PERFECT REINCARNATION : Being Invincible in Another World-Chapter 74: Road to the First Dungeon

The early morning air at the castle gates carried a stillness that could be felt before the city fully awakened. For a few moments after Sally’s bold declaration, the courtyard remained quiet except for the sound of restlessness of horses and the faint clanking of armor as guards adjusted their equipment.

Rowan stood beside Aurelion, his heavy travel pack still carried on his shoulders. The straps were heavier than his arms, but he endured it. His eyes was focused between Sally and Aurelion, curious about what would happening in front of him.

Sally stood proudly with her hands crossed in the stone of central place, her expression was full of confidence as if the decision had already been made.

Lyra, meanwhile, had already done her work by informing Aurelion and remained composed beside her. Though on the outside she stayed disciplined but, there was a subtle look of anticipation in her eyes as she wanted to know Aurelion’s decision.

Aurelion sighed quietly. "...You are bored?" he repeated, glancing toward Sally. She nodded enthusiastically. "....Yes. Not just Bored, I am extremely bored."

Sally was unlike the others. Even among the familiars, her personality was more on the human side than the others who acted in their animal forms, it was something subtle yet undeniable.

Aurelion had never truly tested her abilities.

Even after the tests at the tower, he still was not sure about her capabilities. That alone stirred a curiosity in him.His eyes shifted briefly toward the road beyond the castle gates before returning to Sally again. "...Fine. Join us then." Sally’s grin widened immediately. "But..., you will follow orders." Aurelion added, lifting one finger.

"HOW DARE YOU GIV—" Aurelion gave a long stare. "... I mean, Of course." Sally nodded. Her tone suggested she just wanted to explore outside. And then, she made Puppy Eyes.

Aurelion gave a quiet chuckle under his breath. "...I am curious anyway." He said in a low voice. Rowan tilted his head as he heard him. "...Curious?" Aurelion turned slightly towards him."Oh Nothing, ...Just about how strong she actually is."

Sally puffed out her chest and took her boasting pose. "...You shall not regret witnessing the greatness of this honorable one." Rowan scratched the back of his head awkwardly as he had once again become an NPC character with all attention getting away from him.

Lyra gave a small bow. "...Your highness, Then I shall record her participation in today’s expedition and inform His Majesty." Aurelion waved his hand lightly and said. "...No need. We are not filing an official report for a simple dungeon visit. This is just for Father." Lyra nodded.

The horses nearby stamped their hooves softly against the stone courtyard as a gentle breeze passed through the open gates.

The day of exploration was beginning. Aurelion turned toward the convoy. "...Let’s go, guys."

The guards immediately straightened. One of them brought forward two horses which had sadles on their backs. They were tall, well-trained animals with strong builds suited for travel across uneven terrain. Their coats gleamed faintly in the morning light and they were the regular ones not the magical.

Rowan stared at them for a moment. "...We are riding those?" Aurelion looked at him. "...Did you plan to walk instead?" Rowan replied."...No."

He slowly stepped forward and tried to climb onto one of the horses while still wearing his large backpack. The moment he lifted himself up, the extra weight shifted awkwardly behind him. The horse shifted slightly. Rowan nearly fell sideways. One of the guards quickly grabbed the reins to steady the animal. "...Careful, little guy." the guard muttered.

Rowan’s face was red with embarrassment. "...Sorry."

After a moment of adjusting and tightening the straps of his pack again, he finally managed to sit properly in the saddle. The backpack still looked almost comically oversized on him.

Aurelion observed the sight with quiet amusement. "...You look like a traveling merchant rather than a Knight." Rowan sighed."...Can’t help, Mira insisted." Aurelion shook his head lightly. Then he turned to mount his own horse.

Sally suddenly stepped forward. "...Wait."

Aurelion reacted "...What?" Sally pointed confidently at the horse. "...This Honorable one shall ride with you." Aurelion stared at Sally for a few seconds. "...Why?" Sally folded her arms. "...Because I want to." Aurelion exhaled slowly. "...Fine."

He mounted the horse first with smooth ease. Sally immediately hopped up behind him with surprising agility. She landed lightly on the saddle and sat comfortably as if she had done this many times before.

Rowan watched the entire thing silently. "...This feels unfair somehow." Aurelion glanced at him. "...Focus on staying on your horse." He teased Rowan, Rowan sighed.

The convoy finally began to move. The guards at the front guided their horses forward, passing through the towering gates of the Royal Castle. Beyond them stretched the wide stone road leading toward the outer districts of the capital.

In the city—

Merchants were opening wooden shutters on their shops while carts loaded with goods rolled slowly along the streets. Bakers set trays of bread near open windows, letting the warm scent drift outside. As the group moved through the streets, some early travelers paused to watch them pass. The polished armor of the castle guards shined brightly.

Rowan glanced around curiously. Even though he had lived in the city for some time, leaving the castle like this felt strangely different. Soon they passed through the outer gates.

Beyond the capital stretched the open countryside.Fields of grass swayed gently beneath the rising sunlight while distant hills rolled across the horizon. The road itself became rougher as it turned into a dirt path cutting through the landscape.Rowan shifted slightly on his horse, adjusting his balance.

The backpack behind him swayed faintly with every step of the animal."...How far is the dungeon?" he asked. Aurelion answered without turning. "...A few hours." Rowan nodded. "... I see."

The journey continued. For a while the group traveled in silence. Sally leaned slightly to one side to Aurelion at the surrounding landscape."...This is boring." Aurelion didn’t respond. She tapped his shoulder. "...Are dungeons interesting at least?" Aurelion finally turned. "...They can be. I do not know, this is my first too." Rowan glanced back to these two. "What are they like?" Aurelion thought for a moment. "...Unpredictable, I guess." That answer didn’t help much. But Rowan didn’t ask further.

The road slowly climbed into a region where rocky hills replaced the open plains. Trees grew thicker along the path while jagged stone formations rose from the ground like ancient ruins carved by nature.Eventually the convoy began to slow down.

The guards at the front raised a hand. At first, they did not understand. Then Aurelion saw it. Nestled between two massive rock cliffs was a wide opening in the earth. It looked like the mouth of some enormous creature carved into the mountain itself.

The entrance to the dungeon. The convoy came to a halt a short distance away.

Rowan slowly got off his horse, his boots were crunching softly against the gravel-covered ground. He stared at the entrance. The cave opening was massive.Darkness stretched within it like a deep shadow swallowing the sunlight near its edges. The stone around the entrance looked worn and uneven, as though centuries of wind and time had carved it wider.

Cold air drifted outward from the cavern.

It carried a faint damp smell of stone and underground water. Rowan felt a strange sensation run through him. It was excitement, Nervousness and Curiosity, all together.

The guards dismounted as well, securing the horses nearby. Aurelion slid down from his horse with practiced ease. Sally hopped down beside him, landing lightly on the ground.

Her eyes immediately focused on the cave entrance."...So this is a dungeon."

Aurelion nodded in excitement too. "...Yes." Rowan stepped closer. The shadows inside the cave seemed to shift slightly as the morning light struggled to reach deeper within. Jagged rocks formed natural archways along the entrance, and thin vines hung loosely from the stone above.Somewhere deep inside, faint echoes could be heard. Dripping water. Distant hollow sounds. The air felt colder here. He pulled the straps of his backpack instinctively. "...It just looks like a normal cave." Aurelion shook his head. "...That is how most of them begin in novelkisss." He mumbled so others could not hear him. Sally tilted her head "...I like it."

Aurelion glanced at her. "...Why?" She smiled. "...Because it looks dangerous."

The dark tunnel before them stretched deeper into the earth like an unknown path waiting to be explored.This would be his first step into a dungeon. Aurelion began walking toward the entrance. Rowan quickly followed behind. Sally walked beside them, her eyes were shining with curiosity as she was enjoying the darkness.

The journey into the dungeon was about to begin. All that was left to do now, was just giving their all and open the doors to a new horizon.

[To be Continued]