Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

※2018/6/10 Typo corrections made.

※2018/6/11 Partial revisions made.

This is Satou. According to Earth’s myths, dragons are often spoken of on the same level as gods or as beings that kill gods. Is it only after the popularization of home RPGs that they came to be treated as mere monsters and “delicious prey”?

◇

“Beyond the mountain range, it’s tropical.”

Though it’s normal in this world where the City Core controls the climate, it still feels somewhat mysterious—or fantastical.

After leaving the Tokisork Kingdom, which had been half-destroyed by vampires, we crossed the long, narrow monster territories running north to south and arrived at the Drag Kingdom.

A strangely hot country with vegetation like a subtropical zone.

“A country with lots of tasty meat—nice place.”

“If only it were a bit stronger, it’d be more interesting.”

“I wish the deck were a bit bigger.”

Riza, Russus, and Fifi, who had been fighting airborne monsters attacking our airship since a while ago, each mumbled slightly different thoughts.

“Satou-sama, a ride beast is approaching from the 1 o’clock direction.”

A voice came through the speaking tube from the pilot’s seat.

They might be coming to intercept us, but they probably won’t attack us immediately.

I strained my eyes toward the 1 o’clock direction.

—A brightly colored parrot?

According to the AR display, it seemed to be a kind of phantom beast called an Elder Parrot.

Seeing a person riding it, I realized they must be parrot riders of this country.

“They’re the Drag Kingdom’s welcoming party.”

I waved at the knight riding the parrot while answering through the speaking tube.

The knight looked human at first glance, but had a lizard-like tail like Riza’s.

Judging by the scale color, he was probably a young man from the Blue Scale Tribe.

Checking the map, I found that more than half the population of this country belonged to the Scale Tribe. The human tribe was still numerous but only made up just under 30% of the population.

Guided by the parrot rider, we headed to a vacant lot serving as a temporary airport.

“Huh? There are two ships?”

“Is someone else besides Meiko here?”

Two airships bearing the Saga Empire crest were docked at the airport.

One was a medium-sized cruiser, the other a slightly smaller destroyer.

Judging by the flag, the cruiser was likely Meiko’s vessel.

◇

“—Why don’t you smile?”

Hero Meiko spoke with a sulky, self-mocking voice.

Lying on a bed covered in bandages, she looked pitiful.

According to her attendants, she had challenged the green dragon, the guardian dragon of the Drag Kingdom, and was soundly defeated.

Apparently, before she could get close, she was launched into the sky by earth magic, then hit with a wide-area dispersal breath attack while airborne, leaving her battered.

From how she looked, she seemed to have recovered considerably since leaving the Shiga Kingdom.

Judging from the state of her soul vessel, it seemed to be healing, probably thanks to God Parion or someone similar.

“I won’t smile.”

Russus and Fifi shook their heads.

“Just surviving a solo challenge against a dragon is amazing enough.”

“I don’t like you, but I like that kind of battle-crazy side of you.”

With an open smile, they rubbed Meiko’s head, and she protested.

“Seriously, you said you wouldn’t fight, so I allowed you to meet the guardian dragon…”

The complaint came from a droopy-eyed civil official.

She was apparently one of Meiko’s attendants.

There were a few other warrior-type attendants, all unfamiliar to me.

The previous members were probably wiped out or replaced after the divine punishment incident.

A Blue Scale Tribe dragon priest was also present, but she wasn’t Meiko’s attendant; she seemed to be a local.

Though she had a refined face, “dignified” rather than “beautiful” suited her better.

“I want to fight too.”

“Nothing beats a battle where you might die.”

Russus and Fifi’s battle-crazed remarks gave me a slight headache.