The Collapsed Bridge

Holy Knights were annoying, so we planned to flee overseas, but due to the heavy rain none of the ships would depart.

After learning a water spirit was causing it, I decided to go persuade it (physically).

The spirit lived in a place called Mount Riikura.

Leaving the port town and heading east, we eventually reached a forest.

The dragon carriage stopped with a clatter.

“Cherge. What’s wrong?”

The robot maid was acting as coachman.

No matter how wet she got, waterproofing made it fine.

“There appears to be trouble. I will gather information.”

Soon the robot maid returned.

“It seems the river ahead has swollen from heavy rain, and the bridge over it has collapsed.”

“What does col-lapsed mean?”

“It means it fell apart.”

Daphne-chan nodded in admiration, apparently not fully understanding the situation.

So the bridge was broken.

“Should I quickly fix it with alchemy?”

“…However, if the river is swollen, even if repaired it may break again.”

“Oh, true. Zenith-chan, you’re smart!”

“…Th-thank you.”

Zenith-chan blushed and fidgeted. She’d been acting strange lately.

Well, she was cute so it was fine.

“My lord, can the river water be reduced with a potion? Perhaps evaporate it?”

“Hm… if it were temporary flooding maybe, but since rain keeps falling, even if I reduce it the water will return… Right. Cherge, map.”

I had the robot maid display the surrounding map.

Hmm.

“Alright. Cherge, Toka-chan. Sorry but I need manual labor.”

“Understood!”

“Master, aren’t you treating robots harshly? Over.”

“You don’t get tired unlike Toka-chan, right?”

We moved into the forest away from the river.

“Okay, as planned. First, logging.”

“Roger!”

“Sigh. Violation of labor standards law. Over.”

Toka-chan used an axe, while the robot maid transformed her arm into a chainsaw and cut down the designated forest area.

To Toka-chan, strengthened at master’s workshop, any tree sliced like tofu.

They quickly finished cutting the forest.

“Good work Toka-chan. I’ll handle the rest with this robot, so rest inside.”

“Understood!”

“Toka-chan, towel!”

“Oh! Daphne, very thoughtful!”

“Daphne will dry you!”

Daphne-chan vigorously wiped Toka-chan’s hair.

The slave girls really got along well.

I stepped outside the carriage with Cherge.

Even with the Rain Cloak, the rain hitting my face was annoying.

“Alright robot maid, let’s go.”

“…Seyi-sama. I will accompany you.”

Zenith-chan followed behind.

“You’ll get wet, you can wait.”

“…No, please let me observe.”

“Mm, fine.”

If she wanted to, I’d let her.

I stood inside the cut forest.

“Cherge. Advanced Potion No. 11.”

An advanced potion, also called a magic potion.

I numbered mine — called Numbers Potions.

Cherge took out a pale crimson potion.

Magic potions responded to the creator’s mana, so I had to use it myself.

Guided by Cherge’s map function, I walked while dripping potion onto the ground.

“…Seyi-sama, what are you planning? Making Toka cut trees.”

“Hmm? To reduce river water, I’ll make a river.”

Zenith-chan stared blankly. Cute.

“…C-can rivers be made?”

“Well. More like making a tributary. Redirect water to reduce volume.”

Create another river from the large one so water escapes and decreases.

“…I understand the theory, but can it really be done?”

“Yep. That’s where No.11 comes in.”

I poured potion generously while walking.

Starting near the river, I slowly drew a semicircle and returned to the bank.

“Alright. Now add B liquid to A liquid.”

Onto the pale crimson A-liquid, I dripped a blue B-liquid.

Then—

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

A chain explosion occurred.

“Kyah!”

Startled, Zenith-chan hugged me.

“It’s okay. I caused the explosion intentionally.”

“…Y-you caused an explosion?”

“Yep. Explosion Potion. A potion that causes explosions through chemical reaction.”

Where liquid was spread, explosions occurred.

Because I spread it semicircularly, the ground was gouged and water flowed in.

I’d also made a wide lake area midway, so the tributary wouldn’t overflow.

Given water volume calculations, the reservoir would prevent flooding.

“What was that explosion!?”

“L-look! The river’s water is dropping!”

“It’s true! What’s happening!?”

Merchants and travelers waiting at the river panicked.

Meanwhile I approached the broken bridge.

“Now, apply the Reverse Potion to the broken bridge.”

The shattered stone bridge rapidly restored.

With less water, it wouldn’t break again.

“Look! Now the bridge is fixed!?”

“W-w-w-what’s going on!?”

Ignoring the shocked merchants, we returned to the carriage.

“…Amazing Seyi-sama. You even made another river.”

“Oh, thank you.”

I entered the covered wagon bed.

“Welcome back big sis!”

“I prepared warm tea!”

“Oh thanks you two.”

“Daphne hug and warm you!”

Daphne-chan hugged me while I drank magically heated tea.

Meanwhile the carriage safely crossed the bridge and reached the opposite bank.

“Master. I have received no appreciation. Over.”

“Yes yes, good work.”

“I will strike someday. Over.”