Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

Satou here. I like making things, not just programming. The last thing I made was a multi-legged robot for my university graduation research, so I haven’t done much since becoming a working adult.

Next, I want to try making some magical items.

◇

Yeah, it’s a good morning.

I stroll through the streets, savoring the refreshing morning sunlight.

Unlike me, Yosagu-san is yawning sleepily. I invited him for breakfast, but he said his family would scold him if he didn’t eat at home, so we parted ways in front of the shop.

“I’ll come back once we make a fortune in the labyrinth city,” I told him.

Despite the early hour, the street is lively with people eating at stalls and vendors displaying fresh produce.

Compared to West Street, this place feels a bit more bustling—probably because of the different crowd.

The shops emit pleasant aromas.

I’m not particularly hungry, but I decide to buy various things as souvenirs. I can’t exactly buy a sushi box like old Showa-era dads, but something similar.

I purchase a large woven basket made from thin wooden strips at a stall—big enough to hold two bowls. Then I buy several lidded containers for soups that can fit inside the basket.

I buy warm meals and store them in the basket, then transfer them to my storage. I keep buying various foods within a reasonable amount and storing them.

There’s a vegetable soup made from vegetable scraps simmered with animal bones for broth, a thickened vegetable and dried meat stew, various grilled meats including goat skewers, Seryu Grilled Dish, freshly baked flatbread, steamed potatoes, and some fruits, though some had bruises.

I guess I bought about 30 servings in all. It’s too much as souvenirs, but I’ll keep the rest as emergency supplies. With this much, I can provide warm meals even in environments where I can’t use fire. Although, unless things get desperate, these will just sit in storage.

I wanted to buy some ingredients from the alchemy shop if it was open, but at this hour it was closed.

◇

When I returned to the inn by the gate, Arisa spotted me from the window and rushed over.

Seeing my face, she started stamping her feet.

“Ughhh! That shiny face of yours—”

She mimics biting and tearing a handkerchief. Her gestures are so old-fashioned... better not ask how old she was before reincarnation.

“I was supposed to be your first, you know—”

I don’t remember making that promise.

To keep her quiet, I said, “Quiet! It’s not like this is the first time.”

“That was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take the virginity of an innocent boy like you...”

My condolences.

I sent Lulu to come and gathered in front of the covered wagon. Breakfast was the steamed potato and meat skewers I bought earlier.

I whispered to Arisa to check on Lulu’s condition. If she wasn’t fully recovered, we could postpone departure for two more days.

Arisa said the heavy feeling only lasted the first day, so she should be fine.

If she looked in pain, I’d give her some painkillers I made while practicing alchemy. I had about five doses, which should be enough.

After a simple meal, we started our plan as discussed yesterday.

◇

We drove the covered wagon into the commercial guild’s parking space. Unlike cars, the horses adjust themselves slightly, making it easier.

It’s lively here from early morning. About half the parking spaces are taken, and all the wagons are unloading their goods. All the wagons seem well-used. About half are flatbed wagons, the rest are covered wagons. The flatbeds are loaded with many 10-kilogram hemp bags. The men unloading look like villagers, wearing simple long-sleeved shirts and trousers patched at knees and elbows.

Curious, I scanned the wagons until Sniffune-san, who had just finished confirming the cargo and payment assessment, spotted me and approached.

“Good morning, Satou-sama. You’re quite early.”

“Sorry, I’m just a stingy guy... Did I come too early and cause trouble?”

I don’t really think so, but I apologized just in case.