Don’t look at me like that.
[Um, what happened today? Rasa-san is not with you?] Shop Owner
While he’s asking Karina, I made myself busy by looking around.
I was worried, he’s going to ask,
I don’t intend to answer, though.
[Rasa is not with me today. I came here with Yuna-san because she wants spices, so I brought her here.] Karina
A man looks at me again.
[But it looks like there are fewer products than when I came here before, did something happened?] Karina
[That is……] Shop Owner
The man was a little speechless.
Still, the amount of items he got is so few. It has been confirmed by Karina’s words that this is not normal.
[Um, what are you buying today?] Shop Owner
The man diverted the conversation to business talk.
Since I just met him, I can’t really ask what was that about, so I’ll give him the name of the spices in Rasa-san’s recipe.
To be clear, even if the name is written, I know nothing about it.
I know if I write curry powder, but they don’t have it, so I’ll ask the man.
[Um, that would be this and this one.] Shop Owner
He points to a jar about 30 cm high containing spices.
[So how much do you want?] Shop Owner
[All of them.] Yuna
[…………] Shop Owner
[All of them.] Yuna
[Young Miss, do you have enough money? I don’t know where you came from, but the spices are reasonably priced.] Shop Owner
Well, the price is written at the spice, so I know that.
[I have the money, so it’s okay.] Yuna
[Oh I see then, that would help.] Shop Owner
[It would help?] Yuna
[I was thinking of leaving this city soon.] Shop Owner
[What do you mean?!] Karina
Karina shouts.
The man looks at Karina and tried close her mouth, but is already too late. The man moved his eyes left and right and made an indistinct look.
[You are leaving the city?] Karina
[I am very sorry. Karina-sama knows that the water in the lake is decreasing, the monsters are increasing in the pyramids and the catastrophe is happening. This city might be surrounded by monsters any time. If I am late, I may not be able to leave. So, after discussing with my wife, I’m thinking of leaving the city as soon as possible.] Shop Owner
So that’s why half of the shelves in the store were empty.
[Please wait. The water in the lake will return. So please wait a little longer. Father is taking care of the monsters too.] Karina
[I’m sorry, Karina-sama…] Shop Owner
The man bows down apologetically.
[A lot of people have the same idea. If we hire an adventurer we can manage the monsters, but the lake’s water depletion doesn’t help anyone.] Shop Owner
Oh, you didn’t know about the water magic stone? Of course, they will become anxious.
It’s not easy for Balima-san to talk about it, in fact it’s very difficult.
If everybody knows there is a large water magic stone, someone may try to steal it.
There was no problem if they could deal with it as soon as possible, but there are a lot of misfortunes, hence the current situation.
[It’s a land where I live for a long time. Some of us doesn’t want to leave, but as a parent with children…] Shop Owner
[…………] Karina
Karina faced down to the man’s words. I put my hand on Karina’s head.
[But that is still far off.] Yuna
[Ah, we’re only preparing for now.] Shop Owner
[Then you don’t have to leave the city. Within a few days, the monsters will be gone and the lake water will return to its original state. Isn’t that right, Karina.] Yuna
I smiled at Karina.
[My father is dealing with it now. I will do my best too. So please wait a little longer.] Karina
Karina bows down deeply and asks.
[Karina-sama, please raise your head. If it only takes a few days then…] Shop Owner
[Yes, if we really can’t do it, my father will make an announcement.] Karina
[I would like to go out before that if possible.] Shop Owner
The man laughs and answers Karina.
Well, if the lord told the town about it, it will definitely cause a big confusion. If that happens, there will be a massive commotion of leaving the town.
[Well then, Little Miss. I’ll give you a little service.] Shop Owner
I left the shop after purchasing the spices.
Karina seems a bit depressed.
But it’s inevitable to think about getting out of the town.
It seems that the water in the lake is lowering the temperature around the area.
[Karina, it’s okay.] Yuna
[Yuna-san…] Karina
At worst, if I can’t find the crystal plate, I have the option to clear the labyrinth alone and replace the water magic stone.
Traps are troublesome, but if I do my best, it is manageable.
But it’s a hassle, so I want to get the crystal plate if I can.
As we walk down the street, while comforting Karina, a person I knew from before is running this way.