The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~-Chapter 186 - Women Are Quick to Talk

The next day, we woke up early in the morning, had breakfast, got ready, and teleported back to the inn in the town of Tarble.

Once we left the inn and headed toward the gate we found Merell was already there, leaning against the outer wall, waiting.

“Yo, you’re early.”

“Punctuality is a must.”

Maybe because she used to be in the military?

“Alright, let’s get going then.”

“Yes. This way.”

With that, Merle started walking, and we followed.

“Have you come up with a good idea?”

Since there wasn’t much else to do while walking, I asked about what had probably been troubling her since yesterday.

“Yes. You died in this operation. That’s the story we’ll go with…”

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

I’ve died?

“You think Sven will believe that?”

“I’ll just talk my way through it. I’m sure he’ll believe it.”

Not so sure about that…

“Well, that works for me since it’s less hassle. By the way, I wanted to ask you something.”

“Go ahead. There’s nothing else to do since there won’t be any zombies.”

Huh?

“There won’t be any?”

“I bought a protective charm against them. It was a bit expensive, but since we don’t have time, it was a necessary expense. I’ll bill you later.”

So such tools exist…

“Hey, is this continent only inhabited by zombies?”

“Not exactly. In the summer, more plants grow, and there are animals too. But in winter, as you can see, it becomes like this. The Demon Continent is called so because we demons live here, but in the past, it was known as the Continent of Death. It’s not suitable for human habitation.”

“I don’t really know much about its history.”

“Oh right, you’re a reincarnated person, aren’t you? Want to hear about it? The history we demons know is probably different from the one passed down among humans, though.”

I’m curious now.

“I want to hear it.”

“Well then, since we have the chance, let me tell you. This part is probably the same, but we demons also used to live on your continent.”

“I’ve heard that before.”

“Yes. But there was a conflict. How have you heard it happened?”

Uh...

“The demons had high magical power, were violent and cruel, and that led to clashes with other races, right?”

“Yes, that’s not incorrect. However, humans teach that we were the ones who started the war.”

Hearing that, I looked at Leanne and Alice, and both nodded.

“Is that not true?”

“We demons were less than a tenth of the human population. Do you think we could have won?”

“Not really.”

Sure, demons have strong magic, but not all of them are fighters, and being outnumbered ten to one is a tough battle.

“Right? So why did the war happen... It was persecution. It became too severe. I won’t go into details, but it wasn’t something humans should have done.”

“I can believe that.”

When humans lose their way, they cease to be human, and their hearts turn monstrous.

“And so, we were cornered into war. But we lost.”

“Is that really the truth?”

“I don’t know. Naturally, our side probably exaggerated things too.”

Both sides twist history to suit their narratives...

That’s history.

“Hmm... So after losing the war, you ended up here...”

“Yes. It seems it was tough at first. There was little rain, so crops barely grew. Few animals, and the land was overrun with zombies. It must have been rough.”

She spoke as if it were someone else’s problem.

Well, I guess it was a story from long ago.

“How did they survive?”

“The sea was there, and fortunately, that area was rich. The main industry of the demons is fishing. That’s how our navy grew strong, leading to this invasion. Well, even then, the human navy is still stronger, though.”

Yeah, they did say that.

“Does the military lead the government?”

“Well... more like there is no government. Among demons, power is absolute. Each village does as it pleases.”

“Now that you mention it, I was attacked in a village south of here.”

“That sounds about right… Travelers make for good prey.”

So it really was a rotten village.

“Does the military just ignore them?”

“They’re far away, and there are only small scattered settlements. To be blunt, it’s a hassle, and there’s nothing worth the trouble.”

So there’s nothing valuable to take.

“I see.”

“The areas governed by the military are the fishing ports marked on the map I gave you.”

“What about Tarble, the town from earlier?”

“The so-called adventurers—basically thugs—are strong there. It’s a pain to deal with.”

I see.

“Sounds like a survival-of-the-fittest kind of place.”

“Exactly. Well, that’s just how demons are. There aren’t enough of us to form a proper government, and there’s nothing valuable enough to justify one.”

Yeah, it’s a barren land...

“But the military still holds power, right?”

“Yes. They call themselves an army, but they were originally just a gang that controlled the town of Ludoe, posing as a vigilante group.”

Now that I think about it, that Domik guy who attacked us at the eastern ruins was the same way.

“Huh... But they gained power, didn’t they?”

“Yes. They grew strong very quickly. The turning point was a few years ago.”

“Did something happen?”

“Yes. The leader of the vigilante group at the time was replaced.”

It’s common for an organization to change when the boss is replaced, but...

“How did that happen?”

“One of his subordinates killed him.”

From everything I had heard so far, I had a feeling it might be something like that.

“Is he the current boss?”

“Yes. His name is Volker Davis, also known as ‘Head-Hunter Volker.’ He now calls himself a general.”

Head-Hunter...

That’s a pretty ominous nickname...

“So, by becoming a general, he turned the vigilante group into an army?”

“Yes. Volker was not only incredibly skilled and ruthless, but he also possessed a special item.”

Special...

“The mirror that causes a Stampede?”

“That’s right. And also things like the magic-sealing amulet I had.”

Magic-sealing?

“What’s that?”

“Uh...”

Merell glanced at Alice.

“...It’s the thing he used when they attacked us. Thanks to that, we were completely powerless.”

Ah, yeah. She did mention something like that before.

“That was an order from the military. Please don’t hold a grudge.”

Really?

It felt more like a personal decision...

“Whatever. So, he had those kinds of special items?”

“Yes. Their origin is unknown. He seems to have used the mirror in this operation as well. Who knows how many of them he has...”

Sounds like a troublesome enemy.

“Because of him, the army rose to power and launched this attack, huh?”

“Exactly. I’ve met him before, and he’s terrifying. But Sven-sama immediately stepped in to protect me, so I hid behind him. That’s when I fell for him. Want to hear about it?”

“No, I don’t. Not interested.”

“Really? Afterward, I thanked him, and he told me, ‘Don’t leave my side.’ Ahh, it was so cool.”

I said I’m not interested...

“Enough about that.”

“But the best part is coming up...”

The best part of what...?