Chapter 85 - Top Secret and Thousand Blade Festival [2] (1/2)

85. Top Secret and Thousand Blade Festival [2]

100 Million Years Button – A cursed button.

The moment I pressed it, I was confined for 100 million years in the『Prison of Time』.

Where I continued to swing my sword mindlessly for 100 million years.

And after repeating『100 million years』over and over again – I escaped from that hellish loop by 『cutting the world』.

(I have never told anyone about the 100 million-year button.)

I thought no one would believe such a fairy tale-like story.

And yet,

「Sensei, how do you know about the 100 Million-Year Button?!」

When I asked her,

「Of course I know. I have experienced it, too.」

She said something outrageous.

「B-By experienced… you mean?!」

「Aa, that’s right. I spent a very long time in the『Prison of Time』, too.」

Sensei whispered with a distant look in her eyes.

「Which means, you know about the hermit of time too?」

「Of course I know. That rather annoying geezer with a really long, white beard, right?」

「……」

There is no more doubt.

Just like me, sensei received the 100 Million Year Button from the hermit of time and – accidentally pushed it.

「S-So, what do you mean by『talk about the 100 Million Year Button』?」

When I asked her directly,

「Hmm, that’s right. Let me start with this first – Don’t ever tell anyone about the 100 Million Year Button in the future.」

Sensei said, looking me straight in the eye.

「Y-Yes, that’s fine, but… Why not?」

In the first place, I had zero intention of talking to anyone about the 100 Million Year Button.

However, as I am『prohibited from revealing』, I want to know the reason.

「Well, where should I start…」

Sensei began to speak slowly, with her arms folded.

「Well, let me share the information I’ve got first. The principle of the 100 Million Years Button is a cursed button which the hermit of time carries around. Its origin is old, and the existence of the hermit of time and the 100 Million Year Button has been dated back to a few hundred years ago.」

「F-Few hundred years ago!?」

「Aa, it’s far beyond the lifespan of a human being. Since he himself calls himself the『hermit of time』, he probably has no life span. He’s more of a『spectre』than a human being.」

A spectre, huh…

Certainly, now that I think about it, I felt that the hermit of time was emitting otherworldly vibes.

「I don’t know what his purpose is, but he wanders around from place to place, handing out the 100 Million Year Button to especially outstanding『swordsman with innate talent』.」

Since the hermit of time appeared in front of me, that’s probably not the case.

「But such people seldom surface – no, they are extremely rare. Because most swordsmen can’t stand the hell of 100 million years and they commit suicide.」

「……」

I remembered something unpleasant.

「The swordsman who break the curse of the 100 Million Year Button and were able to escape from the prison of time are called『Transcendent』.」

「…Transcendent?」

「Aa, yes. And the problem begins from here. There is a large organization that has recently been gathering transcendents and is operating in the shadows of the world.」

「Is it perhaps… the Black Organization?」

「Good guess. It is exactly as you say.」

Sensei nodded, and drank from the glass placed on the desk.

「You’ve left a very big impression at this year’s Sword King Festival. The unthinkable impression of – The『Nameless Swordsman』who defeated『Prodigy』Idol Luxmaria. The degree of attention on the Sword King Festival is high. I’m sure this information has already reached those guys’ ears.」

She continued further.

「In addition, even though it wasn’t made public, you defeated the infamous『Conflagration Zack Bomber』by yourself. And Zack is a member of the Black Organization. Naturally, this information will be well known within the organization. In other words, what I’m trying to say is that there’s a good chance that the Black Organization will try to contact you in the future. To scout you, of course」

「T-To scout me?!」

「Aa, it’s very plausible. Be careful, alright? They are horribly persistent. If it’s for the sake of achieving their purpose, they’ll use any dirty method without hesitation.」

「I understand. I will be careful.」

「Umu, please do.」

It’s absolutely unthinkable for me to join the organization that kidnapped Ria.

However, it won’t hurt to be cautious.

「Well, to summarize everything, the Black Organization is gathering『Transcendents』. And due to your successes so far, they are likely to come and scout you. So, if someone asks about the『100 Million Year Button』in the future, do not tell the truth and feign ignorance. He’s definitely a member of the Black Organization.」

「Yes…」

When I nodded,

「Well, that’s all. Sorry for drawing it out.」

Sensei said, and drank up the glass of water.

「No, it had been weighing down on my mind, so thank you very much.」