The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 163

After finishing the reports and explanations to the king and the elf village chief, I returned to my room.

“Yuuma-sama, I’ll take my leave here. I need to head to the capital guild to compile a report on this matter.”

She didn’t show it openly, but I could tell it had to be done.

“Understood. Will you be back tonight?”

“Yes, if it’s alright, I’d like to join you for dinner.”

“Alright, let’s do that. Bring Pamela along too.”

“Understood. Then, I’ll be off.”

With that, Leanne teleported away.

After seeing her off, I settled into the kotatsu and casually rested my feet on someone’s warm legs.

“Ahh, it’s over now.”

“Yeah, it is. Nothing else to do?”

Natalia, sitting across from me, asked.

“Nope. The reward will probably come later, but Leanne will bring it. I don’t need to visit the king again, and there’s nothing else on my plate. Time to truly start my break.”

“That’s true. We’ve saved up quite a bit of money, and Lily should be fine too.”

Natalia glanced at Lily.

“Of course. This winter, I’ll hold back on splurging and just relax here.”

“It’s going to snow tomorrow.”

“Eh? Really!? Will it pile up? Will it pile up!?”

Lily asked excitedly.

“Not that much, but it might eventually pile up.”

“Yuuma, if it does, let’s play in the snow!”

Ugh, cold…

“I’ll even make you an igloo.”

“What’s that?”

“A house? Or a cave? Made of snow.”

“I don’t get it, but let’s make one!”

Seriously…?

“Yuuma never says no.”

“…That’s just the kind of person he is. On the other hand, he’s also good at creating an atmosphere where you can’t say no.”

“Ah, I get that vibe. It was the same when he invited me to join.”

“…And when you took over our party, too.”

Stop alternating your commentary from both sides of me, floating heads.

“Master, does this look good?”

AI-chan asked while decorating with dragon scales we’d picked up. She’d layered several of them in an overlapping pattern, turning it into something resembling a work of art.

“Looks good to me.”

Honestly, it’s not like we could sell it anyway, so this works.

“Okie-dokie…” (Yoshiyoshi…)

Satisfied, AI-chan nodded and returned to her spot beside me.

“Master, let’s ask Leanne to take us to a hot spring tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.”

It depends on Leanne’s schedule, but she’ll probably take us.

That day, we decided to do nothing and just relax in the kotatsu.

In the evening, Leanne and Pamela arrived, so we had dinner together and spent the evening together.

The next morning, we were enjoying a similar lazy day when Pamela, who had mentioned she’d take it easy, showed up.

“Cold, so cold. It’s really snowing out there.”

Pamela said as she climbed into the kotatsu. Naturally, Tama-chan followed her in.

“Figured. Lily was all excited about it.”

“Huh? Speaking of which, where is Lily?”

“She went out.”

“Wow… she’s like a ball of energy.”

Watching her get so excited over the snow reminds me of my own childhood.

“Yeah. Anyway, after dinner, we’re planning to go to the hot springs. Want to join us?”

Yesterday, I talked with Leanne about it, and she said it would be fine after work.

“Oh, that plan, huh? I’m in. It’s freezing, so it’s perfect timing.”

“Alright. Until then, we’ve got some free time. Want to play a card game?”

“Card game? I’m terrible at those.”

Perfect.

“Is that so? That’s good.”

“Ugh…”

Pamela let out a dissatisfied groan.

“I’ve been playing with Natalia since this morning, but I just can’t win,” AI-chan said, pulling out a handkerchief to dab at the corners of her eyes.

“Alright, let’s play.”

“Let’s do it.”

That day, we spent our time playing card games—and, for the record, I lost.

By evening, Lily returned, and Leanne showed up as well. After we all had dinner, we prepared to go to the hot springs. Once everything was ready, Leanne used her teleportation to take us to the mountain where the dragon lived.

“Wow! There really are hot springs here!” Pamela exclaimed with delight as she looked at the steaming spring before her.

“Yeah, it’s an old one people used to visit, so it should be safe. Take your time and relax. Anyway, I’ll be over there.”

Naturally, the genders split up, so I left everyone behind and headed further into the area alone. I found a hot spring that looked just right, took off my clothes, and sank into the water.

“Ahh… this feels amazing.”

Looking up, the sky seemed closer here, revealing a stunning view of countless stars. The temperature of the water was perfect—it felt like I could soak forever.

((“Master, does it feel nice?”))

As I soaked and let the warmth ease my body, AI-chan’s telepathic voice reached me.

((“It feels amazing. How’s it on your side?”))

((“It’s great here, too. So, why don’t you come over?”))

Like I’d do that.

((“It’s separate by gender.”))

((“I don’t think anyone here would say anything if you did come over, you know.”))

That’s not the point.

((“Just enjoy the hot spring.”))

((“Ah… I see. Should we link our vision? The view here is great.”))

What exactly is this ‘great view’ you’re talking about?

((“Idiot. I’m not a peeping tom.”))

That would make me a criminal.

Cutting off the telepathic connection with AI-chan, I looked back up at the sky. That’s when I noticed a strong magical presence approaching.

“So, you really came, huh…”

The dragon loomed over me, gazing down.

“Like you, I’m enjoying the hot spring.”

“Is that so… But why are you separate from them?”

The dragon glanced in the direction of the women.

“It’s gender-separated.”

“Humans are such strange creatures.”

I suppose a lizard wouldn’t understand.

“Hey, did you really move here just because you wanted a warmer place?”

“Hm? Why do you ask?”

“Just a feeling, I guess.”

“I see… Well, I suppose I can tell you. But don’t get the wrong idea—I didn’t run away or anything.”

Huh?

“What do you mean by that?”

“I lived in the northern mountains. Do you know why I chose that place?”

“No idea.”

“Because no humans come there. The cold is too harsh for them. I have no intention of fighting with humans—neither do most dragons. However, humans sometimes foolishly attack us without knowing their place.”

“Because it’s profitable, huh.”

“So, are you saying people have come to the northern mountains?”

“Not exactly—they haven’t arrived, but they’re getting close.”

“But they can’t, right? The cold should be unbearable for humans, especially at this time of year.”

That’s what he just said earlier. No way anyone could climb such frigid mountains right now.

“For normal humans, yes.”

“Normal?”

“They’re not normal?”

“Correct. They’re demons.”

Demons…

“So, they came to kill you?”

“I don’t know what demons think. But there was something unusual about their numbers. They were aboard many large ships, heading toward the northern region.”

…What?

“Wait, hold on. The demons are on ships?”

And in a huge number?

“Indeed. I saw them from the mountain. My eyesight is excellent.”

Ships?

Demons come from the Demon Continent, a separate landmass.

And now they’re sailing across the sea on large ships, heading for this continent…

((“AI-chan! Call Leanne!”))

((“Huh? A direct summons? Though, I think doing it outside might not be the best idea…”))

What is this AI even talking about…?

((“The demons seem to be invading the northern lands!”))

((“What? I-I’ll come over immediately!”))

((“Yeah, I’ll be waiting. Get dressed and come quickly.”))

((“U-understood!”))

I ended the telepathic conversation with AI-chan.

“Sorry, but I need to hear the details from you.”

“Well, I don’t mind sharing… but let me say it again, I didn’t flee. I didn’t run away.”

Sure, you totally ran away.