The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 38

As we cast magic on the defensive wall, the sun gradually began to set, and evening fell.

I was taking a break with Alice, leaning against the wall and resting.

“Hmm? Pamela?”

Annie, who was casting magic, said so and looked towards the stairs, so I also looked in that direction, and indeed, Pamela was coming up onto the defensive wall.

As I continued to watch, our eyes met.

Then, Pamela came over to where we were.

“What’s wrong, Pamela? Are you here to provide support too?”

I called out to Pamela as she approached, and she squatted down in front of me, bringing her face closer.

Seeing Pamela up close, I really thought she was beautiful.

“I don’t have that kind of power… Yuuma-san, may I have a moment?”

Pamela lowered her voice.

“What is it?”

“It’s evening now. Judging by the momentum of the monsters, it’s unlikely they’ll calm down even if it gets dark.”

“Well, that’s how it feels.”

They attacked from early on, so I doubt the monsters will return to sleep just because it’s night.

“The reinforcements from the capital are delayed. According to the current schedule, the advance team is supposed to arrive tomorrow morning, and the main force by evening.”

Too late.

“So, are we supposed to hold out tonight with just the people here? I’m not an expert in war, but even to a layman like me, that seems tough. Both adventurers and soldiers are exhausted. It’s hard to imagine we can get through the night under these conditions.”

“Jeffrey-san and I reached the same conclusion. Currently, the town authorities are also considering urban warfare.”

Urban warfare…

“Are we abandoning the town?”

“Yes. If this falls, next is the capital. To prevent that, we’ll turn this town into a battlefield and buy time.”

Well, is that how it’s going to be?

“The damage will be extensive. The residents will suffer too.”

“I understand. This is a last resort, but we’ve reached that point.”

“Should we evacuate Natalia and Alice?”

If we can get them to the capital, they should be fine.

“That’s also an option.”

Pamela nodded, affirming.

“What about you?”

I looked up at Annie, who was likely listening to the conversation.

“I’m staying. I told you, this town is my home.”

“I suppose it is.”

Now, how many will remain…

Once the gate is breached, the morale of both adventurers and soldiers will drop.

I hope there won’t be a rout…

“Yuuma-san, I have a request.”

“What? Are you going to leave too? I’ll let you run away.”

“No, unfortunately, guild staff like me have tasks such as evacuating people, so I can’t escape.”

Pamela said this with a self-deprecating smile and shook her head.

“Don’t die…

No matter how you look at it, the monsters are faster than the residents evacuating.

“So, what do you suggest?”

“Could you summon that spider monster?”

Ah, that’s what you’re getting at…

“On the other hand, I have to ask if that’s ok? It might cause panic.”

In this situation, summoning a spider monster would significantly lower the morale of both soldiers and adventurers.

“We’re beyond worrying about that now.”

“Well, summoning a shikigami doesn’t require much spiritual power, so it should be fine…”

Even if it’s our Big Spider-chan, can it handle that massive army?

“Master, why don’t we check the forest before summoning Big Spider-chan?”

As I pondered, AI-chan made a suggestion.

“What do you mean?”

“The stampede is abnormal. There are past instances of stampedes in my data, but the numbers are clearly off. There are more monsters coming to this town than are in the forest. This suggests that something abnormal is happening in the forest. So, I propose using Crow-chan to investigate.”

As AI-chan said this, Crow-chan descended from above and perched on AI-chan’s shoulder.

“Let’s do that… Pamela, hold on for a moment.”

“Understood.”

Pamela nodded, so I linked my vision with Crow-chan and instructed it to go to the forest.

Crow-chan then took off from the battlement and flew over the monsters.

“There are so many…”

AI-chan, who was also linked, muttered.

“Yeah.”

Crow-chan was fast, quickly reaching the forest and beginning to circle above.

“…All the way into the forest?”

“It’s quite different from yesterday. It’s hard to believe they multiplied so much in just one day.”

The forest was teeming with orcs and goblins, and the trees were swaying, making the whole forest appear to be trembling.

“Hmm? Master, don’t the monsters seem to be coming from the same place?”

As AI-chan pointed out, while the shallow part of the forest was crowded with monsters and seemed to be shaking, the movement of the trees became thinner as we moved deeper into the forest.

“There’s something over there…”

I instructed Crow-chan to head towards the deeper part of the forest.

Then, I noticed that the movement of the trees stopped at a certain point.

“That’s it, right?”

“Yeah. And just so you know, I’m sensing an incredible amount of magic.”

What’s this?

It’s unlike anything with orcs or goblins.

In fact, it’s much stronger than Annie, who has the highest magical power I know.

This… in terms of eerie aura, it’s on the level of a great yokai.

“Amazing…!”

“-Huh!?”

Suddenly, the link with Crow-chan was cut off, and my vision returned to normal.

“What’s wrong!?”

“…What’s the matter?”

“What?”

We all spoke up, and AI-chan even started to cover her eyes, so Pamela, Alice, and Annie called out to us.

“We found the source of the monsters, but Crow-chan was shot down.”

The fact that the link was forcibly severed means that Crow-chan died.

“Crow-chan…”

AI-chan let out a sad voice.

“Huh? The source of the monsters!?”

Pamela asked in surprise.

“Yeah. There was something in the depths of the forest. At the same time, I sensed an unbelievable amount of magic.”

“What could it be?”

“I don’t know. I could send Crow-chan to take another look, but wouldn’t the result be the same?”

As I said that, I took out a talisman and summoned Crow-chan again.

“Kaw—”

Crow-chan immediately hopped onto AI-chan’s shoulder.

“…Ah, it’s come back to life.”

Alice breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Crow-chan.

“It’s a shikigami after all… Shall we send it out again?”

“Kaw—!”

It seems reluctant.

“Now, what should we do…”

I pondered with my arms crossed.

We don’t know what’s there, but that’s likely the cause, right… Should we go and check it out?

“Master, isn’t it dangerous? Even though it’s not meant for combat, the one who shot down Crow-chan in the sky is a formidable opponent, you know?”

AI-chan intervened, sensing my thoughts.

“Yeah, that’s true, but if we don’t do anything, the town will be destroyed. Plus, Pamela and Annie will die.”

“That may be so…”

AI-chan hesitated.

“Are we destined to die?”

“Well, the probability is high, and we’ve prepared ourselves, but I’d rather not be told outright.”

No, you’ll die for sure.

“With your feeble bodies, you wouldn’t stand a chance against goblins, let alone orcs. No matter how much magic you have, being surrounded spells doom. It’s as clear as day.”

“…”

Both of them fell silent.

“Are you going to help them? Personally, I think the Master should take priority.”

“These guys too, and the townsfolk as well, right? How many do you think will die?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“It’s the duty of those with power. Besides, it’s better than fleeing in disgrace.”

Saving people is my job and my duty.

“So, shall we go?”

“Yeah, I suppose cutting off the source is the best option after all. What about you?”

“Of course, I’ll go!”

Well, I expected as much.

Honestly, she might be a bit of a liability, but she’s smart, so I’ll take her along. We don’t know what’s there, even if the cause is there.

“Pamela, that’s the plan, I’ll summon Big Spider-chan first, then head to the depths of the forest.”

“A-Are you really going? There are so many monsters there, it’s dangerous, you know?”

Pamela grabbed my sleeve.

“What? Do you want to die? You’ll get squashed by an orc.”

“N-No, I absolutely don’t want that, but…”

“Then I’ll go. I’ll help you out.”

Be grateful.

“Yo! Master, you’re so cool! Kind of patronizing though!”

Artificial Intelligence sure talks a lot…

I have to give her some good tasks to do.