Chapter 81

81. Difficult Mission (2)

“There are too many sick people. Doctors and medicine are scarce.”

The Countess of Changeling frowned. She’d been chatting with people after each distribution of food to check on their well-being.

“Is there some kind of plague going around?”

“It’s not a plague, it’s just that we don’t have enough water.”

The countess clicked her tongue, explaining that many people were suffering from stomachaches or dehydration due to drinking filtered dirty water. Additionally, many fell ill due to poor hygiene as they couldn’t wash.

The water transported from the capital couldn’t suffice for washing, so finding a water source was the most fundamental solution.

“I heard that the Slani River has dried up, but have you tried to find a water source?”

“We tried several times but couldn’t find it. With no rain, how would there be any groundwater left?”

“But you never know, I’ve heard there are oases in the desert. Since the Slani River originally had water…”

“Such things don’t just appear anywhere. Unless it rains, it’s hopeless.”

The Countess shook her head. Adelaide’s complexion darkened at the negative response.

The upper stream of the Slani River was under the jurisdiction of Viscount Valyev, so without Viscount’s consent, it was difficult to explore the land arbitrarily.

“May I inspect the upper stream of the Slani River?”

There’s no point. Don’t waste your strength in this heat; stay inside the castle.”

“There’s no point. Don’t waste your strength in this heat; stay inside the castle.”

“We’ll take our men and find it without disturbing Lord Changeling.”

Carrying the remaining supplies into the storeroom, Callion approached Adelaide. The Countess shrugged her shoulders.

“If you insist on a futile effort, I won’t stop you. But I think praying for rain would be more effective than digging dry ground.”

“Then we’ll pray and dig.”

“Well, you’re both very stubborn. I don’t know, maybe you should talk to Hayward.”

“Will do.”

Adelaide’s eyes narrowed slightly as she replied, a long-awaited declaration of surrender.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Unlike the Countess, who was less than enthusiastic about Adelaide’s proposal, Hayward Changeling was more than happy to accept the request to search for underground water.

Not only did he personally ask Viscount Valyev’s permission to explore the upper reaches of the Slani River, but he also instructed his soldiers familiar with the geography to assist in the search.

“I am grateful for your permission.”

“I should be thanking you for your efforts for the South.”

The Viscount, who was favorable to Callion, encouraged him. He seemed not to expect much to be found, though.

“Please return before noon.”

“Will do.”

Adelaide left the castle with Hayward Changeling seeing her off.

Even though they departed before sunrise, the day was exceedingly hot. Adelaide, riding a horse alongside Callion due to the rough path unsuitable for carriages, wiped the sweat from her forehead.

“It’s extremely hot even though it’s still early.”

“It’s always hot here, but it’s even hotter during the dry season. If it’s too hard, you can go back.”

“No, I’m coming with you.”

Adelaide shook her head and unfolded the map. The parched riverbed, cracked and dry, was in stark contrast to the blue line drawn on the map.

The guide said it was a river, but without knowing, one might mistake it for just low-lying land.

“The drought is severe.”

Although she had heard about the poor water conditions in the South, seeing it first hand was far worse than imagined.

If the imperial palace was functioning normally, help would have arrived long ago. However, Elkius repeatedly ignored the South’s pleas for help.

“This is where the river begins.”

The soldier leading the column halted his horse. Dismounting, Callion looked around.

The trees along the river were nearly all dead, proving that the water had long since dried up. Adelaide’s eyes scanned the gravelly ground, and her eyes lit up when she spotted an anthill.

“Dig deep around here.”

At her command, the soldiers began digging. The ground was hard and there were many buried rocks, making the work quite arduous.

Sweat poured down like rain, soaking the soldiers’ clothes. Feeling sorry for them, Adelaide helped move the rocks away.

“You’ll hurt yourself, don’t do that,”

“I need to help to encourage them to keep working.”

Despite the hot weather and the additional labor, the soldiers couldn’t complain since the Duchess herself was assisting.

Watching her delicate fingers blister, Callion sighed and picked up a shovel.

They started early in the morning and dug until the sun was high in the sky, with no results. One by one, the soldiers, unaccustomed to the heat, raised their hands.

When even Ahio, who had been digging in silence, collapsed, Callion ordered a retreat.

“We can’t go on any longer. Let’s stop for today and return.”

“Just a little more,” Adelaide pleaded.

“There’s always tomorrow. We don’t need to push ourselves too hard on the first day.”

Adelaide nodded, unable to resist Callion’s persuasion. That was the end of the first day’s exploration.

The next day, they left the castle even earlier. They continued the work by expanding the search area around the spot they dug the previous day. Despite creating a hole deep enough to surpass a person’s height, no water was found.

The third and fourth days were equally fruitless. Worse, the soldiers working in the unshaded sun began to collapse from exhaustion.

And they weren’t the only ones getting sick.

“Ugh…….”

Adelaide lay down, clutching her aching back.

“Lie down, I’ll massage you,”

No, I’m fine… Ah!”

Adelaide screamed as Callion’s hand brushed her side. Callion clicked his tongue and began massaging her with careful hands. Adelaide buried her face in the pillow, stifling her groans.

The unfamiliar labor combined with riding a horse for hours each day made her body ache as if it had been beaten. However, her head hurt even more than her body.

The upper reaches of the Slani River, Viscount Valyev’s territory, and the area around the anthill — she believed this intersection satisfied all the conditions from her past life’s memories.

‘Could I be mistaken?’

After all that digging, there should have been at least a drop of water, but there had been no sign of it for days, and it was hard to cheer up the soldiers.

Adelaide pushed herself to her feet, feeling depressed. Callion stroked her hair affectionately, as if he knew how she felt.

“Don’t stress too much. Even the Earl couldn’t find it. It’s no wonder we can’t either.”

“We must find it. Otherwise, all this suffering would be for nothing.”

“Everyone will know you tried.”

“Effort without results means nothing.”

Callion’s eyes softened at the firm reply, and he sighed, pulling Adelaide into a strong hug.

“I’m sorry that my shortcomings are causing you such hardship.”

“Don’t say that, Your Grace. It’s about winning the South, so going through all this trouble is nothing.”

Adelaide pushed him away and shook her head. Callion squeezed her hand lightly.

“What I mean is, I hate seeing you endure this hardship.”

Her fingers, worn from carrying stones all day, were rough. Callion brought her fingers to his lips, his expression grim.

“From tomorrow, I’ll go alone. You stay here.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Stop being stubborn and do as I say.”

“I started this. If I rest because it’s hard, what will the soldiers think?”

“How can a delicate woman be the same as trained soldiers?”

“Neither I nor the soldiers are used to this intense heat.”

“Adele.”

“If you don’t take me, I’ll follow on foot.”

“Hah…….”

Callion rubbed his face wearily. He couldn’t talk her out of it, knowing that it wasn’t just a threat, that she really meant it.

Indeed, had he ever won an argument with her?

He gave up trying to persuade her. Adelaide smiled softly.

“Let’s find it tomorrow, together.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

‘Look at him, not even waking me up.’

Adelaide woke in the early hours of the morning and chuckled to herself at the sight of Callion’s empty bed.

A basket of food, half-empty, was left by her bedside, indicating Callion had already had breakfast and left her portion.

So, he planned to go alone despite what she said?

Adelaide looked out the dimly lit window. The horses were still tethered in the stables, so they hadn’t left yet. She hurriedly gathered her clothes.

‘Oh, this hurts.’

As the day wore on, her sore muscles grew worse. As much as she wanted to rest, she knew that if she took a day off, she’d get sick.

She forced herself to leave the room, figuring it was better to move, even if it was painful.

As she descended the stairs, she was greeted by servants who were just beginning their day. She’d been in the castle for nearly a week now, and they were still as blunt as ever.

‘They must find it bothersome.’

In such oppressive heat, welcoming guests was likely an unwelcome task. Moreover, the soldiers’ presence likely added to the disturbance, making it understandable that they weren’t pleased.

‘We’ll have to find water quickly.’

Adelaide walked with a heavy heart. As she hurried out of the castle, not wanting to miss Callion, the Countess entered the castle.

Adelaide greeted her warmly.

“Good morning, Countess. Did you sleep well?”

“Just the person I wanted to see. Let’s have a talk, Your Grace.”