The Man’s 101st Bad Ending

There must’ve been some kind of deal. That was the most logical conclusion. He doubted Miragen was involved, but there was definitely a connection between the imperial family and the Four Dragons.

The name “Eclipse,” the accumulated evidence, all pointed toward a link.

Kaitel’s manipulation of the residual thoughts was also part of the Four Dragons’ resurrection plan.

The subjugation of the South? A pretext.

Their true objective was something else, likely the artifacts and ruins hidden within the demi-humans’ territory.

“What do you plan to do now?”

His regressions were orchestrated by the Four Dragons.

They had intended to use the imperial family for their resurrection, but the Moon Goddess had intervened.

Their plan was nearing fruition. The only problem was that his mind, which should have shattered, remained intact.

His encounter with the Minotaur, the unfolding events, everything was going relatively well. He just had to eliminate Kaitel. But there wasn’t much time left before the Four Dragons’ resurrection.

He had never heard any news of them before the winter of his death. He had time. Time to consider his options.

He believed it was wise to observe and wait. He couldn’t exploit Kaitel’s weakness yet.

Using this information to pressure the imperial family, revealing their connection to the Four Dragons, wouldn’t be effective.

Just like with everything, there was an order to his plans.

His priority was preventing Adele’s death. The Four Dragons were important, but not as important as Adele.

He stared at the blue mana emanating from the mural, then turned to Arwen.

He felt guilty, but the matter of the Four Dragons had to be postponed.

“Let’s return to the North.”

His task here was complete. He felt a sense of relief, not futility.

“Robert?”

Adriana, surprised by his sudden appearance after days of absence, looked at him intently.

Her unfocused gaze felt like a glare.

He had been busy.

Processing the information from the Minotaur, verifying its accuracy with Arwen. He hadn’t seen Adele in weeks.

Adriana frowned.

“Where have you been? You didn’t even contact me.”

“I had some things to investigate. What I learned from the Minotaur, about my regressions…”

He was surprised that Arwen had deduced his regressions, but it had expedited their investigation. Her intellect, honed through mastery of magic, surpassed human comprehension. 𝐫

Just as he was considered superhuman with his abilities with the sword, Arwen had likely perceived his regressions in a similar manner.

He hadn’t explained the details, as he had with Adriana.

To Arwen, his regressions were simply a link to the Four Dragons.

The past wasn’t relevant.

Adriana seemed surprised by his revelation, then whispered,

“Are you alright? Learning about your regressions… it couldn’t have been easy.”

“I’m fine. Or rather, I’m trying to be.”

He couldn’t be fine, knowing he had been a puppet in the Four Dragons’ resurrection plan.

He felt a sense of futility, a desire to succumb to despair. But he couldn’t. He had too much to protect. Giving up now would achieve absolutely nothing.

“There’s much to be done.”

Adriana tried to comfort him, but he reassured her.

She was the only one who truly understood him, but he hadn’t come seeking solace. This was the busiest period of his life.

Spring, the approaching summer.

He wanted to resolve the matter of the masked figures before summer’s end.

He smiled gently, stroking Adriana’s hair lovingly.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m better than I seem.”

“That’s why I’m worried. You don’t seem fine at all.”

“Can you read my emotions?”

She was likely reading his feelings.

He tapped his chest playfully.

Adriana chuckled wryly.

He had tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but he couldn’t completely mask his turmoil. He couldn’t help it.

He had to maintain this facade until everything was resolved.

He turned and walked away, leaving Adriana with a slightly improved, yet still complex, expression.

He had seen Adele long before Adriana. He was curious about her reaction, but he expected anger.

He had been wrong.

He hadn’t contacted her in two weeks.

He had disappeared immediately after returning from the reconnaissance mission. He had no excuse.

He hesitated, then knocked on Adele’s door.

Or rather, he was about to knock.

The door swung open, revealing Adele.

He waved awkwardly.

“It’s been a while —”

“Do you think this is some sort of joke?”

Her voice was cold, her expression rigid. Tears streamed down her face one by one, and her eyes were bloodshot.

He grimaced, watching her clenched fists tremble. She released the doorknob and struck his chest.

He felt a sharp pain, but she hadn’t used her full strength. She struck him again, a softer blow. He stumbled back but didn’t avoid it.

He deserved it.

He hoped this would appease her, but Adele continued, her voice trembling,

“You don’t contact me. You disappear after fighting a demon, and now you come back waving like nothing happened? Do you think I’ll welcome you with open arms?”

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know how pathetic I must seem to you. You don’t have to contact me. Just don’t come to the North at all. I’d rather forget you completely.”

She pressed him against the wall, her elbow digging into his chest. She stared at him, then wiped her tears.

She laughed, a hollow, humorless sound.

Her gaze met his.

She seemed angry, but her eyes held a complex mix of emotions that made his heart ache.

Would it be right to excuse himself by saying he had no choice?

No, he could have told her more. He was doing this to prevent her death. Instead of apologizing, he decided to listen.

He remained silent, meeting her gaze, absorbing her words.

“I was worried when I heard you fought a demon. I wanted to check your wounds as soon as you returned, even though you were with the Saint. I waited for you at the entrance. Do you know how I felt when only the Saint returned?”

He hadn’t considered it. He had been preoccupied with the revelation about his regressions, about the Four Dragons.

He had thought he could quickly resolve the matter, return to the North, and explain everything later.

He had focused on the fact that Adele wouldn’t be in danger until after autumn.

“If you hate me, just say so. If you don’t want to see me, just tell me.”

Her hand slipped from his chest, her forehead resting against his.

She murmured, her voice barely audible. He should have denied it, but before he could speak, she continued,

“It would be easier for both of us. Why… Why do you keep tormenting me?”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You shouldn’t. Words can’t fix this.”

She looked at him, a bitter smile on her tear-stained face.

He understood now.

How she must have felt waiting for him. He should have been more considerate.

He had been too focused on his own problems, forgetting that there were people who cared about him, people who waited for him.

Perhaps it was because it was so unfamiliar. In his past lives, few had waited for him. He had acted out of habit.

Should he apologize? Or thank her for waiting?

He should tell her that he didn’t hate her, that he didn’t want to leave her. But actions spoke louder than words.

He gently pushed her shoulder. She didn’t resist, her gaze fixed on him. He caressed her tear-stained cheek.

Just as she had comforted him after he killed Temuzin, her touch calmed him. She leaned into his touch, her head tilting slightly.

They remained silent, but they both knew what would follow.

He smiled, meeting her gaze.

Her lips were red and slightly swollen, with a faint trace of blood where she had bitten them.

He touched the spot gently.

“When did you hurt yourself?”

“Last night, before I went to sleep.”

“You know I don’t like the taste of blood.”

Despite their close proximity, she remained silent.

He had thought it would progress from forehead to cheek… but they had skipped a few steps.

Their breaths mingled.

Actions were better than apologies. The unspoken emotions of their long separation… As their lips were about to meet, a buzzing sound broke the silence.

It was the artifact vibrating in his pocket. The intimate atmosphere shattered, the distance between them widening.

An awkward silence filled the air.

Adele blushed, covering her mouth with her hand.

She quickly stepped back.

“Haah…”

He had almost crossed a line, swept away by the moment.

He felt a pang of regret. But the vibrating artifact meant only one thing.

Arwen, who was in the North, wouldn’t contact him.

Miragen.

He thought of the woman who had contacted him earlier and channeled his mana into the artifact.

[Translator Notes]