Dakelos's glory or not, Derek didn't know. Just thinking about combating the drought made his vision go dark.

What the hell was he supposed to do?

The sun blazed fiercely—he couldn't exactly perform a rain dance.

He did have past-life experience... scientific drought resistance!

But... this world had no science.

Forget water pumps, fire trucks hauling water, or cloud seeding.

Oh, right—magic existed here!

Recalling how even a bath required Xinzel, a sixth-tier expert, to recharge the magic, Derek wondered how powerful one needed to be to summon a downpour.

Using magic against the drought wasn't practical either.

So what could he do?

After much thought, Derek settled on building irrigation canals to divert water.

Wasn't Dakelos's biggest problem the dried-up fields around it?

Revive this parched land, and everything would fall into place.

First, find a river.

"Xinzel, bring me the map."

"Yes, Young Master Derek."

Xinzel's reply was sharp and resolute.

His vigor surprised Derek. *Does this old man have such a good mindset?* Derek wondered inwardly. *Even at this life-or-death moment, he looks cheerful? Or does he just want me gone?*

Unbeknownst to Derek, Xinzel believed Dakelos was saved now that Derek had taken charge.

Soon, a parchment scroll lay on the table.

Derek unrolled it, hoping the map wasn't too crude. It didn't need Baidu Maps-level detail—just show a river.

A river meant a water source.

Scanning the map, Derek quickly spotted "Dakelos" marked beside a thin stream.

Sensing his gaze, Xinzel explained, "That was Dakelos's original irrigation source. Dried up by the bad weather—it worsened the drought."

Is that so?

But Derek noticed the stream was just a tributary.

Tracing north upstream revealed a broader river.

Derek tapped that spot lightly.

"Young Master Derek, that's the Bayersa River. Deep in Verdantfall Forest, its wide bed and dense tree cover shield it from the weather. However... Verdantfall Forest is a vast monster-infested woodland."

A monster forest meant no royal guards or Adventurers Guild to clear roaming beasts. Ordinary people entering would be in grave danger.

"Send scouts there. I need detailed intel."

Derek figured a river was enough. Scout the site, then mobilize Dakelos guards as administrator. What's a monster forest? Build the canal based on the dried stream—simple.

It didn't seem that hard.

Thinking this, Derek felt much lighter.

Xinzel almost warned him but saw Derek's calm face. *Young Master Derek always knows best—he must have this under control.*

No need to overstep. Just complete the task.

Xinzel hurried out of the manor.

Gerald appeared suddenly. "What is it, Father?"

"Young Master Derek has finally acted."

Xinzel smiled slightly, pride swelling.

"Oh?"

"He gave me a task, Gerald. Can you help?"

"What task?"

"Survey monster distributions near the Bayersa River, where Dakelos borders Verdantfall Forest."

"What?! Survey that?! Is Derek planning to divert the river? This isn't simple."

Gerald chuckled, grasping Derek's idea.

Building canals wasn't hard—hire an earth mage from the Adventurers Guild, add manpower.

The problem was the river lay inside Verdantfall Forest...

"I know it's difficult, but Young Master Derek has his reasons."

Reasons?!

Hmph! What could a greenhorn kid know? His father was truly fooled.

Gerald would survey thoroughly, mark every detail on the map, and leave Derek no options.

"Alright. I'll mobilize all West Wind Adventurers. We'll finish fast."

In three days, Gerald handed Xinzel a map marked with monster clusters.

Xinzel rushed back to execute Derek's next orders.

At the manor gate, he spotted a Sterga Trading Company carriage—the special herbs for Sophia's Soil Purifier had arrived.

When Xinzel reached Derek, Derek had just counted the goods. Letting Sophia practice, he sighed, "Everything... is ready~"

Everything ready?!

Xinzel frowned, studying the goods but seeing nothing clear. He noted it silently.

With the survey done, it was time to solve the problem.

A meeting convened in the hall. Xinzel, Teresia, and Sophia attended, eager to witness Derek's wisdom.

Derek wasn't aware—he didn't think building a canal was hard.

Calmly, he took Xinzel's map, unrolled it slowly, checking for odd terrain like cliffs or slopes.

He'd sent Xinzel to survey soil quality, after all.

But when the map opened, Derek's mind screamed, *Holy crap!*

What were all these dense, colorful markings?

"Uncle Xinzel, why so many writings? What are these?" Teresia asked, confused on Derek's behalf.

"Monster clans nearby."

Monsters?!

Derek was shocked!

What's going on?! Why are they all gathered here?! Partying and having fun?!

"Monsters? So many?" the maids asked helpfully.

"Every year, warm weather draws monsters from Verdantfall Forest south to breed. The Bayersa River area is their favorite spot."

*Holy crap—it really is a party. An orgy party...*

Monsters here had no shame!

What now?

This wasn't easy.

If they interrupted monsters "busy with business" to say, "Excuse us, building a canal," they'd get swallowed whole!

No!

What to fear? Just monsters?

As Dakelos's administrator, he could mobilize guards. If needed, hire experts from the Adventurers Guild. Force through while monsters mated, build the canal beside them—reasonable, right?

Yes, feasible.

Derek took a deep breath.

Money could do anything!

Cash power filled him with confidence.

He'd solve this with money again.

Pulling out a gold coin, he tossed it up, planning to catch it suavely and announce his plan.

But as the coin flew, Teresia worriedly asked Xinzel, "Uncle Xinzel, won't these monsters charge into Dakelos?"

"Unprovoked, generally no. But reckless provocation might cause a big problem."

"Big problem?"

"A monster tide. Spot its signs, and we must evacuate early, waiting for the royal army. Dakelos guards and ordinary adventurers can't handle this many monsters."

Snap!

The coin dropped—Derek missed it.

It skidded in a circle on the map, tilted, and stilled.

Derek was extremely embarrassed.

He realized this wasn't a problem money could fix.

Staring at the coin, his mind churned in chaos.

*What should I even say now?!*

Everyone watched Derek, confused.

Xinzel followed his gaze to the coin, then the label beside it.

"Hmm?"

Xinzel hummed softly, thoughtful—then his eyes widened in realization.

"So that's it! This is Young Master Derek's plan! Truly brilliant!"

Derek turned slowly, baffled by Xinzel's excitement. He felt like he'd triggered some weird plot point...

What to do now?

Derek exhaled sharply, clasped his hands, and stared deeply at the map.

"That's right. Everything is just as you thought."