Chapter 121: Doing good deeds.
Lakeman shifted his attention from the binding progress and gazed at the so-called oasis before him.
The sight was disheartening. The once-vibrant oasis was on the verge of drying up. Only a small puddle of water clung desperately to the bottom, while the surrounding grass had long since withered. A few scraggly trees remained, their leaves brittle and fading, struggling to survive in the unrelenting heat.
"Is this supposed to be an oasis?" Lakeman questioned, his tone carrying a note of disbelief. His words mirrored the thoughts of Kuzan and Titi, who stood silently beside him, their faces reflecting a similar sense of shock.
"Didn't the report claim this oasis could sustain itself for at least another year?" Titi added, her voice tinged with frustration. As queen, she had spent most of her time in the comfort of the palace and had little firsthand knowledge of the harsh realities outside. The stark contrast left her uneasy.
The village chief, his shoulders hunched as though burdened by despair, stepped forward to explain. "That's true... in theory," he began, his voice heavy with sorrow. "This oasis could have lasted a year if we had dug a well once it dried up. But it's a tragedy. This used to be a magnificent oasis—a medium-sized lake surrounded by lush trees. It was teeming with life, a sanctuary in this barren land. But under this merciless sun and the absence of rain, it has withered into this."
Lakeman stood silent for a moment, his blood-red eyes narrowing as he processed the chief's words. Then, with calm resolve, he stated, "Since we're here, let's fix it." His voice, though soft, carried an undeniable authority.
He turned to the group and raised his hand slightly. "Everyone, step back," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.
The villagers and Titi's entourage obeyed quickly, retreating to a safe distance. With a fluid motion, Lakeman gestured toward the sky. In an instant, a shimmering channel materialized above him, linking the heavens to his personal storage space.
Moments later, a torrent of water erupted from the channel, cascading down like a waterfall from the gods. The pillar of water, nearly ten meters thick, thundered into the parched oasis. The once-dry earth greedily absorbed the life-giving liquid as it filled the basin below. The flow showed no signs of stopping, and the oasis rapidly began to resemble its former glory.
The villagers who had accompanied them stood frozen in awe. Then, as the magnitude of the miracle sank in, they fell to their knees, tears streaming down their faces as they clasped their hands in prayer.
"It's a miracle! Only a god could command nature like this," one villager whispered, his voice trembling with emotion as he gazed at the colossal column of water.