I tried practicing magic while working on the construction of the Shrimp Pond. After all, even the kittens and the shrimp could do it. I should have been able to as well. Lu had given me lessons before and declared I had no talent, but it was all about willpower!
And for the record, I definitely wasn't jealous of the magic-using kittens and shrimp. Not even a little.
After confirming that no one was around, I focused my mind.
Wait. Oh! I could feel the power. I really felt like I could do it this time! I recited the magic incantation Lu had taught me.
"Manifest before me and strike my foe! Fire Arrow!"
...
......
Did I get the words wrong? It had been a while, after all. Haha.
I noticed a few of Kuro’s children peeking out from the shade of the trees. I wondered when they’d arrived, but then again, since I’d come into the forest to set up the pond, it made sense that a few would follow me. When I glanced toward them, they quickly turned their heads away.
My heart ached, so I decided to call it a day for magic practice. I needed to focus on the pond.
I piped water in from the reservoir, but simply letting it flow would cause an overflow, so I had to plan the drainage into the river. I installed a triple-layered bamboo fence to keep the shrimp from escaping. The tiny ones might still get away, but that was within the acceptable range. I lined the outer perimeter of the pond with a Log Fence, and with that, it was complete. I would see how it went for the time being.
Before putting in the water and the shrimp, I decided to climb in myself first.
The pond was twenty-five meters square. I had agonized over the depth but eventually settled on about one meter. If it were too shallow, creatures like the kittens might come poking around. For the sake of not stressing the shrimp, they needed at least this much depth.
However, I had placed fifty-centimeter-high partitions on the bottom of the pond, creating a grid of one-meter squares. The idea was that if I drained half the water, it would become a collection of small, individual ponds. But that bit of ingenuity made the floor difficult to navigate. I kept banging my shins against the partitions.
"Don't force yourselves to go in," I warned Kuro’s children, who were perched on top of the Log Fence. "And don't give me such lonely looks. Fine, I'm getting out right now."
Once I opened the sluice gate, I decided to head to the pool. It was a hot day, after all.
The pool was as popular as ever this year. There were lines at the food stalls run by the High Ogre maids. They were selling shaved ice and... Meat Stew? That sounded incredibly hot. I decided I'd have some after I got out.
I noticed Tia’s golems in the Flowing Pool. There were five of them, each about two meters tall. They weren't swimming, but rather marching in a line. Ah, they were creating the current. When there were too many people, the flow inevitably slowed down. Still, it looked a bit like they were chasing the swimmers. Well, as long as it only looked that way, it wasn't a problem.
My swimsuit was a standard trunks-style pair that Zabuton had made for me. It was essentially water-repellent clothing designed so it wouldn't become transparent or stick to my skin when wet. It would be embarrassing if the important bits were visible, after all.
I changed in a small shack near the pool and then stepped into a smaller pool nearby. There were actually two of these: the first was the Rinse Pool for washing off dirt, and the second was the Disinfection Pool. I had consulted with Lu, and she had whipped up a disinfectant solution for me to add to the water. I was worried about the potential for an infectious disease spreading.
I was told that even without it, everyone was protected by their own magic power, but I insisted. I didn't want to take any chances, especially with the children who might have less magic. I ignored the confused looks from those around me—even Gatto’s daughter apparently had plenty of magic power. I apologized for underestimating her and just treated it as a way to put my own mind at ease.
I did some warm-up exercises before slowly entering the main pool. I made sure not to dive in, no matter what.
"Phew."
"Village Head, sorry, but could you please keep moving in the Flowing Pool?"
Right. I began a leisurely pace of underwater walking.
The Sake Slime passed by me, elegantly riding on a board. Behind it came the Saint, clutching a log she’d cut to size as a substitute for a swim ring. She was wearing a rather daring swimsuit. I didn't think it was quite appropriate for someone with her title, but I quickly averted my eyes. I didn't want her thinking I was a creep. Empty your mind, empty your mind.
Then I spotted Yoko lounging by the poolside in an even more daring swimsuit. Empty your mind... wait.
"Are you in your human form today?" I asked.
"My magic power has recovered enough to manage it," she replied.
The swimsuit suited her, but she had her long hair wrapped up in a towel. It looked like she was about to take a bath. Since others were doing the same, I didn't say anything about the hair, but I did have to mention the drink in her hand.
"Don't go into the pool while holding that."
"I won't get drunk with just this much."
"Even if you don't, it’ll be a problem if others start imitating you."
"...Hmph. Fine, I understand."
Yoko was surprisingly obedient when given a proper reason.
Further along, I saw Granmaria hovering just over the water's surface in her swimsuit. She seemed to be practicing how to make it look like she was walking on water—moving forward, backward, and even skipping. It was impressive, but she was in the way of the other swimmers.
Actually, looking closer, everyone seemed to be enjoying using her as a fun obstacle. Since the pool was mostly filled with women and children, her little game worked out well.
I wondered where the dwarves and lizardmen were. Apparently, they were working hard so they could come in the evening and drink by the poolside. That made sense.
I took a wide path to avoid Granmaria the obstacle, but she drifted closer.
"I went out of my way to avoid you, so don't come any closer! An obstacle that moves is just cheating."
She pretended to trip in mid-air just so she could cling to me. She was being quite blatantly affectionate despite the crowd. I supposed it was the sense of liberation from being in the pool, but I tried to stay focused.
It was no use. Once she started clinging to me, the other women began to gather as well.
"L-let go... Whoa, you're strong!"
I couldn't pull away, and she was incredibly soft. This was getting dangerous. I needed a distraction. "Children! Where are the children? Someone bring a Child Barrier, please!"
After one full lap, I got out of the pool, feeling strangely exhausted. For the record, the Kuro’s children had their own designated Purupuru Zone, so it was rare to get caught in a massive splash from them.
I sat down and slowly ate the piping hot Meat Stew I’d gotten from the High Ogre maid’s stall. It was delicious. I wanted more, but I held back to save room for dinner. After one more lap—this time guarded by Kuro’s children—I left the pool.
As expected, I felt drowsy after the swim. I decided to take a nap until dinner.
When I returned to my room in the Village Head's Mansion, I found Lu, Tia, the Cat, Jewel the Jewel Cat, the four kittens, Hitoe, Kuro, and Yuki all sleeping there. Zabuton’s children were packed tightly across the ceiling.
This was strange. The cooling devices had been installed in other locations by now, hadn't they? So why was everyone in my room? My device even had an On-off Function now. Who had turned it on?
This was supposed to be my private space. Just as I was thinking that, someone spoke from behind me.
"Everyone, I've brought some chilled fruit!"
It was one of the High Ogre maids—the one who’d been scolded before for dozing off in here. She stopped in her tracks when she saw me.
While I was wondering what to say, the kittens swarmed her feet. They must have woken up the second they smelled the food. They were very demanding about it, too. Hitoe woke up as well, clearly looking for watermelon. I told the maid not to mind me and just distribute the snacks.
The cats generally hated citrus and focused on the watermelon and strawberries. Hitoe seemed to have the same taste. Kuro, Yuki, and Zabuton’s children would eat just about anything. Lu went for the chilled tomatoes, taking a big bite.
Tia was eating chilled cucumbers with salt. It turned out she had been manipulating the golems in the pool while resting here. Since they were mostly on autopilot, it was fine, and Granmaria was nearby to keep watch just in case. So that’s why Granmaria had been there. Though, she seemed to be enjoying herself more than she was "watching."
"Listen, everyone," I said. "I know you're hungry, but dinner is soon."
The sleepiness from the pool had vanished. I sat on the bed, pulled the cat onto my lap, and scratched his chin. The room was nice and cool thanks to the early arrivals, so it was quite pleasant.
Jewel climbed onto my lap as well, pushing in front of the cat as if to say, "Me next." I obliged her, scratching her chin. No? Not there? Behind the ears? Ah, that was it.
"I'll pet you two later," I told Kuro and Yuki. They seemed content to wait.
However, I really wished Lu and Tia would give me some space. We were supposed to be cooling off, so they didn't need to cling to me. It wasn't that my love had cooled; it was just plain hot.
I looked over at the High Ogre maid. I wasn't going to scold her, but I couldn't do anything about Ann looming behind her. Sorry about that.
I spent the rest of the time relaxing until I was finally called for dinner.