Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

This is the perspective of the shop manager, an Elf, who runs a general store in Seryu City.

Correction made on 2/11 for typos.

My name is Yusaratoya, an Elf born in the Forest of Boruenan.

“Manager, we’re ready,” said the small Nadi, the only employee at my shop. When we met, she was only about as tall as my knee, but somehow she’s now taller than me.

Humans grow quickly.

“Let’s go,” I said.

“Okay!” she replied energetically, shouldering the large backpack at her feet.

She then smiled and handed me another medium-sized backpack that had been by her feet.

Looks like it’s my share of the load.

“Should we hire porters?”

“No. We don’t have that kind of extra money.”

She understood my intention to hire porters to carry our gear but rejected it outright. Since she handles the shop’s finances, I can’t argue much.

No choice then—I slid my trusty staff into the backpack and strapped it on my back.

“For lunch, I packed some dried figs you like, so let’s stay energized!”

Hmm, it’s unusual for thrifty Nadi to splurge like this.

A small smile tugged at my lips, but Nadi spotted it quickly and started grinning, so I hurriedly composed myself.

◇

“Let’s enter the mountains from around here,” Nadi said, showing me the map.

We tied the horse we rode here to a tree and sprinkled some monster repellent just to be safe.

We’re currently delivering goods requested by a young merchant named Satou to the Gray Rat Tribe living deep in the unexplored mountains.

Normally, I wouldn’t take on such a troublesome job, but since it’s a request to deliver the belongings of a benefactor who helped a daughter from my own clan back to her hometown, I couldn’t refuse.

Or rather, this is the kind of request I should take on without pay.

But the kind-hearted Satou insisted on making it a formal job and even paid us three gold coins as a fee.

I wanted to refuse the money, but Nadi quickly covered my mouth, stopping me.

“Manager?”

“Sorry,” I said, momentarily lost in thought.

“Well then, let’s go.”

“Alright.”

I used a secret technique to walk through the forest.

“■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■■■ Wood Walk”

A green aura enveloped Nadi and me.

It’s been a while since I last used this magic.

As we entered the forest, branches and tall weeds parted on their own, clearing our path.

“This magic is amazing every time I see it,” Nadi said.

“Is that so?”

I felt a little embarrassed by her straightforward praise.

As a cynical adult man, I had to maintain a stoic expression.

I led Nadi along the mountain path. Since obstacles moved aside automatically, it was no different from walking on a road.

“Ah—there, lily of the valley flowers!”

“No,” I said firmly.

While using this magic, we must not harm any forest creatures. If we do, the spell won’t work for an entire season.

“Right, if only we could get those flowers—they’d sell for five gold coins at the alchemy shop,” Nadi said wistfully.

I took her hand and gently pulled her forward.

We passed by rocks and trees unusually gouged as if a large monster had been through here. Has some high-level monster taken up residence in this forest?

I was about to use magic to check when I realized I was still holding Nadi’s hand. I wanted to let go, but she wouldn’t release it.

“Nadi?”

“Uh, yes, I let go,” she said.

Unusual for someone so intelligent. Is she still bothered by those flowers?

Her behavior concerned me, but safety took priority.

“■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■ ■■ Natural Whisper”

The magic spread through the forest.

Is a new monster spawning in the forest?

Ants, lots.

Gone now.

Yes, gone.

Hero.

There was one.

At night.

Running.

Flying.

Fighting a giant boar.

Voices of small tree spirits echoed.

A hero in such a remote forest? If the hero of the Saga Empire had come, there would be rumors. Or maybe a hero was born among the rat tribe?

It’s a bit worrisome, but it doesn’t seem to be a monster, so probably no danger.

◇

By noon, we finally arrived at the rat tribe’s settlement, but unfortunately, we didn’t seem very welcome.