Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

Satou here. Even normally quiet people become talkative when discussing something they like. I believe that to get along with a difficult person, it’s best to start by learning what they like.

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“Today, I have come upon your gracious invitation—”

I bowed before Princess Sistina, the Sixth Princess of the Shiga Kingdom, speaking my formal greeting as a loyal subject.

Only three of us had come to the tea party: Arisa, Mia, and myself.

The four beast girls and Nana had gone to the labyrinth. They had asked to move their bodies after a long time, so early this morning I sent them to the aquatic area in the upper layers of the labyrinth. Of course, Lulu, who carries the cooking tools, went along.

As usual, Crow and Shiro were at the Royal Academy, and Hikaru was assigned to watch over Boy Shin.

After exchanging greetings, I carefully took in the room’s surroundings to avoid any rudeness.

As expected of a princess from a great nation, there were as many as eight ladies-in-waiting and maids attending.

Each servant was a beauty.

“Welcome, Viscount Pendragon. We are glad to have you here. And Arisa and Lady Mia, welcome as well,” said the princess.

“Good day, Princess Sistina. I have brought the sweets I mentioned before. They’re kept in a refrigeration magical device, so please enjoy them soon,” said Arisa.

“Good morning,” I added.

The sweets Arisa referred to were crepes.

Since they were made with strawberries, Lulu’s fruit, and ice cream, we had to create a refrigeration magical device to keep them from melting. It was registered under one of my pseudonyms, Trismegistus.

This was my first invitation to a princess’s tea party, so I also brought other gifts appropriate for a viscount.

Following what I had heard from Arisa about the princess’s preferences, I prepared flower-scented stationery, high-quality handmade paper optimized for writing, an inkless pen using inkstone, and a locked writing box—all decorated delicately under the name Michelangelo. Considering it was completed in about half an hour, it turned out quite well.

I also added six different colored sticky notes as a bonus. Since Arisa and Mia liked them, I figured a researcher like the princess would appreciate them, too.

I also sent consumables like sweets and perfumes for the princess’s attendants.

Since Arisa and Mia had been taken care of by them, this much was only natural.

“I’ve never seen such a small refrigeration device. Could it be that Viscount Pendragon made it?”

The princess asked with eyes full of anticipation, but I couldn’t exactly say yes.

“No, it is the work of Mr. Trismegistus.”

“The name of a promising and mysterious magical tool craftsman. If I recall, he works exclusively for the Echigoya Trading Company?”

“You know him well. My personal merchant got it for me. It is very handy for bringing sweets.”

One of the princess’s maids overheard our conversation and showed a faint look of disappointment.

The small refrigeration magical device was so convenient that she probably wanted to keep one nearby.

Unlike the pen and writing box, which use the user’s magic power, the refrigeration device uses Red Coins processed from the Philosopher’s Stone as its power source, so I couldn’t just give it away.

Invited by the princess, I sat on the sofa as her exclusive musicians began to play soft and elegant music.

Mia seemed interested in the musicians, but Arisa urged her, and she sat down beside me with a thump.

When the princess touched a crystal-like magical device next to the sofa, a breeze passed through around us, and the musicians’ music faded away.

“I used a soundproofing device, so you can speak freely now,” she said.

“Thank you, Lady Tina.”

“Hmm.”

“Viscount Pendragon, please make yourself comfortable as well.”

The princess’s tone grew casual.

I see, we’re on informal terms now.

It seemed Arisa and Mia had become good friends with Princess Sistina.

Apparently, the music was just for testing the magical device’s function.