Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyusoukyoku (WN) - Volume 2 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: 4

2-4 . The Afternoon Date with Soldier-san 

Chanting (aka DTM), such impossible game broke my heart .

I was healed a bit after the girl's talk with Zena-san and her friends .

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"I'm sorry for all the fuss . They're not bad girls, it's just that it was unusual that I'm with a man . . . "

She's coming with upturned eyes . It doesn't feel mischievous like in the beginning, this time it really looks timid .

"They look like fun people . I don't particularly dislike it . "

"I'm happy if you think that way . That remind me, you looked troubled in front of the magic shop earlier, is something the matter?"

"Yes, I hit a roadblock in my magic chanting training . I was wondering if they have books concerning chanting practices, but as you see they're closed . "

"Satou-san, you're, ummm is it fine to call you Satou-san?"

"Of course it's' fine . "

I'm already calling you Zena-san without permission .

"Is Satou-san not only a nimble peddler but also a magician in training?　That remind me, today you're not wearing gaudy clothes~, I think this one match you better . "

So fixated on nimble part, this person is .

"I want to be able to use Life magic so I'm training on it, but I just can't get the chanting part right . . . "

"Let's see, for wind magic, people usually start with ■■■■　but if they tries to forcefully chant it, it usually come out like, lyu~lia la~lule li la~o . If it's just memorization, then most people can do it . "

Zena-san is tilting her head with "I wonder how I should explain this"-look on her face .

"Rhythm . Yes, please try to slowly recite the chanting and remember the rhythm . Then while keeping the rhythm gradually increase the chanting speed so it become ■■■■!"

I see~, however, even if what she said isn't exactly a secret, isn't it still something that shouldn't be easily taught to other people?

"Rhythm huh . . . I understand, thank you very much professor . I'll practice hard in that direction . "

"Yes, I'm happy that I can help you . "

Zena-san smiles .

I should give her something as thanks .

◇

I've decided to go together with Zena-san halfway to the Parion temple in the west district .

"Speaking of which, how long did Zena-san practice to be able to use wind magic?"

"The real training was 3 years, but in hindsight, I've done various things during everyday life in preparation to become a magician~"

I wonder what kind of things? . . . I hope it's nothing serious .

"In order to learn the history of magicians, from when I was a child, I was made to read aloud picture books for children, poem singing, practice to read lines smoothly, abdominal breathing . . . Toys for detecting the flow of magic . Even the children's plays were for the sake of training to become a magician . "

Zena-san looks a bit gloomy for a second .

"It's not like I bear ill will toward my parents for raising me like that you know? Learning magic is fun anyway, and I have an objective to fly in the sky someday . "

But there is no other road to choose from the beginning . . .

"Satou-san . Why does Satou-san want to learn life magic?　Is it because it's useful for business?"

"No, since there is no bath in the inn, I was thinking if I have magic then I wouldn't have to take a bath outside . . . "

Ah, she's amazed .

She looks me in the eyes directly, and bursts a laughter .

Is it that interesting?

"Ahahahaha!　Th, this is the first time I've seen a person who has such reason for wanting to become a magician . "

Seemingly hitting the spot, Zena-san's laughter doesn't stop .

"Is it that strange?"

I think that it's relatively proper reason though . 　Don't you want to make inconvenient thing easier?

"It is strange!"

An immediate answer .

"Because if you have the drive and the fund to learn life magic, isn't it faster to just build a bath in your house? And you can just buy slaves for the job of boiling the bath . "

It's like that huh~

I will do things I could do myself!　I'd like to think like that, but even over here, it's normal to hire people to work, since the labor costs seems to be cheap .

◇

"Mister, please buy some flowers . "

When we got to the west street, a little girl carrying a small knitted bag filled with flowers immediately stops us .

The little girl stops while holding out a flower . I've catch sights on her various time before but this is the first time she calls out to me .

I wonder if people accompanied by woman are easier sells?

She's well thought out even though she's just a little girl .

"Okay, how much is it?"

"A penny for a bundle . "

I receive the flowers in exchange for a penny . The little girl happily thank me and go toward the next customer candidate .

I present the flower to Zena-san .

Zena-san looks surprised .

No well, there is no other choice than this isn't it?

"Umm, is it fine to take it?"

"Yes, I'd be troubled if you don't receive it . "

Since I can't throw it away .

Zena-san bites her lip while looking very happy .

Huh? Is it something to be so happy about?

. . . Well, I guess it's fine as long as she's pleased .

"That's right, Satou-san . Do you have any business after this?"

"No, after chanting practice I have noting in particular "

. . . There's alchemy, but I can do that anytime .

"Th, then, why don't we go to the street stalls on the way to the temple?"

"Yes, I'm fine with that . If possible, I'd like you to tell me the specialties of this town . "

Zena-san probably never had experience of inviting someone herself, her face turns bright red halfway during the suggestion . Since it's just me, you don't have to be so tense you're fumbling words .  

That remind me, when was it decided for me to go along until the temple? She did me a favor regarding the secret of chanting, and I shouldn't complain since it's a date with a girl .

"Specialties is it?　Leave it to me!"

She's full of confidence . I could expect something, maybe .

◇

"This is made from sweet potatoes, steamed sweet potatoes are filtered to become jams which then kneaded together to make breads . It's a Seryuu city's specialty from long ago . "

Something that looks like sweet potato kneaded for bread huh . Quite a subtle presence . . .

"These are deep fried bat wings spread with black miso . "

It seems that Zena-san doesn't know the cuisine's name either . The shopkeeper who couldn't stand shutting his mouth any longer tells us . . . . It's Dragon Wing Fries .

It seems to be foods said to bring luck .

"And then these are things I'm taught by Lilio . Ah, Lilio is the smallest girl from the trio earlier . "

Putting aside the girl's name .

The thing that Zena-san recommends is . . . light brown?　 . . . I wonder what is it?

For the time being I bought two serving for two pennies from the stall's uncle seller .

I guzzle the brown liquid using the straw plugged into it handed by the uncle seller .

It's a starch syrup!

"Starch syrup huh . It's nostalgic~"

"You knew about it~"

She looks a bit disappointed . I should have been surprised . . . I'm sorry .

"The starch syrup that I know is colorless and transparent, I didn't know what this was . "

"Noble-sama, the colorless transparent syrups are high-class items made using expensive grains and sugars, this one is intended for commoners and uses sweet potatoes, gabo fruits and malts so it's light brown . "

The uncle seller interrupted with overreaction .

Who's a noble? He didn't say it to Zena-san only .

"Mister, I am commoner you know . I got to drink the colorless and transparent syrup from an acquaintance long ago . I didn't know that it's a luxury . "

I mean, it's 200 yen a pop on the festival .

Afterwards, we enjoy ourselves by going around various stalls while plodding the crowds . It's a good afternoon .