Chapter 84

Muto-chan told us that the place was on the mountain side of the lake. It seemed that for some reason, the groundwater no longer flowed into the lake there.

So, we came to investigate that "some reason," but what we saw was—

"Is it okay?"

"Ah, I see... They must have created a large well to draw out the groundwater."

"Indeed. The water vein has been cut off here perfectly."

—The reservoir.

The groundwater, which should have flowed into the lake, was being drawn out by a well upstream. The water collected there forms the reservoir.

Until now, the "Lake of Cool Rain" had played this role, but it seems they artificially created it.

"Is the water turbid because of the artificial construction?"

"Indeed. The construction of the reservoir is also weak. If the water volume increases due to heavy rain, it might burst."

Samieu-chan frowned, and Muto-chan sighed.

To them, this reservoir did not seem to be a good thing.

Wouldn't it have been better for the groundwater to flow into the lake as it did before? Why did they create this?

Huh? Tilting her head, she heard the sound of people's voices and footsteps on the grass.

"Hey, there are three kids here."

"Huh? The villagers again?"

"They never learn."

Four men with bad reputations appeared, laughing. Each of them had a weapon at their waist.

One of the men snorted.

"No matter how many times they come, it's the same."

It seems they mistook us for villagers from somewhere.

This means that villagers have visited here multiple times, and their relationship is not good.

"Wait. Look closely, they all look like they could be sold."

"Really? An elf, a dragon, and a cat beast person?"

"You don't often see an elf. I've heard about them, but they're so beautiful!"

The men whistled at Samieu-chan.

Samieu-chan looked at them with a cold, cold gaze. Samieu-chan really hates this kind of thing. She often has that look...

"That dragon is rare, but that cat beast person. At that age, she could be sold, right?"

"Yeah, I remember. There's a place that buys children for five times the usual price..."

"That would definitely fetch a high price."

The men's gaze shifted from Samieu-chan to me. Their eyes were gleaming.

This gaze is the same as the debt collectors in the village where I lived with my parents. To a certain type of person, I apparently look like money.

"That place doesn't buy anymore, they say. The boss is gone or something."

"Huh? Really, what a shame. They would have definitely fetched a high price..."

The men looked disappointed.

It seems that my defeat of the Giral Earl had some meaning. The practice of kidnapping and selling children in this country will likely decrease now that the organizations that buy children are gone.

"Anyway, these guys have nothing to do with the village. This is our land. Get out."

The men waved their hands, shooing us away.

I met Samieu-chan's eyes and turned on my heel. We walked away from the men.

"What, what, what are you going to do? Weren't you going to revive the lake?"

"Yep. Water, return."

"If that's the case, it would be faster to destroy this place. With the power of a young elf, it would be done in one go."

"Yep. Rini, strong."

Muto-chan flew around in the air, following Samieu-chan and me.

Muto-chan's suggestion made sense, so I nodded, and Samieu-chan sighed.

"Lord Rini has her own thoughts. Well, dragons wouldn't understand."

"Muto-chan, call me that! You're too strict with me!"

"Lord Rini intends to observe the situation first. From their appearance, attitude, and conversation, they are almost certainly bad people. Destroying that facility would not be a problem, but we don't have concrete proof."

Samieu-chan seemed to have understood what I wanted to do from that brief exchange of glances.

"First, gather information. Right, Lord Rini?"

"Yep."

I nodded at Samieu-chan's words and put on the hood of the "Hermit's Robe."

This would cut off my presence, allowing me to investigate those men!

"Wow... The presence of the young elf is gone. Even I can't find where you are... You have something amazing."

Muto-chan was surprised by the effect of the "Hermit's Robe." This is a rare item from the game I played in my previous life. It's probably rare here too.

So, here we go.

"Rini, I'll use this to investigate."

"Yes! I'll search for the men from the forest. I'll stay close to Lord Rini, so call me if anything happens."

"I stand out, so I'll fly for now."

"Yep."

Let's investigate the purpose of the men who created the reservoir!

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