"I wouldn't dream of selling myself short, my skills are a valuable and much-envied asset," Gen said, all false ego and smugness. "I only hoped you didn't discount what your ire-fay trick had managed! Could you imagine what I could accomplish with that kind of magic?"

Gen wasn't drinking alcohol, because he knew himself too well. But he smiled thoughtfully at Hikaru's observation.

"It's possible it's not wet enough here. I can't pretend I know anything about farming, beyond what I've seen on TV, but they're always in marshes, aren't they?"