Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

※2015/8/16 Typo corrections applied.

※2015/7/6 Partial revisions made.

This is Satou speaking. In long stories, just when it seems everything has ended, new difficulties always appear. Every time I read such scenes, I both get excited for a new story and feel sympathy for the tumultuous lives of the protagonists.

◇

“Isn’t that Kuro? Is that half-demon your souvenir? Sorry, but we don’t need any blood donations.”

“No, it’s not that. I came because I have something to consult about—”

This is the vampire Van’s castle located in the lower layers of the labyrinth.

Since he has lived for a long time, I thought he might know something.

Though Ms. Aze is older, Van probably knows more about monsters.

I also considered asking the orcs in the Underground of the Royal Capital, where the priest of Heralon resides, but bringing an unknown human tribe there would be against their code of conduct, so I ruled that out.

I handed the little barrel of wine called Lesseur’s Lifeblood as a gift to the vampire princess and started to talk about the “miasma poisoning” afflicting boy Shin.

“Is that so? Luna, extract the miasma.”

The quiet little vampire princess bit into the neck of the unconscious Shin boy and began sucking out the miasma instead of blood.

It took only about 30 seconds, and Shin’s miasma poisoning was cured.

But then—

“—What? Has he reverted back?”

Van was surprised, and just like when I used healing magic, Shin returned to the state of miasma poisoning.

It seems the effects of the demon king transformation are quite persistent.

Thinking it had failed, the little vampire princess again bit Shin’s neck to try to draw out the miasma.

Seeing Shin suffer, I used my magic power healing skill to circulate magic power through his body and ease his weakened state.

“Hey, Kuro-san is here—”

Running down the corridor of Evernight City was Yuika, a goblin tribe (goblin) girl wearing a frilly apron like a newlywed.

Though a goblin, she was unlike the ugly demi-goblins; except for the small horns on her forehead, she looked indistinguishable from a normal human.

I’d love to have her stand on stage alongside Lulu and Sera someday.

“Oh? A new guest—Luna, stop extracting the miasma!”

Yuika’s expression softened like Lulu’s but then shifted to that of a seasoned warrior.

It seemed Yuika’s oldest personality, the White Demon King Yuika Unit 3, had come to the fore.

Yuika Unit 3’s words contained a shocking continuation.

“If you keep doing that, the boy’s soul vessel will shatter!”

Indeed, unlike monster transformation, reversing the adverse effects of demon king transformation is not simple.

◇

“That boy’s miasma is proof that his soul vessel is about to shatter.”

“Yuika, do you know what to do?”

I asked Yuika Unit 3, who immediately saw through Shin’s condition.

“Hmm... there are only a few methods to directly repair the soul.”

Closing her eyes as if recalling, Yuika Unit 3 spoke slowly.

“Ancient texts say soaking in Dragon Spring created by celestial or ancient dragons for three days and three nights is best, but the barrier of Dragon Valley cannot be crossed by humans. If we go to other continents, the boy won’t hold up.”

—Huh? The barrier of Dragon Valley can’t be crossed?

“A hero once fought me and broke his vessel, but at that time, I happened to have Immortal Wine (Soma) and gave it to him, saving the day.”

“Do you still have Immortal Wine (Soma)?”

“No. The one I used then was the last bottle.”

I applied magic power healing to Shin, who was breathing with difficulty, as I thought it over.

Although Yuika didn’t mention it, rather than going to another continent, bowing to the celestial dragon in the Mount Fuji Mountain Range to request the Dragon Spring might work.

But Yuika Unit 3’s story wasn’t over yet.

“I don’t have Immortal Wine (Soma), but I know recipes for medicines with similar effects.”

Yuika Unit 3 puffed out her chest proudly.

Seeing she wanted praise, I said, “As expected of the White Demon King!” encouraging her to continue.