Riku reached the construction site just as the sun reached its peak, casting golden light over the half-built frame of the church. Sweat-slicked villagers paused from their work, some resting on overturned barrels, others fanning themselves with straw hats.
They turned when they heard the clink of bottles in a crate.
Barou raised an eyebrow as Riku approached. "That doesn't look like bricks."
"It's not," Riku replied, lips curled in a half-smile. "But it might be just as important."
He set the crate down onto a low bench.
Villagers gathered around, curious.
"What's in the box?" asked young Fenric, wiping dust from his cheeks.
Without answering, Riku unlatched the lid of the coolbox.
Hisssss—
A soft, silvery mist rolled out, swirling around the villagers' ankles like low fog. A small burst of cool air followed, brushing over their sunburned skin like a breeze from deep inside a forest cave.
Gasps echoed around the gathering.
Inside, nestled in the chill, were rows of glistening glass bottles, each glowing faintly with inner light — some golden, some violet, some a soft mint green, the colors dancing beneath thin layers of condensation.
"Cold drinks," Riku said simply. "Pick your flavor."
Lila was the first to move, eyes shining. She reached for the vibrant orange bottle nestled in the center.
"This one's a mango cooler," Riku noted, handing it to her carefully.
Barou, peering over the mist, picked up a clear yellow bottle. "This one smells like lemon…"
"Lemon blend. Light and sharp," Riku confirmed.
Lysaria, curious but composed, chose a rosy-purple one, flecked with small berry seeds and mint leaves suspended within.
Riku stepped back and watched.
Barou uncorked his first — pop! — and immediately drew a surprised breath as a soft puff of cold mist puffed from the neck of the bottle.
He took a sip.
Paused.
And stared into the distance, eyes narrowing in solemn thought.
"…That's illegal."
"No," Riku said helpfully, "that's lemon."
Barou blinked twice. "I want five barrels."
Next to him, Lila sipped hers and let out a surprised yelp. "Ooooh—! There's a kick! But it's… cold and sweet and spicy—how?! Riku! How did you do this?!"
"I mixed it."
"With what? Sorcery?!"
"Sort of."
Lysaria, ever the composed one, brought her drink to her lips with quiet curiosity.
She drank.
The transformation was immediate.
Her shoulders relaxed. Her lips parted slightly. And a quiet sigh — somewhere between reverence and disbelief — escaped.
"This…" she whispered, "tastes like early spring after a prayer fast."
Riku chuckled softly. "I'll take that as a compliment."
By now, the crowd could resist no longer.
One by one, villagers leaned forward, murmuring as they selected bottles and gently twisted off the corks. More pops, more mist, more delighted exclamations.
"Spiced citrus! It tickles my tongue!"
"This one fizzes—Riku, the berry one fizzes!"
"Mine has leaves in it! Is that mint?!"
The air turned festive again — not just with relief from the heat, but with genuine joy. Laughs echoed across the clearing with the dug up foundation of the church behind them a stage for celebration.
Barou, gripping his second bottle like a prize relic, clapped Riku on the back.
"You brought winter to summer, lad. Is this also something which the revered monk taught you?."
"That is.. yes. He was the one who taught me"
"Looks like we should build a temple with his name next."
Riku just smiled, the now - empty coolbox quietly humming behind him.
----------------------------
Several quiet days passed, the kind Riku had begun to cherish.
Riku found himself sliding comfortably into a rhythm — mornings tending to the newly sprouting herb beds, sometimes alongside Lila, other times humming quietly to himself as the soil clung to his hands. Afternoons were spent near the church, helping Barou and Lysaria guide the construction. Brick by brick, the foundation of a new place of light — and the church— took shape.
Villagers moved about with light steps. The harvest had started to show stronger shoots, children ran along the well path with laughter echoing, and even the usually grumpy Gnord had started humming while hammering.
Sometimes, Riku would bring out his cool drinks during breaks — not as grand gifts, just… shared moments. There were no grand crises. No surprises. Just life, unfolding one warm day at a time.
It was the kind of peace he'd only ever dreamed of.
And then—
One morning, just as Lila was stacking dried herbs outside the inn and Riku was sketching a new fermentation barrel, the distant sound of cart wheels creaking echoed down the southern trail.
Lila looked up first, squinting toward the horizon.
"That's… is that Clover?"
Sure enough, the familiar outline of a cart came into view, with a certain dust-streaked trader leaning back lazily against his sacks of wares.
Riku stood and stretched, a smile already tugging at his lips.
"Looks like Rennan's back."
As Clover plodded past the village gate, Rennan pulled on the reins and leaned forward, eyes scanning the landscape.
Then he sat up straight.
"…By the gods," he muttered.
Just beyond the path, lush green fields rolled out like a painter's dream — stalks of rice tall and thick, bean vines curling over newly repaired fences, even patches of budding wheat and the silvery shimmer of onion leaves swaying in the breeze.
He stepped down from the cart and crouched near one of the paddies, rubbing a bit of soil between his fingers.
"This isn't just fertile," he whispered. "This is gold."
Before long, Barou came striding over, sleeves rolled up and dust streaked across his arms. He gave Rennan a friendly clap on the shoulder.
"Good to see you again, friend."
Rennan gestured toward the fields, eyes still wide. "You've got enough food to feed three villages. How in the stars did you manage this in a single season?"
Barou chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Hard work. Divine timing. And a little help from someone you'll be meeting shortly."
Rennan straightened and looked at him, a more serious glint in his eye. "Would you consider selling some of this surplus? I know folks up north who'd pay double for half of what I'm seeing here."
Barou considered it for a moment. "We've been discussing trade. We need tools, goods, and metal too. You have to offer us a fair deal"
Rennan grinned, already reaching for his ledger. "I'll give you better than fair. You should know me by now."