Chapter 503: Familiar Faces

Dungeons in the kingdom were generally managed by the state, and entering or leaving them required official permission.

The Dungeon of Beginnings in the dragonfolk village was an exception, but Babylon, the dungeon near the Royal Capital, was strictly controlled. Even nobles couldn’t enter without authorization.

Tauro and the rest of Black-Gold Wings decided to find out whether their new honorary titles and Tauro’s royal permit granting unrestricted use of and access to facilities in the royal demesne would actually be enough to get them inside.

Tauro also had something he wanted to test once they entered, but first they had to deal with the formalities.

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

Tauro looked nostalgic as he spoke to Aeris in front of the walls and gates surrounding Babylon.

“That’s right. Back then, I never imagined Father was still alive. It was such a shock.”

Aeris gave a small laugh as she remembered that time.

A guard stationed near the gate called out to them from a distance.

“State your business.”

“I’m Honorary Viscount Tauro Giro Sugar. These are my companions from Black-Gold Wings. We would like permission to enter.”

“Honorary Viscount Giro Sugar? Then please allow me to inspect your insignia and entry permit.”

The guard approached Tauro.

“The Honorary Viscount’s insignia is authentic. Now, your permit to enter the grounds… Wh-What’s this?!”

The guard stared in shock at the metal plaque Tauro had produced.

It bore the royal crest, and on the back was written: “Authorized to use and freely enter and leave facilities within the royal demesne.”

“M-My apologies! Please, go right ahead!”

The guard immediately stepped aside.

The other guards had initially looked puzzled by their companion’s flustered reaction, but once they saw the royal plaque in Tauro’s hand, they too hurried out of the way and stood at attention.

“This thing really is powerful…”

Once again, Tauro was reminded just how much authority the small plaque carried.

Black-Gold Wings entered the fortified grounds without further difficulty, and a carriage was prepared to take them toward the inner area surrounding the dungeon.

Before they could leave, however, a man who appeared to be the local administrator arrived on horseback after receiving word of their visit.

“Honorary Viscount Giro Sugar! Please wait!”

Tauro and the others were waiting for the carriage anyway, so they remained where they were until he reached them.

The official dismounted, slightly out of breath.

“May I ask the purpose of your visit?”

“We’d like to enter Babylon.”

“The dungeon? Then would you please give us some time to prepare? We’ll need to assign soldiers to escort you.”

“That isn’t necessary. We’re adventurers ourselves.”

Tauro indicated the insignia worn by Aeris and the others.

“All of you’re adventurers with official titles…? I see. Even so, this is your first time entering under the authority of that royal permit. If anything happened to someone carrying such authorization, we couldn’t excuse ourselves by saying that you declined an escort. Please allow us to prepare one.”

The administrator wiped sweat from his brow as he made the request.

“Understood. In that case, we’ll stay at the inn tonight and enter first thing tomorrow morning. Naturally, we’ll cover the escort’s expenses.”

“That won’t be necessary. We can’t charge someone carrying a royal permit for that. Ordinarily we would collect the necessary expenses, but not in this case. Hahaha.”

Relieved that Tauro had accepted the arrangement without argument, the administrator even managed a small joke.

He guided the party to the best inn within the fortified grounds and then returned to his duties.

The next morning, the escort soldiers he had promised were waiting outside the inn.

There were ten of them in total.

Among them were two very familiar faces.

“Captain Tsuyoku?!”

At the head of the group stood a dignified knight with long flowing blond hair, blue eyes, a spear in hand, and slender plate armor.

It was Tsuyoku, the same knight who had guarded Tauro during his previous expedition into Babylon.

“Hm? Tauro? And Lady Aeris as well. I see. So you’re the Honorary Viscount Giro Sugar everyone has been talking about these last few days. No… I shouldn’t address a viscount so casually. My apologies.”

Tsuyoku bowed.

“Hahaha! Long time no see, Tauro! You remember me, don’t you?”

Standing just behind him was Taichi, a knight who possessed [Weapon Master]. Tauro had first met him while investigating the newly formed dungeon near the village of Dansas, and Taichi had also served in the escort during Tauro’s previous Babylon expedition.

“Of course I remember you. It’s been a long time! And please, both of you, speak to me the way you always did. It would be much more uncomfortable if you suddenly became overly formal.”

Tauro greeted them warmly.

Aeris remembered the two men as well and politely bowed to them.

Ragune, Ankh, and Zion were meeting them for the first time, so they simply watched the reunion and understood that these were old acquaintances of Tauro and Aeris.

“Very well. Then we’ll do as before. Our orders are to make sure none of you’re injured. How long do you intend to remain in the dungeon? Depending on the number of days, our preparations may need to be extensive.”

Tsuyoku quickly returned to his professional manner.

“Just as last time, we only need to go as far as the first Rest Room.”

“The Rest Room? You mean that empty room? What are you planning to do there? Sharga investigated it afterward, but aside from confirming that monsters don’t enter it, his research didn’t make much progress.”

Tsuyoku clearly didn’t understand their purpose.

“There’s something we’d like to test there. Please guide us.”

Tauro answered with a mysterious smile, and the party set off for Babylon.