The Failed Swordsman Who Became the Strongest After Spamming the 100 Million Years Button-Novel

197. Allen Cell and Political Marriage [48]

“Hiding among them”, ”Betrayal”, “Emperor’s Four Knights”, “Purging subordinate who failed”- those words struck us speechless.

In the middle of all that,

「Sebas, as I expected, you are after all…」

Only the president pulled out her sword quickly, as if she had foreseen this situation.

「I am sorry, president. It looks like this is where we part ways.」

Sebas-san smiled painfully, as he shrugged his shoulder.

「…Now, please go quickly. If you stay too long, it’ll become troublesome due to my position.」

He said, and stepped away from the spot.

「……」

「……」

Our gazes met. A heavy air permeated the place.

(No way, to think Sebas-san was one of the Thirteen Knights of the Oracle – in addition to that, the『Emperor’s Four Knights』, who reports directly to the Emperor.)

Since when did he start serving in the Black Organization?

Why did he cut down Gregor?

Why is he trying to let us escape?

A number of questions filled my mind.

Then I heard three footsteps running up the stairs from a distance.

It is most likely the three Thirteen Knights of the Oracle who were at the front entrance a while ago.

「Anyway, escape is the maximum priority right now. Let’s return to the Imperial Kingdom as soon as possible before the『enemy』changes his mind.」

Rose, still composed, whispered so that only we could hear it.

The word『enemy』referring to Sebas-san pierced deep into my chest.

「I don’t know what’s going on anymore, but… anyway, let’s go, Sie!」

「Let’s postpone the details, though!」

「Eh, ah, wait…!?」

Lilim-senpai and Ferris-senpai pulled the president by the hand and jumped into the spot.

The three student council members were swallowed by the black shadow.

Sebas-san stared at it sorrowfully.

「…Sayonara, president. Lilim, Ferris… It has been fun.」

He whispered, as though saying his final farewell.

After the president and senpais, Ria and Rose also jumped into the spot.

(All right, everyone has escaped safely…!)

And when I tried to join them,

「Allen, do you have a minute?」

Sebas-san said with a heavy tone, and with a serious look.

「…What is it?」

I decided to respond for the time being while readying myself to jump into the spot at any time.

「Ah, you don’t have to be so on guard. I’m not going to do anything to you guys for today.」

「『Today』, huh…」

If you look at it from another perspective, it means he’ll start attacking us mercilessly from tomorrow onwards.

「Don’t glare at me like that. We both have our『positions』, don’t we?」

Sebas-san scratched his cheeks with a troubled expression.

「So… what is it?」

If I stay here for too long, Ria and the others who jumped in first will start to worry.

Deciding that, I urged him to get to the point.

「Aa, about that… Thanks to you, we were able to rescue the president safely. I truly thank you very much.」

He bowed his head deeply, with an extremely serious expression that he has never shown before.

From the sincere attitude and the words that came from his heart, I understood that this was his true feelings, without a shred of a lie mixed in.

「I received information about the political marriage from a “certain source”, but… Due to my position as one of the Emperor’s Four Knights, I wasn’t able to make a move openly. It is all thanks to you that we were able to save the president. Thank you very much.」

Sebas-san said, expressing his gratitude again.

「I owe a huge debt to Allen now. I don’t know if this will clear that debt, but I want to make you a promise.」

「A promise…?」

「As a『friend』, no matter what the situation might be – I will help you once.」

「…Is that so? I appreciate your feelings, but I’ll take it with a grain of salt.」

Understandably, I can’t just accept without questioning the words of a top executive.

「That’s fine for now. The important thing is not words but actions. Well then, Allen, take care of that scatterbrained, dunce, and… helplessly kind and gentle president, okay?」

He laughed sorrowfully, with an expression that seemed like he would break down at any moment.

「Yes, leave it to me.」

「Right now we’re enemies, but… your words are very reassuring.」

And when the story came to a pause,

「Oh, yeah. Since we’re at it, I’ll give you a piece of advice.」

Sebas-san said, as though he had just recalled it.

「Your precious loved one, Ria Vesteria, keep a watchful eye on her physical condition.」

「Ria’s physical condition…?」

「I’m guessing not long before that– Oh, too bad. It looks like our time is up.」

He cut off the conversation and quickly headed outside Zack’s room.

「Wha, Sebas-sama!? Did you come back from your mission!?」

「Please be careful!『Special Class Force』Allen Rodore is hiding inside the castle!」

「Our comrade, Gregor Ash, was defeated, and Numero Dolan and hundreds of guards have been cut down.」

Three unfamiliar voices echoed.

Most likely the three Thirteen of Knights of the Oracle whom I saw at the front entrance, have run up here.

「Is that so… Unfortunately, they slipped out of my hands just a second ago.」

After feeding them that lie, he turned his gaze towards the spot for just a moment.

It was a message that evidently said,『Escape now』.

(…Goodbye, Sebas-san.)

I whispered in my heart, and jumped into the spot.

Thus, we, who succeeded in the rescue of the president, escaped from the Holy Ronelia Empire safely.