The next two days went by very fast as everyone was very busy.

Cat and her troops were the highlight of the first day, as they came back victorious after cleansing the northern forest. It was a source of much worry to the people as the incidents and injuries had piled up the last few days.

With the Gnolls and dangerous beasts gone, the workers and their families could finally relax.

Of course, this didn't mean that the forest was completely safe, as it had been a wild sanctuary for years now. But people were used to a slight level of danger.

Chris also rejoiced as the second and very secret objective of the outing was also a success. The dungeon's entrance was secured and hidden from prying eyes.

The troops now had two days to rest before the next Kunall patrol, the third one, was expected.

Only one more patrol after this one and the serious stuff would start.

Each patrol's route was roughly four weeks long. This meant that the Kunall Scout Camp would be expecting the first patrol Chris men defeated in less than ten days. After that, the Kunalls would grow increasingly suspicious by the day, and it would become harder to predict their next moves. They might send more patrols to see what happened to the first one, or they might send a messenger to the eastern fortress to request back up.

This had to be avoided at all cost. The first patrol was long dead, it was defeated to protect Mia's refugee camp. And it would never finish its route.

This would not go unnoticed, but it was Chris job to delay the Kunall's reaction until Brine City was ready to fight back against the Kunall's retaliation.

The second day was exhilarating for everyone in Brine City, as rumors of the next project started to spread. It took two days, as even the people who worked on the piping and water tower didn't understand what it was for at first. But word eventually got out, and when it did, it instantly became the talk of the camp.

This was proof of how unpopular the water rationing was. Water was currently distributed through a mix of wells that were dug up and of caravans transporting water from the northern river to the village. Unfortunately, these were complicated to scale up, and the more people that joined, the harder it was to bring in enough water. The current heat wave certainly did not help.

Chris was currently in his tent, looking at three reports spread on his table. He was currently in his underwear trying to fight off the heat by waving a scroll in front of his face.

[God it's hot. It must be 40°C (104°F) out there.] Complained Chris in a very unkingly way.

[Let's see this one first.] Chris picked up Gabin's report with his sweaty hands.

He reported that the water tower was done. It was such a simple design that they had no trouble setting it up. He found an elevated spot right next to the river for the water tower which helped to decrease the materials, workforce needed, and time required to build it. As this meant the tower supports didn't need to be as high as before, as it was already on an elevated spot. This meant cheaper labor cost and faster build time.

Chris read the last line of the water tower part of the report. [All that's left is for the mortar and waterproofing paste to dry. It's so freaking hot, I wouldn't be surprised if it dries by the end of the day.]

The rest of Gabin's report was about the piping installation. This part was short as there was not much to say.

'The trench is dug two-third of the way, and we are perfectly on schedule. The delivery of the wooden pipes by carts is delayed slightly as most of the horse-drawn carts are already in use, but the delay is negligible. I expect work on that side to be finished tomorrow morning or at noon at the latest.' Read Chris. [Good.]

He picked up Rinat's report next.

[She already has a prototype working? Nice.]

The report made sure to mention that it still needed improvements, but it was already successfully pumping water. She only needed to improve the seal between the screw and the tube to improve efficiency and decrease the amount of water lost due to the space between these two parts. This could be easily fixed, and she guaranteed that she would have a working device by the end of the day.

Her report ended by mentioning that the thirty faucets were already installed throughout the camp and connected to the main pipe. Now all they needed was actual water to function.

Chris had already noticed that they were installed during his daily 'patrols'. They were not hard to spot as they were the center of attention without fail. Many people came to check them out and fiddle with them. Which prompted Chris to ask Rinat to make many spares. Just in case.

He picked up the third report.

'I'm sorry to inform you that your request for a mixed gender bathing area in the center of town has been declined.

Sincerely,

Mia Fabeln'

[Damn it!] Cursed Chris. [I aimed too high on the first try.]

He thought for a while. [A pool might work, perhaps Gabin was into something here. After all, there is nothing better than a good splash in hot weather.]

But he was interrupted by one of his two escorts. "My lord, everyone is waiting for you in miss Mia's tent."

"It's time already? Alright, let's go." Answered Chris as he reluctantly slipped into his usual outfit.

His plans for a pool were squashed once he stepped outside as he was reminded that everyone was still living in tents. Brine City couldn't even be called a village yet as it was still very much a camp. Most of the workforce was put to work on the defenses or other vital infrastructure. Even those weren't far along at the exception of the new water delivery system. It was alright as they had not been there for long. But Chris, somehow, felt he first needed to make sure everyone had somewhere proper to live before working on pools and the like.

Mia's tent was right next door, so the trip was short and he met with Berg and his three subordinates in front of the tent.

"Hello, my Lord." They saluted. Chris noticed that they too were suffering from the heat as they were wearing much lighter outfits and they were sweating all over.

"Everyone is here?" Asked Chris.

"Miss Mia and Cat should already be inside." Answered Cid.

"Let's go in then." Said Chris as he quickly stepped inside hoping to be shaded from the sun.

But what he saw stunned him.

Mia and Cat were waiting for them as they sat at the meeting table, but they too had fallen to the heat and were wearing light outfits.

Cat had dropped her usual thick leather armor and was wearing a shirt and pants similar to the guys. It seems she didn't even bother braiding her hair today.

But what stunned Chris was Mia's outfit. She had exchanged her black robe with long sleeves for a light white sundress with no sleeves that exposed her shoulders, legs and showed her clear skin glistening with a light sweat. Her hair was not in its usual side bun but was falling onto her shoulder.

The two of them were fanning themselves lethargically as they waited for the meeting to start.

"Haha, you ladies have it hard too." Said Berg in a teasing manner.

"Luckily the water project is almost done. I can't wait to take a good bath. Right my Lord?" Asked Ferlin.

"Yes. When Mia bath are in heat is good." Answered Chris.

"Exac-... huh?"

"I mean, the choice that you make is sundress only be appropriate."

[Uhoh.. The shock of the sundress broke him.] Thought Ferlin and the guys.