Chapter 505: Secrets in the Dungeon

Once Tauro said that the main purpose of the day’s visit had been completed, Tsuyoku, Taichi, and the rest of the escort began leading the party back toward the surface.

During the several-hour return journey, Tauro explained what he intended to do next.

Powerful adventurers acting under his authority would soon begin coming to Babylon.

Tsuyoku and the other knights could only look confused.

Tauro tried to make the situation clearer.

The adventurers would travel directly to Babylon from another dungeon using the same kind of transfer he had demonstrated in the Rest Room, so he wanted the dungeon staff to be prepared to receive them properly.

“So these powerful adventurers will use the ability you showed us in the Rest Room to travel here from another dungeon, and then they’ll help conquer Babylon? Just how strong are these people? If you’re calling them strong, are we talking about A-rank adventurers?”

Tsuyoku was clearly struggling to process the explanation.

“In terms of ability, they’re S-rank or higher. I know that sounds unbelievable, but they really are that strong. You’ll understand when you meet them.”

“S-S-rank?! Tauro-kun, S-rank is basically a legendary designation. There aren’t any ordinary human adventurers of that level, you know!”

Taichi, who had been listening quietly, finally interrupted because Tauro’s claim sounded impossible.

“Ahaha… That’s exactly what anyone would think. I’ll bring them here myself first so you can confirm it with your own eyes. It would be better for everyone to meet face-to-face beforehand so there aren’t any misunderstandings later.”

Tauro exchanged knowing looks with Aeris and the others.

“If you’re saying this seriously, Tauro-kun, then I’d like to believe you. Understood. If people that strong truly intend to help conquer Babylon, it would be an enormous benefit. If we can confirm everything by meeting them in person, I don’t see a problem. We can discuss the details afterward.”

Tsuyoku was still skeptical, but Tauro had promised to bring the people in question directly to them.

There was little reason to reject a proposal that could be verified so easily.

They therefore agreed to meet again in Babylon’s first-floor Rest Room several days later.

A few days later, Tsuyoku, Taichi, the escort knights, and the official responsible for Babylon’s administration were waiting in the Rest Room.

The administrator was openly doubtful about Tsuyoku’s report.

Even so, because the matter involved Honorary Viscount Tauro Giro Sugar and his royal authorization, the man had rearranged his schedule to attend personally.

“We’ll have to start heading back in a few hours, you know. Honestly, if someone really had an ability that let them travel through dungeons like that, you’d think Babylon would’ve been conquered already-“

Before the administrator could finish the sentence, roughly thirty people appeared in the room at once, arranged in a broad circle.

The administrator’s eyes widened.

Even Tsuyoku and his knights, who had known something was coming, instinctively reached for their weapons at the sudden appearance of so many people.

Tauro and the rest of Black-Gold Wings stood among the newcomers.

When Tauro spotted Tsuyoku, he waved and walked over.

“Captain Tsuyoku, I brought them!”

Tauro introduced Roy, the Great Hero acting as representative of the dragonfolk contingent.

Roy and Tsuyoku looked each other in the eye and exchanged a firm handshake.

“For a human, he’s remarkably strong. Just as Lord Tauro said.”

Roy calmly evaluated Tsuyoku after their greeting.

Tsuyoku seemed to sense something from Roy as well. Whether through instinct or some appraisal-related ability, the knight visibly shuddered.

“Lord Tauro… This is the first time I’ve met someone who’s overwhelmingly stronger than I am. And every one of the people you’ve brought gives me the same feeling. I can’t help trembling.”

Beside him, Taichi nodded while sweating heavily.

The administrator stared at Tsuyoku in disbelief. Seeing the veteran knight actually tremble made it clear that he wasn’t exaggerating.

“I’m the administrator responsible for Babylon. These people are to be treated as your companions, Lord Tauro? And from now on they’ll continue arriving here through that transfer method and help with the dungeon’s conquest?”

“Yes. There are more of them as well, so they’ll probably rotate between teams. I’d like you to issue some form of identification showing that they’re operating under my authority. That way, if they encounter other people inside the dungeon, we can avoid unnecessary conflict.”

“I was informed of that request in advance, so issuing identification will be possible. There’s one thing, however. Would one of them permit a personal appraisal? I can’t formally assess people whose abilities I haven’t verified.”

The administrator already believed they were powerful after seeing Tsuyoku’s reaction, but he still needed objective confirmation.

Roy volunteered to be appraised on behalf of the group.

He lowered his appraisal-blocking protection and allowed the administrator to examine him.

The administrator stared at the result.

“G-Great Hero…?! These abilities… I’ve never seen or even heard of most of them. I see. Calling this S-rank level is certainly no exaggeration. I understand. Their strength is beyond question.”

His expression then turned serious.

“However, this information must remain strictly confidential. Captain Tsuyoku. Vice-Captain Taichi. You understand?”

“Understood.”

Tsuyoku nodded immediately.

“Why? If they’re this incredible, why keep it secret?”

Taichi tilted his head.

“Taichi-san, if it became public knowledge that there were dozens of people with strength equivalent to S-rank or higher, it could upset the balance of power between nations and organizations. That’s why their true strength should remain confidential, at least outside the people directly involved with Babylon.”

Tauro explained the danger, and Taichi finally began to understand why merely being extraordinarily strong could itself become sensitive information.