The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~-Chapter 196 - Reconnaissance

It seemed that Merell was safe.

“Merell, what happened?”

“Did you see the plaza?”

“Yeah. I also sent out an insect to witness last night’s carnage.”

“I see...”

Merell slumped his shoulders.

“There was a rumor that a traitor was involved.”

“That’s exactly it. Our organization recruited too many people without caution.”

So, someone they recruited was already working for the military.

“That’s how you got exposed?”

“Yes. To be honest, last night was supposed to be the day of the operation. I told them to wait a little longer, but the preparations were already complete, and they had reached the stage where all that was left was to execute the plan.”

So they intended to proceed without waiting for Merell.

“Why were they in such a hurry?”

“Because it was confirmed that reinforcements would depart in three days—in other words, the day after tomorrow.”

That must have made them desperate.

“A trap?”

“Most likely... But it does seem to be true that reinforcements will be heading to your continent the day after tomorrow.”

“They sure are impatient.”

“That’s Volker’s dictatorship for you.”

Once he makes a decision, he acts fast.

“Does Volker carry an axe?”

“He does. Did you see him?”

So that was their leader.

“He was the one who beheaded the first victim.”

“Volker asserts his strength and instills fear that way. That’s why he’s called ‘Volker the Head Hunter.’”

Savage.

“And he split them into two groups—the ones who were executed and the ones who were taken somewhere else.”

“The executions were meant as a warning. The others were taken for information extraction.”

Torture, then.

There was no way those people would be treated humanely.

“What about you? Weren’t you going to run to Sven for help?”

“I thought about it, but considering they burned down Sven-sama’s house, that seems unlikely now. I’ll have to apologize to him later.”

Sven has been labeled a traitor despite doing nothing.

“What’s the plan?”

“Of course, we continue with the operation. We also have to rescue our comrades.”

“You don’t strike me as someone who takes work that seriously.”

New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on ƒгeewebnovёl.com.

I always had the impression that this guy only did the bare minimum.

“I received a new request to rescue our comrades. This shop was rented for that purpose.”

So, this place belonged to the Resistance or one of their collaborators.

“Didn’t the military capture all the Resistance members hiding in this town?”

“They only caught the operational unit involved in this mission. There are others, and we haven’t lost our leader. But escaping from this town is impossible now. Even I wouldn’t be able to break through—the checkpoints are too tight.”

Rats trapped in a cage.

Well, at least we have Leanne’s teleportation to escape...

“It’s only a matter of time before your leader and the remaining members are captured.”

“Yes. With the reinforcements on their way and our captured comrades, we don’t have time. We have to plan and execute our operation by today or tomorrow.”

That was true.

If soldiers like these flood into that country, the damage will be catastrophic.

“What’s the plan?”

“We’ll decide that ourselves. Now that our previous operation has failed, we’re out of options. And thanks to the traitor, we’ve lost contact with our leader.”

Paranoia had set in.

Not surprising.

Especially considering Merell—he was a former soldier, suspicious by default.

((“AI-chan, do you detect any hostility from Merell?”))

((“None.”))

Good.

“Then we’ll move on our own. First, I want to see the port and the enemy’s headquarters. Can you guide us?”

“Understood… Hmm, in that case, shall we pose as a family?”

Merell looked at me and Leanne, then nodded.

“That works.”

“Then, let’s do that.”

She’s not telling Leanne to go back...

She’s probably already figured out that teleportation isn’t my skill but Leanne’s.

Well, she’s always present whenever we teleport, so it’s only natural to notice.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Still holding Leanne, I stepped outside with Merell.

((“AI-chan, any hostile presence?”))

((“None.”))

Seems safe.

“First, let’s head to the port. This way.”

Merell and I walked side by side, playing the role of a married couple.

After walking for a while, the scent of the sea reached us, signaling that we were getting close.

“This is a port town, after all.”

“Yes. However, going directly to the port would be too risky, so let’s head to the beach instead.”

“That’s a better idea.”

We continued walking and eventually reached the sea.

“This beach gets quite lively in the summer. Let’s pretend to be a family playing on the sand.”

Well, there were already couples strolling along the shore, huddled together in the cold, so it wouldn’t seem too strange.

We walked along the sandy beach until we reached the water’s edge.

“Can you see it? That’s the military port.”

As Merell pointed, I followed his gaze and saw numerous warships anchored there.

“There are more than I expected.”

“According to our allies, they gathered warships from various port towns.”

“The enemy is serious about this.”

Just gathering enough provisions for that fleet must have been an enormous effort.

“Indeed. Who knows how much labor and blood tax went into building all those warships? The resistance couldn’t stand for it.”

“Judging by the town’s atmosphere, it seemed like the residents were supporting the resistance.”

“Of course they would… Yuuma, can you do something about all those warships?”

Merell finally got to the point.

“If you’re asking whether I can or not, I can. But it’ll turn into a sea of flames.”

Either Grand Purgatory Curse or Fox Spirit’s Eternal Hell.

“That would be a problem. The wind blows from the sea toward the town, so the entire town would go up in flames.”

Yeah, that wouldn’t work.

“Hmm, in that case…”

“At this point, even that monster spider would do.”

“Big Spider-chan isn’t good with water, though…”

Since it can’t swim, it would just sink.

“Why not attack from the port?”

“Well... that might be the last resort.”

If they managed to escape into the sea, it would be tough...

“We don’t have time to think anymore. Let’s do what we can. We’re done with the port—next, we head to the military headquarters.”

“I’m counting on you.”

We left the sandy beach and headed back into town.