Chapter 147: Meeting with the Commander

The office at the headquarters of the King’s guard was plain in contrast to the luxurious sheet metal armor of the knights.

It was simple but clean, with only the essentials and no unnecessary items.

This is probably a reflection of the personality of the owner of this office.

Aeris and I waited for a while in the office of Sir Connoen, the Commander of the King’s guard.

When we looked out the window, we could see the scene of the King’s guard knights training below us.

As expected of the knightly order that protects the royal family of this country. I could easily understand the level of the knights as an adventurer, even if I couldn’t assess their character.

Then Count Connoen entered the room.

He was not wearing the sheet metal armor that he had been wearing earlier, but instead was dressed comfortably in plain clothes.

The reason for the delay was that he was a beastman of the lion race with long, bushy hair, so it had taken him a while to dry off after bathing.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Thank you for your patience and please make yourself comfortable.”

Count Connoen said and invited them to sit down, while he sat down across from them.

“What is it that you want to talk about? Sharga begged me to have a meeting with her, but when I heard that she was the daughter of Marquis Van Dyne, I couldn’t say no either. Besides…”

Count Connoen cut off his words once and looked at Aeris.

“….Also, the fact that Marquis Van Dyne couldn’t be protected in the dungeon was the fault of my Kingsguard knights who accompanied him. I am truly sorry.”

Count Connoen bowed deeply and apologized to Aeris.

“Please raise your head, Count. I’ve heard that my father suddenly disappeared as if he had been hidden by the gods while working with the research team. I can’t blame anyone for that. It might have been someone else…”

“But it is true that it was the Marquis of Van Dyne who was the subject of the escort. It’s the fault of my knights for not being able to protect him.”

“Let’s stop now. The dungeon is an area where you never know what will happen. My father was prepared for this every time he dove into a dungeon.”

“…in which dungeon did the Marquis Van Dyne disappear in?”

Tauro asked Count Connoen, wondering if he could ask Sharga for permission to go to that dungeon so that Aeris could offer flowers if she wanted.

“It’s a top-secret matter of state….but it’s a dungeon called “Babylon”, half a day from here. I’ve heard that he didn’t disappear in the depths, but while investigating a newly discovered room in the first level.”

“A new room in the first layer?”

This is the first time Aeris has heard this information, so she asked back.

“This thing is top secret, so please keep it secret. Right now, “Babylon” has been cleared up to the 101st layer. Then, we heard that a small room had suddenly appeared on the side of the stairs leading down from the first level to the 101st level. The Marquis of Van Dyne was in charge of the investigation and he took a team of people to investigate. As a result, it’s reported that the Marquis of Van Dyne disappeared in that room during the investigation.”

“Thank you for telling me something important. …It’s related to that, or rather, that’s why this is happening in the Van Dyne household…”

Aeris began to talk about the main topic, the commotion in the Van Dyne household.

“What a surprise!” How is that possible? I had heard rumors of the Marques’s ugliness, but affairs are common among the nobility, but if it’s true, I’d have to say that her attempt to take over the house is an evil act that shakes the very foundation of noble society….”

“Right now, we’re in the process of gathering evidence, but I believe that there’s a good chance that that side will use the power of the Marquis of Van Dyne to harm Aeris. So for now, I’ve asked Sharga-san to introduce me to the Count for assistance in competing with that power.”

Count Connoen responded to Tauro’s words.

“To be honest, I’m an emerging nobleman and my only connections to the nobility are as a military officer, so I don’t think I can be of much help. However, I’ll send someone to guard Aeris-sama while she’s here in the Royal Capital.”

He kindly agreed to cooperate.

“Thank you very much!”

Tauro and Aeris stood up and thanked him.

“…Anyway. You said your name was Tauro. How old are you?”

Count Connoen seemed to have taken an interest in Tauro.

“I’m twelve.”

“I see. So you’re the same age as my son and with your skills, you have a very strong voice. From now on, when you meet other nobles, be more careful. There are far more nobles who you don’t know what they’re thinking than there are who you do. Protect Aeris-san, will you?”

He advised as he stared at Tauro with narrowed eyes, as if looking at his own son.

Count Connoen must be having a hard time.

“Yes!”

Tauro replied and left the room with Aeris, thanking him for his cooperation.

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