Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

Satou here. I've gone through high school, university, and job hunting multiple times, but I just can't get used to interviews. No matter what, I always get nervous when I have to face important people.

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“Count, please change into these ceremonial robes.”

“Ah, understood.”

I changed into the white ceremonial robe called seii.

It’s a very thin garment, and it seems I shouldn’t wear any underwear beneath it.

The first ceremony was held in a separate room from Sera and the others, and at the end, a gold ornament resembling a crown was placed on my head.

Maybe because the robe was slightly see-through, I felt all the female priests and shrine maidens staring intently at me throughout the ritual. It was a bit embarrassing.

“King, this way—”

The current chief shrine maiden called me.

During this ceremony, I was apparently to be called the “ancient king.”

] Title “Ancient King” obtained.

Next to the chief shrine maiden stood the shrine maiden apprentice, Lily.

“■■■■ Sacred Mark Transference 《Holy Crest Trans》.”

“■■■■ Sacred Mark Transference 《Holy Crest Trans》.”

Through the Holy Magic cast by the chief shrine maiden and Lily, the crest embroidered on the robe was transferred onto my body.

Next was the ritual to communicate with God Tenion.

“The King’s entrance—”

Dressed as the ancient king, I stepped into the sanctuary’s ceremonial hall.

The shrine maidens who had just finished their purification lined up inside.

It seemed the chief shrine maiden would lead the ceremony.

“King, before the shrine maidens.”

At the center of the sanctuary stood Sera, dressed in a mysterious shrine maiden outfit, waiting for me.

She looked nervous, so I smiled when our eyes met.

Just a little, but I felt some of the tension leave her body.

When I approached Sera, several shrine maidens came to stand beside us.

“King, discard your worldly clothes.”

—Huh?

There was no explanation about that.

Two shrine maidens removed my ceremonial outfit.

The surrounding shrine maidens and Sera blushed as they saw me naked.

I’m not into exhibitionism, so it was genuinely embarrassing.

] Title “New Awakening” obtained.

—No, I’m not really awakened.

While I grumbled silently at the title system, the ceremony progressed.

“Guiding shrine maidens, discard your worldly clothes.”

The two shrine maidens removed Sera’s outfit as well.

Just like me, since there was only one layer, it was quick.

—Oh.

Nearly two years had passed, and compared to when I saw her during the golden boar king incident, she had grown quite a bit.

It was quite a sight for the eyes, but this was a bit risky.

I focused hard on activating my expressionless skill’s effect to prevent my mouth from loosening.

Of course, I also had to suppress certain parts of my body from becoming too lively.

] “Body Control” skill acquired.

] Title “Indecent” obtained.

] Title “Steel Gentleman” obtained.

I was curious why this happened now, but I allocated my abundant skill points to the newly acquired “Body Control” skill and activated it.

—Yeah, it’s quite a handy skill.

With this, I could proceed with the ceremony while remaining relaxed.

“Guiding shrine maiden, lead the King.”

At the chief shrine maiden’s signal, Sera opened her arms and embraced me.

Her soft, yielding form was wonderful to the touch.

—Oops, this is a sacred ritual after all.

I drove away all worldly desires with all my might and concentrated on the ceremony.

] Title “The Selfless One” obtained.

] Title “The Liberated One” obtained.

] “Desire Control” skill acquired.

Perfect timing—I’d better activate my desire control skill.

] Title “Immortal” obtained.

I didn’t plan on becoming an immortal, so I figured I’d turn off the desire control skill once the ceremony ended.

‘—God.’

Suddenly, I heard Sera’s voice.

It wasn’t a spoken voice.

It felt like her thoughts were transmitted through the skin where we were touching.

] Title “Telepathy” obtained.

] Title “Those Who Connect Hearts” obtained.