Chapter 505: Secrets in the Dungeon

Captain Tsuyoku and the rest of the escort team, including Taichi, decided to return to the surface after Tauro said that most of his tasks for this time had been completed.

During the few hours of their return, Tauro explained what was to come.

He said that strong adventurers under his authority would come to this dungeon, “Babylon.”

Captain Tsuyoku and his team were left with a confused “?” expression.

Trying to make him understand, Tauro continued: 

these adventurers would directly move to Babylon using the same ability I had demonstrated today, so please be ready to greet them properly when they arrived.

“──So, you’re saying that those ‘strong adventurers’ who move here from other dungeons using the ability you showed in the ‘Rest Room’ are coming to help conquer the dungeon? …Just how strong are these ‘strong adventurers’? If you’re the one evaluating them, are we talking about A-rank adventurers?”

Captain Tsuyoku struggled to understand this seemingly absurd explanation and asked for an explanation again in an attempt to understand it.

“…Umm. In terms of ability, they’re S-rank or higher. I know it sounds unbelievable, but they really are that strong, so you’ll just have to see for yourselves next time you meet them,” 

“What, S- S-rank!? …Tauro-kun, S-rank is, basically, an honorary rank reserved for legendary-level adventurers. Unless they aren’t human, there are no adventurers of that class, you know?”

Taichi, who had been quietly listening to Captain Tsuyoku and Tauro’s conversation,, interrupted, thinking it must be a lie.

“…Ahaha. Normally, you would think that. I’ll bring the S-rank adventurers here with my ability later, so you can confirm for yourselves. It’s better for everyone to meet face to face to avoid any trouble,” Tauro explained, exchanging glances and wry smiles with Aeris and the others.

“…If you say so, Tauro-kun, I’d like to believe you… —Understood. If such powerful individuals could help us conquer this dungeon, it will be a great help. As long as we can confirm it by meeting them, there shouldn’t be any problem. We’ll discuss the details later,” Captain Tsuyoku said.

Though still somewhat skeptical, he had no choice but to believe Tauro since he said he would actually bring them.

Plus, whether it was true or not, it would either be a reassurance or, if false, just a simple story.

Captain Tsuyoku accepted Tauro’s proposal, and they agreed to meet in the first-floor ‘Rest Room’ a few days later.

A few days later, In the Rest Room:

Captain Tsuyoku, Taichi, and the escort team, along with the person in charge of administrative procedures for the dungeon “Babylon’’ were waiting.

The manager was skeptical of Captain Tsuyoku’s story.

However, since Honorary Viscount Tauro Girosugar, who holds royal permission, was involved, the manager had altered his schedule to accompany them to confirm the details.

“In a few hours, we’ll have to turn back, you know? Honestly, if there really was someone with the ability to travel like that, it wouldn’t be surprising if they had already conquered Babylon in the first place—”

The head of management said this and just as he was finished speaking

 a large number of people appeared in an instant, forming a circular formation.

“!?”

The manager’s eyes widened at the scene he witnessed.

Even though Commander Tsuyoku and his men knew what was coming, the sudden appearance of the large group -roughly thirty people made them instinctively place their hands on their swords.

Tauro and the others were among the group in the circle, and when he saw Captain Tsuyoku, he waved to him and approached.

“Captain Tsuyoku, I’ve brought them!”

Tauro called out, and introduced the great hero Roy, who was in charge of the dragon folk’s side, to Commander Tsuyoku.

The two men looked each other in the eye and exchanged a firm handshake.

“(For a human) he’s remarkably strong. Just as lord Tauro said,” Great Hero Roy evaluated Captain Tsuyoku after shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.

Captain Tsuyoku seemed to feel something upon seeing Roy, or perhaps he sensed his strength through some appraisal skill, as he shivered slightly.

“…Lord Tauro. This is the first time I’ve encountered someone overwhelmingly stronger than me. And since everyone you’ve brought along is like that, I can’t help but tremble,” Captain Tsuyoku admitted.

Taichi, his deputy commander nodded beside him, drenched in cold sweat.

The manager was surprised by Tsuyoku’s words and gasped when he realized that he was trembling, which suggested this was no exaggeration.

“Um, well… I’m the administrative manager for ‘Babylon.’ Are these people to be considered your companions, lord Tauro. and from now on… I’m sure they’ll continue to appear in a flash like they did just now and help you conquer this dungeon, right?”

“Yes. However, there are others as well, so I think they will rotate in and out. I’d like you to issue proof that they are recognized by my name or something similar so there are no conflicts if they’re encountered inside the dungeon,” 

“I was informed of that beforehand, so issuing a certificate is possible. —By the way, would it be okay if I could perform a personal appraisal? I cannot evaluate them without appraising them,” the manager requested.

Though the manager had already sensed they were strong from Captain Tsuyoku’s reaction, he needed to verify it himself.

Great Hero Roy volunteered to undergo the appraisal on behalf of the group, 

The great hero Roy removed the appraisal inhibition and allowed the appraisal.

The manager checked and appraised them.

　And,

“…A Gr- Great Hero…!? All of these skills and abilities are ones I have never seen or heard of before… I see… It certainly seems that it is no exaggeration to describe them as S-rank level… I understand… I have confirmed that they are overwhelmingly superior. However, it would be best to keep this strictly confidential. Captain Tsuyoku, Vice-Captain Taichi, is that understood?”

The manager interjected with a serious look on his face.

“…got it,” Captain Tsuyoku nodded obediently, thinking that was only natural.

“? —It’s an amazing thing, so why keep it secret?” Taichi asked, tilting his head.

“Taichi-san, if it became public knowledge that there are many powerful people S rank and above, it could disrupt many power dynamics. That’s why I think we should keep this a secret within the dungeon.” Tauro explains the importance of the matter to Taichi, who is surprised to meet someone who is simply strong.