Chapter 23

"Sorry. I was late in updating.

After finishing what the Earth Spirit Nomos told me to do, I found myself with a lot of free time. What should I do? Even if I were to organize my living environment, I’m not sure what to do.

……For now, I can only make things with rocks. I have wood, but I want to keep it for fuel. What can I make with rocks to improve my life…? I’ll make a pool.

This scorching, deadly land. I considered swimming in the spring, but I hesitated to swim in a place I use for drinking water. If I use the water for the pool, I can have Rain spread it over the deadly land. It should cool down a bit due to the heat of vaporization.

'Diene, I’m thinking of making a place to soak in the water because it’s hot. Is the water supply okay?'

'Yuta-kun, it’s fine even if you waste a little water.'

The water supply isn’t a problem. Then, I have no choice but to do it. If I’m going to do it, I might as well do it properly. If I make it shallow, the water will warm up quickly. I want it to be deep enough to dive into, so I want it to be at least one meter and fifty centimeters deep.

If it’s that deep, I also want a space where I can lie down in the water, so I want a shallow area about thirty centimeters deep. The overall size of the pool… I want it to be at least five meters. It will only be as big as a large bathtub, but just being able to soak in water should make a big difference.

Alright, this is getting fun. I might expand the field, so I’ll make it on the opposite side. While I’m at it, I might as well make a water channel. I can use the magic bag to control the water, but a water channel would look cooler.

I’ll dig a hole at the diagonal position from where the field is and attach the largest rocks I can find. A little water leakage is inevitable. I’ll stack rocks in any gaps. After that… I’ll place a rock platform to create a space where I can lie down.

'Hehe, Yuta, you look like you’re having fun.'

'Hmm? Ah, Sylph. It might be fun indeed. Until now, I was desperately trying to survive, so I was always thinking about what to make. But a pool is for entertainment, so I can make it without worrying about failure.'

'I see. That’s true. It’s great that you have the luxury to create entertainment.'

'Yeah. I think I can survive.'

Honestly, there were so many things I lacked that I could only think of making a pool. I’ll cut and process the rocks into a U-shape.

I might need them in other places, so I’ll make a bit more than necessary.

With enough quantity, I’ll dig the ground at a slight angle to the spring and fit the U-shaped rocks. I’ll install stoppers at the spring and the water channel to complete it.

'Finally, I’ll let the water flow.'

'Water!'

'Kyu!'

When I remove the stopper from the spring, the water rushes in. I got so excited that I ran after the water. Bell and Rain, who followed me, also seemed to be having fun.

The water flowed into the pool. It filled up with a splashing sound. The moment a pool was born in the deadly land. Maybe it’s a historic event?

'Pool?'

'Kyu?'

'That’s right. A pool. You can play in the water that collects here. It’s cool and relaxing, and it’s fun.'

'Spring…?'

'That spring is for drinking water. The pool is just for playing.'

They don’t seem to understand. Well, it’s hard for them to understand since Bell and Rain usually play in the spring.

'Wow, it’s amazing that a water channel can be made in the deadly land.'

'Yeah. It seems like a field can be made too. It’s incredible how the deadly land, which was once hopeless, has changed so much, Yuta.'

I’m being praised. The water channel flowing through the reddish-brown land is indeed beautiful, but is it that impressive? I think making the spring was more impressive.

'It’s not me who’s impressive, but the tools.'

If I hadn’t met the development tools and the spirits, I would have died for sure.

'The development tools are indeed impressive, but Yuta is also working hard and thinking a lot, so you should be proud.'

'Japanese people consider modesty a virtue. Saying "I’m great" is not in my nature.'

But in my imagination, I’m unstoppable.

'With such a virtue, you won’t survive in this world. If you hesitate, everything will be taken from you.'

'Japanese virtues…'

This world… it’s tough. I guess in places like America, modesty doesn’t work. You have to be assertive, or you’ll be taken advantage of. I need to be careful when I go to town.

'Yuta-kun, if you hesitate, your achievements will be taken away, so try your best.'

Even the innocent Diene is worried. It’s a bit humiliating, but I’ll keep in mind that hesitation can be fatal.

'Got it. When I go to town, I’ll be assertive.'

'Yes, that’s better. If someone challenges you, take them all on. Since you can go to town, it means you have a contract with me. I’ll take care of them.'

'Bel will also take care of them!'

'Kyu!'

'Sister will also try her best.'

The spirits are a bit violent. And I’m supposed to have a contract with Diene too?

'No, is it okay to take on challenges so easily?'

'Yuta, you don’t seem to understand. A contract with a Great Spirit is a miraculous event. You should be confident. No matter what, the one who will cry is the other side.'

What? Is Sylph a fighter? Are you a bit excited to fight? If provoked, the other side will be in trouble. If I look strong, fewer people will challenge me. Maybe I should buy a mohawk helmet and spiked shoulder pads?

However, is a contract with a Great Spirit really that miraculous? Sylph is one thing, but Diene just looks like a big-breasted older sister…

Since I haven’t met anyone other than spirits since coming to this world, my sense of the world might be off.

'Water!'

'Hmm? The water has filled up. Thanks, Bell.'

'Hehe!'

Looking at the pool, the water has filled up and is reflecting the sunlight, making it dazzling. I forgot. Sunburn is a big problem. I’ll make a simple sunshade where I can lie down.

I’ll place rocks diagonally across the area where the bed is. I’ll carve out a depression in the rocks and make a simple shade with driftwood and bamboo. This should make it much better.

'Now, let’s open the pool.'

'Da!'

'Kyu!'

Bell and Rain are getting excited even though they don’t understand. Well, I’m a bit excited too. I need to stay calm to avoid making mistakes like at the beach.

I quickly strip down to my underwear and jump into the pool. Yeah, it feels good.

'Yay!'

'Kyu!'

'Splash!'

Bell and Rain jump in next to me, splashing water. They must be using magic to touch the water, but is it okay?

'Sorry!'

When I splash water, Bell and Rain run away, screaming. When I chase them and splash more water, they use magic to fight back.

'Hey, wait a minute. That’s cheating!'

'Fudan!'

Balls of wind cut through the water and fly at me. I dive to avoid them, and when I surface, a water bullet hits my face. It’s quite powerful. A delayed attack, Rain, impressive.

'Hey, you shouldn’t use magic while playing. Come here.'

Sylph and Diene call Bell and Rain over and scold them. I’m saved.

'Yuta, you were also too excited. Because you were so excited, these kids used magic too.'

'I have no face.'

I was trying to stay calm, but I got carried away. Pools are scary.

The lecture is over, and I lie down on the pool bed. This is nice. I close my eyes, soaking in the water in the shade. I feel like I’m relaxing for the first time since coming to this world.

'You look comfortable.'

'Yeah, I made a pretty good thing. Sylph, why don’t you come in?'

'Hehe, I’m good for now. I’ll come in if I feel like it.'

That’s a bit disappointing. By the way, do spirits not wear swimsuits? Bell is wearing a leaf-like outfit and jumped into the water, so their clothes seem different from normal.

'Sylph, are the clothes spirits wear okay to get wet?'

'Clothes? Oh, our clothes are made of magic, so they’re fine even if they get wet.'

'Really? Can you change them freely?'

'If you have a clear image, you can change them.'

Hmm. If that’s the case, if I can accurately convey Japanese clothes, I could have a fashion show… When I have time, I’ll try to explain it.

'Jaaan!'

Diene jumped out of the pool, spreading her arms, not doubting for a moment that I would be surprised.

'Wow, I’m so surprised!'

'Right?'

The Great Water Spirit nodded with a full smile. Her sarcasm isn’t working. She has a good personality. When I look at Sylph, she still turns her eyes away. Sylph has completely given up on dealing with Diene.

I calm down the noisy Diene and relax. It’s a bit awkward to be praised so enthusiastically about the water. I already understood the importance of water when I made the well.

That was terrifying. Every time I took a sip of water, I felt death approaching. When I started living on alcohol, my actions became difficult, so I was really on the edge.

I hear Bell’s laughter and turn to see her sliding along the water channel towards me. When Bell jumps into the pool with a splash, Rain is riding on her back.

I see, they were moving on the water channel with Rain. It looks like a fun game. They are laughing and playing together.

'Bell, Rain, are you having fun?'

'Fun!'

'Kyu!'

Bell is holding her hands up with a full smile. Rain is also splashing the water and expressing her joy. I’m glad I made the pool.

I relax, swaying in the water, and look around. If I keep improving the environment little by little, maybe the deadly land can become a paradise.

Thank you for reading."