Chapter 94

The sender of the letter was unknown. It was written, but only as "Mysterious Man and Woman."

Since it says "mysterious" itself, it really is a mystery. It smells like trouble, but as someone looking for Eliza, I have no choice but to open and read it.

'The land of Helan is in a pinch. Immediate action is required. A great drought will come in a month! We are also thinking of ways, but we have yet to find a solution. My lord, prepare to evacuate the people! Hurry! The land of Helan is about to succumb to a curse!'

Well, can I just tear it up?

There's no concrete information, and it just makes me angry. Who sent this letter!?

I opened it hoping it would give me a clue to find Eliza, but it was full of "nari! nari!" content.

I occasionally receive such urban legend-like letters. This is the lord's mansion, after all. There's no shortage of such topics.

To begin with, if someone is going to say such serious things, the sender should clearly state their name! How can I ask for more details if I can't even find the person?

I calmed my anger and put the letter away. I would quietly burn it with other documents when the time came. However, the content of this letter lingered in my mind...

How many days have passed since then? There has been no progress. Should I give up on finding her? The reopening of the academy is also approaching. Will she come? No, she probably won't.

I sent Raser back to the capital.

Prince Ark and Iris are also searching for clues in the capital, but they haven't found anything either.

The position of prime minister remains vacant.

The people are gradually forgetting the Doville family. No matter how much power and prosperity they once had, decline is inevitable.

The Dataranel family has not made any significant moves since then.

We should probably condemn them soon, but their defenses are too strong, and it's not going well. Everything is at a standstill.

One day, a sudden piece of bad news came in.

Rozon, who is usually so calm, burst into the mansion with a pale face. It was the first time I had seen him like this. Did his wife run away!?

"Master Kururi!... The hot spring, the hot spring has dried up!"

"...What!?"

I was immediately shown the place.

The most popular hot spring in the land of Helan, which competes for the top spot, was completely dry. The largest hot spring by area was cracked and parched.

"How long has this been going on?"

"It seems the changes started today. When I checked this morning, it was in this state."

"Were there any signs?"

"No... It really happened suddenly..."

"Such..."

Is this even possible? Could a natural event turn the land from lush to dead in just a few days?

I grabbed a handful of soil. It crumbled instantly and was carried away by the wind.

It's no different from desert sand. The area was once filled with beautiful flowers, but now they are all withered and dead, losing their vibrant colors.

What is this! The land of Helan, which was known for its natural beauty, is about to be stripped of its only asset!?

"A few days ago, I received a mysterious letter. It predicted this. According to the letter, a great drought will hit the land of Helan. I thought it was nonsense and ignored it, but this looks serious."

"Who sent the letter?"

"I don't know... I have to find that person. Rozon, please gather people as soon as possible. Prepare the evacuation without causing panic among the people... I will negotiate with neighboring lords and the capital to accept the evacuees."

"Master Kururi, isn't that too hasty? Just because one hot spring has dried up, it's too early to see it as a sign of a great drought..."

"I understand, but I have a bad feeling. My intuition is telling me something. I can't explain it, but I just know. We have to act quickly before it's too late. Please, can you do it? As long as the people survive, we can rebuild this land of Helan."

"...Understood. This Rozon, who was picked up by Master Kururi, will follow you to the end. The evacuation of the people and the procurement of supplies. If you open the lord's treasury, there should be no financial issues. However, we are short on personnel. Please bear with some delays."

"Leave the finances to me. Also, recall all the people searching for Eliza. Use them all for the evacuation of the people."

"If that's the case, we should have enough personnel... However, is that alright?"

"...Yes. Please take care of it."

It's clear which to prioritize. Searching for Eliza might be just my self-satisfaction. She might not even want to be found. I can't expose the people of Helan to danger for the sake of one person.

It's clear which to prioritize.

Rozon worked tirelessly after that. Even he, who never seemed to tire, showed signs of fatigue every day.

"Master Kururi, another hot spring has dried up..."

Rozon reported this with a face that looked like he had bitten into a bitter bug.

"Is this the fifth one? There's no doubt now... We need to hurry with the evacuation..."

The situation is getting worse.

When things go bad, more troubles usually follow.

And, of course, that's what's happening in this situation.

"Master Kururi, the evacuation of the people is only about 20% complete... We can't do any more with our current capabilities..."

"Of course... I wanted to start earlier, but..."

Riots are already breaking out in the land of Helan.

Many people love this land, which is rich in nature, has been thriving with hot springs and tourism, and has no strict laws.

It's natural that few would leave their beloved land with just a minimal explanation. However, it will be too late once the drought hits. It will be too late.

"The people are demanding that you leave. They are almost storming the mansion."

"Alright, then we have no choice."

"It might be dangerous. We should limit the number of people and only explain the situation to representatives."

"No, open the Helan Memorial Square. Let all the people who want to hear the explanation come in. I will explain everything."

"...Understood."

He offers his opinion, but he is a loyal and useful man. I want Rozon to escape early, but he won't run away.

I haven't given up on this land. I am determined to revive it. I will definitely do it. When that time comes, Rozon will be there. So, I hope he will run away when the time comes...

Two days later, a large group of people gathered in Helan Memorial Square. There are apparently tens of thousands of people. It's an impressive sight. The individual voices amplify each other, and the venue is already filled with a loud noise.

By the time this day came, my parents, who are not physically strong, had already evacuated to the capital. I hoped that their evacuation would make the people more aware of the crisis. However, seeing the number of people gathered today, it seems to have had little effect.

In the center of the square, I climbed up the clock tower and looked down at the people. Everyone was looking at me, eager for an explanation.

"I understand what you all want to know. If I were in your position, I would want to know the same things."

As I started speaking, the crowd's noise subsided. It's proof that everyone came to listen seriously.

"You all know that, as of today, 13 of the hot springs that Helan is proud of have dried up. This is not a coincidence. A great drought is about to hit Helan. The drying up of the hot springs is a sign of this. It might seem like a rush, but if we delay, it will be too late. Please, please cooperate with the evacuation."

A wave of voices rose, and the murmurs gradually turned into a roar.

I raised both hands to signal for silence.

It took some time, but the crowd finally quieted down.

"It might be a matter of life and death. Will you not comply?"

A man raised his hand. I pointed at him and allowed him to speak.

"Do you have any evidence?"

"There is no evidence. I have called in experts and researched history over the past few days, but there is nothing that can be used as evidence."

"Are you asking us to abandon this land for such a vague reason!?"

"...Yes. Evacuate before it's too late."

The square erupted.

The commotion grew, and things were thrown.

The faces were filled with anger. Everyone here doesn't want to leave. But I have to follow my own sense of justice...

It took a while for the commotion to subside. It was almost a riot.

When it finally quieted down, a boy raised his hand. Of course, I accepted his question.

"My father and mother always said that Master Kururi is a wonderful person. Why is Master Kururi saying such a terrible thing? Has he become tired of Helan?"

I hate Helan! ? No way. Even now, I claim to love this land more than anyone.

"There is no such thing. I care about Helan more than anyone. However, a crisis is approaching. I haven't given up on this land. I'm just thinking about what's most important. It's not the hot springs or the beautiful plants. The people of Helan are the greatest asset. If everyone survives, I believe Helan can be rebuilt. Please understand."

The noise grew louder after my response. Everyone is serious. Desperate. They can't run away. They can't abandon it.

Next, an old man raised his hand.

"If a great drought does occur, and everyone survives elsewhere, how long will it take before we can return to this land? Will I be alive to return?"

"...I don't know. I'm sorry. I can't make any promises."

The first direct speech was a complete failure.

After the old man's question, it finally turned into a riot.

Following Rozon's instructions, we prioritized safety and fled the scene.

The riot didn't subside until nightfall.

The situation is only getting worse.

"...Master Kururi, all the hot springs in the land have dried up. There are also reports that some wells are drying up, though not many yet."

"It might already be too late. We need to give another speech."

"It might end up like last time. Please don't."

"But there's no other way."

I tried another speech in the square.

More people were evacuating as the people experienced the changes firsthand, but tens of thousands still gathered in the square.

"Please, focus on other things. You should already know. A great drought is definitely coming. If you stay in Helan, you will not survive."

"You can't survive anywhere else either!"

A voice echoed from somewhere. ...It's so sad.

"But if you stay here, you will definitely die. It's safer outside."

"Helan's land will not dry up!"

"Will you be satisfied only after you see it dry with your own eyes? By then, it might be too late to escape! You'll be dead! Everything will be gone! Please, evacuate before it's too late!"

"No way!"

"It's not that simple... Helan has faced many crises before. Just recently, and even when I was a child... Each time, we worked hard to support this land. But a great drought is coming. What... What can we do... How can we face it..."

There were no counterarguments.

No more protests.

Everyone was exhausted, seeing the reality but pretending not to.

This speech did not lead to a riot.

However, the energetic crowd from last time was gone, and everyone returned home with sad, cold backs. Everyone already knows that a drought is definitely coming to this land.

How many days have passed since then?

I stopped caring about the date for the first time in my life.

I miss the days when I lived a rich life at the academy...

"Master Kururi... The evacuation of most of the people, except those who vowed to stay, has been successful. Only you are left."

"...I want to stay here a little longer."

"That's not possible. Even this mansion has no water. You can't survive for long. Please evacuate quickly."

"Rozon, thank you. But the Helan you serve is now an empty shell. You don't need to swear loyalty anymore."

"That's not the case. When Helan revives, I will work for it again..."

It's a nice thing to say.

Too nice.

But it's impossible. It can't be. But I can see it with my own eyes.

"Rozon, thank you for everything. This is where we part ways..."

"What are you saying!? You will rebuild Helan under your leadership!"

I don't have the energy anymore.

It's been terrible since then.

The progress after the report that the wells had finally dried up...

The wells dried up one after another, and Helan gradually turned into a barren land from the center.

The lush greenery that was visible from this mansion is gone.

I opened the window.

Dry wind blew, and the entire area was covered in sand.

"Rozon, look. This is impossible. The beautiful Helan is in this state. The water is gone, and the life is extinct. How... How can we rebuild this land?"

"You can do it. Haven't you taught us that all along?"

"But this time, it's impossible. It's really impossible. Helan is over. The Helan family has fallen here. It's fine. Rozon, you can do well in the capital. So... it's fine here."

There was no response.

The exhausted Rozon left after a while.

I don't know what his face looked like at the end.

I didn't want to part like this. But what can you do.

How can you face such a natural disaster? I have lost.

"...Ah, I'm thirsty."

Of course. If I had followed Rozon's advice, I could have drunk plenty of water outside by now.

I will dry up and die here. That's how I feel. I have no more energy or strength.

I walked around the mansion.

There was no food or water.

Ah, this mansion, which has always been clean since I was a child, is now covered in sand. The inside is full of sand and dust. The comfortable mansion will never return.

I took one last look around the mansion.

I wanted to keep the familiar scenes in my mind.

The library... I used to come here a lot when I was little.

Moran taught me many things.

"Hey!? Moran! Why are you still here!?"

Moran was still in the library.

I thought all the servants had evacuated, but I had forgotten about him.

"Ho ho ho, I'm the librarian. I can't leave the books behind."

"Such a time! There's only me and Moran left here. If you stay, you will die!"

"Old people can survive without much food or water. Why are you still here, young master?"

"Me? I... Well, I'm just tired. I can't leave this poor Helan. I will stay here. Until the end."

"Ho ho ho, then I'll stay too. I've already received this year's salary."

You're always so carefree.

I knew you were a strange person, but you're really strange.

"Ha... It's too late anyway. Let's stay together until the end. Ha ha, I hope we don't attack each other from thirst."

"Ho ho ho, I don't have much water, so please don't attack me."

"It's your fault for not evacuating. I'll make you squeak if it comes to that."

"You seem a bit brighter. It's good to laugh in tough times."

"Really? Laugh in tough times? That's strange."

"Laughing brings good things. Look, laugh. Good things will happen."

What's with that face, like you're comforting a child...

But I felt a bit happier and laughed a little.

"Good. Look, more, more."

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha