Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

※8/3 Typo correction made.

This is Satou. They say necessity is the mother of invention. I think it’s similar to the ingenuity of programmers who strive to make things easier.

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“A fire starter that doesn’t require magic power?”

“Yes. According to that self-proclaimed inventor, it can ignite more easily than a fire stick. When we tested the prototype he brought in, it was relatively simple to use. It takes a bit of technique, but it’s definitely easier than flint.”

I heard this from Polina in the factory office.

Inspired by the kickboard, self-proclaimed inventors from downtown have been bringing in various inventions.

Most of them are nonsense, but I told Polina to buy anything even slightly novel.

The deal is one silver coin for the idea and prototype or blueprint, and if Echigoya Trading Company releases it, the inventor gets 10% of the sales.

Polina brought a box labeled number 17 from the shelf.

She said she organized them by number so it’s easy to find what’s where.

Inside the box was a lighter about the size of a hairspray can (…).

I think it’s careless to leave a pre-contract prototype behind.

It’s a bit crude but structurally the same as the oil lighters I know.

More precisely, it matches the lighter structure written in the notebook I got at a black market auction in the Duke’s Capital.

There are no reincarnators or transferees with cheats in the Royal Capital, so it’s probably related to Princess Menea. Perhaps one of the transferees thought to be dead is “actually alive.”

“It seems convenient, but it has a fatal flaw.”

Polina, looking reluctant, explained the problem as I examined the lighter with interest.

—That flaw is production cost.

In other cities, it’s a product that can turn a good profit, but in the Royal Capital, which receives ample demon core supply from the labyrinth city, this means something else.

Although not as much as the labyrinth city, even here the fire stick is cheaper than the estimated cost of the lighter.

Naturally, since it’s a business, they add profit to that estimated cost, so it can’t compete price-wise.

Moreover, compared to a chopstick-sized fire stick, the prototype lighter is heavy and bulky.

Even for kitchen use, the fire stick wins on convenience.

As it stands, it would only be a collector’s item for enthusiasts.

“Polina, have you got the contact details of that inventor?”

“Yes, I have. He said, ‘I can arrange my schedule anytime,’ so if you tell me a convenient date and time, I’ll contact him. Should we meet in the factory’s reception room?”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

She’s efficient.

Polina was always sharp despite being a former carrier, but it feels like she has improved further since becoming factory manager.

She must have gained a lot of experience — she’s three levels higher since we first met.

After I gave her the date and time, Polina called out to the next room and sent someone out.

I didn’t ask the inventor’s name yet, looking forward to meeting him on the day.

Well, the business is done, the souvenir has been delivered. Now I just need to see Nel’s face before heading home.

It’s lunch break, so she’s probably in the break room or dining hall.

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“Hyuu, hyu-ro-ha-ma.”

Who is “hyuro”?

Nel, who had a mouthful of noodles, was trying hard to say “Kuro-sama” but it came out weird.

“Swallow what’s in your mouth first.”

“Okey.”

Nel slurped up the remaining noodles.

Judging by the aroma and the color of the noodles—

“Is this… soba?”

“U-ugh. Y-yeah, soba.”

Soy sauce broth soba.

I’d heard that eating soba is a custom in the Royal Capital but that sobagaki (buckwheat dumplings) are the main form and noodles are not usually eaten.

When I brought this up to Nel—

“About a month ago, a traveling cook came to our regular eatery, and since then we’ve been able to try all kinds of strange dishes. Half of them taste terrible, so it takes courage to try something new.”

I asked what kind of dishes they serve, and they seem to be recipes close to those from the original world. The weird tastes come from forcibly recreating them with local ingredients and seasonings.