After switching the magic stones, we returned to the city. However, after entering the town, while we were walking towards Balima-san’s residence, the atmosphere of the town felt different.
First, the people who pass each other are quite a few. I’m not proud of it, but whenever I walked down the street, I attracted the people’s line of sights.
But it suddenly decreased.
[What’s going on?] Yuna
[I don’t know.] Karina
We hurried back to the mansion so we went near the lake. There was a crowd around the lake. Everyone was looking at the lake.
[What the hell is that?] Resident A
[Did you notice that the water has increased somehow?] Resident B
[But it was lesser than this just a while ago and it increased all of a sudden? I don’t think anyone was expecting that.] Resident C
Well, that’s true, if you think about it normally.
Other than that, I can’t think of any reason as to why people are gathering at the lake. But even if Karina says there’s more water now, I didn’t expect that the lake’s water would’ve increased enough to be noticed it so easily.
It should’ve taken a few days for someone to notice it. Even if I saw it, I’m not sure what to say.
[Bear? Karina-sama?] Resident D
One of the residents noticed Karina.
To be precise, he noticed Karina because he became aware of my existence. Other residents who heard Karina’s name turned their eyes to us.
[Karina-sama, what happened to the water in the lake?] Resident E
[Balima-sama told us to wait for a while, but how did this happen? Has the lake returned to its original state?] Resident F
[Karina-sama!] Resident G
The residents approached us. I took one step forward to protect Karina.
[I can’t answer it right now. But what happened? I’ve been out of town until now, so I don’t know why everyone is at the lake.] Karina
[The water level, the water column came up.] Resident A
The residents excitedly replied.
A water column, is that a water pillar? Like water spouts?
[Everyone gathered at the lake because they thought the water of the lake might have returned. Some of them went to ask Balima-sama, but they told us to wait for a while.] Resident H
Uh, the water pillars?
If you think about it, it’s related to the switching of the magic stones, right?
I can’t come up with anything else. When I looked at Karina, she’s thinking a little bit.
[I understand, I think you’ll be able to hear from my father soon. Until then, please be patient and wait for a little longer.] Karina
Karina bowed her head to the residents and began to walk quickly. I also chased her after that.
[Karina, what’s going on?] Yuna
[I’ll report the details to my father first before we can talk about it. Father is waiting for our report. If we’re late, the residents may rush out of their homes.] Karina
Karina said so and ran.
When we reached the mansion, there was a crowd.
[There’s already a lot of people here.] Karina
[Yes, we can’t go in with this.] Yuna
I think the reason for their gathering was the same as earlier. It’s like they’re waiting to hear Balima-san’s announcement. Unlike the residents around the lake, it feels like they are angry mobs. It’s dangerous if we get too close, so we can only watch them from a distance.
[They’re all quiet though.] Yuna
The residents were not violent, only looking at the mansion.
However, it will be difficult to sneak in, this is troublesome. For the time being, I told Karina to wear the coat hood that protects her against the heat.
[Yuna-san, what should we do?] Karina
I think we can go and get through them normally, but we might get surrounded. There are people surrounding the mansion even if we try to enter from the back.
[This can’t be helped.] Yuna
[Yuna-san?] Karina
I hold Karina in my arms.
[Yuna-san, what are you doing?] Karina
[Karina, hold on tightly.] Yuna
I started running while Karina was being in my arms. And I jumped with a boost from running.
[Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.] Karina
Karina screams.
The residents turned their sights to the source of the voice.