The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~-Chapter 183 - Gathering Intel

We headed to an inn called Koyokoyo-tei, as suggested by the old lady.

The inn wasn’t what you’d call luxurious, but it was clean and well-maintained.

After paying the fee to the staff and heading to the room, we decided to teleport right away since there was no point in staying.

When we returned to the room, I found Pamela had joined the three who had gone back earlier, sitting in the kotatsu.

“Yo, Pamela. Done with work already?”

It felt a bit early for that.

“Once you all left for the royal capital, no one came to the guild anymore…”

Ah…

“Got fired? That’s rough. But don’t worry!”

AI-chan zeroed in on Pamela.

“No, I’m not fired. They decided to shorten operating hours.”

“I see…”

Why does she sound a bit disappointed?

“How was the town? Was the demonfolk town any different?”

Lily asked.

“Not really. It’s just like the towns around here. The only difference is that the people living there are pale and have high magical power.”

“Hmm… so it’s not a unique environment like ours?”

She’s really become one with the town, hasn’t she?

She even calls her own hometown “unique.”

“They used to live in the towns around here normally, so their way of life hasn’t changed, I guess.”

“Got it.”

Lily sometimes has that clueless look…

Not exactly what I’d call smart.

Not that it matters.

“So, what about information gathering? Are you leaving that for tomorrow?”

This time, Natalia chimed in.

“No, I was thinking of going to a tavern at night to eavesdrop there.”

I can enhance my hearing, after all.

“I see. So we’re just waiting until nighttime then?”

“That’s right. Oh, Pamela, have some food before you go.”

“Sure. Thanks.”

Well, not that I’m the one making it.

We decided to kill time until night and spent it playing card games.

Then, after everyone had dinner together and it was a good time, we decided to teleport back to the town of Tarble.

“All right, shall we go?”

“…Okaay.”

“Okaay.”

The two short ones raised their hands, and another short one looked at them with an exasperated expression.

“All right, all right... we’re teleporting, so hold on to me,” Leanne said.

We touched her as instructed, and teleported back to the inn’s room.

Leaving the inn, we started looking for a tavern.

Soon, we spotted a particularly bright establishment and decided to check it out.

“Isn’t this the place?”

“Looks like it. It’s got the vibe of a tavern. Let’s go in.”

As soon as we entered the shop, a young female staff member approached us.

“Welcome. You know this is a tavern, right? There’s a diner over there, and that might suit you better.”

Looking back and forth at the three short ones, she pointed to the right and made her suggestion.

“No, these three may look like this, but they’re adults. This one here is 25 years old.”

I pointed at Leanne as I explained.

“Ah... well, there are people like that, but... huh? All three of them?”

“This one here is 16.”

This time, I pointed at Alice.

“A coincidence, or…? Ah... I see... Please take that seat over there.”

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

The staff member briefly made a face as if she was taken aback, but she quickly switched back to a smile and guided us to a table.

We sat at the designated table and ordered drinks and some snacks.

The order arrived quickly, and we began eating and drinking.

“...Yuuma, she completely thinks you’re that kind of person now,” Alice said, laughing.

“Well, I don’t care what people think.”

I mean, I do have a track record of having a wife 50 years younger than me.

“Yuuma-sama also has a taste for those kinds of things,” Leanne commented, though her opinion seemed rather personal and biased.

“Yes, yes. Anyway, let’s focus on gathering information. I can enhance my hearing—what about you guys?”

“I’ll use my magic. I have a spell for that,” Leanne said.

Apparently, Leanne could use such magic.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“Understood...”

When Leanne closed her eyes, the surrounding noise faded away, leaving only the voices of people audible.

‘That woman from the other day, huh…’

‘I’ve got no money…’

‘Isn’t there any decent work…?’

‘It’s really cold this year…’

‘Ale, right? Thanks as always.’

‘There are a lot of customers today…’

‘Huh… you went to Ludo in the north?’

Ludo?

“This is it. I’ll pick it up,” Leanne said, and the surrounding sounds diminished even further.

‘Yeah. Man, the military was impressive. Looks like it’s true that they invaded the western continent.’

‘Seriously? That’s so dumb.’

Only the conversation between two men could be heard.

“…Chibi-masu, that’s amazing.”

“That’s some incredible magic.”

Seriously.

It’s like a wiretapping spell.

“Shh, this sounds important,” Leanne said, bringing a finger to her lips to hush us.

‘Do they really think they can take back the western continent?’

‘Who knows? But they’ve assembled some serious military forces. Looks like they’re planning to send reinforcements again.’

Are you kidding me?

‘Come on… where are they getting the money for that?’

‘They don’t have it. That’s why they’re raising taxes again.’

‘What!? You’ve got to be kidding me!’

One of the men shouted angrily.

‘They tried to collect donations, but they barely got anything. It’s hilarious, right?’

‘Of course they didn’t. How do they expect to beat such a huge number of humans? They’re idiots.’

‘Exactly. But apparently, there’s also an organization opposing that kind of military.’

Could it be Merell and the others?

‘Ah, you mean the resistance? They tried to recruit me while you were in Ludo.’

‘Seriously…? I got recruited in Ludo too.’

Looks like they’re actively gathering people.

‘Are you going to join them?’

‘Nah, no way. I’d like to help, sure, but we’re talking about going against the military here. As much as I hate them, I don’t have enough lives to risk it.’

‘Exactly… I hope they manage to crush those money-guzzling bastards, but yeah, staying alive comes first.’

So the military’s strong, huh?

That’s why they’re getting away with such tyranny.

‘Besides, infiltrating the north would be tough. The checkpoints are insane. It’s impossible now—I can’t make a living there anymore.’

‘So the military has complete control, huh?’

‘Exactly. That’s why I’m going to try my best in this town starting tomorrow. Speaking of which, for tonight, I’m thinking I’ll hit up a brothel for a little celebratory—’

The voices cut off mid-sentence.

Then, the surrounding noise gradually returned.

“That’s enough, I think,” Leanne said with a nod.

It seemed she had released the spell.