Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

Satou here. Basements are common in mystery stories, but I had never seen one back in Japan. I guess due to building codes and taxes, extensions are usually made above ground?

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Although I didn’t know the exact location of Ivy Manor, finding it was surprisingly easy. When Mia told me to use the “spirit sight” skill, I saw a place where spirits gathered in a corner of Labyrinth City. After marking it on the map, all that was left was to take the shortest route—a straightforward journey.

Ivy Manor is located on the northern side of Labyrinth City. It lies slightly west of the north gate, near the edge of the wealthy district, just before the entertainment district. Close to the city walls is a lush green park, and within it stands Ivy Manor.

True to its name, the manor’s exterior was covered in ivy. Compared to the mansions of nobles in the wealthy district, it was less than half the size, but the grounds seemed about the same. Outside the hedge walls was a moat roughly two meters wide, filled with clear water. There was a low hedge beyond the moat as well, making the moat seem like part of the manor’s grounds. The pure water flowing in the moat appeared to drain through narrow canals into the park’s pond.

This area was a few meters higher than the surroundings, forming a slight hill. Water from the pond seemed to flow into the city through these narrow canals.

As we approached Ivy Manor, the carriage suddenly changed course.

“What’s wrong, Lulu?”

“Sorry, but I felt like I had to change direction for some reason.”

The log showed “Resisted the magic of the ‘Forest of Wandering (Return Home).’” It seemed to be some kind of repelling magic.

“Since it seems magic is in effect, Mia and I will go ahead from here. Everyone else, wait right here for a while.”

I told everyone this and headed toward Ivy Manor with Mia.

This magic apparently doesn’t work on elves, since Mia remained calm. Just in case, I handed her the medal entrusted to me by Giril.

At the main entrance stood an arched tree and a white wooden gate about waist-high. However, beyond the gate was only a moat full of water—no bridge to cross.

Using magic power sensing, I confirmed that a spatial barrier magic was set on the inner side of the low moat. According to Giril, the previous owner was a man named Torazayuuya. Perhaps he wanted to build a fortress? Or maybe the security was so poor back then that such measures were necessary.

“Gate, open! I am Misnaria of the Forest of Boruenan. Gatekeeper, welcome me swiftly.”

Mia recited the gate-opening phrase written on the back of the medal in elvish. Despite usually not speaking much, Mia had remarkably clear diction.

On the other side of the main gate, a young girl peeked out, made eye contact with me, then hid beyond the gate. She was a house brownie, with dark green hair tied in a short ponytail.

“Gatekeeper, welcome me swiftly.”

Mia repeated the last phrase firmly. Defeated, a glass-like transparent bridge appeared across the gate.

“Hmm.”

I took Mia’s extended hand and crossed the bridge together.

“I am Leliril, granddaughter of Giril, guardian of Ivy Manor.”

“Just call me Mia.”

“That’s far too presumptuous—to call an elf by a nickname! Please just call me Leliril without honorifics.”

“Alright, Leliril.”

Like Giril, Leliril looked much smaller—more like a child around six or seven years old, though she was actually sixty. I’m sure she’d be angry if I called her old. She was level 20, which is fairly high, and possessed invisibility skills and racial traits. She seemed well-suited for scouting.

“By the way, Misnaria, who is that human boy? How dare a human take the hand of an elf! Let me teach him some manners.”

I got insulted on first meeting.

People from the Elf Village didn’t discriminate against humans, but maybe being surrounded by humans makes them dislike them? For some reason, I found it hard to defend humans.

“Rude. Satou is my fiancé.”

“Huh? Eh? That’s a joke, right?”