The Man’s 101st Bad Ending

The moment he received Miragen’s call, he felt a premonition. Her voice lacked its usual cheerfulness.

Something was wrong. But if she could contact him, it couldn’t be an emergency. Then he remembered.

Miragen’s memories were returning.

If they fully returned… she would blame herself for his death.

Things would become complicated.

He, Adele, and Adriana were the only ones who remembered his past lives. If Miragen joined them, the number of people entangled in the Four Dragons’ cycle of regressions would increase.

‘Completion?’

There weren’t many people involved in the regressions. If the Four Dragons had created this narrative, there had to be conditions for reaching the ending.

Yuria’s memories had returned, but she was incapacitated.

Theresa had regained her memories, but she was dead.

The others entangled with him were Adele, Adriana, and Miragen.

He excluded Kaitel.

Kaitel had tried to kill him countless times, but they hadn’t interacted much on a personal level. He had actually seen Kaitel more in this life than in any other.

The Four Dragons’ plan had gone awry.

Perhaps when the Moon Goddess intervened, or when he overcame his despair and regained his resolve.

He didn’t know yet, but the deviation meant he could disrupt their intentions.

It was a challenge, more difficult than simply defeating Kaitel. But his battle with the Minotaur had shown him a glimpse of what lay beyond.

If strategy failed, he would resort to brute force.

His thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

Miragen.

She said she had been experiencing strange visions. She seemed embarrassed, describing them as fantasies.

He knew they were memories. He had experienced something similar before. He suspected, but now he was certain.

“I understand. I’ll see you soon.”

He replied to Miragen, then turned towards Adele’s room.

The intimate atmosphere was gone, but she seemed disappointed. He had to speak with her before leaving. If he disappeared again without a word, she would hunt him down.

‘I’ll explain what you remembered.’

His reflection in the mirror looked gloomy. Confronting the past, explaining the unexplainable… it was never easy.

“The Imperial Palace this time?”

Adele’s reaction was surprisingly calm.

She wasn’t pleased, but she seemed to have anticipated it. Had she assumed Miragen would be next, after Adriana?

She wasn’t wrong.

Though unintentional, he had been meeting them in order.

“Yes. I’ve already informed Adriana. We’ll travel to the Moon Tower and head there immediately-”

“Names.”

Adele frowned, glaring at him.

“You’re too casual. You can call me Adele, but don’t use first names for others in front of me. You never call me by my name so easily…”

She grumbled, then sighed, rubbing her forehead.

He was reminded of their almost-kiss. He didn’t know what he had been thinking.

He had been caught up in the moment, but… he couldn’t deny his feelings were involved.

He would be more careful next time. He looked at Adele, who seemed to have calmed down.

She clicked her tongue.

“At least you’re not disappearing without a word this time. How long will you be in the capital?”

“Perhaps I’ll stay there indefinitely.”

“What? But… you’re from the capital, aren’t you?”

He had been in the North for so long that he had almost forgotten.

He was the Duke of Taylor.

Now that he knew what the masked figures were searching for, there was no reason to remain here.

He and Adriana were leaving for the capital. Once they left, Adele would be alone again.

He didn’t want to leave her, but he had no choice.

“I’ll return. We agreed to meet in autumn, didn’t we?”

“Yes, you should. That’s when I always die.”

“That’s not the only reason.”

He had to remember that she had regained her memories. She spoke of her death so casually.

He stared at her, bewildered.

She chuckled.

“It doesn’t matter. Whatever the reason, as long as you return.”

The line between them, once distant, was redrawn. It was no longer an arm’s length away.

Now, it was the distance of a breath.

Adele stepped closer, her face inches from his. He felt a soft touch on his cheek.

Forehead, then cheek.

She caressed his cheek with her finger and smiled.

“I haven’t forgotten our wager. If you don’t come in winter, I’ll drag you here and make you watch me ring the bell. So until then…”

She placed her sword in his hand, her smile turning bittersweet. As if she knew what lay ahead.

A shadow fell over her face.

“Stay alive.”

“I will.”

In his past lives, he would have been more concerned for her safety. But now, it sounded like a warning for himself.

She didn’t stop him as he turned to leave. There was no need.

They would meet again.

Spring would turn to summer. Summer would fade into autumn, and winter would follow soon after.

Time, usually a fleeting blur, now felt agonizingly slow. He would see her again soon, yet leaving this room felt like a loss.

Next time…

He would stay longer.

Perhaps he would live here for a few years, as he had done long ago.

Adriana returned to the Moon Tower.

She had come to assist him, and now her task was complete. Unlike Adele, he would see Adriana again soon.

He bid her farewell and headed not to the Taylor estate, but to the Imperial Palace.

Visiting his family estate was important, but Miragen took precedence.

If her “delusions” were memories, it could significantly alter the narrative initiated by the Four Dragons.

Perhaps it was a clue to defeating them after their resurrection.

The restoration of everyone’s memories would change something. It would disrupt the endless cycle of regressions.

But how could he explain it?

Adele had been somewhat receptive, and Adriana had seen his memories firsthand. But Miragen believed they were fantasies.

How could he explain his past lives, his countless deaths, to her?

“I’m here to see Her Highness.”

The guards and servants looked at him strangely.

News of his connection to the Princess had spread. They weren’t just acquaintances. There was something more between them.

He had experienced this before, so he ignored their knowing glances. But this was… excessive.

The guards’ barely concealed smirks were amusing.

He chuckled softly and continued walking.

The servants disappeared, and he followed the guard down a familiar corridor. Then he realized something was amiss.

The path was almost identical to the one leading to Miragen’s chambers.

Almost.

He had walked this path hundreds of times. He wouldn’t have noticed the subtle difference otherwise.

He had trusted the guard’s guidance, but where were they going?

“Wait.”

He stopped.

The guard stopped as well, but didn’t turn around.

He sighed.

He had anticipated this, but when had they noticed? A trap? Probably not. If they wanted to lure him here, it was to reveal something, to show him something.

“Where are you from? No, I already know.”

The guard looked familiar, but it was a magically crafted illusion.

He channeled his mana.

The figure before him crackled and distorted, collapsing under the influence of his power.

A familiar presence emerged from the dissolving form. He didn’t need to see the face.

The white mask was enough.

“Cain.”

“It’s good to see you again. I don’t believe we were properly introduced last time.”

Cain said, bowing his head, then removing his mask.

[Translator Notes]