The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 144

We continue walking after that, but not many monsters appear.

It’s almost noon, and we’ve only encountered three goblins and one orc.

“Is it always this few?”

Didn’t they say it’d be about half?

“No, this is way too few. And we’re deep in the forest…”

“It’s fine for us, but adventurers who work in winter might have it rough.”

True…

“During the stampede, there were tons of them, and now there’s hardly any… it’s extreme.”

“Seriously. Somewhere in the middle would be nice.”

“This year’s been fun, but nothing’s gone as expected.”

First, the stampede, and now we’re looking for a dragon…

“Master, I suspect the monsters are hiding because they’re afraid of the dragon. So, once the dragon’s gone, things should return to normal.”

Ah… that makes sense.

If something that powerful was around, they’d definitely run away.

“So, maybe we should get through the forest while we still can…”

“I think so too. I was planning on taking it easy tomorrow, but we should at least get through the forest quickly.”

Natalia, the one in charge of planning breaks, suggests this.

“Agreed.”

“I also think that’s for the best.”

Annie and AI-chan agree.

“Leanne, is that okay with you?”

“For me, the sooner the better, so I have no issues with that.”

“How’s your stamina?”

“Well, I’m just riding on Koma-chan…”

True enough.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

“Yes, but let’s head back and have some lunch first.”

Good timing…

“Please do.”

Since Koma-chan stopped, we all placed a hand on Leanne.

In an instant, our surroundings changed, and we were back in my room.

“Oh, welcome back! I’ll go grab some food.”

“…I’ll go get it.”

Lily and Alice got up from the kotatsu and left the room.

Meanwhile, we got into the kotatsu.

“So cold, so cold…”

Annie turned into her usual disembodied head.

After waiting a while, Lily and Alice brought lunch, and we all started eating together.

“It’s nice to be able to have lunch at home.”

No need to stay on guard, and we can eat at a relaxed pace.

“Seriously. And warm food in a warm kotatsu, too.”

“Teleportation is amazing. All thanks to Leanne.”

Annie and Natalia happily enjoyed their food.

“Yeah… but it does feel a bit too easy.”

After all, Leanne was just riding on Koma-chan.

“How was the forest?”

Lily asked.

“Not even close to yesterday. There were no monsters or animals around. AI-chan thinks it’s because they’re all hiding from the dragon.”

“Oh, that makes sense. Animals are sensitive to things like that. People have always said to be careful when animals disappear.”

That was true in my world, too.

When that sort of strange phenomenon happens, it usually means an earthquake is coming.

“That’s why I think now’s the perfect time to get through the forest.”

“I agree. The forest is unpredictable, so we should get through it as quickly as possible.”

If someone as knowledgeable about the forest as Lily says that, then we should probably do it.

“…I think that’s a good plan, too. So let’s cover as much ground as we can today. Anyway, it’ll be my turn to take over for Annie tomorrow.”

Right, it’s you.

By the way, we plan to cover about the same distance tomorrow as today.

“Master, maybe we should pick up the pace a bit this afternoon.”

“Yeah… maybe.”

What should we do?

“Shall I come along this afternoon? I don’t get tired in the forest, and I can help with scouting.”

Lily, who’s reliable in the forest, volunteered.

“Even if it stretches into tomorrow, are you good with that?”

“The forest is my domain, so I’ll be fine. I used to live in forests much more dangerous than this western one.”

If any animals attack us, Lily could probably turn the tables and turn them into dinner…

“Alright, let’s go with that. Natalia, you can rest this afternoon.”

“Really?”

“There’s no need to have so many people walking in a cramped forest.”

“True. But shouldn’t Annie go instead?”

Natalia, who had already finished eating, pointed at Annie, whose head alone poked out.

“I only go for gathering. I don’t often get the chance to go deep into the forest.”

“…Annie.”

Alice called her name with hopeful eyes.

“I’m not going tomorrow.”

“…Annie…”

Alice looked disappointed.

“Do you really not want to go that much?”

“It’s not exactly that, but… in the forest, all I can really do is offensive magic. I’m no good at scouting. I prefer open fields. As they say, ‘the forest for some, the plains for others.’”

I guess that means everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

“Natalia, would you join us again tomorrow?”

“Sure. I don’t mind where we go.”

She always seems a bit nervous, no matter the location.

“…Sorry, Natalia. Here, have an apple.”

“Thanks…”

I wonder how those two managed as adventurers when Lily was away…

“Alright then, let’s go with that plan. We’ll split the roles and get through the forest as quickly as possible.”

After we finished lunch, we swapped Natalia for Lily and returned to the forest.

We picked up the pace and continued through the woods.

“There’s really nothing here, huh…”

As we walked, Lily looked around and muttered.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. There’s no presence at all. The most obvious sign is the birds. During yesterday’s hunt, there were plenty around, but now we don’t see a single one or even hear a chirp.”

Now that she mentions it, there’s no sound of birds.

“Master, I think we can increase our pace a bit more. Lily and I can handle the scouting.”

“Let’s do that.”

We quickened our steps even more and moved ahead.

As the sun began to set, we returned to the dorm, had dinner, and went to bed early.

The next day, we swapped Annie for Natalia, and the five of us walked through the forest again.

Just like before, there were hardly any monsters, and as for animals, we didn’t see a single one.

Continuing at this quicker pace, we managed to exit the forest before evening.