ran down the stairs. I opened the door to the store just as Henry arrived. He was completely soaked.

“What’s the matter?　Hurry up and get inside!”

“Can’t you hear the bells?”

I listened carefully as I was told.

“Oh, there’s something ringing. The rain was so loud I didn’t notice.”

“I thought not. Are you alone right now, Mai?”

“Well, it’s the middle of the night so no one’s here. Why?”

How could they come at a time like this?

"What the hell are  they doing, not coming at a time like this?"

Who are you angry at? The neighbors?

“Mr. Henry? Who are you talking about?”

"Let's not get into that now. I'm afraid I'll go on and on about it. Calm down and listen to me. The levee broke. I don’t think this place will be damaged by the flood, but you should take precautions. This house is old and could collapse if rainwater gets in through the roof. By now, all the residents on the lower lots should have evacuated to higher ground.”

“Well, I’ll get dressed and go right away.”

“That’s better. I’ll lead you to higher ground.”

There are no water-repellent raincoats in this world. Henry is wearing a thick leather coat.

“I’ll use a barrier spell to keep you from getting wet.”

“If it doesn’t rain around us, we’ll get found out.”

“I have a better idea.”

I set up a barrier in the shape of the usual stealth security suit with a chimney. The chimney is T-shaped to keep out the rain. Henry is looking at me from head to toe.

“This is quite an unusual type of barrier…”

“I thought of it as a way to make it safer to walk the streets at night, but I never thought it would be used like this. Now, let’s head to the evacuation shelter.”

A little after we started walking, Mr. Henry spoke loudly enough to be heard over the sound of the rain.

“This is amazing. Even in this rain, it doesn’t get wet at all. May I suggest it to the people in the magic department?”

　

“As long as we pretend that you came up with the idea.”

“Then I will do so. By the way, Mai, have you noticed that the chimney is swinging back and forth and side to side over your head?　It’s sort of like, ‘ba-yon ba-yon’.”

“Was it shaking?　I didn’t notice it because there is no weight. What, ba-yon-ba-yon?　Is it that ridiculous?”

“No, it’s, you know, it’s adorable.”

　While saying that, Henry-san was desperately trying to hold back his laughter. Yeah. Is it really that funny for a 25-year-old to be walking around with a chimney swinging over her head? Henry-san’s barrier chimney isn’t swinging at all. How comes?

　After walking for a while, we arrived at a place that was really just a hill. There were so many people around that I removed the barrier so they wouldn’t notice that I was not wet. In no time at all, I was soaked all over. It was ridiculously cold.

The size of the shelter was about the size of a kindergarten yard. There were stone benches, but no buildings, not even a roof to shelter from the rain. Still, it was better than being swept away by the river. Everyone is covering themselves with cloth to protect themselves from the rain, but with this rain it’s probably not going to be very effective.

　There were people carrying lanterns here and there, so I could get a faint view of the square

　Everyone was holding their bodies close to endure the cold. There were old people, young children, and babies. Even if they weren’t washed away by the water, some would die of hypothermia

I pulled on Mr. Henry’s clothes and spoke to him, putting my mouth close to his ear so that the sound of the rain would not muffle my words.

“I’ve never tried it on an area this large before, but I’ll create a barrier.”

“But ……”

“I can’t just turn a blind eye. If they find out it was me who put up the wards, I’ll be in trouble, but since it’s so dark, I think it’ll be fine.”

　I’m sure Grandma wouldn’t want me to use the power she gave me just for myself.

Henry, who had been staring at me, nodded.

“Can you sneak behind my back?”

“There’s nothing secretive about it, I just recite it silently.”

“I see. Then go ahead. If you become conspicuous, I’ll take care of it.”

　Gazing at the hilltop, I released magical power with the image of it covering the entire square. A shiny, glittering ward appeared in the shape of a dome. I added T-shaped chimneys here and there for ventilation. It was my first time working on a space this large, but I was able to set up the barrier without any problems.

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

“Did the rain suddenly stop?”

“No, it hasn’t!　Look!”

A waterfall of rain trickles down along the dome-shaped barrier. Someone timidly touches the barrier and shouts, "There's something here! There's an invisible wall!" Hearing this, others rushed to the warding and began to touch it.

“Hey, isn’t this a barrier? 　You mean there’s a wizard here?”

“That must be it. The Wizard helped us.”

“Thank God. Now we won’t be drenched by the rain anymore.”

They all looked happy. And all at once they started scurrying around, looking for the wizard. Since no one was calm, I thought to myself, (I should look around and act the part too.)

Mr. Henry unbuttoned his coat and tucked me inside.

“Uh?”

“I have a high body temperature. This keeps me from getting cold.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Well, next we must warm everyone up with warm air.

(Warm air, fifty degrees.  No, that’s wrong. It’s not dishes, so should it be 40 degrees? A hair dryer is about 100 degrees, right? Oh well, I don’t know, so 40 degrees!)

　A mini typhoon appeared on the ceiling of the dome-shaped barrier. A swirling white cloud about ten meters across. When the people noticed, they started to look worried again.

What’s that?”  “It’s scary.” Frightened voices can be heard from all around. Don’t worry. It just blows out warm air.

“There’s a warm breeze blowing!”

“Oh, it’s warm. Thank God!”

　The frightened faces of the people turn bright again. Some even shout out, “Mr. Wizard! Thank you!”

（I’m glad. I made you smile. Grandma, thanks to you I was able to help people!）

　The inside of the dome-shaped barrier gradually warms up. Out cold, wet clothes are slowly drying. All that’s left is to smooth out the muddy ground. If it stays like this, our feet will get cold.

In my mind’s eye, I visualize the ground becoming dry and flat, and release the magic. Lately, I’ve been walking at night while casting earth magic over and over again, so it’s come in handy. I’m not tired at all.

Everyone notices the change in the ground and starts to stir. Now you don’t have to keep standing. Sit down and take a rest.

“Mai-tan!”

Bang!　A small child hugged me. It was little Sophia. She was looking at me curiously as I was wrapped in Mr. Henry’s coat, so I hurried away from him.

“Sofia! I’m glad you’re safe.”

“To-tan! Mai-tan is here!” 

“Oh, Mr. Duon!”

Mr. Dion approached me through the crowd

“You were evacuated too, Miss. Mai. What does this mean? Everyone says there’s a Master Wizard in here, but there’s no one who looks like one, is there?”

“I know. But it was a great help. Being soaked in the middle of winter is tough.”

“Absolutely. Sophia was rattling and shaking so badly, so it really helped.”

Then Mr. Dion looked up at Henry.

“This person is definitely…”

“This is one of my customers.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

　It’s dark and I can’t see his expression very well, but Henry hasn’t turned into a cat, has he?

“Mai-tan, you’re so warm!”

“It’s warm. I’m so glad. When the rain stops, we can go home. Let’s stay here together until the rain stops.”

“Yes!”

"There's probably muddy water in our house. But our rent is cheap and that includes that."

Dion’s voice doesn’t sound energetic.

“Is that so? Cleaning up will be a lot of work. I’ll go and help.”

“No, it’s physical work. I can’t ask a woman to do it.”

“You don’t have to be strong, there’s still something you can do to help.”

"No. I just shovel out the mud and then wipe down the whole house with water. At times like this, the guys I know come rushing over, so it's fine."

“I see. ……”

I wonder if it's more of a nuisance for me to butt in. I’m sorry for not being helpful, just hiding that I’m a wizard. If I could use magic without chanting, I could secretly help out if I could just get to the scene.

“Well then, I’ll take care of Sophia-chan anytime.  Please don’t be shy about that.”

“Thank you. That would be very helpful.”

Mr. Dion was called by an acquaintance and pulled Sophia’s hand away. I wonder how much time passed after that. People who had been looking out the dome were saying, “The rain is starting to let up,” and “I hope it stops.”

“Mai, do you want to help them?”

"Yes. But I don't want to go ahead and help even though I was turned down."

“I’ll think of a better way. I’m sure you feel bad that you can’t be of any use with your magic, Mai-san. Let’s think of a good way for you to use your magic.”

　Huh? I wonder how he knew.

“I’m going to be there, too, so I will help if anything happens. Please do not hesitate to call out to me. All civil servants will be out in full force to check for this kind of damages. Besides, I am your faithful assistant. Please make use of me.”

　This man is truly an outstanding person in many ways.

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