Journey to Planar World

They spent about an hour inside the luxury clothing shop. Charlie acted fairly; not only was Mahiru bought several beautiful dresses, but Est was also bought a few sets of cute outfits that perfectly matched her petite stature.

After settling the entire payment and storing all the clothing purchases into the Space-Time Cache, Charlie, Mahiru, and Est stepped back outside to stroll through the hustle and bustle of Orario’s streets.

Their footsteps led the small party along the city’s main district, which was growing increasingly crowded.

Mahiru’s gaze was endlessly cast toward the sky, awestruck by the grand structure in the center of the city.

”Charlie-kun, that giant tower in the middle of the city... is really tall, isn’t it? It feels like it pierces the clouds. Is that what’s called Babel?” Mahiru asked with curiosity.

”That’s right, Mahiru. That is the Tower of Babel.” Charlie answered while pointing toward its peak. ”Beneath that magnificent building is the entrance leading to the Dungeon, an endless underground labyrinth where adventurers stake their lives to hunt monsters and search for magic stones.”

”So the Dungeon you often told me about is down there? Incredible...” Mahiru muttered in awe. ”In my original world, a building like that could only be made with the most modern architectural technology, but here it stands grandly with an aura that feels deeply magical.”

”On the upper floors of the Tower of Babel, there are also luxury shops, the highest quality weapons, and residences for high-tier gods.” Charlie added with a smile. ”If you want, sometime I can take you for a walk to the top floor to see the view of all of Orario from up high.”

”Waaah, really? I’d love to!” Mahiru exclaimed enthusiastically, but then she paused for a moment and lowered her head hesitantly. ”But... isn’t the entrance fee to go up there very expensive, Charlie-kun?”

Charlie chuckled softly upon hearing the girl’s characteristic worry. ”For ordinary adventurers, perhaps yes, but for me now, money issues in Orario are just like numbers on a piece of paper. You don’t need to worry about the price of anything when you’re with me.”

”E-Eh, my goodness, your answer is so confident...” Mahiru blushed with embarrassment, but a sweet smile blossomed on her face. ”Thank you, though.”

Their journey continued across the central market area, where the air was instantly filled with the fragrant aroma combining rare spices and savory baked bread.

Mahiru halted her steps, inhaling the appetite-stimulating scent.

”Ah, Charlie-kun, look over there!” She pointed to a large building with a domed roof. ”What kind of place is that building? It smells so good, like a mix of spice aromas and baked bread.”

”Ooh, that’s Orario’s central food market area. Over there, various signature dishes from different countries all over the world are sold.” Charlie explained patiently. ”There is select monster meat that has been specially processed, rare fruits from the southern region, all the way to signature bread made by elves.”

”Monster meat?!” Mahiru widened her eyes, showing a hesitant and slightly amused look. ”I-Is monster meat really safe to be eaten by humans?”

”Don’t worry, not all monsters are poisonous.” Charlie reassured her. ”There are certain specific types of monsters that, after being defeated, can have their meat processed into extraordinarily delicious dishes. It even tastes much better than beef or chicken.”

”Really? It sounds a bit scary...” Mahiru tapped her chin lightly, her enthusiasm as a girl who enjoyed cooking slowly stirring awake. ”But now I’m curious to try a little bit... Mmm, Charlie-kun, how about later we buy some cooking ingredients over there? I want to try cooking using this world’s unique seasonings later.”

”That’s a wonderful idea! Your cooking is always the best, Mahiru.” Charlie praised sincerely. ”I can’t wait to taste a signature dish made by your own hands.”

”Fufu, leave it to me!” Mahiru smiled proudly. ”I will try my best to make a delicious meal for you and the others. Later, please help me pick out fresh ingredients, okay?”

”Of course.”

While enjoying their conversation, Charlie suddenly noticed Est stopping her steps in front of a local snack stall. The spirit girl was pointing toward food being grilled over burning coals.

”Eh, Est, why did you stop? Did you see something interesting at that stall?” Charlie asked, approaching her.

”Onii-chan... I want to eat that.” Est said in her cute, flat tone while pointing at the grilled dango. ”That round, chained thing skewered on wood and grilled.”

”Ah, that’s grilled dango and rolled meat crepes! Great taste, Est.” Charlie reached into his coin pouch. ”Let’s buy three skewers for us to eat together while walking.”

”Thank you, Onii-chan. I love Onii-chan.” Est said softly while accepting the dango skewer from Charlie.

”You’re welcome, Est. Now, Mahiru, here’s one skewer for you. Careful, it’s still a bit hot.” Charlie handed another skewer to Mahiru.

Mahiru accepted the snack and carefully took her first bite. Her eyes instantly widened as she enjoyed the combination of flavors bursting on her tongue.

”Thank you, Charlie-kun... Wow! The meat is extremely soft and the seasoning is perfectly absorbed! The sweet and savory balance is just right on the tongue!”

”It’s delicious, right? Culinary food in Orario is indeed one of the best things to enjoy during spare time.” Charlie said lightly.

”Yes, it’s really delicious! It feels like a new culinary adventure.” Mahiru praised enthusiastically. However, her attention was suddenly diverted as a group of adventurers clad in full armor passed near them. ”Um... Charlie-kun, who are those people wearing full armor passing in front of us? Why are their weapons so huge?”

”They are members of a front-line Familia who just returned from a Dungeon expedition.” Charlie explained in a more serious tone. ”The fishy smell on their armor is the leftover blood of monsters that hasn’t been cleaned off yet.”

Mahiru was stunned, a slight chill shading her chest. ”I see... Seeing them in person makes me realize even more that this world is truly full of danger. Staking lives every day just to survive...”

Seeing a bit of worry on the girl’s face, Charlie extended his hand, holding Mahiru’s fingers warmly and tightly.

”It is harsh, Mahiru. But behind that danger, there is freedom and wonder that you would never find in an ordinary world. And most importantly, as long as you are by my side, not a single danger in this world can touch you.”

The warm sensation from Charlie’s grip and that promise instantly dispelled all fear in Mahiru’s heart. Her face flushed red, adorned with her sweetest smile.

”Charlie-kun... You can always say sentences that make my heart flutter...” she whispered shyly, tightening her hand’s grip. ”But thank you, I feel very safe and calm near you.”

”You’re welcome, Mahiru.” Charlie smiled, then pointed to the end of the street. ”Come on, up ahead there’s a city park near a fountain pool. The place is very beautiful and shady, perfect for us to sit and relax.”

Having just taken a few strides toward the city park, Charlie’s steps suddenly ground to a rigid halt.

His face, which had been adorned with a warm smile moments ago, instantly froze, replaced by a terrifying expression.

Mahiru, walking at his side, immediately noticed that drastic change.

”C-Charlie-kun...? What’s wrong? Why did you suddenly stop?”

She felt Charlie’s mood turn sour in just the blink of an eye.

”...”

Charlie did not answer right away. His chest and shoulders rose and fell as he regulated his breath, which suddenly felt so incredibly heavy.

”Mahiru... just now, I felt something wrong.”

”My causal connection with someone I share a very close bond with... suddenly snapped just like that. That means... that person just died.”

”W-What...?! Died?!” Mahiru widened her eyes in shock.

All her cheerfulness and interest in continuing their stroll instantly vanished without a trace.

Mahiru gripped Charlie’s arm tightly, gazing at him with deep worry.

”Charlie-kun, there’s no need to think about this stroll anymore! I’m already deeply satisfied and happy having fun today. You must immediately investigate who met with that misfortune!”

Without needing to be told twice, Charlie was already moving. His pupils underwent a drastic change, signaling the activation of Senrigan.

With that omniscient sight ability, Charlie checked every single person who had a close relationship with him, one by one.

Hera... still safe in Olympia.

Astraea... drinking tea at a café accompanied by Hestia, Demeter, and Hephaestus.

Kei and Aishia... still inside the Dungeon’s safe area.

Rose... safe.

Anna... safe.

Then... when his Senrigan vision shifted to inspect Ais Wallenstein...

”...!!!”

Charlie’s breathing grew violently ragged, his heart beating frantically like the beat of war drums.

A mixture of grief burning his chest and an infinite, furious rage surged violently, filling his entire mind and soul.

Even so, Charlie tried with all his strength to restrain himself and maintain his consciousness so as not to lose control completely.

He was acutely aware that if he allowed his emotions to burst right here, the Divine Authority and the Transcendent weight residing inside his body could go on a rampage and erase the entire City of Orario along with its contents in a matter of seconds.

The tips of his fingers clenched so tightly that they turned pale.

His lips trembled violently as a name was uttered softly from between his tightly shut teeth.

”A-Ais...?”

👨🏻‍💻Support me by reading on my Patreon: Patreon.com/cw/transenden or bit.ly/4uObLvf

☕Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/lovefanfiction

🛍️Benefits:

🎁Access 50+ chapters: [Main God Invades Naruto: No One is a Regular Uchiha Anymore]

🎁Access 50+ chapters: [Anime Crossover: As a Devil, I Tamed the Heroines]

🎁Access 210+ chapters: [Anime Crossover: Making Money in Classroom of the Elite]

🎁Access 30 chapters: [Journey to Planar Word]

🎁Access 130+ chapters: [Infinity Reincarnation]

📜Update Schedule:

📨Translated Fanfiction: 3 chapters per day

📨Original Fanfiction: 1-2 chapters per day

👍🏻Thank you so much for your incredible support, everyone!👍🏻