Episode 19: Then, it’s a promise!

　As usual, we didn't go inside the door, but turned around and went back to the lowest level.
　There was a high possibility of being cornered if we were to go head-to-head with a monster, so we had to be careful.

"Hey, Fiona. At first glance, did you see the shape of a monster on the surface? "
"Hmm... I don't think there was anything there."
"Then, it's definitely underwater."

　What if a big, macho merfolk with a three-pronged spear appears?
　I can't see a picture of how to defeat them.

　That said, the only thing we can do for the time being is to drain the water.
　Of course, if water is flowing in from somewhere, the amount of water being pumped out may continue to flow in and never drain away…… but, well, we'll just have to see what happens then.

"The generator can be used as it is, so we'll just have to transport it. We'll also need a pump, a hose, and some rope."

　It would take about five days to drain that much water if there were no problems.
　Well, there's plenty of time, so that's fine.

　Anyway, there are drainage pumps for sale at the hardware store.
　A drainage pump is a device that you submerge in water and turn on, which then sucks in the water and pumps it away.
　To get rid of the water at the pit in the gecko room, which is one floor below, we could use the siphon principle without a pump, but this time we'll use a regular pump.

"…………The problem is whether the suction is strong enough."

　The pumps sold at hardware stores don't really produce much discharge pressure. It can only lift water to a height of about 10 meters. It takes more effort than you might think to push water up.
　However, once it goes up, the water should flow down using the siphon principle…… probably.
　In other words, you can start using it in shallow water and then move it to deeper water once the water has started to flow.
　The gecko room is over 100 meters lower, so the water will flow well enough.
　Should I just extend the length of the hose to the point where it begins to break?

"The problem is the part where the pump is submerged in water…… Should I just throw it? Fiona, can we talk for a second?"
"What's wrong? "
"Try throwing this as hard as you can. How far can you make it fly? "
"You mean throw it here? "
"Mm-hmm. It's just a test."

　We're in the parking lot of the Hardware Store.
　It's the perfect size for a practice throw. Of course, you wouldn't do it in a live environment straight away.
　Because we have an unlimited stock, we can test-throw the pump that we plan to use in the actual work.
　It's a huge waste, but it's a matter of life or death.

"It's quite light, so I think it can fly quite far. Okay, here I go~. There! "
"Oh, ohhh. Amazing. You look like an Olympic athlete."

　I'm sure her level has improved since the last time with the gecko, but she managed to fling it about 20 meters.
　According to the manual, this pump weighs 5kg.
　I think she could fight pretty well with something like throwing axes.

　Anyway, if it can fly 20 meters, that will be enough for the time being.
　When the water in front of us recedes, we can move on to the next location. If it's possible, it would be better if it was deep and suddenly reached its maximum depth from the start, but it might or might not be like that.

"Alright. It's pretty haphazard, but there's nothing we can do about it. Either way, if a merfolk appears, it won't matter whether there's water or not."
"What is a 'merfolk'? "
"It's a fish-human monster."

　If you think about it, isn't it just that merfolk are strong because they have both gill and lung-based respiration?
　If the water runs out, there is even a possibility that they will not be able to come up onto land.
　All right, I'll gamble on that.

　I tied a rope to the submersible pump and tightened the hose for draining with a strap so that it wouldn't come loose. The length of the hose sold is not long enough, so we will extend it to about 500 meters by adding couplings.

　The problem is that the power cable is also short, but I used an outdoor extension cable, sealed the gaps with silicone sealant, and wrapped it all up with waterproof tape, so I think it should be okay.

　After Fiona and I had finished preparing our equipment, we moved to the pond level.
　We'll have a meeting in front of the door.

"As long as it gets to the water at the front, that's fine. If you don't make it, we can just pull it out and try again."
"Got it!　I hope it works out! "
"It'll be fine, it'll be fine. Trust the hardware store! "

　Fiona opened the door slightly and threw the pump.
　The pump drew a beautiful parabola and splashed into the water with a loud splash.
　I immediately turned on the power.

"Oh, here it comes!"

　The hose connected to the pump swelled up.
　This is proof that the water is being drawn up without a hitch.
　I tied the rope to the doorknob and adjusted the elevation of the pump in its current position.
　The water level is probably at least as deep as a 50-meter pool.
　It's probably even deeper in some places.

　Since there didn't seem to be a problem, I checked the floor below.
　The water was being discharged at a good rate into the pit in the gecko room.
　Due to the nature of the labyrinth, it seems unlikely that the pump would get clogged up with mud, fallen leaves, or other debris.

　◇◆◆◆◇

　After that, no more monsters were coming out of the water, and the drainage proceeded without a hitch.
　That said, it's definitely going to take a long time.
　To increase the pace even a little, we built three more of the same contraptions and drained the water with four units.
　I loosened the rope until it reached the bottom, but it seemed that the depth was about 20 meters even on the near side. The pump's capacity is not enough, but it is draining properly, so there is no problem. It seems that the principle of the siphon is working properly.

　Fiona and I watched as the water level gradually receded.

"Hey Maho, what will you do once you get out of here? "
"I wonder what should I do. I don't have any connections…… I guess I'll have to do what you were doing, Fiona, as an explorer.
"Are you going to try being an explorer?　But Maho, you've never fought a monster before, right? "
"Well, if there was some kind of work that I could do even without citizenship, that would be nice."

　I am a summoned existence, a perfect and flawless foreigner.
　Even if I can use the stuff from the hardware store, the amount I can take out of this labyrinth is limited.
　Once I get out, I'll have to live on my own, without using anything from the hardware store.
　Of course, I'm thinking about taking something that might sell for a high price and converting it into cash…… but what would sell for a high price in a different world?　Or so I'm thinking.
　Binoculars, futons, mirrors, glass?　When I think about portability, I think that binoculars are the best choice. Oh, maybe rare plants would sell too?　And also…… Maybe hamsters? Are non-native species a bad thing?

　Besides, people from outside are scary, right?
　I don't know what kind of world this is, but I think there's a high possibility that it'll turn into something like a witch hunt. Even more so if I bring in something from the hardware store.
　But even if that's not the case, I'm not very familiar with common sense, so I'm going to end up in trouble sooner or later.
　I'm starting to lose confidence in living outside……

"Hmm, ultimately, I think I will stay here."
"……Eh?　Why?　Why do you say that? "
"Because I'm not a human from this world. I don't think I'd be welcomed. Of course, I miss the sun, and I think I'll go outside, but I think it would be a bit dangerous to live in a town away from here."
"……So, um... don't you want to start a family or something? "
"Family!?　Do you mean marriage? "
"Yeah."

　Why is she worried about something like that?
　I guess she's at that age.
　In the world I came from, very few people think about getting married at this age. Physically, they may be adults, but mentally they're still children.
　When I think about it, Fiona, who is almost the same age as me and works as an adventurer, is a very independent adult.
　Apart from the fact that she often tends to smoke to keep her mind at ease.

"Hmm～. I don't mind. I've already graduated from dating boys."
"Oh, you've dated boys before!? "
"Hmm?　Of course, haven't you? Like one or two boys…… Sorry. I lied. I was just trying to show off."
"What!　Then you're no different from me, Maho! "
"You haven't yet either, Fiona?　Even though you're so cute. If I were a guy, I wouldn't leave you alone."

　I'm sorry to say this, but I thought Fiona was already experienced.
　I guessed that if she had to grow up fast, that aspect would also come to her faster.

"But well, I'm going to try living outside for a while anyway. I was still a student, and I'm not sure if I'd be able to properly work, but I guess I'll manage somehow. If that doesn't work, I can just live here."
"A student!?　Maho, did you go to school?　So, it turns out you were a noble after all……?　You don't look like one at all, though."
"I don't look like a noble……?　I mean, I wasn't a noble. In the country I was from, everyone went to school."
"Everyone……? "
"Didn't you go to school, Fiona? "
"Mm-hmm. ……There were some circumstances."

　So the school itself exists?
　She's talking about nobles, so is it like a school for nobles?
　But well, she said that the dragon's magic stone would sell for a lot of money, so she should be able to go, right?

"If we can go outside, you should go to school."
"But I'm already 15, you know? "
"Why is that a problem? It was common knowledge in the world I was from that you could learn at any age, you know? "
"Then…… If we can really get out of here safely, will you come with me, Maho? "
"Me too!?　S-sure. School, huh……?"

　Going to school……
　To be honest, I don't really feel like going……
　Or rather, I don't have any kind of citizenship to begin with. I don't think I could go to school.

　As I watched the water level gradually recede, I glanced to my side and saw Fiona looking at me as if she were spying on me.
　With both hands clasped in her lap. Her eyes pleading.

"……Well. Sure, why not? If we can get out, let's go to school together."

　There's nothing I have to do in this world anyway.
　School might be fun if I went with Fiona. I have no idea what I'm supposed to be learning.

"Really!?　Then, it's a promise! "
"Yeah, yeah. I promise, I promise! "
"Absolutely!　You have to, okay? "

　Fiona smiled happily.
　Well, she looks glad, so I guess it's okay.

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 ToC  

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