The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 216

“I don’t know what it says, and I don’t care what you think of it, but I’m not leaving Celia.”

I had to at least make that clear.

“Yeah, yeah. There’s always some like you now and then. The men who can’t hold back, and the women follow him happily… good grief.”

“The woman who said that ended up as the tenth wife, didn’t she? And in a matter of seconds—”

I covered AI-chan’s mouth.

“You shut up for a bit.”

I pushed AI-chan back and left her to Natalia.

Then Leanne, her cheeks flushed, silently hit AI-chan on the head.

“Ah, instant fall was Leanne-san too, wasn’t it?”

“Shut up.”

Even Natalia’s looking away…

“Ugh, what a troublesome bunch…”

“Ignore it. More importantly, I want to ask about the labyrinths. I heard there are over 50?”

“There are 53. Our guild manages 5 of them.”

I have no idea if 5 is a lot or not.

“Which one should we go to?”

“Start with 5-1.”

5-1?

“What’s that?”

“The name of the labyrinth.”

“A number?”

“They used to have proper names. But no one could remember them, and managing them was a hassle, so we assigned numbers to all of them. Our guild’s number is 5, and it’s the first labyrinth under us, hence 5-1.”

I see.

So it’s for management convenience.

“Does 1 mean it’s the most profitable?”

“Nope, the opposite. It means the easiest. 5-5 is the hardest.”

So it’s easy…

“I want to earn money, though?”

“I get that you have skill, but labyrinths are dangerous. First, you need to get used to it. Just so you know, even 5-1 is an advanced area.”

Well, a trial run then…

“Where is it?”

“North. There are signs everywhere, so you’ll find it quickly.”

Because the labyrinths are the main focus of the city.

“Alright, guess we’ll head there… Got any advice?”

“Watch out for traps.”

“Traps?”

“You’re jumping into an advanced labyrinth without even knowing that…?”

Gina looked exasperated.

“That’s why I came to ask.”

“Alright, alright. The labyrinth is a cave, but the inside is pretty wide. The paths aren’t straight, and it’s a complex maze. Monsters show up in there, and there are traps, so it’s dangerous.”

“Is there a map?”

“Yeah, but it’s insanely expensive. Also, monster respawn points and trap locations are constantly changing. A common death pattern for beginners is making it in fine but falling into a pitfall trap on the way back.”

Yeah, that’d kill you.

“That’s dangerous.”

“That’s a labyrinth. But the rewards are there too. Monsters drop magic stones and valuable stuff, and there are treasure chests as well.”

“Treasure chests?”

“Boxes with treasure inside. They’ve got good stuff. Of course, their locations are random.”

Huh…

If it were me, I’d put a pitfall trap right in front of one.

“Traps, huh…”

“Well, your party’s got an elf, right?”

Hmm?

“We do, yeah. Why?”

“Elves are a race good at finding those kinds of traps. Judging by the look, she’s probably a scout, right?”

“Scout…”

I look at Lily.

“I’m good with a bow!”

Nope. Not happening.

She’s a klutz.

“AI-chan, you can handle it, right?”

“Leave it to me! With my search function, finding traps is a breeze!”

As expected of artificial intelligence.

“Then traps won’t be a problem. Hey, just a little is fine—can you show me the map? I want to get a rough idea of the size.”

“Geez… It’s actually supposed to be paid, you know?”

Gina starts rummaging under the counter.

((“As expected, Master. Gina’s all smiles after being complimented by a popular guy.”))

((“Just scan it already.”))

((“Leave it to me.”))

While we’re mind-talking, Gina lifts her head.

“This is the map of 5-1. This is the entrance.”

The map really does look like a maze, filled with narrow paths and rooms.

“How big is this, roughly?”

AI-chan peeked over the counter and started staring intently at the map, so I stalled for time.

“They say this dungeon covers about one square kilometer.”

“That’s big… What’s this red circle?”

A certain room was circled in red. There were several rooms like that.

“That’s a safety area. No monsters show up there, and there are no traps either. It’s a resting spot.”

“That’s considerate.”

“Guess even the man-eating dungeon is thinking things through. It’s being nice to lure in prey.”

So we’re the prey, huh.

“I see. But couldn’t we just hang around near the entrance and take it easy?”

“Better items show up deeper in. Simple, right?”

The dungeon definitely seems to have a will of its own. It’s clearly tempting human greed.

“Got it. We’ll head in for a trial run, at least.”

AI-chan finished scanning, so I wrapped up the conversation.

“Be careful. You’re all still young, after all.”

I’m 99, though.

“I know. Oh, and do you know any good inns? Somewhere reasonably safe and reasonably cheap.”

“You sure ask for a lot… Well, just looking at your group makes it clear why.”

It’s all women and kids, after all.

“I’m not asking for luxury.”

“Sigh… How many rooms?”

“One room is enough. We came here to earn money.”

“People like you are the ones who blow all their earnings in the red-light district.”

That would be our clan members from when we went to the royal capital…

“I won’t.”

“…Well, with that many around, you don’t need a brothel anyway.”

Not that I’d go to a place like that to begin with.

“Well, I might go out for a drink. It’s my first time here—might as well sightsee a bit.”

The bars in the capital were lively and fun, that’s for sure.

“If you’re going, I recommend asking someone from the inn for a good spot. Just don’t go dragging women and kids into some sketchy place, alright? There are safe drinking districts too, you know.”

Hmm… is that so.

Then I guess it’d be fine to go with this bunch—or maybe I’ll go with Pamela too?
She likes drinking out as well.