Volume 4 Chapter 18: Discussion part 1

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

Setting up at the table in the corner of the vault, Michaela began talking.

「First, going through the report on the purple storm provided by Edgar and the snake god we established that there are a few points that require further investigation. In regards to that―― Since at the time Axel-san’s group wasn’t at the guild, I shall explain our findings as well as the plans for the upcoming investigation.」

「Yeah, please do.」

「First, after a few months of investigation since those purple storms began, we located a certain area in the desert where purple storms continue almost constantly.」

Michaela sat at the same table, and explained, while observing expressions of Axel, Daisy, and guild members.

……I hope they follow what I’m saying……

While preparing to answer any possible questions, she continued.

「And during this investigation, by directly observing the point where purple storms never stop, for the first time ever, Edgar and the Snake God were able to catch the moment when the storms stopped. And also that such a moment occurs for some dozens of minutes every several days. So is stated in the report that I received in the hospital yesterday.」

After being carried to the hospital Edgar was receiving medical treatment, but even during that time, he kept writing his report, which he then handed over. Using that, Michaela and the guild’s research and exploration teams held a number of meetings.

「Is everything correct, Edgar?」

「Yeah, but…… The attempt to check on the area when the storm stopped lead to the injuries.」

The snake god agreed with what Edgar said.

「Just as Myers said. Suddenly, several tornadoes appeared from the sands, knocking us away, after which black stakes were fired at us. This looks like an obvious defensive mechanism.」

「That also appeared on the report. ……As well as that you saw a human-like silhouette in a tornado.」

「Yes, the size of the tornadoes would’ve allowed them to easily swallow me, but they weren’t as high as to reach the sky, so it might be better to call them whirlwinds. Anyway, both Myers and I indeed saw that there is something inside.」

The snake god and Myers saw the same silhouette. It certainly was there unless they were under the effect of illusion.

……The snake god being a local god should have a high resistance to illusions……

While Edgar might be affected by confusion or illusion magic, it’s hard to believe that the same can happen to the snake god. Or rather, an enemy capable of wielding illusion magic strong enough to affect a local god would’ve been able to mentally kill them.

Such an opinion was also voiced during a discussion with the research team.

And among the guild members, they already reached the conclusion.

「The archeological guild deemed it necessary to identify what that was. Thus, it’s been decided that during the time when the storms should stop the next time, we should re enter that area for confirmation, this time, with the archeology guild’s combat unit. Today, at 3 pm, we will launch a reinvestigation.」

「You are going to do it today? Though you take a lot of time on discussions, you, as always, are quick with action, Michaela.」

「Thank you for the compliment, Daisy-san. Though it’s been several months since the purple storms started, so we actually spent a lot of time on it already. ……But we finally got our chance.」

Saying that she looked at Axel and Berzelia, who was clinging to him.

「So going back to Axel-san and Berzelia-san, what we’d like you to do is observe the area from high up in the sky, where tornadoes cannot reach. Moving in together with the ground squad.」

「From the sky? What for?」

「According to the information from Edgar and the snake god, though the tornadoes had a considerable height, they appeared to be bursting out of the ground. So there should be a good chance of being able to see what is going on inside by looking from above.」

According to the calculations we ran after incorporating the information provided by the two, we concluded that the height reaches only about 500 meters at most.

「Of course, the ground squad is also meant to get rid of the tornadoes to confirm the identity of the person there. However, we thought it would be better to come with several approaches.」

「In other words, you want to cover both the sky and the ground?」

「Yes. It’s a clue that we finally got after a few months of the desert investigation. And after the discussion within the guild, it’s been concluded that we should pour our forced into the investigation of this point.」

However, at the same time, Michaela knew that they possessed only bits of information.

What they knew for sure is that the purple storms occur. That there is an area where purple storms never stop. That they saw a silhouette in a tornado there.

Whatever it will lead to stopping the purple storms or not is nothing but our speculations.

Knowing that, Michaela said.

「Of course, there is no concrete basis for this. I think there might even be too much theorizing and deduction involved. If the tornadoes are in fact higher than we expect from our calculations, then the visible confirmation from the sky might turn dangerous. However…… We’d like to try everything possible anyway…… Can we ask this of you?」

●

「I see…… I don’t really mind, what about you Berzelia?」

We planned to fly over the clouds anyway.

Getting a few things to do over there is not a big deal.

However, the one to decide that is the one who will have to do the actual flying, Berzelia.

So I asked, to which Berzelia eagerly nodded.

「Of course, I’m okay as well. I don’t like sand. It’s coarse and irritating and it gets everywhere, but we dealt with tornadoes a number of times. I’m also not going to fly in a manner that would make us crash. And with Master’s support, I will have even less trouble with flying there.」

「Okay, got it. ーYeah, so we are okay here, Michaela-san.」

Hearing that, Michaela breathed a relieved sigh.

「Thank goodness…… Then, please allow me to put in a request. An investigation request, to find a chance to cleanse this city of clouded skies and storms.」

「Roger. Then, let’s get to getting the blue skies back, for our mutual benefit.」

「Yes!」

●

On that day, Ammit once again was before the throne, making his report to Kokaku.

「Thank you for sparing your time to hear my report.」

On the throne sat an almost human-like silhouette, that appeared just a little bit different from yesterday.

「I don’t need gratitude. I have an excess of magic power for communication as well as the target that requires vigilance. I’m merely doing what is necessary, my knight Ammit.」

「Yes……」

「So, how is it? Since the carrier is there I want another update, were there any movements?」

「Nothing that particularly stands out. I know that he stepped into the desert yesterday, but he went back without making an attempt to get closer to me. Neither he nor I saw each other. Though he picked up the people from the guild, whom I left to rot in the desert……」

「Hmm, I see. I guess not coming in contact with the enemy is a good thing by itself. 」

Kokaku put a hand to where the chin would be located and made something akin to a nod.

On the other hand, Ammit looked towards the throne with a bit of vexed expression.

「The guild’s…… Followers of gods, is failing to kill them can really be considered a good thing?」

「It’s not like killing them is our end goal, right? 」

「That is indeed true, but…… Kokaku-sama. Is it really fine to just continue slowly tormenting them? Isn’t it fine to crush that hateful city already……」

Ammit believed that he already caused enough damage to the city.

For a few months, they kept living in the weather that only kept getting worse.

At this point, there should be many that were considerably weakened by this.

Isn’t it the time to attack? Thinking so, he asked Kokakuーー

「Hmm……Ammit。 You have a strong desire for revenge towards followers of gods, humans, as well as an urge to distinguish yourself. That’s how you always been, are you not?」

「Yes. The slow weakening went well enough, so I think it is time to crush them. Even though I received the rank and the power from, I’m still to make any contributions.」

In response, Kokaku quietly shook the head.

「Don’t be so rushed, Ammit. There is no need to waltz into the city which is the human’s home arena. It’s entirely possible that they are accumulating power in their home base. Though they are weaklings clinging to gods, one shouldn’t take them lightly. ーーAfter all, you can just crush them when they come to our arena on their own volition. Just wait until then.」

You should have enough power to do that, stated Kokaku.

「Yes…… I understand……」

「Yes. So you should take things slowly.」

After saying that, Kokaku perhaps noticed the expression on Ammit’s face.

And donned a smile.

「……Well, you can just use humans that wandered away from the town, to repay for that long wait. By now you should’ve completely mastered the winds produced by that arm, right?」

「Yes…… Thanks to the time that you were so kind to give me, I adapted to this power.」

「Ooh, that is great. Eventually, I’d like to give you even greater power, and have you assist me in my work. Your current task is the preparatory step for that. Soーー I’d be happy if you make sure to provide me with sound results, my knight Ammit」

「Yes……!」

Received such words Ammit thought.

Not only my rude words spoken out of place were seriously considered, but I even have expectations for me.

……Despite already receiving power, this is an honor that I hardly deserve……

To answer this person’s expectations, I have to produce more results.

Such feelings grew stronger in Ammit. And holding those thoughts, Ammit continued with his report for the day.