Chapter 35

Prince Herod, the fourth prince of the Faril Kingdom, was eighteen years old.

It was about time for him to decide on a marriage partner.

His three older brothers were already married and blessed with children, and they shared the responsibilities of their father's government. He would eventually be included in that as well, but Herod wanted to remain free a little longer.

There were still countries he had never visited, landscapes he had never seen, and cultures he had never experienced. He could become his father's pawn after indulging in these. He wanted to delay living in fear of his father's mood, as his brothers did, for as long as possible.

So, he proposed to his father that he wanted to travel around other countries for a while. His father didn't seem to have high expectations of him, and as the fourth son, there was no strict control over him. As expected, his father readily agreed, saying, "Ah, that's fine."

However, his relief was short-lived, as his father added, "If you're going to another country, go to the Kingdom of Raminb."

The Kingdom of Raminb was mostly a dry region with no notable industries or sights. Herod was disappointed, thinking, "Why there of all places?"

"Don't look so disappointed. According to reports from someone in that country, it has been raining unnaturally in part of the capital for a few years. It's the country that produced Aula. Perhaps another magician has been born. Go and investigate. If you can, bring them back."

Herod was surprised that his father had sent someone even to such a poor country.

"I understand," he said and withdrew, then began researching the Kingdom of Raminb.

In the current Kingdom of Raminb, formerly the Kingdom of Shemel, magicians had been born once every twenty or thirty years, but there were also long periods when none were born. The reason why magicians were born only in that country remained a mystery.

However, the magicians, who could start fires without flint or produce a few bathtubs' worth of water, were of little value in the modern age with advanced weapons and tools.

Except for Aula.

Aula, a woman, was said to be the strongest magician, capable of producing and controlling an incredible amount of water from a young age.

She became the king's fiancée and led the army, overwhelming the Faril Kingdom's forces before it grew too large. She was a guardian-like figure in that country, yet she was executed without admitting guilt, according to our country's secret documents. If it was a natural disaster and not her fault, it would be a great irony.

Even in a desert country, floods occur occasionally. For a country that rarely saw rain, her presence must have been invaluable. Moreover, she was a hero in the war against our country.

The foolish king, who executed Aula, was later killed by a public uprising without a trial a few years later. It was a fitting end for a fool.

Since arriving in the Kingdom of Raminb, Herod went out into the city every day to listen to people's stories. His charming appearance made many women, from young girls to elderly ladies, willing to talk to him.

"Rain? Yes, it's been about five or six years. Light rain falls at night. What? The amount? Very little. It dries up by morning."

"It seems to rain once or twice a week, just a light drizzle at midnight. I've never seen it myself."

Such information was not very useful. However, one day, he heard something different.

"Someone in the slums said that a part of the slums gets rain several times a week, all night long. They complain that they can't dry their laundry at night."

Feeling a sense of excitement, Herod headed to the slums and found a section of the road that was wet.

(This must be the place. But the houses here are so shabby.)

Perhaps because there was no winter in this country, all the houses had gaps. The walls were made of sun-dried bricks, and the roofs were barely adequate, making the construction very crude.

After confirming the location, he returned to the palace and slipped out late at night. He was able to leave without being stopped by anyone, which was unimaginable in his own country, where war was always close. Additionally, there were far fewer patrolling soldiers than in his own country.

The place where it was raining was easy to find. It was indeed the area he had identified during the day.

When he stepped into the rain, he could feel the rain, but looking up, he could see the stars. While his own country also had occasional showers, it was impossible for such a rare shower to occur multiple times a week for years. The rulers of this country must be fools to not investigate this. That's why the country remains poor.

Eventually, he came across a farm.

There was a simple fence and gate, so he decided to just walk around it for the night. As he walked, he noticed that the farm was completely within the range of the rain. The rain's range was much larger than the farm, but it was definitely the same.

The farm was almost a perfect circle.

"So the rain falls in a perfect circle too?"

The farm was lush and green, unlike the dry land around it. There were many trees visible in the dark.

"Thanks to the rain, I suppose."

Unfortunately, it was a moonless night, and it was pitch black. He wanted to look more closely, so he continued walking along the fence when he sensed something.

(A person? Or an animal?)

Herod stopped and searched for the presence.