The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 131

“Yeah… that’s right. Well, you guys shouldn’t be a problem. I doubt you’d ever betray Yuuma-sama.”
“Not a chance! He’s our leader!”
Could the straightforward Lily even be capable of deceiving or betraying someone?
“You’re really not like an elf at all… well, whatever. So, Yuuma-sama, which direction did Sven escape to?”
“That way.”
I pointed deeper into the forest.
“To the west… hmm, well, he might have changed direction along the way, so it’s hard to say for sure… understood. As the head of the guild, I’ll conclude that the western forest isn’t a problem.”
“Layla probably already investigated it.”
She may grumble, but she does her job. She insults others as incompetent, but that just means she works hard herself.
“Layla, huh… there’s something about her that comes off as arrogant. She’s an A-rank, sure, but she’s only been around for 30 years.”
Oh no, she’s got her “age complex” flaring up again.
“Layla’s a reincarnated person, you know. She came from the same world as me.”
“What?! How old is she?”
Let’s see… she died at 50, and now she’s a little under 30…
“She’s nearly 80 years old, I guess?”
“Hmph, I’m still older.”
Granny…
In a world where youth is usually preferred, it’s odd that being older makes someone superior. I really don’t get their values.
“Leanne, you better not pick a fight with Layla.”
“Huh? No, of course not. She’s an A-rank adventurer.”
But remember how badly you treated Otto, who’s also an A-rank adventurer and formerly the notorious thief Ludgar.
“She used to be the head of a noble family equal in status to mine. She was a cruel snake-woman, despised by everyone because of her twisted personality. Though she’s softened now, if you provoke her, you might get swallowed whole by one of her snake familiars.”
“Eh… is she that strong?”
Leanne is confident in her own strength, of course.
But even she wouldn’t be a match for her.
“I told you she’s from a family equal to mine, didn’t I? She’s a descendant of the Snake God and was once called the greatest onmyoji in the country. Well, I was also called the best in the country back then.”
Our time periods just slightly overlap.
“I see… so that’s why she respects you even though you’re her subordinate. Alright, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Make sure you do. Is that the last of the requests?”
“Yes, that’s all for now.”
That was an easy job. Earning 60 gold coins for this is quite a lot.
“Natalia, Lily, did you find any herbs?”
Now that we’ve finished the royal request, it’s time to do our own work.
“There’s a little. Can I gather them?”
“Go ahead. Pamela seemed to want us to collect them, and we’ve got time.”
“Alright, I’ll gather them then. Lily, what about you?”
Natalia asked Lily.
“Hmm, I’ll gather some too. There don’t seem to be any beasts around here.”
“Okay, then, you take that side, Lily.”
“Got it!”
Natalia and Lily split up to start gathering herbs.
Those of us who stayed behind kept watch while observing the two of them.
“Yuuma-sama, you have a good party,” Leanne murmured while watching them.
“It’s a bit unbalanced, though. Aside from me and Lily, the rest are all magic users.”
“No, that’s not what I mean. I’m talking about the relationships. Everyone trusts one another.”
So that’s what she meant.
“I value that.”
“That’s truly admirable. In the royal capital, there’s a party of adventurers, all A-rank and the best in the country, but they don’t get along. Their relationship is purely professional.”
I don’t think that’s necessarily bad. If it works and they’re making money, that’s fine.
“As long as they see it as just a job, it’s valid.”
“But you wouldn’t take that approach, would you? I can tell.”
“I understand too,” AI-chan chimed in, nodding enthusiastically.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You know exactly what we mean!”
Ugh.
“Yuuma-sama, about the matter of raising the party’s rank to B, as Pamela requested, I think it’s perfectly fine.”
“Right, we applied for that before going to the capital.”
“Jeffrey said it might be too soon, but I believe the party has demonstrated enough ability to warrant it.”
Honestly, I think Jeffrey is right.
“You haven’t even seen Annie and Alice yet.”
“I’ve heard about their work in the capital, and aren’t those two already B-rank? Their abilities are fine, and their relationship with the rest of the party is good, right?”
“Yeah, it’s good.”
There haven’t been any fights.
“The fact that you can say that so confidently is impressive, Master. Well, those two won’t be a problem either. If you push for it, they’ll agree immediately. There’s no way they’d refuse.”
AI-chan, you’re not really evaluating the adventurer party—that’s a different matter.
“Then there’s no issue with raising the party to B-rank.”
Well, if we can be B-rank, that works for me.
“Alright, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Understood. Once we get back to the guild, I’ll make Jeffrey stamp the approval.”
Jeffrey is going to have a hard time with this…
As we kept chatting and watching the two gather herbs, they stood up and came over to us.
“I think that’s about it. It’s tough to find herbs here.”
“If it’s like this in the western forest, it’s probably the same elsewhere.”
Looks like they’re done gathering.
“We’ll report that to Pamela too. Let’s head back.”
“Yeah.”
“Ah, I’m exhausted.”
Good work.
“Are you ready to go back now?”
After we finished our work and decided to return, Leanne asked.
“Yeah. It’s cold, and I need to talk to the district chief, so we’re heading back.”
“Understood. Then let me take you.”
Huh?
Oh, teleportation, right.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.”
Ah, so maybe the reason the king ordered Leanne to investigate was because of her teleportation ability. If another stampede happens, and Leanne’s been here at least once, she could teleport back immediately.
“Alright, I’ll count on you.”
“Yes. Now please touch me.”
Since we were told so, we touched Leanne. And, as expected, she only freaked out when I touched her.