The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 124

A guest came to visit early in the morning, but it turned out to be the king.

“Sorry, sorry. Well, take a seat.”

Being prompted, I sat down on the sofa opposite him.

“I thought the staff were acting strange.”

They didn’t mention the guest’s name and even prepared a reception room. Well, of course, they would do that if the guest was the king.

“There’s no one here but you and me, so I’ll be honest. I sometimes use this inn. I sneak out like this.”

Could there be some secret passage?

He even prepared clothes that commoners would wear…

“I don’t know what you use it for, but I’m not impressed.”

“You don’t serve me, right? Then it doesn’t matter whether you’re impressed or not.”

“I’m speaking as a fellow man. Don’t you feel bad for the queen?”

“A break is important. You wouldn’t understand, having 12 wives and all.”

Yeah, we’re not going to see eye to eye on this.

“If you were my lord, I’d report you to the queen right away.”

“Yeah, I don’t need you.”

I wouldn’t want to serve him either.

“Thanks… So, what brings you here so early in the morning?”

“I’ve been dealing with a lot, and it ended up being this early.”

“If you called, I would have come to the castle.”

“You don’t want to come to the castle, do you?”

Of course not.

“That’s not true.”

“How insincere. Anyway, it’s about yesterday’s matter.”

I figured as much.

“I’d like to ask first, how is the princess?”

“No problem. Her injuries healed quickly, and she woke up normally this morning. It seems she was put to sleep right after being attacked, so she has no particular memory of it.”

That’s good.

It’s especially good that she doesn’t remember anything. There’s no need for her to remember something like that.

“That’s a relief.”

“Yes. I’m grateful to you for saving her safely.”

“No, I only did what was necessary.”

This is true. If I was able to save someone, then that’s all that matters.

“Now, about the reward…”

“I gave it to Leanne. Haven’t you heard?”

“Yes, I’ve heard. I just wanted to confirm that you’re fine with it.”

“I have no issues. I already received a sword from His Majesty. That’s an honor for any man. I don’t wish for anything more.”

I can’t sell it, and it has no other use, so I plan to display it in my room.

“I see…”

“And Leanne’s crime?”

This is what concerns me the most.

“Crime?”

“Of course, I’m talking about Otto. Leanne was the one who brought that adventurer here. More importantly, as the guild master, she should be held accountable for overseeing the situation.”

“Do you want to protect Leanne or condemn her?”

“I’m just speaking in general terms.”

Honestly, I don’t care either way. Because no matter what happens, nothing will change.

“First, about that Otto fellow, an A-rank, right? He seems to have other offenses.”

“I thought the same. His methods were too polished.”

“That’s currently under investigation.”

“I see.”

I wonder if they’ll find anything.

“In conclusion, Leanne will not be held accountable for any crime.”

“Is it because of my achievements?”

“No, Leanne herself requested something else in that regard. Well, it’s fine. I never intended to hold her accountable in the first place.”

“Is it because she’s family?”

Well, that’s not uncommon. As a former noble myself, I can’t exactly criticize others for that.

“That’s part of it, but she’s also competent.”

“Because of her teleportation ability?”

“Yes. We can’t afford to let her abilities fall into the hands of another country.”

“Isn’t she royalty? I don’t think she’d go to another country, though…”

That would be a stretch.

“Reincarnates are unpredictable. Because they come from a different world, their way of thinking is entirely different. Her obsession with her age, for example, makes no sense to me.”

Ah, well, I can see that.

“As a fellow reincarnate, I somewhat understand. The cultural differences are certainly real.”

“Exactly, which is why I can’t fully grasp what she’s thinking… though, recently, I’ve come to understand her quite a bit.”

Ah, yeah, sure. Stop staring at me like that.

“Well, if Leanne isn’t being held accountable, I don’t mind. She’ll continue as guilmas, right?”

“It seems so. She’s determined to protect something.”

I see. Seriously, stop staring at me.

“In that case, I guess this matter is settled. Now, hurry up and build that palace or whatever it’s called.”

“So, she even told you about that…”

Yeah, she was quite chatty.

“Well, just let it go.”

“Are you already heading back to the town of Celia?”

“My business here is done, isn’t it? So, yes, I’m heading back.”

Leanne asked me to stay for a few more days, but now that I’ve spoken with the king, there’s no need.

“I see. Well, I won’t stop you. But what are you going to do about Leanne?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“She likes you, you know.”

Yeah, I know.

“Is that so?”

“You’re awfully indifferent… Don’t you feel anything?”

“She hasn’t said anything to me.”

Well, she almost did yesterday.

“What if she asks you to stay?”

“I won’t. I’ll go back.”

“You really…”

The king looked exasperated.

“Your Majesty, I take it you’re the kind of person who would stay in that situation. And that’s why this incident happened. When you’re involved with multiple people, you can’t show favoritism. You can’t treat someone as special.”

“Easier said than done…”

The king shook his head.

“Loving someone is a very wonderful thing. Loving your family is a very precious thing. That’s why you have to love everyone equally.”

“So, what are you saying?”

“If I stay because Leanne asked me to, my companions will become dissatisfied. This will cause problems later.”

“Companions, huh… Are you already treating them like your women? I’ve looked into it, and you’re not in that kind of relationship with those people or the daughter of the district mayor from the west.”

The royal family’s intelligence network is on another level.

“That might happen eventually. And that’s the issue. That’s why I won’t stay. If anyone follows me, it’ll be Leanne. But I absolutely won’t stay behind.”

I don’t know what the future holds between me and those people. But regardless of what happens, I have to prepare multiple safety nets to ensure I don’t fail.

People who act without thinking and make decisions on the spot always fail. Especially when it comes to family, you must never do anything that could break the trust between you.

“…Do you not think you’ll be resented?”

“Not at all. In fact, that’s just about right. They can complain about me as much as they want. But having bad relationships between wives is the worst. I want a happy family.”

“You’re an enemy to both women and men, aren’t you…”

“Say whatever you want.”

I never had a bad relationship with my younger brother or sister. Even if we fought, we never let it linger. A family must stand together. The Kisaragi family is different from some other dysfunctional families.

“My allies are my family. The same goes the other way around.”

“What do you think of Leanne?”

Leanne?

“She’s quite charming, isn’t she?”

“And your companions?”

“They all have good qualities.”

Everyone does, after all.

“I see. You’re fundamentally different from us.”

“Apparently, I have a lot of love to give.”

I wouldn’t know since I don’t really remember.

“Is it just a lot of love? Well, do as you like… I’m sure the master you served probably thought the same.”

No, I doubt that. Probably…

“Is that all for this conversation?”

“Yes. It’s about time I head back. Yuuma, for saving my daughter twice, stopping the Stampede, and driving off the demons, I thank you. I couldn’t give you much as a reward, but I’m giving you my family.”

So, my accomplishments disappear just like that.

“I understand.”

“Good. Then, I’ll leave it to you to continue watching over the town of Celia.”

“As a mere adventurer, I’ll do what little I can.”

“Yes. I’m counting on you.”

With those words, the king stood up and left the room.

I also left the reception room and returned to my quarters, where only AI-chan remained.

“What about the others?”

“They went to work… while complaining about you.”

Is that so?