Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

※Corrected typos on 2016/4/24.

※Partial corrections made on 2016/3/28.

This is Satou. There are people who take rumors at face value and harshly curse those they've never spoken to. Sometimes the rumors are true, but more often than not, when you actually meet and talk to the person, the impression changes to "surprisingly a good guy."

◇

"Viscount Pendragon, I have come to escort you."

"Thank you for your efforts."

We head to the audience chamber, guided by a lady-in-waiting.

Today's Lady K is not Miss Karina, but Hikaru.

When I tried to get information about Liza, Karina’s face immediately gave her away.

Ms. Zena and Hikaru also tend to show their emotions on their faces, but Pochi and Miss Karina are on another level...

—Oh?

There’s a marker on the radar that’s neither enemy nor ally.

It’s the weasel tribe merchant who previously tried to send adventurers from the Rumork Kingdom into the shadow castle.

I checked the map and found that although the horizontal location is close, he is imprisoned far underground—in a prison.

Apparently, in that prison are his slaves: a rabbit humanoid wyvern rider and a human tribe girl who owns an Item Box.

I don’t know what he did in this country, but I’m not interested enough to visit him in prison, so I’ll just ignore it.

His infiltration into the shadow castle was probably aimed at the floating core and the castle’s magical artifacts anyway.

"—I’m going to the Black Dragon Mountain Range to find the goddess!"

The muscular warrior from yesterday shouted this as he burst out of the audience chamber.

I lightly tossed him aside as he almost bumped into me.

Sorry, but if I had just dodged normally, the princess and Sera behind me would have been knocked over.

Since I threw him lightly, the muscular warrior did a full turn in mid-air and landed on his feet as usual.

Despite wearing full plate armor, his athletic ability is impressive.

"Excuse me, are you hurt?"

"Impressive skill—have we met somewhere before?"

Thanks to the magical artifact for recognition blocking he wore yesterday, it seems he doesn’t remember me.

I was worried because he used a store-bought one back at the temple and during the food tour, but that concern turned out to be unnecessary.

"Isn’t it just your imagination?"

He didn’t clearly deny it.

He doesn’t have any skills to see through people, but since high-ranking nobles close to royalty often have typical artifacts, it’s quite possible.

"Wait! The next king running away is unforgivable!"

A handsome red scale tribe prince rushed out and grabbed the muscular warrior’s shoulder, forcing him to turn around.

They were so close that their foreheads nearly touched, probably wanting to have a secret conversation.

"Well then—"

"Whoa—"

Between the princess and Hikaru, I heard a breath filled with the stench of rot.

As a gentleman, I decided to ignore their reactions.

Young people’s passionate talks are no place for outsiders, so I just nodded to the two of them and proceeded into the audience chamber.

I caught a slightly resentful look from the princess and Hikaru, but work comes first.

◇

"Viscount Satou Pendragon of the Shiga Kingdom—"

A red scale tribe knight near the entrance shouted loudly.

Apparently, it was an introduction of those entering.

Skipping self-introductions makes things easier.

After exchanging greetings with the king, which were similar across countries, the audience moved to the main topic.

"—I see, tourism is about learning the culture and lifestyle of other nations."

For some reason, I ended up explaining this to the King of Silga, who seemed interested in the word “tourism.”

"In that case, after my abdication, I shall also tour the Shiga Kingdom and the Saga Empire."

"That is a wonderful idea."

Though it might sound like flattery, this is my true feeling.

I think misunderstanding between people and nations is the root of conflict.

It’s very good when people with influence at the top of a country broaden their horizons.

"By the way, Viscount, I heard that among your retainers is a master spearman who defeated the ‘Unyielding’ Lord."