The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 226

After picking up the necklace, we continued moving forward.

Eventually, we made it to the area just before the safety zone.

“We finally made it.”

“Yeah, about time.”

“Nya!”

Suddenly, Tama-chan let out a cry and stopped in her tracks.

“What is it? A trap?”

“Looks like there’s a pitfall ahead.”

Right before the safety area, huh…
This dungeon definitely has a will of its own.

“Tama-chan, where is it?”

“Nya.”

“She says, ‘Watch closely, nya.'”

With that, I turned my eyes to Tama-chan.
She walked forward—and in the next moment, leapt into the air.
A pit suddenly opened right where she’d been standing.

“Whoa!”

“…That was some amazing reflexes.”

“As expected of a cat!”

“Koma-chan could do that too, right?”

Looks like Koma-chan’s owner is trying to compete with Pamela’s pet cat.

But Tama-chan managed that because she’s light.
Koma-chan’s a big dog—it’d be much harder for her.

Even Koma-chan is shaking her head like, Nope, not happening.

“Nya!”

“She says, ‘How do you like that, nya?’”

Good girl. Well done.

“You’re incredible. Alright, let’s keep going.”

We carefully avoided the pitfall and entered the safety area.

Just like last time, we set out the table and chairs to take a break.

“Annie, how are we doing compared to yesterday?”

“I think it’s going well. AI-chan’s gathered information about the dungeon, and Tama-chan’s spotting the traps. The monsters are strong, sure—but for now, they’re still manageable. And even if a dragon shows up, you’ll take care of it, so I’m not too worried.”

If someone as experienced as Annie says so, then we must be doing alright.

“We’re not heading back just yet, but how far should we go today?”

“Let’s keep going as far as we can until noon. AI-chan, what’s ahead?”

Annie turned to ask AI-chan.

“It’s basically the same. The difference is that the monsters get stronger or show up in groups. But it’s nothing we can’t handle.”

“Sounds good. This is our chance to earn. My dream is to sleep in a canopy bed.”

You could probably afford one already.
…Though, I guess it means more if I’m the one who buys it for her.

“AI-chan, what do you think?”

I turned to confirm with AI-chan as well.

“I also recommend continuing forward. I think we should earn while we can. As everyone has said, this town isn’t a place to linger. It might look reckless from the outside, but we should make our money quickly and get out just as fast.”

Can’t argue with that.
This town really isn’t a good fit for these girls.

“Let’s earn, then.”

“I believe that’s the best choice. Also, one more thing—what if we sold maps?”

“Maps of the dungeon?”

“Yes. Gina-san mentioned that dungeon maps sell for high prices. When I compare the installed map data with the one I’ve drawn myself based on actual observation, there are major differences in scale, orientation, and terrain. The existing maps are wildly inaccurate.”

Makes sense.
If even outside maps are that sloppy, then dungeon maps—especially in a place this dangerous—must be way worse.

“I get that it could sell, but are we even allowed to? Didn’t Leanne tell us not to?”

“This is a foreign country. And more than that, it’s a labyrinth city. I don’t believe it would cause any issues… and even if someone did say something, we can just return to Celia right away. The Axa Republic and the Kingdom of Yuze aren’t enemies, but they’re not particularly friendly either. I doubt they’d bother making a cross-border issue out of this.”

Hmm…

“You’re right—no one wants to invite unnecessary trouble.”

“Exactly. And even if someone did try something, we have Leanne-sama, and His Majesty the King will protect us.”

That’s true too.

“Alright then, let’s make a map. But we only sell it at the very end.”

We’ll sell it for a fortune… then teleport home.

“Let’s do that. We’ll make sure to sell it at a premium.”

Seems like the map has real potential.

“Okay, let’s get moving.”

“Yes!”

We wrapped up our break and set out again.

As we pushed deeper in, we did hit a few dead ends along the way, but thanks to Tama-chan, we avoided all the traps. The monsters, too, weren’t any trouble.

Then, as we moved further in, I sensed something unusual—four distinct magical presences.

“Humans?”

Seems they noticed us too, as their footsteps came to a halt.

“No hostile intent detected. They appear to be adventurers. In situations like this, it’s customary to move to the side to show you mean no harm.”

Following AI-chan’s advice, we shifted to the edge of the corridor.

The other party did the same, moving to the opposite side. Once the path was clear, they resumed walking—and so did we.

We passed by them: a party of four seasoned-looking male adventurers.
They gave us a light nod and continued on without a word.

“So that’s how it’s done in the labyrinth, huh?”

“That’s the basic etiquette, yes. But we only passed each other so smoothly because this is the high-level zone. In the beginner and intermediate levels, where there are more people, incidents like that are far more common.”

I can imagine. In a town where death is always just around the corner…

It’s probably easier to ambush returning adventurers than it is to dodge traps and fight monsters the proper way.

A bandit’s mindset. And honestly, that’s probably how it really is.

“So there aren’t many people at the advanced level?”

“Exactly. At this level, adventurers are harder to read than the monsters. I’m sure that last group was thinking the same thing. After all, we’re a party mostly made up of women and children, without particularly fancy gear—and yet, here we are, deep in the labyrinth.”

And to top it off, we’ve got a kitten at the front… and a dog bringing up the rear.

No wonder we look suspicious as hell.

“Don’t people usually talk? Exchange a few words or something?”

“Of course, that happens too. Sharing information is important. But in this case, it was four men. There was no need for them to talk to Master. I’m sure they figured it could lead to trouble and decided to pass quietly.”

Yeah, four older guys probably found it hard to approach a party made up mostly of young women.

Not to mention, we totally look like some dumb harem party.

Still… the way she said that had some hidden meaning.

“What do you mean, ‘no need to talk to me’?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. If it were the four women from yesterday, you definitely would’ve said something.”

Well, that’s only because I knew them…

“I would have spoken to them, but it wouldn’t have meant anything.”

I just didn’t catch their names, that’s all.

…Besides, there was something I’ve been curious about.

“Yeah, yeah…”

“Nya-nya.”

“Right~?”

The little animals are bonding way too well…

After that, we continued our advance.
Around midday, we stopped at a safety zone to have lunch.

We pressed on for a while longer, but once it was getting late enough, we turned back, climbed the stairs, and exited the labyrinth.