The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 79

We went to the eastern district and, after exiting the east gate, started walking towards the ruins.

“That kitten is definitely a shikigami.”

“There’s no other explanation.”

Natalia and Annie, who were looking at Tama-chan yesterday, said with exasperation.

“Pamela is too close to us. Considering Cyrus, we should assign her a bodyguard.”

Pamela is clearly partial to us, and I’ve even gone out to eat with her alone.

“True. But can that kitten really act as a bodyguard?” asks Natalia.

“It can. There’s no way a shikigami I created would be weak. It took a lot of effort to make it.”

Mainly in the design, though. AI-chan insisted it had to be cute…

“Yuuma, I’ve always wondered, don’t you have anything to do?”

“Nope. I either read your books or copy sutras for mental focus.”

“Ehh…”

Huh?

Is it that surprising?

“…Yuuma, I’ll take you fishing. You can fish in the river that runs through town.”

Alice offered in a gentle, though soft, voice.

“I could teach you knitting… but maybe not.”

Lily started to suggest but stopped herself.

But it’s just as well. I don’t want to knit.

“You said the gathering jobs weren’t interesting, but is copying sutras fun? It just sounds like torture to me…”

Annie said, sounding exasperated.

“Writing calms the mind.”

“I see…”

Hmm?

Is it really that boring…?

“Master, since you have the day off tomorrow, why don’t we go out together?”

Even AI-chan is concerned…

Thinking I should find a hobby, I continued walking towards the ruins.

♦ ♦ ♦

After walking for nearly two hours, we arrived at the eastern ruins, just as before.

This day, too, there was an adventurer party consulting in front of the ruins, and when Annie greeted them, we entered the ruins.

As we walked through the paths inside the ruins, we passed a few adventurers, but we encountered more skeletons and zombies.

When we reached the fountain ruins in the center of the ruins, there were more than ten adventurers gathered there.

“What’s with them?”

“They’re a group heading north where there are more monsters. Even with that many people, it’s profitable, so that’s why they do it.”

Annie explained.

“I see… it’s a safety measure.”

“Exactly. It’s probably a clan. Should we head east like last time?”

“Yes, gathering is more profitable.”

And it’s safer, too. In this party, I’m the only one capable of close combat, which makes our balance terrible.

“Alright, let’s go.”

We decided to head east again, where there were many medicinal herbs, and started walking.

As expected, we encountered many skeletons and zombies, which Alice and I mainly took down.

Continuing on, we reached a residential area, and under Annie’s guidance, we entered the grounds of a certain mansion.

This place was larger than the mansion grounds we visited last time.

“Today, we’re here. You all can relax.”

Annie said, starting to gather herbs, and Natalia and Lily sat down to begin gathering as well.

AI-chan had been drawing the map since we entered the ruins, and Alice and I stood there idly.

“…Yuuma, I have nothing to do.”

Alice muttered.

“Yeah…”

I thought about bringing a book, but since our job is to keep watch, I can’t exactly read.

“…Isn’t there anything we can do?”

“How about playing shiritori?”

“…What’s that?”

It seems this world doesn’t have shiritori.

“It’s simple. It’s a word game where you take the ending syllable of a word to start the next one. For example, if I say ‘Alice,’ you have to say a word that starts with ‘su.’ We keep going like that, and if someone repeats a word or ends with ‘n,’ they lose.”

“I see… Let’s try it. You start, Yuuma.”

I guess I’ll start…

“Alright, Natalia.”

“‘Natalia,’ so it ends with ‘a’… then, ‘aho’ (fool).”

“Alice?”

Natalia looked up and smiled sweetly.

“It’s just a game. No offense.”

“‘Ho,’ is it? Let’s see, ‘houyouryoku ga aru’ (To be tolerant or magnanimous).”

Try to say something positive like that.

“Yuuma…”

Natalia had a complex expression.

“Master has that kind of side to him.”

“That’s why he had 12 wives.”

“He’s amazing, isn’t he?”

Why did my attempt at support turn into this…

“‘Ru,’ huh. ‘Rūzu’ (loose).”

“No, that’s Annie.”

Natalia was exasperated.

“Exceptionally kind.”

“…Rod.”

“Graceful.”

“…Yuuma, let’s stop playing shiritori.”

Already bored?

“He could probably turn every word into a compliment.”

“That’s probably how he got so many wives.”

“He said he didn’t have a hobby, but collecting women must be his hobby.”

That’s a terrible thing to say…

“Master, you only have five so far.”

I don’t remember collecting them.

“Hey, Yuuma, why do you like women so much?”

Lily asked.

“That’s a huge misunderstanding. I’m just kind.”

“I’ve never seen you be kind to men.”

Well, the only men I’ve dealt with in front of you were Cyrus and his gang.

“I was kind to my younger brother. I always gave him my carrots because he liked them.”

“Isn’t that just because you don’t like them?”

“Let me ask you the opposite. Would you prefer a leader who’s not kind? If so, you’d never get a break.”

I wouldn’t mind that.

“No way… that sounds awful. By the way, who do you like more, Natalia or Pamela?”

“I don’t rank women.”

Everyone has their own good points.

“Oh, he’s the real deal…”

What?

“Master, Pamela-san and Natalia-san are ready anytime. Alice-san is soon. Annie-san and Lily-san need a bit more time.”

Ready for what!?