The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 31

“So, is it true that orcs don’t come out in such shallow areas?”

I confirm after finishing the collection of magic stones.

“Yeah. We’ve been here often, but this is the first time.”

“…This forest is the exclusive domain of the Western District. The forest is straightforward; the deeper you go, the stronger the monsters become.”

Orcs are said to be D-rank, so they’re a bit deeper in.

But…

“Thinking about it, that’s an abnormal number. I can confirm at least 10 of them. And… there are also some with higher magic power than orcs.”

“10!? And there are ones stronger than orcs!? Where, where!?”

Natalia scans the surrounding forest.

“Don’t worry. They’re not around here. Uh, well, there are goblins… but…”

“Um… how far does Yuuma mean by around?”

“Within 500 meters.”

After that, it’s a bit unclear.

I think I could figure it out if I concentrate, but there are too many other smaller magic powers.

“500!? … Lily might have a hard time, huh?”

Natalia looks at Alice.

“…It’s okay. We’re all in this together.”

“Yeah, I haven’t done anything either.”

No, they dismantled the orc. Not to brag, but I’ve never done it.

“Neither you two, nor Lily-san are lacking at all. Master is just too wonderful. By the way, Master, how was the previous forest? The forest where Master reincarnated.”

AI-chan asks after comforting them.

“There… Well, aside from the orcs that attacked the princess, it was mostly goblins.”

“It’s strange… There should have been more monsters there than here. Yet, it was the opposite. And then, they attacked carriages on the highway…”

AI-chan starts to worry.

“What should we do? Should we investigate a little more?”

“No, I think it’s better to report this to Pamela-san.”

Already going back?

“What do you guys think?”

I confirm with the two experienced individuals.

“I agree with AI-chan. In a situation like this, it’s not something a single adventurer can decide.”

“…I think it’s more than enough to fulfill the request.”

So, both of them agree…

“Got it. Let’s head back. Hm…?”

Something catches my attention, and I look deeper into the forest.

But there’s nothing there, nothing particularly strange.

Yet, I feel a sense of unease.

“What’s wrong? Enemies?”

Natalia asked with a puzzled expression.

“No, it’s nothing. It just feels like my intuition is off in this forest.”

It’s not that I can’t sense magical energy, but it feels like there’s a subtle cloudiness.

“Master, this forest is abundant with magical materials like medicinal herbs. I think that might be affecting it.”

Is that so…?

Well, I’m just a onmyoji, not a hunter or a mountain dweller, so…

“Well, whatever. Let’s head back.”

We promptly turned back and exited the forest.

♦ ♦ ?? PoV ♦ ♦

“――Huh!”

Instinctively, my body tensed up.

Did our eyes meet? Did they catch me…?

Thinking that, I extinguished my magical energy, but upon further reflection, it was probably just a coincidence.

They were more than a kilometer away from here. Plus, with the trees in the forest providing cover, there’s no way they could have noticed.

“Phew… Looks like they turned back,” I muttered.

The man and the women… and also the dog and the bird, all exited the forest.

“But… what was that?”

The women seemed like ordinary humans. But what about that dog and bird? They couldn’t tell if they were beasts or monsters, but would they be that friendly to humans? And that man… who is he?

I’ve never seen flames shimmer like that golden hue before. And the firepower… maybe he’s quite the mage.

“Well, whatever…”

There’s only a little left to do. Let’s just get it done.

With that in mind, I decided to venture further into the depths of the forest for the next task.

♦ ♦ Yuuma PoV ♦ ♦

Exiting the forest and retracing our steps back to the town of Seria, we headed straight for the guild.

Leaving Koma-chan to wait outside the guild, I entered alone, finding only the receptionists sitting bored at their desks, with no other adventurers in sight.

“Oh, you’re back already?”

Pamela noticed us and called out, so I approached the reception.

“Yeah, just got back. Went into the forest and ran into some orcs right away.”

“Really…? Whereabouts was this?”

Pamela asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

“AI-chan, the map.”

“Sure thing.”

AI-chan conjured up a map from somewhere and placed it on the reception desk.

“Let’s see, it was right after entering the forest…”

I muttered, scanning the map for the spot where we encountered the orcs, while Pamela leaned in to scrutinize the map.

“Um…,”

“What is it?”

“What’s this?”

“A map.”

Don’t they know what a map is?

“Well, I get that, but this is a really precise map… Is it accurate?”

“It’s a top-down view, so it should be accurate.”

It was AI-chan who made it, so I’m not sure.

But the town map was perfect, so it should be accurate.

“Oh, wow… That’s amazing. Will you sell it to me?”

“For how much?”

“I’ll offer 20 gold coins.”

“That much? It only covers the outskirts of the forest, you know?”

Isn’t that a bit high?

“That’s fine.”

Hmm…

“What do you think, AI-chan? It’s your map.”

“It’s yours, Master. It’s fine, isn’t it? I’ve already installed it, so I can output as many as you need.”

I don’t really get it, but if she learned it she can draw it anytime.

“Well then, I’ll sell it.”

“Thank you very much. But it’s an amazing ability, isn’t it?”

As Pamela says this and hands over the 20 gold coins, AI-chan’s face beams with pride.

I hand over those 20 gold coins to AI-chan and pat her head.

“That’s great. Since the 20 gold coins are yours, you can use them however you like.”

“Really?”

The small AI-chan looks up at me with a happy expression.

“Yeah…”

In my mind, words like “Don’t tell your mother” come to mind…

I guess I used to sneak my grandchildren gifts back then…