According to the innkeeper...
The storm apparently began about two weeks ago.
While it’s rare for such a massive storm to cover the entire town and surrounding area, it’s not completely unheard of — there are records of large storms happening in the past.
However, ever since that day, the storm hasn’t stopped.
Normally, it would calm down within a day, but this time, there’s been no sign of it weakening.
On the contrary, the wind and rain seem to be getting stronger with each passing day.
The river is raging, of course — all ships have stopped operating, cutting off the town’s north and south sides.
And that’s not all.
Because of the constant rain, the river has swollen and is on the verge of overflowing.
If it keeps raining for another three days, it’s over.
The town will be swallowed by the river.
“I didn’t realize things were that bad…”
Caught off guard by the situation, I couldn’t help but feel shaken.
“I’ve never heard of a storm lasting two whole weeks, not even in other regions…”
“I wonder if there’s some cause behind it?”
“Who knows…? The great scholars already investigated it, but they couldn’t figure anything out. In any case, before the town sinks, you two should evacuate. Fortunately, there are still a few days left.”
“What about you, ma’am?”
“I’ve got nowhere else to go.”
She gave a lonely smile.
“Besides, this is the town where I was born and raised. I can’t just leave it behind so easily.”
I understood that feeling.
Even if Snowlake were to be wiped out by some disaster…
I’d probably keep hesitating until the very end — whether to stay or flee.
That’s how precious one’s hometown is.
It’s a place that anchors the heart.
You can keep going because you have a place to return to.
You can stay strong because you have a land full of memories.
I think… that’s what it means.
“……”
I wanted to do something about it.
That desire burned strongly within me.
But there were no clues.
Even if I wanted to gather information, the weather made it impossible to go outside easily.
And time was running out.
If even the scholars couldn’t find the cause, could I really solve it in just a few days?
“Fate.”
As I was lost in thought, Sofia suddenly hugged me tightly.
“S–Sofia…?”
“Instead of just thinking about it, why don’t we try moving our bodies?”
She must have seen right through what I was thinking.
“It’s true, it’s a difficult problem. Acting blindly might not help. But… sometimes you can only find the answer by pushing forward with everything you’ve got.”
“Yeah… you’re right.”
Sofia was right.
The situation was dire.
There was no time to waste.
Which meant the only choice left was to move forward.
“Thanks, Sofia.”
“You’re welcome.”
She was always there — supporting me, helping me.
Once again, I felt grateful that she was by my side.
“Then, first we’ll start gathering information—”
“There’s no need for that.”
A raspy old voice interrupted.
When I turned around, an elderly man was slowly sipping his drink.
“I know everything about what’s happening.”
“Oh, come on now… Grandpa Hemming, you’re still saying that nonsense?”
The innkeeper looked exasperated.
Apparently, they knew each other.
“There’s no such thing as a curse from the Water God.”
“The Water God…?”
“A curse…?”
Sofia and I exchanged glances.
Just what on earth did he mean by that?
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