The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 120

“Foxes are sensitive to smells, right? My mother used to guess what dinner was going to be when we were out together.”

The younger siblings innocently cheered, “Wow, mom’s amazing!”

Of course, this was when I was little.

“Even if you say that, I’ve never done anything like this before…”

“It’s fine. You can do it, you can do it. Anna, do you have anything that belongs to the princess?”

If she’s the maid, she’d have something.

“The handkerchief on the table belongs to the princess.”

I looked at the table as she said that, and indeed, there was a cloth with beautiful embroidery.

“Alright. Now, give it a sniff.”

I took the handkerchief and pressed it to AI-chan’s nose.

“Hmm, it smells nice, that’s my impression.”

“Okay, where’s that smell coming from?”

When I asked, AI-chan started sniffing around.

“I don’t know!”

“Hey… little fox.”

“I mean… don’t expect such things from artificial intelligence!”

“Fine, then search for the princess’s location.”

The princess’s magical presence is too small for me to detect.

“She’s not within a 30-meter radius.”

Useless.

“Any other methods?”

“Well, it’s not that there aren’t any.”

“That will do. There’s no time.”

“Alright then… starting synchronization… Installing, installing, installing…”

What is she installing?

“Installing, installing, installing…”

This is taking a while…

“Is it done yet?”

“Installing, installing, installation complete. Synchronizing… Golden Fox of Mount Tsubaki, manifesting.”

Who’s that?

As I was thinking how much I didn’t like this, fox ears grew out of AI-chan’s head, and a golden tail sprouted from her back.

“Who’s bothering me at this hour? I’m busy putting the little ones to bed!”

It’s my mother…

“Mother…”

“Yuuma, if you’ve got something to say, save it for tomorrow. And you… you’ve brought another strange woman, haven’t you?”

Mother looked back and forth between Leanne and Anna.

“That maid belongs to someone else’s household.”

“Maid? Grave? What’s that?”

This is a waste of time.

“Mother, never mind that. I have something urgent to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Could you smell this for me?”

I pressed the princess’s handkerchief to her nose.

“What is this? It stinks.”

“Oi…”

The king spoke in a low voice.

“Don’t be rude. Did you memorize the scent?”

“Well, yeah, with a smell this strong. Is it perfume? I don’t like it.”

Good, she’s memorized it.

As expected, she’s a true fox.

“Is there anywhere else that smell is?”

“Huh? Over there.”

Mother pointed to an empty chair.

It was the chair the princess had sat in during the day.

“Are you an idiot? I’m asking you to find the owner of the scent!”

In the end, she’s just a fox.

This is exactly the kind of thing mother would do.

“If that’s what you wanted, say so. You really have a way of being unclear.”

Don’t share the same opinion as her.

“Whatever. I’m telling you, we’re in a hurry.”

“Hmm… over that way. Smells like the sea. The ocean, maybe?”

East, then.

“I see. Thank you. You can go now.”

“Huh? That’s it?”

“Have a good night. Oh, and take the grandkids to the bathroom before bed.”

Or they’ll wet the bed.

“Well, I guess I’ll do that… Hey! AI or whatever! Don’t take over—”

Mother fell silent, and AI-chan blinked her eyes.

“What happened to mother?”

“Forced uninstallation.”

That’s convenient.

“Your Majesty, it seems to be in the direction of the eastern sea.”

“I see. I don’t quite understand, but understood. I’ll send a search party right away. Anna!”

“Uncle, please wait.”

Just as the king was about to give Anna an order, Leanne stopped him.

“What is it? Is there something else?”

“We don’t know the kidnapper’s method of transportation, but since some time has already passed since Colette disappeared, even a cavalry unit might not make it in time. If it’s the sea, they’re likely on a ship.”

Well, that makes sense.

They’re probably going somewhere by boat.

“Then we’ll have no choice but to mobilize the navy immediately.”

“That would tarnish Colette’s name.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

When the king asked this, Leanne lowered her head. But she soon raised her face again.

“Uncle, my gift is teleportation. If it’s somewhere I’ve been before, I can travel there instantly. I will go to the port first, lay in wait, and rescue Colette.”

Teleportation…

Is it like that mirror ability that was used during the Stampede?

That’s an incredible power.

“Teleportation…?”

Even the king, who had been flustered, was astonished by this ability and regained his composure.

It truly is a remarkable gift.

“Yes. However, it consumes a great deal of magical power, and I can only transport one or two people.”

“…I see. Yuuma, I have a request for you.”

Of course, it’s me.

“Understood. I’ll head out right away.”

“I’m counting on you.”

The king nodded.

“Leanne, let’s go right away. What should I do?”

“Touch me.”

Since she said that, I placed my hand on her exposed shoulder.

She flinched slightly, and her face turned red.

“W-we’re going.”

“Ah, me too!”

AI-chan also touched Leanne.

“W-well then, Your Majesty, we will definitely rescue Colette.”

“…Yes. I’m counting on you.”

The king nodded, though his face showed a strange expression as he glanced at Leanne, whose face was bright red.

“We sh-shall depart!”

((“She stumbled over her words!”))

As I heard AI-chan’s delighted telepathic comment, my vision suddenly went pitch black.