Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

Satou here. Trying new food in a new land sometimes doesn’t suit my taste or even upsets my stomach, but I think that’s all part of the thrill of traveling. That said, I do want to politely decline any dishes that look too gruesome.

◇

“—The golden sword? Why do you ask about something like that?”

When I inquired whether the priest had any idea about the golden sword that came to mind during the trial of God Heralon, he gave me a wary look.

“It appeared as an image conveyed by the deity—a golden sword was shown to me.”

“W-What!”

I told him honestly, and the priest stood up in surprise.

He seemed genuinely shocked.

“It’s true. That’s why I thought it might be a relic related to the Heralon Temple.”

After some hesitation, the priest spoke.

“...That sword, the ‘Golden Sword Heralsauf,’ is a sacred sword bestowed by God Heralon in ancient times, a treasure of the Heralon Temple.”

—A divine weapon, then.

According to the priest, it is currently on loan from the Heralon Temple to the King of Sania.

“Are you lending out a temple treasure?”

“Yes. The temple doesn’t have a swordsman skilled enough to wield the ‘Golden Sword Heralsauf.’”

His tone felt a bit forced, somehow.

“But it’s not just handed over unquestioningly. During the eclipse period, the sword saint uses the ‘Golden Sword Heralsauf’ to demonstrate the glory of God Heralon to the people.”

The sword saint—the old man from the sword dance, right?

By the way, the “eclipse period” refers to the time when massive swarms of Sand Worms attack the kingdom about twice a year.

When I searched for “Golden Sword Heralsauf” on the map, I found it was kept at the “Clan of the Sword” mansion inside the royal castle.

I also used spatial magic to observe its appearance.

It’s a massive sword nearly two meters long, made of Orichalcum, with majestic reliefs carved along the blade and hilt. At the base of the blade is a gemstone resembling a topaz called the Sunstone, embedded there. Quite a flashy sword.

“Has the ‘Golden Sword Heralsauf’ always been lent to the King of Sania?”

“No—”

The priest’s serious expression shifted to a smug smile.

“—After the eclipse, it is returned to the Heralon Temple. There, the temple’s secret techniques restore the golden sword’s brilliance.”

I see, so the temple is responsible for its maintenance and reconditioning.

We talked a bit more before leaving the Heralon Temple.

◇

“‘Master Nagasaki!’”

After leaving the temple, the siblings of the “Clan of the Sword”—young Zanza and Myufa—spotted Nana and came over.

Perfect timing—I’d have them share what they knew about the ‘Golden Sword Heralsauf.’

“We’re heading out for some tea; want to come with us?”

We stopped by a shop that was a cross between a tea house and a tavern, snacking while I asked the twins about the golden sword.

Liza ordered a hearty grilled goat meat skewer, and Nana went for a delicate dessert of yogurt with dates—a maiden’s sweet choice.

“—Golden sword?”

“I heard at the Heralon Temple it’s used by the sword saint during the eclipse.”

I brought up the topic; they looked briefly suspicious but quickly shifted to proudly talk about the golden sword.

“The Holy Sword Heralsauf shines with a golden light like the sun!”

“The secret ultimate technique it unleashes, powered by the Sunstone on the blade, is the strongest!”

The siblings took turns describing the sword.

Come to think of it, the Sunstone material or item wasn’t in my reference materials.

It might be a national treasure unique to this country or a special item derived from God Heralon.

“Is the secret ultimate technique used only by the sword saint?”

“Yes, but my uncle—the current sword saint—still hasn’t mastered the ‘True Solar Flash Sword’.”

That name really stirs one’s chuunibyou spirit.

“That’s why I’ll be the first to master the ‘True Solar Flash Sword’ and take the sword saint’s seat.”

“I’ll be the first,” they both declared, then looked toward Nana, who was enjoying her yogurt and dates.