Volume 4 Chapter 6: Old Connections

A huge three-story building with a mark of pincers at the entrance.

「This is it, right?」

「Yeah. You are right, my friend. This is the archeological guild 『Scorpio』.」

Daisy then pointed to the side of the entrance, telling us to look at the signboard there.

There was written 『Archeology Guild Reception Welcome』, with a pincers emblem on it.

「Since it says, welcome, I guess we are free to intrude.」

「Probably. When I was there, people were free to come and go. 」

Then, I guess we’ll do the same now, I thought and approached the doors. At that momentー

With a heavy sound, the doors swung open.

From them a young woman with darkish skin appeared. Seeing us, standing in front of the entrance, she thenー

「Eh……?」

Her eyes gaped wide open and she exclaimed. As if she saw something surprising. In additionー

「Are-are you okay?!」

She blurted out, seemingly panicking.

「Eeehm…… What do you mean?」

「What I mean…… Going through this storm, it didn’t affect you at all……? Just who are you…… Eh, wait?」

Tilting her head, she looked at us. In response to her, Daisy, who was hiding in my bosom, showed her head and raised a paw.

「Yo, long time no see, Michaela.」

Seeing that, the woman went wide-eyed once again.

「Da-Daisy-san?! And the people with you are your comrades from the heroes party……!」

「Yup, that’s right. Today, I came with my friends.」

Daisy was talking in a pretty relaxed manner.

Since the shy Daisy who is wary of strangers is speaking in such a mannerー

「Is this your old acquaintance? 」

「Yeah, she is one of those in charge of the archeology guild. I got to know her when I was in this town previously. 」

「One of those in charge?」

When I spoke, the woman called Michaela, nodded a bit hesitantly.

「Ah, y-yes. I’m indeed one of the heads of the guild…… But, Daisy-san, since when were you in the city……? Or rather, why can all of you keep such composure despite your light equipment in this storm……? Could it be that you are protected by magic or have high resistances……?」

「Keep our composure? Resistances? Is there something special about this sandstorm?」

When asked, the signs of panic disappeared from her face…… But she still had a hard time answering, chewing her words. Meanwhile, the door behind her once again opened.

Another woman came from there. Guild’s staff? She was wearing clothes that had the same pincers mark on them as those that are on the signboard. Andー

「Research Director! 『Purple Storm』will soon turn serious. Don’t mind locking the outer gates, just get inside faster!」

After telling Michaela that, she noticed us.

「Eh?」

She leaked out a sound. Thenー

「Research Director? Why are those people are not even out of breath in this purple storm?」

She exclaimed in surprise.

The same reaction as Michaela.

…Looks like us being unfazed by this environment is unusual.

That much is easy to tell from their reactions.

And looks like while I was thinking this, Michaela finally found her words.
「Ehm… How should I put this, well, it might be a mess, but I’d like to explain a lot of various things, so for now, please come inside. We will talk in the conference room. And, July, that being the case, those are my guests, so please arrange for rooms. 」

Michaela told the staff member that stood behind her.

「Y-yes!」

Bowing, she ran off back inside.

「We should get in as well. From now on the sandstorm will turn truly serious. It also will turn quite noisy. It will be much easier to talk in there.」

「Yes, thank you for your consideration, Michaela-san.」

And in a bit hurried yet polite tone Michaela ushered us inside the archeology guild’s building.