The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~-Chapter 177 - A Breathtaking View

Upon returning to the mountain hot spring via Leanne’s teleportation, four people were already soaking in the spring: AI-chan, Natalia, Alice, and Pamela.

Meanwhile, Tama-chan had curled up in the basket for undressed clothes rather than joining the bath.

“Wait, we’re teleporting right here?”

Let’s keep some distance.

“Ah, welcome back.”

“…That was fast.”

“Yuuma, could you tell the little fox not to swim?”

“Everyone seems completely unfazed by Yuma’s sudden appearance… Huh? Leanne-sama, is something wrong?”

Pamela, who had been surprised by the other three’s nonchalance, noticed that Leanne was being carried by me.

“It was freezing up in the sky. Leanne, get in the hot spring already.”

Saying that, I crouched down and gently set Leanne on the ground.

“Y-Yes… So cold, so cold!”

Shivering, Leanne hugged herself as she headed toward the basket for undressed clothes.

“Lily, you should get in too. I’ll head to the other side.”

“Yuuma, all by yourself? Won’t you be lonely?”

Of course, I’ll be lonely.

“Men and women are separated… AI-chan, stop swimming. You’re splashing Annie with water.”

“Okay~… Leanne-san, are you alright?”

AI-chan stopped swimming and turned her attention to Leanne, who was standing in front of the clothes basket. Leanne’s hands were trembling so much that she was struggling to take off her clothes.

“Oh, Leanne, I’ll help you.”

As Lily approached Leanne to assist her, I headed to the hot spring deeper inside, where I had previously bathed.

After undressing, I slipped into the hot spring, letting its warmth thaw my chilled body.

“Ahhh…”

A satisfied sigh escaped my lips.

Although I wasn’t as cold as Leanne, I had gotten pretty chilly myself.

As I soaked, gazing up at the sky, I noticed something beginning to appear above.

That “something” descended slowly.

“That was quick…”

When the dragon landed on the ground, it gazed down at me.

“Leanne’s teleportation brought us here to this mountain,” I explained.

“Teleportation… So that’s why you suddenly appear and disappear. Is she a reincarnator?”

It seemed even dragons were familiar with the concept of reincarnators.

“That’s right. By the way, so am I.”

“I can tell you’re different. You clearly don’t belong, and you don’t seem human.”

Hey, I am human.

“No matter how you look at me, I’m a human.”

“No matter how I look at you, you’re a demon.”

I don’t even know what defines a demon, though.

“I’m human. I’ll live an ordinary life, get married, and spend my days with my children and grandchildren.”

And eventually, I’ll die.

“Hmm… Well, I don’t sense any aggression from you. Just don’t disrupt my peace.”

“I won’t. In fact, I’m here to drive away the demons and ensure your peace.”

You should be grateful.

“Fair enough. Do your best. I’m going back to sleep.”

With that, the dragon turned and walked deeper into the area.

“Phew…”

I looked up at the night sky.

The stars glittered across the vast expanse above.

((“AI-chan, come over here. It’s lonelier than I thought.”))

I felt it even more strongly because Lily pointed it out.

((“Ehh... it’s so cold... Oh, wait, hold on a second.”))

AI-chan sounded reluctant but quickly seemed to have an idea.

Sigh… I wonder how I was in my past life?

Twelve wives and over thirty children, huh?

With that many, I guess loneliness wouldn’t even be a concept…

((“Master, you can come over here. Everyone seems to think it’s fine.”))

Is that really okay, though?

Thinking that, I stepped out of the hot spring and headed toward the women’s bath.

It was, indeed, a breathtaking view.

After thoroughly enjoying the hot spring, I returned to the room.

Once back, I settled into the kotatsu, and we started planning for the days ahead.

“This time, like before, I don’t think there’s a need for a big group to go.”

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“True. We don’t know the full extent of AI-chan’s disguise magic, but the more people we bring, the higher the risk of being exposed.”

Annie nodded in agreement.

“It’s preferable to resolve this quickly, but we can’t afford to rush. While I can manage, Leanne is essential, and I don’t intend to push her too hard.”

“That’s fine. Taking breaks as we go will likely lead to better results in the end.”

Last time, we made steady progress while taking breaks, and I think it worked out well.

“Yuuma-sama, shall we use a carriage?”

A carriage, huh...

That would make things easier, but…

“No, let’s not. We still don’t understand the lifestyle or norms of the Demon Continent, so we don’t know what might give us away. Even if we use a carriage, it’d be better to acquire one over there.”

Not to mention, Leanne’s carriage is a royal one, so it’d definitely stand out.

“That’s true... Besides, we don’t even know if their currency is the same as ours.”

Yeah, we have no idea.

There’s been no interaction, so the lack of information is staggering.

“Let’s prioritize gathering that kind of intel first. Avoid contact with people as much as possible.”

“That sounds like a good plan.”

I wonder what the monsters will be like?

“AI-chan, what do you know about the monsters on the Demon Continent?”

“Based on my information database, it’s said that there are stronger monsters than on this continent. That said, they shouldn’t pose a challenge for Master.”

I think about it every time—where exactly does AI-chan’s database pull this information from?

Well, I guess it doesn’t really matter...

“Alright, then that’s settled. Pamela, are you staying in Celia?”

“Yes. There’s no point in us going to the royal capital. I’ll just stay at the reception desk as usual.”

“The number of adventurers has dropped, so you’ll probably be bored.”

“Nothing’s changed for me, really…”

Oh right, it’s winter break.

“Got it. I’ll leave the magic stones we gathered from the monsters to you.”

“Understood. Since the guild can’t handle the payment, I’ll come here instead. I’ll also inform Jeffrey about it.”

True enough…

“Alright, let’s go with that.”

That should cover everything, right?

“Yuuma, who’s going tomorrow?”

Natalia asked.

“You and Annie. Will you manage?”

“Yeah, no problem.”

“I’m fine too.”

Both of them seemed ready.

“Okay, then let’s leave after breakfast tomorrow morning.”

With the plans for tomorrow settled, we all dispersed and decided to rest early.