Ella is driving our carriage. She's really good at this. Though it's hurting my pride to be pulled by two cattles of humans. If any of my siblings or cousins see me in this condition, they will mock me till the end of the world. But they don't know how it feels to travel as a human. I smirk.

Ella says, "My lord, it's time." 

"Sure, stop anywhere you see fit." I say with a smile.

We take a break. Adriana feeds the horses, and Ella prepares for lunch. I try to help. But they don't accept. We have brought enough food for the journey with us. 

After having lunch, we rest a little bit. 

I ask, "How far is the next city, Adriana?" 

"We will reach there by tomorrow noon." Adriana replies. 

Ella says, "The rainless city, right?" 

Adriana nods. 

I ask, "Is that an actual name?" 

Adriana replies, "No, my lord. The actual name of the city is Dorncrest. But for a decade people have been calling it The Rainless City." 

"You have sparked my curiosity. Tell me why it's called by that name." I say with eagerness. 

Ella says, "I also don't know the reason. Please tell us, Adriana." 

Adriana says, "I don't know all the details. But there is a rumor about the city. There was a lady named Meleona in that city. She was a very kindhearted person. One day, the townspeople made the mistake of thinking of her as a witch. They killed her by drowning her in a well. Just before her death, she cursed the town that they will suffer. From that day, the city was never blessed with rain. That's why it's called The Rainless City." 

Ella says, "That's sad and also terrifying." 

I ask, "Why terrifying Ella?" 

Ella replies, "A curse that forbids nature to rain sure is terrifying." 

She is right. I guess I will take a look at that matter. One or two side quests won't be harmful. 

The next day afternoon, we arrive at Dorncrest, also known as The Rainless City. The guards of the city only ask where we are from and why we are here. After listening to the answers, they let us in. They also inform us where to find an inn.

When we enter the city, everything seems different. I now understand what a situation called rainless makes a city.

There is the silence. Not peaceful silence, the kind that felt sick, like something was missing, like the city had forgotten how to breathe.

The wind is dry and empty. Not warm. Not cool. Just dead. Even the dust feels tired. It clings to everything.

The sky is pale and has no clouds, not even the white ones.

Trees lined the streets. Their bark is cracked. Some trees have a few leaves; most have none. Just skeleton fingers praying at the sky.

No birds. No insects.

Stone buildings have a thick layer of grime, their walls cracked from years without moisture. Vines refused to climb them.

People here don’t walk. They drift, like ash in the air. Skin dry, clothes faded, eyes blank. No children running, no smile on anyone's face. Just survival. That was all they had left.

Market stalls selling jars of imported water more dearly than gold. 

The worst was the smell. Not foul, but… dry. Even the wind that passed through the streets carried no humidity.

We book two rooms in the inn. They even have a garage. Ella keeps our carriage and horses there. 

In the evening, I say to Ella and Adriana, "You two take some rest; I will take a tour of the city." 

"Alright, my lord." They say in unison. 

But how!

I talk to the inn receptionist about the residence of the city mayor. He is kind enough to inform me of that. Then I go to the Mayor's Mansion. 

The mayor's guards stop me and ask, "What do you want here, outsider?" 

"I want to visit the mayor of this town. It's urgent," I reply with a smile. 

"Come tomorrow." One guard says. 

I say, "Tell him that I have the solution for his longest problem." 

One of the guards quickly goes inside of the mansion and returns soon. He says, "The mayor is waiting for you, outsider."

The inside of the mansion is not well decorated. It looks like the mayor himself is living in poverty. I meet with the mayor in the living room. He tells me to sit. His age is maybe around 45-48 years. But strong build. 

He says, "I am Hanwell; I am the mayor of this town." 

- "I am Ryu. An adventurer."

- "Why an adventurer in this town?"

- "I am heading towards Eldenroot Vale with my companions. We have stopped at this city to have some rest before continuing the journey."

- "Alright. Do you have a solution to our rainless matter?"

- "Of course."

- "Let's hear it."

- "I can return rain to this city. But first tell me every details of the event related to Meleona."

- "You are not the first adventurer who claimed to be able to bring back the rain. All failed. People of this town lost their hope years ago. But still, I haven't given up. Every day I wake up with a hope that someone will come to this city and free us from the curse. If there is the slightest chance that you can bring rain to this city. I will do everything you say. Now, let me tell you how we brought a curse upon this beautiful city by making the grave mistake of murdering an innocent lady named Meleona."