The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 220

We lifted our heads and exchanged glances.

Then, we all looked at AI-chan at the same time.

“I-I’m sorry… I boasted that you could leave it to me…”

AI-chan drooped her shoulders.

“No, thanks to you, we didn’t die.”

Maybe Lily or I could’ve handled it, but there’s no way those three slowpokes could.

“That’s right. I mean, more than blaming AI-chan, we were way too unprepared.”

I agreed with Annie.

“Were we too careless…?”

“You wouldn’t understand since you jumped up several ranks and became A-rank, but adventurers learn step by step, gradually moving up. This labyrinth is the same, isn’t it?”

We should’ve started with a beginner’s labyrinth.

“But that would take time.”

“I know. That’s why we need to talk this over. At the very least, moving forward as we are now is not good. From the outside, we probably look like a dumb harem party.”

Hmm…

“That’s a terrible title…”

“But it’s the truth. We came to the labyrinth city to raise funds for your harem mansion, barely did any research, and jumped right into an advanced labyrinth… and look where that got us. We’re full of death flags.”

“Yeah, I guess…”

I hate the name “Harem Mansion,” but she’s mostly right.

“We need to do more research. The monsters that appear are strong because it’s advanced. Even stronger than the zombies from the Demon Continent.”

“It took Alice two fire spells to take one down.”

“It’s the same for me.”

That’s true.

“AI-chan, what’s the haul?”

“Five magic stones and one scimitar. That’s what we got in just one hour, so I think it’s quite a profit.”

“I don’t know how much it’s worth, but that’s amazing.”

“It’s definitely high-risk, high-reward. That’s why people who get greedy end up dead.”

And then others come seeking the equipment of the dead… only to die themselves.

“The labyrinth is clever.”

And cunning.

“…Hey, don’t you feel unusually relaxed since we came into this room?”

Alice murmured.

“We do.”

The pounding in our chests was gone, and we felt quite calm.

“Somehow, I feel like my fatigue is fading…”

“I still think we can keep going.”

“Yeah… It feels like it’s trying to get us to go further in this way.”

Probably so…

“Master, what will you do?”

“It’s not that this place is special, I just don’t get tired after an hour. But we’re going back. Today is just a trial.”

As a result, AI-chan died.

She came back though.

“Understood. We’ll retrace our steps on the way back. But the possibility of traps hasn’t disappeared, so please walk behind me.”

I felt bad for AI-chan, but it couldn’t be helped.

We packed up the table and chairs and retraced our path.

We didn’t trigger any traps along the way, but monsters appeared, so we gained about three more magic stones and escaped the labyrinth.

“I’m kinda tired…”

“The tension on the way back was intense.”

“I’m glad AI-chan didn’t die.”

“We basically rely on Yuuma and AI-chan’s detection, so this kind of thing is where we fail, huh.”

I was feeling a little tired too, when from the town side, I saw a party of four adventurers approaching.

What caught my attention was that the party was composed only of young women.

“You sure like them, huh.”

AI-chan noticed my gaze and grinned.

“That’s not what I meant. I just thought it was unusual.”

I rarely see all-female parties in Celia or the royal capital.

“That is unusual. Especially since this is an advanced area… Oh, that’s right!”

Huh?

AI-chan suddenly seemed to think of something and ran toward the four of them.

“AI-chan, where are you going?”

Lily called out, but AI-chan ignored her and kept running.

Just as she was about to pass by the four, AI-chan tripped and fell.

“How deliberate…”

Annie muttered quietly.

I thought the same.

As proof, the four female adventurers worriedly surrounded AI-chan.

A blonde woman in armor reached out her hand to help her up, holding AI-chan’s hand; a red-haired, tough-looking warrior woman dusted off her clothes; and a short-haired brown girl stroked her back.

Another woman with bluish-black hair watched AI-chan with concern.

Then AI-chan came toward us still holding the blonde woman’s hand.

“Is she yours?”

The blonde woman holding AI-chan’s hand asked.

Her long blonde hair was braided and draped over her shoulder.

Her full silver armor was definitely expensive, and the sword at her waist looked costly too.

Above all, I could feel a considerable amount of magical power from all four of them, including this woman.

They were surely high-ranking adventurers.

“She’s not a child, but she’s one of ours. Sorry for the trouble.”

“Don’t let children run around alone too much. This town can’t be called safe, even as a compliment.”

Well, it’s mostly adventurers here anyway.

“Got it. Hey, AI-chan, say thank you to the ladies.”

“Thank you very much.”

AI-chan said thank you in an exaggeratedly subdued way.

But she still hadn’t let go of the blonde woman’s hand.

“It’s fine. This is also a knight’s duty.”

A knight?

Not an adventurer?

“Sorry. Are you headed into this labyrinth now?”

“Yes, but… you don’t look familiar. Since not many people challenge the advanced labyrinth, I remember their faces and names.”

So there really aren’t many.

We hadn’t met anyone in the labyrinth at all.

“We just arrived here today. We came from Celia.”

“Hm? Celia?”

The blonde woman looked back at one of her party members.

That woman had bluish-black hair and looked uneasy.

“No, sorry. You’re going into the labyrinth, right? We’re heading back, so go on ahead. Maybe we’ll meet again somewhere.”

AI-chan finally let go of her hand, so it should be fine now.

“Is that so? Well then, see you.”

We gave way and watched as the four went into the labyrinth.

Then, once they went down the stairs and disappeared from sight, I looked at AI-chan.

“Installation complete.”

AI-chan grinned slyly.

“You’re so wicked.”

Just don’t start acting like my mother.

“Master, you’re the one slyly trying to keep the conversation going somewhere else. That person is definitely not married.”

Well, I don’t think she was married…

“To get useful information.”

“Is that so? Well then, that’s settled…”

AI-chan gave a sly smile.

Stop making that face.