'…'

"Welcome back."

'Piss off.'

"Don't be like that, but indeed you should be feeling bad."

'Eat shit.'

"You thought I told you to stay by her side to protect her? You're too arrogant."

'Shut it.'

I was back on this stupid stage.

"Listen-"

'What's going to happen next? Just tell me.'

"I don't know." Bullshit.

"It's the truth. I'm not all-knowing and can't see the future."

'Alright, whatever, I don't care. Leave.'

"So you're giving up?"

'Mind your business.'

"You feel weak, right? You're ashamed, right? You told that girl that she could rely on you and then you went and got dominated by a random person that you didn't even need to fight."

"And now you want to be alone because you think that this will be the last moment you'll have of peace? And I'm ruining it, right?"

'Enough! I've had enough! Just stop talking!'

A giant fire lit up the space between the stage and seats and now I could see the stupid shadow sitting on one of the seats.

"I can give you some advice?"

'Tell me… will I die? Will Pandres die and will Angel get taken away?'

"I don't know."

'You're absolutely useless.'

"Alright, I'll say my piece and then leave you be."

'…'

"You're strong, but you don't think clearly."

"You take unnecessary risks, you don't take the chances you need to take, you think you're smart, but just end up making bad decisions."

'You just told me a whole bunch of nothing.'

'If that's all you have to say then leave.'

"But-"

'Look, I'm not changing my ways. I've survived through all the shit that life has thrown at me by being the way I am.'

'I've already acknowledged all the things you've listed in the past, you didn't say anything that I didn't already think about.'

'Next time bring some good advice or don't show your stupid face here.'

"Next time? So you haven't given up."

'No, you've annoyed me too much and now I'm too irritated to have my final moments of peace. And so, me giving up just got pushed back a couple of years.'

"Hahaha, I like this, you truly are an odd existence!" Think I'm here to entertain you?

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

"Alright then, I wish you good luck and next time I'll bring some important information."

A bright light brightens up the whole void.

***

And with a big gasp, I open my eyes to find myself sitting in my chair in the room.

"Oh thank goodness, I thought I killed you!" I look to see that red-haired brat sitting across from me.

"I told you not to worry, he just looks like that when he's asleep." To my surprise, Pandres was sitting on the bed with Angel.

'So they're safe, so this is probably a safe situation? No, it's too soon to judge.' But Angel seems relieved that I was awake.

"What the hell is going on?" I try to stand up, but my legs and arms were tied to the chair.

"Let me explain-"

"Shut it, Pandres, explain." I was not planning to listen to the brat who knocked me out.

"Calm down, Sebastian. I understand why you're worried, but we're safe and you're safe, keep a calm attitude." I break free from my restraints much to the surprise of the brat.

"Okay, fine. First, how long was I out for?"

"Two days." Huh…

'How, the dream didn't feel that long? I did use every bit of mana I had on Pandres and got beat up, so it does make some sense, but two days is a lot.'

"Are you okay? Did you regain your strength?" She nods with a proud look and smacks her bicep.

"I see, so, why is this brat here?" I point to him and he laughs.

"Hey, I saved you, you should have a little more respect."

"Saved?" I scoff at him.

"I'll respect a short brat like you when hell freezes over."

"You've got some balls on you to be talking like that to someone who kicked your ass, old man." before I could tell him that I wasn't old, the door was swung open.

"Woah, Klaus talking like that to someone?" And a familiar blonde asshole walks through holding a lot of bags

"He asked for it..."

"Someone, please explain why these two are here, I beg." I've asked two times and both times got no answer.

"The little lady over there asked us to help you and so we, as respectable knights obliged." As he sets the many bags on the ground, he walks over to me and reaches his hand out.

"But first and foremost, I want to apologize for how I acted and for the things I said." I hesitate and look at Angel, but she just kept a straight face.

"Fine, I accept, but don't think I forgive you." He says it's fine and leans against the wall.

"Klaus, explain everything to him."

I begrudgingly let him explain, turns out Angel was worried after I didn't come back and went outside and found the two of them standing over me. She stood up to them and stood between them and me.

They ended up listening to Angel because the red-haired brat or Klaus, convinced the blonde as- ahm, Elliot, that they should lend an ear and once Elliot told Klaus, that he did and said some bad things to Angel, Klaus forced him to apologize and said: "now we have to help them!" And that was how they ended up not reporting us to the knights.

"So you're telling me, you didn't hand us, people suspected of disgusting crimes over because you felt bad and wanted to atone for your actions?" I burst out laughing and Elliot looked away.

"I'm only doing it because Klaus said to." This was just too funny.

"I see, I see, then thank you for your kindness." I sarcastically said.

"And I already knew you didn't do anything wrong…"

"What do you mean by that?"

"This whole thing was planned by my father." His name is Michael D. Wolfgang, right? I'll keep that name in mind.

"And you're rebelling against your father at your big age?"

"Frankly I've had enough of his shit, and so this is just a little way of getting back at him." He pulls out a hooded robe from one of the bags.

"We'll sneak you out of here."

"But why?"

"Because that little lady surviving would be a great way to get rid of my father."

"Hold on, Elliot." The brat puts his hand up to stop Elliot from talking.

"Just so it's clear, we're not working for you nor are we working with you. We are using you."

"I couldn't care less what you call it as long as we can get Angel out of here, I'll go along with it." Of course, if it wasn't all beneficial then I'd betray them and take Angel out of here with Pandres.

"Okay, so the plan is we'll disguise the three of you and escort you out."

"And what do we have to do in return?"

"Keep the little lady safe and bring her back when we ask you to." Bringing her back…

"What are you planning?"

"The Duke's downfall."

It sounds like a good deal, but I shouldn't make this decision on my own.

"Both of you leave, I need to discuss this with them." The brat simply gets up and leaves without saying a word and the other idiot follows after him asking 'if it's fine to leave them alone'.

I go for my sword right away which was next to Pandres, but she grabs my wrist before I could.

"No need, trust me I would've already killed them if they were a threat."

She lets go.

"How can you be sure?"

"That Klaus, you can trust what he says. He never goes back on his word." They both have red hair…

"Are you related?"

"No, I was acquainted with him a while ago, and I can tell he hasn't changed one bit. Other than being strong enough to kick your ass." She laughs.

"I was at a disadvantage, I should've expected to lose and I was short-sighted."

"… But before we continue I need to say something." I bow my head towards the two of them.

"I failed. I failed to do my job and I'd like to apologize for my failure and I promise you, no, I swear on my name that I will not lose another fight, no matter how disadvantaged I am!" I was met with silence.

"Good, if you didn't apologize I would've left you here." I look up to find her smiling.

"But I'm glad I don't have to do that." She throws me my sword and stands up.

"Angel, do you have anything to say?" I look at her to find her avoiding eye contact.

"I'm sorry, Angel-"

"I'm… I'm sad that I couldn't do anything to help you!"

"… ah I'm so pathetic, you felt powerless even though you saved me?" I bend down and put my hands on her shoulders to make her look at me.

"Angel, you weren't powerless, physical strength isn't the only kind of power that exists in this world, for kids being cute and stubborn is their strength, and for me, my stubbornness is my strength." That was when I remembered something.

I reach for my bag and search for it "Angel, I know you think your mother abandoned you, but that's simply not true, and I know you don't want to remember her but that's not right." I find it and pull it out to her surprise.

"Here." It was the bracelet from that vendor.

"But I said-"

"I almost broke the bank to get this you're taking it no matter what." It's true, at the time they were almost out of my sight so I just handed over my last gold coin and ran with it.

"You should take it, Angel. I know how you feel about your mother, but as someone who knew her she loved you more than she loved anything in the world."

She silently took it and put it in her pocket with no expression on her face.

She mumbled a 'thanks' and said nothing else.

I didn't know what to do so I ruffled up her hair and then turned to Pandres.

"So are you okay with going with their plan?"

Pandres gave me a thumbs up.

"What about you, Angel? Are you comfortable with following that bad guy's plan?"

"He apologized for what he said and asked for my forgiveness and that means he's a former bad guy, so yes." she was busy fixing her hair, but answered nonetheless.

"Then it's decided."

________________________________

Two people were listening in with their ears to the door.

"See? I told you they weren't bad people."

"I still don't like that guy though."

"Neither do I, but I'm willing to give him another chance."

"Anyways, are you sure about this plan? Going through with this could have some massive repercussions on the Klein house."

"The plan is flawless, and when it goes as planned we will have nothing to worry about."

"How can we trust that they won't just run off and never come back?

"That's nigh impossible, that girl wouldn't do that." Elliot had previously asked if Klaus knew Pandres, but he didn't give a straight answer.

"You seem awfully knowledgeable about her."

"You weren't my only friend Elliot, you may have been my favorite but I had others."

"That's not what I-" Sebastian had opened the door and found the two listening in.

"If you're going to eavesdrop then try not to be loud. It would do you wonders."