Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

Satou here. In old computer games, taverns are usually just where you form your party, but in TRPGs, they’re a classic spot to gather information for your scenario.

Drunkards tend to have loose lips, after all.

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“Sorry to keep you waiting, Nana.”

“Yes, Master.”

Uh, maybe I kept her waiting too long.

Thanks to the hooded cloak I had her wear, no weirdos stuck around, but it seemed she’d been pretty bored.

Nana grabbed my arm as I came out and started walking.

“Let’s go, Master.”

As we walked, she linked her arm with mine. Uh, Nana-san? This arm feels pretty happy.

Since the long staff I bought for Mia was in the way, I switched it to the other hand.

“What’s up?”

“I learned something while you were in the shop.”

I had a bad feeling about this.

“When a man and woman walk together, they are supposed to link arms.”

Saying that, Nana looked at me with a proud expression, like the sound effect “Kiri!” could be heard.

I understood what she’d learned, but since there was no need to shake off her arm, I decided to keep going with the shopping.

Nana looked like she wanted praise, so I read the situation and complimented her. It was a bit half-hearted, but Nana seemed satisfied. And the lovely feeling made me satisfied, too.

First, let’s buy clothes for Nana and Mia.

However, this town didn’t have any shops selling ready-made new clothes besides used ones. For new clothes, tailoring was the only option. I remembered Arisa said she could make clothes, so I decided to buy fabrics and other materials.

Underwear was sold normally, so I bought some for both of them. These undergarments are called bloomers, right? Like the ones Alice wears in Wonderland.

Next was the tools for crafting.

We went to Artisan Street, buying various tools and materials for woodworking, metal carving, leatherworking, and blacksmithing.

I also got glue (nikawa) and nails, though nails were surprisingly expensive. I wanted to get hinges too but they were out of stock.

I couldn’t get the forge or anvil needed for blacksmithing, so I didn’t buy them. Even if I bought them, normally you can’t carry those around.

Wood was definitely too conspicuous to carry, so I just paid and asked for it to be delivered to the inn.

“Nana, shall we move to the next shop soon?”

“Master, can we stay like this a little longer?”

“Having fun?”

“Yes, very much. Soft and… trembling… yes, it’s cute.”

Nana was so entranced by the sight of me planing wood — the wood shavings flying off in thin curls — that she didn’t want to move, so we spent a bit more time at the woodworking shop.

If the old craftsman there hadn’t given me the thinnest and longest wood shavings, we might have stayed until dusk.

By the way, I also bought bottles and containers for storing medicines at another workshop I passed by. Prices here were cheaper than in Seryu City—maybe because the firewood used as fuel was inexpensive.

Finally, we stopped by the miscellaneous goods shop.

I was told the magic shop might have books about cooking.

After entering, Nana looked around curiously and then drifted like a magnet to one of the shelves.

“What is it?”

“Master, what is this?”

Nana picked up a wooden barrette.

The base had simple carvings, and three thinly cut stones were set into it. Not jewels, but striped stones you’d find by the river. It looked like jade, but when I appraised it, it was green amphibole. Sounds like it could be used for some flash-type magic, but it’s just a pretty stone.

The going price for the barrette was two copper coins. There were about five more wooden barrettes, all the same price.

It was a bit plain to decorate Nana’s honey-colored hair. Silver barrettes, which they didn’t have here, would suit her better.

Nana kept gazing at the barrette without getting bored.

The old shop lady watching her took the opportunity to sell more.

“Hehe, hehe, we have silver ones and ones with gems too, would you like to see?”

“Sure, since we’re here, please show us.”