The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 62

After defeating the duo who had tangled with Koma-chan, we decided to return to town immediately.

I thought about leaving the two unconscious men in the forest, but since there were other adventurers around, I figured they would be fine and left them there.

So, we exited the forest and made our way back to town, heading towards the guild in the western district.

“Huh? What happened? Why are you back so soon? It’s not even noon yet.”

Pamela asked as we entered the guild.

“Pamela, we encountered a duo in the forest who I think are Cyrus’s party members.”

“…That was Pat and Rick.”

Alice added, revealing the names of the duo.

“Those two.”

“Ah… Those two… Where’s Cyrus?”

Pamela seemed to be familiar with them as well.

“He wasn’t with them. It was just the two of them.”

“I see… How did you end up encountering them?”

“It seems Cyrus told the adventurers from the western district not to come to the southern forest yesterday.”

“I heard about it from other adventurers. We lodged a complaint with the guild in the southern district, but it was quickly dismissed.”

It was just a minor squabble between adventurers.

“We didn’t hear about that, but anyway, it seems they thought the adventurers from the western district shouldn’t come, so they picked a fight with us.”

“With everyone from the western district?”

“No, just us. Probably because there were four of us and we looked weak.”

Two of us even looked like children.

“Well… That’s rather pathetic.”

I agree.

Picking up girls would be more manly.

“They didn’t seem particularly strong or skilled in magic.”

“Hmm… What happened next?”

“One of them lightly kicked me as if to provoke me. Well, I’m not so petty as to get angry over something like that, but then he tried to lay hands on Alice, so Koma-chan, who was tasked with guarding her, retaliated.”

“That little one?”

Koma-chan is waiting in front of the guild now.

“Since it’s a combat Shikigami, they didn’t stand a chance. However, I made sure to hold back, so they’re not dead.”

“I-I see…”

“You should protest before they do. Just enough to make a point.”

That’s important.

“Huh? Well, we’ll protest, but…”

“And also, if things continue like this, there might be a conflict between adventurers from the western district and those from the southern district.”

“I understand that. Jeffrey is currently in talks with the guild master from the southern district.”

I wonder how it will turn out?

If it were me, I’d lift the ban on the western forest, even if it’s limited…

“Well, since that’s the case, there won’t be much progress today.”

No catch either.

“It can’t be helped…”

Pamela looks disappointed.

“Master, can I sell the map?”

AI-chan tugs at my clothes.

“The map? For the southern forest?”

“Yes. I’ve finished drawing it.”

Come to think of it, you were diligently drawing last night in your room.

“Pamela, can you buy this?”

Asking that, AI-chan takes out the map and places it on the reception desk.

Then, Pamela gazes at the map and raises her head.

“Yes. Will 20 gold coins be acceptable?”

It’s kind of hard to accept that the fee for drawing the map is the same as that Stampede request.

“That’s fine.”

“Then, it will be 20 gold coins.”

Pamela places 20 gold coins on the counter, so I take them and gently place AI-chan’s small hand on top of them. She looks up at me, so I pat her head.

“Would you like sell any fish too?”

“Ah…”

“Oh, so you couldn’t catch any after all…”

After all?

“I did catch some.”

“But they were poisonous, right?”

“Well…”

But I did catch some.

“I’ll treat you next time.”

Pamela smiles.

“Got it.”

“So, what are your plans for tomorrow and onwards? Are you still going to the eastern ruins?”

“Yeah, that’s the plan. Well, whether we’ll go tomorrow or not, I’ll discuss it with Annie.”

We’ve tentatively agreed to go tomorrow, but Annie doesn’t seem to work much, so I’ll have to ask her to be sure.

“Understood. I’ll find a suitable request for you.”

She’s a good kid.

“Thanks. Well, then, we’ll head back.”

“Oh, wait a moment. There’s something I need to discuss with you, Yuuma-san…”

Me?

“What is it?”

“You know, it’s about the stampede thing.”

Ah, that’s right.

I’m the only one who hasn’t received the request fee yet.

“Got it… You guys, take Koma-chan and go home first.”

I inform Natalia and the others.

“Yeah. Then, we’ll do some shopping on the way back.”

“…Buying fish.”

“Oh, right, I was asked by Annie too.”

The three girls wave to us and leave the guild.

“So, what’s the talk about?”

After seeing off the three girls, I turn to Pamela.

“First of all, Yuuma-san’s request fee will be 100 gold coins.”

Wow!

That’s five times what the others got!

“You’re giving me that much?”

“It’s not much at all, but… considering the town’s reconstruction funds and assistance to the bereaved families, the town’s funds are tight. And, since your achievements this time won’t be made public, it ended up being this amount. I tried my best, you know. In the end, the district mayor decided it would be difficult to go any further.”

Well, considering the achievements, it might seem little, but in terms of effort, I haven’t done much.

“It’s fine. I’ve saved the capital from crisis many times in my past life, but I never received money for it. These things are not about money; they’re about building trust, credibility, and maintaining a good impression with those in power.”

That’s how we climbed the ranks, became nobles, and eventually connected with royalty, leading to the current status of Kisaragi. Money comes later, and it’s not something to greedily chase after.

“Is that so?”

“Being a hero is boring, you know? It’s a one-time thing, and it makes enemies.”

There’s a lot of jealousy too. No matter how strong you are, politics are what really matter.

“Oh… Um, do you intend to become a noble?”

“I don’t particularly intend to. It’s more important to be owed favors from those above. Looking ahead, that’s more important than turning100 gold coins into 1000, you know? So, make sure to express gratitude to the district mayor for me.”

“Oh, about that, could you meet with the mayor of the western district? The mayor wants to meet you, and you should receive the request fee from the mayor.”

They’re probing…

Well, you can’t just let someone with formidable power run free.

“Sure. When?”

“Sooner would be better, but anytime works, it seems.”

Anytime works?

Don’t they have anything to do?

“Hmm… Should I go… I wonder what kind of villain they’ll turn out to be…”

“Well, the district mayor isn’t that kind of person…”

“Listen, Pamela. People like mayors in towns are often shady. They’re open to bribes, and anything goes.”

“I-Is that so? I’ve met him several times, but he doesn’t seem like that kind of person…”

Several times?

“Be careful. You might be under scrutiny.”

“Huh…?”

Is she okay?

Is she underestimating the mayor’s power?

“Well, whatever. Let’s just meet him for now.”

“Please do. When will you meet him?”

“It’s important to squash things before they escalate. I’ll go now.”

Can’t waste time.

Need to go immediately and find out the truth.

“Huh? Now? If you wait until evening, I can guide you to the mayor’s house…”

“The mayor’s house, near the market, right? I know where it is because Natalia and Alice showed me around the town.”

It was certainly a big house.

“Is that so… Are you really going right now?”

“I’ve got nothing else to do.”

There’s nothing to do in the afternoon.

“Oh, I see…”

“Well then, I’ll be off. Let’s see what kind of villain he is.”

“I don’t think he’s a villain…”

You’re awfully defensive…

Is he really such a good person?

Good people are good, but politicians need to have a certain degree of ‘not good’ to succeed.

TL Note:

I think the chapter title may be referencing Pamela as maybe having a relationship with the mayor since she’s met him “several” times and is defending him. But it’s never actually mentioned in the chapter so I don’t know. Author seems to like vague or subtle chapter titles.