The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 133

As AI-chan and I were walking and talking, we saw the district mayor’s mansion, and the usual gatekeeper stood shivering in front of the gate.

“Hey.”

“Oh, you’re back. How was the royal capital?”

“Lots of people. Must be tough standing out here in this cold…”

It must be freezing for him to stay outside for so long.

“I’m used to it by now… Please wait a moment, I’ll go inform the mayor.”

With that, the gatekeeper ran towards the mansion.

While we waited, the gatekeeper soon returned with the usual young maid.

We were led by the maid and made our way to the district chief’s room.

Upon arriving at the mayor’s room, we were invited to sit on the sofa, and the maid served us tea.

“I’m just relieved you made it back safely.”

After the maid left, the district mayor said this while sipping his tea.

“I was approached, but it wasn’t too bad. Maybe your letters and Pamela’s helped?”

“Could be. But still, you’ve exceeded my expectations… haah.”

The mayor sighed.

“Something wrong?”

“Everything’s wrong. It’s good you didn’t stay in the capital, but you brought back a real problem.”

“Leanne?”

“Yes. The guild master of the royal capital… and a royal herself. Very troublesome.”

For them, I’m sure she is.

“Did she do something?”

“She sure did. She’s started meddling with this town.”

“Can she even do that?”

“To be blunt, no. This town is incredibly complicated.”

The king said the same thing.

Many noble factions are involved here, and even the king can’t manage it.

“Then it’s fine, right?”

“No, it’s not fine. It just means more work. And even though she’s not serious about meddling, her goals are very clear.”

“You don’t need to explain the goals. I already know.”

I get it, so stop staring at me, both you and AI-chan.

“Haah~… Well, whatever. At least we managed to stop you from leaving.”

“Not that I planned on going anywhere in the first place.”

“What about the other district people?”

“They’ll probably withdraw quietly now. I think your recruitment offers will stop entirely. That’s Leanne-sama’s intent.”

So, in exchange for not interfering, huh?

“That means those people hanging around my dorm will be gone too.”

There was always someone watching.

I knew because Crow-chan was always keeping an eye on them from the rooftop.

“We didn’t know that, but yes, probably.”

“If there’s no problem, then good. Leanne’s doing a great job.”

“You’re incredible… You managed to gain royal support without getting involved in politics.”

It was just coincidence, pure coincidence.

“I don’t care about you guys and your petty squabbles.”

I can’t say it in front of the district mayor, but I think this town should just be dismantled and unified.

“Right? Well, now you can just relax and maybe do some adventuring.”

“That’s the plan. Winter is pretty much here already though.”

“Winter… it’s early this year. Do you have any plans for expeditions?”

“Not really… Oh, that reminds me. The carriage I borrowed from you, I left it at the royal capital.”

I needed to report that.

“I’ve already heard from Leanne-sama. It’ll come back eventually, so no problem.”

“Sorry about that. Oh, and I’ve got a gift for you.”

I looked over at AI-chan.

AI-chan used spatial magic to pull out a wooden box and placed it on the table.

“You didn’t have to. You could have given it to Pamela.”

“I’ve already given one to Pamela.”

“As expected. So, what’s this?”

The district mayor looked a bit exasperated but quickly picked up the wooden box.

“It’s a spoon. Apparently, it reacts to poison and changes color. You should be careful, considering your position.”

It was pretty expensive too.

“…Thanks. Wouldn’t it be better if you used it yourself?”

“Poison doesn’t affect me, so I don’t need it.”

“Oh, is that so… Well, thanks. I’ll use it.”

“Mm, please do.”

I’d hate for Pamela’s father to be poisoned.

“Well, I’m heading out.”

“Ah, thanks for everything. Anyway, I’m glad the audience went smoothly. Take a break for a while.”

“That’s right. Well, excuse me.”

With that, we finished our report to the district mayor and left the mansion.

♦ ♦ ♦

After leaving the mansion and returning to the dorm, we bumped into Natalia and Lily at the entrance.

“Oh? You’re done shopping already?”

“Yeah, I knew exactly what I needed to buy.”

“I’m on a budget, so I was just window shopping.”

Makes sense.

Shopping with women usually takes a while, but if that’s the case, it would be quick.

We entered the dorm, and with Natalia and Lily in tow, headed to my room.

There, in exactly the same position as this morning, were Alice and Annie, with only their heads sticking out from under the kotatsu.

“Whoa, they really haven’t moved.”

Lily looked at the two of them, seemingly exasperated by their head-only appearance.

“…Welcome back.”

“How was it?”

The two of them didn’t seem inclined to leave the warmth of the kotatsu, only turning their faces toward us.

“The forest is a bit off. According to Lily, it’s already turning into winter.”

Saying that, I also slid into the kotatsu.

AI-chan, Natalia, and Lily followed suit, warming up our chilled bodies.

Someone’s feet near mine were warm.

“I see… That’s too bad. I’ve decided to start hibernating… Ugh, cold. Whose feet are these?”

“Mine. You two are already in hibernation mode. Are you planning to stay here forever?”

“Yep. I can still make potions from here.”

I noticed traces of some work near Annie’s pillow.

“…I think I’ll stay here too.”

“Hopeless bunch…”

“Aren’t you guys getting hot staying in the kotatsu all the time?”

“…When I get hot, I just drink cold juice or eat ice cream. It’s the best.”

“I understand. I totally understand.”

I should just leave them alone.

They’re like pet cats.

“Do whatever you want. Oh, by the way, we got a request from Leanne—or rather, from the royal family.”

“A request? What kind?”

“A briefing on the stampede situation. We went deep into the forest for it.”

“Sounds exhausting. But the pay must’ve been good, right?”

Annie seemed to get the picture.

“It was 60 gold coins.”

Divided three ways, that’s 20 coins each.

“Wow… Lily, that’s great!”

“Leanne’s really a good person, isn’t she?”

“I wouldn’t call her a good person, but I guess she did look out for you. Is this enough?”

“Yep! I think so!”

That “I think” part is unnecessary…

“Well, I guess we can manage… So, can we take a break for a while?”

Annie asked.

“Yeah, we went to the capital too, so let’s rest up for now.”

“Sounds good… Oh, lift your feet up a little more. There, right there.”

“…Natalia, me too. It’s nice and cool.”

Apparently, Natalia had also placed her feet on Alice’s.

“Hey, if you’re hot, just get out.”

“No.”

“…No.”

With that, the two of them pulled their heads back into the kotatsu.

They’ve turned into turtles…