The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 167

Leanne and AI-chan went to gather the others, and after a while, Leanne returned, bringing Pamela, who was holding Tama-chan in her arms.

“Were you asleep?”

Pamela was wearing an elegant cloth nightgown.

“I was just about to go to bed after getting out of the bath.”

“I see. Sorry about this.”

“It’s fine. It sounds serious…”

Well, anyone would figure that out, being called at this hour.

“Have a seat. The others will be here soon.”

Pamela and Leanne sat down in their usual spots, slipping into the kotatsu.

Before long, the others arrived one by one, all in their sleepwear, and also joined us in the kotatsu.

Finally, Lily, with her hair sticking up and a sleepy expression, was brought in by AI-chan.

“What is it? Can’t it wait until tomorrow…?”

Lily rubbed her eyes as she slid into the kotatsu.

“Sorry… Leanne has urgent news to share.”

“Urgent?”

“Yeah. Here’s the deal…”

I explained what Leanne had told me earlier.

At first, everyone seemed drowsy, but when I mentioned that the town of Tretta had fallen, they were fully awake.

I finished by explaining that a decision had been made to issue an emergency request to recruit a volunteer army.

“Sigh… This is far more serious than I imagined,” Annie said, letting out a deep breath.

“I had a bad feeling since Leanne-sama had been completely absent, but still…”

“…So it’s already fallen. I thought the work would involve defending the town or providing support during the battle.”

Both Natalia and Alice had already anticipated some bad news, but the reality exceeded their expectations, leaving them feeling disheartened.

“Leanne-sama, will this be officially announced and notified to our guild tomorrow?” Pamela asked for confirmation.

“Yes. We’ve already sent couriers to various locations. The notice should reach this town by tomorrow afternoon, at which point it will be communicated to all adventurers.”

“There are a lot of adventurers currently on winter break, but many are also away on expeditions to the southern and western regions.”

“I’m fully aware of that. We’ll gather whoever we can, but this time, it’s not a compulsory request.”

Huh? Not compulsory?

“Wait, it’s not a mandatory request?”

“Correct. Additionally, reinforcements from other regions will not be called upon for this recapture operation. It will solely be carried out by the royal capital’s forces and the northern army, including volunteers.”

Ah… so that’s how it is.

“It’s because there’s a possibility of a diversionary attack, right?”

“Exactly. Although it’s highly unlikely, there’s a chance the enemy could concentrate forces in the north to distract us and then launch an attack on the south.”

Makes sense… That’s a clever strategy.

“Hmm? Leanne, why do you think it’s so unlikely? Didn’t Tretta fall to a diversionary tactic? Drawing attention with the ships while launching a stampede?” Lily asked, tilting her head.

“Because they’ve already used that strategy once. I don’t think they can trigger multiple stampedes, and it’s unlikely they’d repeat the same tactic. However, we can’t rule out the possibility entirely. By leaving that possibility open, they’re likely trying to reduce the reinforcements we send. Realistically, we can’t afford to empty other towns of their defenses to send aid.”

Makes sense. They can’t mobilize everything. The territorial lords governing the towns wouldn’t allow it.

“So that’s why it’s not a compulsory request for adventurers either…”

The same logic applies to adventurers. Those like Annie, who are deeply rooted in their local communities, would naturally prioritize their home regions.

“That’s exactly it.”

“But still—do you think enough people will gather?”

“They will. Fortunately or unfortunately, it’s winter, and there aren’t many requests, so there are plenty of idle adventurers. Plus, dealing with the demon race is a problem that concerns all of humanity. People will come.”

This part is something I still don’t fully grasp, having only recently arrived in this world.

“I see… So, Yuuma, what are you going to do?”

When Lily asked me that, everyone turned to look at me.

“Hold on. Leanne said she has a favor to ask. I thought it’d be better if you all heard it too, so I woke you up.”

“Yes. What I’m about to say must not be told to anyone else. Initially, I intended to share this only with Yuuma-sama, but I suppose I can trust you all as well. Since Yuuma-sama has made this decision, and frankly, you’re all from the same pack anyway.”

AI-chan is a fox though, not a wolf.

“What can’t be told to anyone else?”

“The truth is, an envoy from the demon race has arrived.”

An envoy?

“Are they here to negotiate something?”

Ransom? Prisoners of war?

“No… well, maybe in a sense, it is a negotiation?”

Leanne started to ponder.

“Leanne, explain from the beginning.”

“Right. The day after we received the report of Tretta’s fall, an envoy from the demon race appeared near the royal capital. I handled the matter myself. According to the envoy, this invasion is the result of some rogue demons acting on their own, and the rest of the demon race is not involved.”

“Rogue demons?”

“The demon race isn’t entirely united, then?”

“It seems that way.”

Well, considering even the human race is divided into various nations, it’s not surprising that the demon race might have similar internal divisions.

“Did that demon envoy come just to explain this?”

They went out of their way for that?

“No, they came to propose an alliance.”

An alliance…?

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I had the same reaction. According to them, they’re willing to cooperate in driving out the demons occupying Tretta. Furthermore, after that, they pledge to avoid any hostilities with us—in fact, they’d prefer a mutual non-aggression agreement.”

Hmm… tricky.

“Is that worth accepting? Or even trustworthy?”

“We did use a magic spell capable of detecting lies, and it showed they weren’t lying. Still, we can’t bring ourselves to trust them wholeheartedly.”

Figures. Who would?

“So, what’s the plan?”

“My uncle believes we might as well make use of this situation. According to the envoy, if we agree to the alliance—or rather, the non-aggression pact—they’ll close the port from which the invading demon forces set sail. That would cut off their supply lines and force them to retreat.”

The supplies they’ve looted from Tretta can only last so long.

And since it’s winter—especially up north, where it’s even colder—running out of supplies would inevitably lead to a retreat.

“Even if we sign a non-aggression pact, it wouldn’t put us at a disadvantage. If they break it, we were never trusting them to begin with, so nothing really changes for us, does it?”

“Exactly. It’s not as if we’re going to collaborate with them or strive for peace. It’s just a strategic move.”

“What are their demands?”

This story doesn’t seem to offer much benefit to their side.

“They want us to eliminate the invading army. In short, they’re asking us to pursue the retreating demon forces and ensure their complete annihilation.”

Could it be a trap to lure the kingdom’s army out to sea?

No, that doesn’t make sense. Why would they bother retreating to the sea after successfully capturing a town?

“What do you think about it?”

“Politics like this aren’t really my forte…”

Ah, right, I forgot. That’s not her strong suit.

“So, what exactly is it you want from me?”

“I’d like you to meet with that demon envoy. I want you to evaluate them and form your own judgment based on what you see.”

Meet with a demon, huh…