Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

Satou here. There’s a famous line from Shakespeare’s work, “to be or not to be,” but I have this embarrassing history of thinking that a character’s line from a fighting manga was the original until I got to high school. Everyone has those kinds of misunderstandings, right?

◇

Tama has been acting strange since this morning.

She’s been pacing around the room a lot, and now she’s clinging to Pochi and Arisa, rolling around playfully on the floor with them.

“Is something wrong, Tama?”

“Hmm? I just feel itchy all over~”

“Pfft! Tama’s acting weird today!”

Oh? Even Pochi is unusually grumpy.

Tama pushed Mia off my lap and squeezed in, curling up on my knees. That’s rare—she doesn’t usually force her way in like that.

“Lord Noble, won’t you be watching today’s finals?”

“No, I’m expected to prepare the dishes for the celebration banquet after the finals, so I plan to head to the castle soon.”

Apparently, several nobles contacted the Duke’s steward. The recent balls and dinners attended by His Majesty were only for the highest-ranking nobles, so I didn’t go. It wouldn’t make sense to expect me to cook for events I’m not attending.

However, today’s banquet will host not only the victors and nobles but also martial artists who made it to the main event and influential figures from the Duke’s Capital. So, they asked me to prepare some dishes like last time.

His Majesty will also attend today’s finals, and Miss Karina is there with her younger brother.

Tama seems to have calmed down after I petted her back, but she fell asleep with a troubled expression.

That was when the Duke’s Capital was shaken.

◇

There was no earthquake.

It was more like an active sonar ping from a submarine—a single probe signal from a detection magic.

But its power seemed extraordinary.

“What was that just now?”

“A signal?”

“I heard a ‘gong’ sound!”

“Master, prepare for battle!”

Not just me, but about half the group seemed to have noticed the signal.

Tama had probably been emotionally unsettled because she sensed this premonition.

Liza started equipping the new gear I gave her recently. Shortly after, Pochi and Nana began changing outfits too. It’s a pleasant sight, but I couldn’t just stare, so I asked Lulu to place a folding screen in front of Nana.

“Tama, change your clothes too.”

“Aye~”

Monsters appeared on the map, right above the arena.

Lady Ringlande, the prince, holy knights, and about twenty others over level 40 are in the arena. The demons picked a bad time. They’re doomed even without my intervention.

“What happened?”

“More demons.”

“Ugh, again?”

Honestly, I wish they’d take a break already.

Arisa and the others changed into the new gear we made recently. It’s lighter than Liza’s but matching white leather armor. Except for Liza, everyone swapped their forged demonic swords for new ones. They look quite different from the ones sold at auction last time, and the inscription reads Satou Pendragon.

The demons seem to use summoning magic, mental magic, and flame magic. They’ll probably summon all kinds of monsters if given time, so we should deal with them quickly.

After everyone started changing, the alarm bells echoed throughout the Duke’s Capital.

◇

Noble mansions here have underground shelters to prepare for demon race’s assaults. These shelters, designed by nobles for their own safety, are incredibly sturdy. Those in high-ranking noble houses are even as strong as exterior walls.

Shortly after the alarm bells, the mansion’s maids came to guide evacuations.

“Arisa.”

“Yeah, yeah~”

“Everyone should evacuate to the underground shelter. If things get really bad, I’ll send the signal, and you should teleport to the underground labyrinth immediately without hesitation.”

“Got it!”

That should cover anti-demon race measures.

I asked Liza and the others to handle another troublesome matter.

“Liza.”

“Yes!”

“Miss Sera’s carriage is being chased by thugs. Please go protect her on horseback with Mia and Nana.”