“This is giving me such a headache. Why does the population keep increasing…?”
“Well, that’s because you’ve made the Vermont Territory such a pleasant place to live, my Lord.”
“…”
A new issue, one that had not been addressed recently, was now becoming a serious concern: the rapid population growth in the Vermont Territory.
People from other regions were migrating here, while others who had left for studies were returning, causing a sudden surge in the number of residents. On top of that, surveys showed a significant increase in the number of pregnant women.
It seemed inevitable that next year’s birthrate would reach an unprecedented high.
Measures to handle this population boom had to be implemented urgently.
‘There’s no way to expand the residential areas any further…’
The Vermont Territory was situated in a basin surrounded by rugged mountains. Development of new residential areas had long since been completed, leaving no room for further expansion.
The most immediate issue requiring improvement.
Water.
Although Vermont had grown into a relatively prosperous territory economically, the lack of water resources had always been a significant problem, both in the past and now.
Unlike the Ariente Territory, which enjoyed an abundant water supply due to the large rivers that flowed through it, the Vermont Territory, located beyond the mountain range, struggled with a chronic shortage of drinking water.
Until recently, the water shortage hadn’t been a noticeable issue. However, the population boom had intensified the problem.
‘Isn’t there a way to divert water from the Ariente Territory…?’
The first idea was to construct aqueducts along the Vermont Highway to bring water into the territory.
But that was far easier said than done.
While road construction was relatively straightforward, requiring only time, money, and manpower, building aqueducts was a far more complex undertaking.
Moreover, the proposed aqueduct would need to traverse an entire mountain range—an unprecedented project in the Empire’s history.
Even if the construction were completed, the future maintenance costs would undoubtedly be astronomical.
This wasn’t a problem that could be solved by merely pouring in money and manpower. It was a matter of material engineering.
The solution might involve researching suitable materials, synthesizing them, and developing a method to bury the aqueducts underground.
But the timeline for such a project was impossible to estimate.
Meanwhile, the population density would continue to rise rapidly.
The lack of drinking water and other essential supplies would lead to a severe decline in sanitation.
In the worst-case scenario, an outbreak of infectious diseases could cause massive casualties.
An interim solution might be to dig as many wells as possible.
However, if the groundwater were to run out, the situation would revert to square one.
Worse, depleted groundwater could weaken the bedrock, leading to collapses, or cause the forests to wither.
If the forests suffered, it would become difficult to secure firewood for winter heating, triggering a cascade of crises.
‘Perhaps I should focus on water purification instead…’
At the back of the Vermont Territory lay a mountain, at the foot of which was the uppermost section of a river. The problem was the severe soil contamination, which resulted in extremely poor water quality.
Currently, a dam was in place to prevent the water from flowing into the villages.
Treating and purifying that water seemed like the most time-efficient and sustainable solution for now.
Of course, while it was relatively faster compared to other options, constructing a water treatment facility was by no means an easy task.
Just as a sigh of exasperation began to escape…
[Kyaaaah! Why did you bring that thing here!?]
[Graaaah! I heard there were delicious snacks here! But why is the Great Spirit of Earth here!?]
The thunderous voices of the Great Spirits outside boomed loud enough to penetrate through the windows.
Curious about the commotion, it turned out the children had lured Dirt-Dirt and Water-Water to the manor with the promise of snacks.
The two, natural adversaries, were at it again.
“What’s going on? Don’t tell me you’re fighting? I told you to make peace, didn’t I?”
[Kyaa, kyaaah!? We’re not fighting!]
[Graaah! Y-Yeah, we’re just so happy to see each other, we got a little loud!]
“Hmm… Is that so?”
At that moment, Julia appeared, and the tension instantly evaporated.
Dirt-Dirt and Water-Water awkwardly embraced each other, nodding fervently as if they had never been arguing.
“Well then, have fun, Water-Water!”
[Graaah! Wait, human! What about the snacks you promised me!?]
“Snacks? Could it be Charlotte who promised them?”
[That’s right!]
“Charlotte’s out right now. She’s at the training ground and probably won’t be back until evening.”
[Graaah! My snacks! Nooo!]
“Oh no! Should I share some of mine, then? I saved an egg tart to snack on later while studying.”
Unlike Charlotte, who devoured all snacks immediately, Julia often saved hers, bringing them to her room to enjoy later.
It was almost like watching a hamster stash food for future nibbles.
[Kyaaah! Egg tart! I want it! I want it too!]
[Graaah! I don’t know what that is, but if it’s good enough to make him crave it, it must be a delicacy! Give it to me!]
“Hmm, I don’t feel like giving it for free… Oh! Water-Water, how about you do me a favor, and I’ll give it to you!”
[Speak! I am the Great Spirit of Water! Even if it’s impossible for humans, I can do it!]
“See that fountain in the garden? The one in the middle, all mossy and dry? I want to see water flow from it again…”
[Graaah…? That’s it? That’s all you want…?]
Julia pointed to the center of the lush garden, where a moss-covered, dried-up fountain stood.
Water-Water sighed in exasperation but began to move.
‘That fountain…’
The fountain was actually shut down because it was too filthy.
Over time, it had been neglected, leading to moss growing thickly inside.
Even after flushing it with water for three straight days to clean it, clear water still wouldn’t flow, so they gave up.
It seemed the corrosion had progressed far too much.
Julia’s vision was likely of a splendid fountain, gushing with clear water. But that was probably never going to happen.
I was about to turn away with a bitter heart to return to my work when…
[Graaah! Making water flow from such a small fountain is nothing! Watch this, human!]
“Wow, wow! So this is what the fountain looks like…!”
“…!?”
Water-Water plunged into the fountain with a splash.
The moss clinging to every corner dissolved instantly, and soon, clean water gushed out powerfully in all directions.
The moment I witnessed it, my eyes opened wide.
This is it.
This could solve the problem!
I immediately left my office and ran toward the garden.
[Graaah! So this is an egg tart? Such sweetness, softness, and crispy texture on the outside! It melts in my mouth!]
[Kyaaah… I want to try it too…]
“Dirt-Dirt, you’ve already had plenty from Charlotte… Oh? Aslan? What’s going on?”
“Huff, huff…”
When I arrived at the garden, I found Water-Water hurriedly gobbling up an egg tart as if worried someone might steal it.
Julia seemed to have stopped by her room and returned while I was running.
Was I really that slow?
I thought I’d run at full speed…
Once again, I was painfully reminded of Aslan Vermont’s pitifully poor stamina.
“I came to see Water-Water.”
[Graaah! How dare a mere human think to face me!]
“Aslan is my savior, so don’t be rude to him, Water-Water!”
[…Graaah… The lowly Great Spirit of Water, Water-Water, humbly greets the esteemed human…]
It seemed he was finally ready to talk.
I patted Julia’s head as she beamed with pride at her success, then stepped forward.
“That fountain you just activated—its insides were originally filled with moss and dust, spewing only dirty water. But now, clean water flows. How did that happen?”
[Ahem! I possess the power to purify the environment! Wherever water flows, I can cleanse it to ensure life can thrive!]
“Oh ho…”
Just as I suspected.
If I could use Water-Water’s power, I might be able to purify the valley behind the mountain.
The solution to the water resource issue was closer than I had anticipated.
“Water-Water, let’s work on something together.”
[Graaah! What is it?]
“There’s a valley behind the mountain dammed off because of poor ground conditions. It seems like it needs your purification.”
[Graaah! If it’s an issue with the ground, that’s beyond my ability! My powers only work where water flows!]
“Oh! Then you can team up with Dirt-Dirt! Dirt-Dirt can create water pathways underground, and you can flow water into them and purify it!”
At that moment, Julia clapped her hands, proposing the perfect idea.
As expected of her quick thinking.
It also seemed like a good way to foster better relations between the two bickering Great Spirits.
[Kyaaah! In that case, I demand Hawaiian pizza every day as payment for my services!]
[Graaah! Hawaiian pizza? I don’t know what it is, but if he wants it, it must be delicious! I demand the same!]
“What nonsense are you talking about? The payment for this job will be a reduction in repair costs at the Imperial Magic Academy.”
[…?]
[…?]
Their heads tilted in unison, as if asking what I was talking about.
“Did you forget? The repair costs for the fountain and pavement you destroyed during your fight at the Imperial Magic Academy were covered by me. Instead of charging you for that, I’m offering to waive the cost. Unless you’d prefer I charge you with 30% annual interest until…”
[Kyaaah! How am I supposed to get human money? Fine, I’ll accept!]
[Graaah! I’ll do the work in exchange for the waived repair costs!]
When I pretended to rescind the offer, they immediately panicked, running up to stop me.
For this brief moment, the two seemed perfectly united.
Hopefully, they’d maintain this harmony during the project.
Of course, the claim that I paid for the fountain and pavement repairs was a complete lie.
But with neither Irene nor the Empress around to see through it, no one would ever know.