Chapter 503: Familiar Faces

The dungeons are basically managed by the kingdom, and entering or exiting them requires government permission.

The “beginning dungeon” in the Dragon peoples’ village is an exception, but the dungeon near the royal capital, Babylon, is strictly restricted even for nobles unless permission is granted.*start up

Tauro and the rest of the “Black Golden Wings”, decided to test whether their status as honorary nobles and the royal permission for “use of facilities and free entry in royal domains” would actually work.

Of course, Tauro also had something he wanted to try, but first came the matter of getting permission.

“The last time you came was when we rescued Marquis Van Dyne, wasn’t it?”

Tauro asked Aeris with a nostalgic look on his face as they stood in front of the walls and gates that surrounded the dungeon, Babylon.

“That’s right. At that time, I never thought Dad would still be alive. It was such a surprise,” Aeris said, letting out a small laugh, “Hehehe,” as she recalled those times.

A guard near the gate called out to Tauro and the others from a distance 

“What’s your business?”

“I am Honorary Viscount Tauro Girosugar, and these are my companions, members of the Black Golden Wings. We request permission to enter the castle,” 

“Honorary Viscount Girosugar? Then I would like to check your insignia and entry permit, if that’s all right,” said the guard, stepping closer to Tauro.

“Confirmed. The insignia of Honorary Viscount Girosugar checks out. Now, please give me your entry permit into the castle… wh-what is this!?”

The guard looked shocked at what Tauro held in his hand: a metal plaque bearing the royal emblem.

On the back, it read: “Authorized to use and freely enter and exit facilities within the royal domains.”

“A-Apologies! Please, go ahead!”

The guard hurriedly allowed Tauro and the others to enter the castle. 

The other guards were suspicious at their companion’s flustered reaction but when they saw the plaque in Tauro’s hand, they quickly made way for him and lined up.

“What incredible power…”

　 Once again, Tauro realized just how much power this little object in his hand carried.

Tauro and his party entered the castle smoothly and there was a carriage prepared to take them to the next wall.

At that moment, a man who appeared to be the person in charge arrived on horseback, having been informed by a messenger.

“Viscount Girosugar! Please wait!”

“?”

Tauro and the others had been waiting for the carriage anyway, so they waited for the official to arrive.

“May I ask the purpose of your visit?”

 The official asked, dismounting and slightly out of breath.

“Ah, sorry. we’d like to enter the dungeon,” Tauro replied casually.

“To Babylon? Then, could we have a little time to prepare? We’ll need to assign soldiers to guard you.”

“No, it’s fine. We’re also adventurers,” Tauro said, pointing to the badges that proved Aeris and the others’ titles.

“You all are adventurers with titles! Ah, but this is your first time entering the castle and especially for someone carrying a royal entry permit, we can’t let you go in without escorts in case something happens. So please wait a little while,” the official humbly asked, wiping the sweat from his brow.

“…I understand. In that case, we’ll stay at the inn tonight and enter first thing tomorrow morning. Of course, we’ll cover the cost of the escorts.”

“That won’t be necessary. Thank you. We can’t take money from those with royal permits, you see. Though we do usually charge for necessary expenses, but not in this case, Hahaha.” the person in charge felt relieved that Tauro had responded with understanding, and joked in return.

The official guided them to the best inn within the castle grounds and then returned to his duties.

And then, the next morning.

the escort soldiers the official mentioned were waiting in front of the inn

—There’s ten of them in total.

And I was surprised by the familiar faces.

“Captain Tsuyoku!?”

There stood a dignified knight with long flowing blonde hair, blue eyes, and a spear in hand, clad in slender plate armor—the same knight who had guarded me when I had previously infiltrated Babylon.

“Huh? Tauro? And Miss Aeris as well. I see… So you’re the one everybody’s been talking about these past few days—the Honorary Viscount Girosugar. No, I shouldn’t speak like this to a viscount… My apologies,” the knight said, bowing.

“Hahaha! Long time no see,  Tauro! It’s me, do you remember?!”

Standing behind him was Taichi, a knight who possessed the skill “Weapon Master”, whom he had met while investigating a newly built dungeon near the village of  Dansas and who also served as his guard during their previous Babylon expedition.

“Of course! It’s been a while since we last saw each other! You don’t need to be so formal; it’s fine to speak as before,  I’d be troubled if you suddenly started being overly formal.”

Tauro said warmly, asking them to act as usual.

Aeris also remembered them and bowed politely to the two. 

Since this is the first time Ragune and the others have seen them, they observed quietly, understanding they were friends of Tauro.

“Well then, as we were. Our orders were to ensure none of you are injured. How long do you plan to be in the dungeon? Depending on the number of days, preparations might be extensive,” Captain Tsuyoku asked, like a professional.

“Just like last time, it’ll be fine until the first ‘rest room’.”

“The ‘rest room’? Ah, you mean the room with nothing in it, right? What do you plan to do going all the way there?? The scholar Professor Sharza investigated that place afterwards, but other than the fact that no monsters enter, not much progress has been made in the investigation.”

Captain Tsuyoku answers, not understanding Tauro and his group’s purpose.

“We’d like to confirm something there, so please guide us,” Tauro said with a mysterious smile, signaling that they were ready to depart into the dungeon and set off.