It was raining outside, so I couldn't wander around aimlessly. I had no choice but to bide my time at home. Since I was planning to escape the Royal Palace, I had to seriously rummage through my unreliable Golden Finger to find something useful. Although I couldn't manufacture firearms or ammunition, studying the design of an airship might help me research hot air balloons. Most people start with the simple stuff, but I’m doing things backward—from complex to simple.
I studied everything meticulously and pondered as the time slipped by. The next morning, before I was even fully awake, a group of men in armor showed up. I was baffled. Were they coming for me again? That didn't seem right. Before I could figure it out, they hauled me off to the place where they perform rituals to pray for rain. Only then did I realize that it was still pouring.
I understood immediately: the rain couldn't just keep falling, but it couldn't just be stopped either! It had been nearly two days of torrential downpours; the area outside must be flooded by now. But there was nothing I could do—this wind and rain weren't under my jurisdiction. I could play the part of a charlatan, but if they really wanted me to stop the rain, I was truly helpless.
Chapter 16