The Man’s 101st Bad Ending

I hadn’t considered the possibility of a direct approach. I had assumed they would operate in secrecy.

I hadn’t expected to see Cain, the man I had first encountered during Theresa’s assassination, again.

“Cain.”

His long, crimson hair swayed, a scarlet streak against the muted backdrop of the corridor. He had been tying it back.

His features, now visible, weren’t particularly intimidating.

Unlike Kaitel, he had a rather gentle appearance.

I hadn’t seen it before because of the mask, but his smile seemed genuine.

He wasn’t here to help.

I sensed no other presence nearby. This seemed excessive for a simple conversation.

I reached for my sword.

Cain chuckled, his gaze fixed on my hand.

“I’m not here to fight. But you seem wary. I assumed you knew I was affiliated with Prince Kaitel.”

“I do. But revealing yourself so openly in the Imperial Palace is problematic.”

They were secret organization, unknown to anyone except Kaitel.

Their presence here could jeopardize Miragen.

I knew of their connection to Kaitel, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t draw my sword.

He seemed to recall my previous investigation. It was too early to let this slide.

I hesitated, then relaxed my hand.

Cain placed his mask in his pocket and continued.

“Your caution is understandable. We made a slight ‘mistake’ in the North, resulting in bloodshed. It’s natural for you to be wary of me.”

“You call unleashing a demon a mistake? Does the Crown Prince know about this?”

“He does. He orchestrated everything.”

The atmosphere grew tense.

It was a blatant admission. I had suspected it, but Cain’s boldness surprised me.

I knew, but I had to feign ignorance.

I couldn’t let Cain know I had already suspected Kaitel.

“You understand the implications of your words?”

“I do. I’ve accused the imperial family of consorting with forces that oppose the Moon Goddess. A mere subordinate, daring to make such an accusation.”

My sword flashed, drawn in a swift, fluid motion.

The blade rested against Cain’s throat.

He remained unfazed.

Had he done this intentionally?

He wasn’t trying to provoke me. He must have something to say.

I had come to meet Miragen. The timing was suspicious, and it was strange for him to make such a statement after the Minotaur incident.

He surely knew about the chaos in the North.

As if sensing my thoughts, Cain smiled, his gaze fixed on the blade at his throat.

He showed no signs of aggression, no intention of harming me. He simply shrugged, as if dismissing the threat.

“Your suspicion is warranted. I tried to dissuade him. I believed it was premature, but the Crown Prince seemed to think it was acceptable.”

“The Crown Prince? Then…”

“Yes. I brought you here because someone is waiting for you. You came to see the Princess, but someone else wishes to speak with you first.”

I understood.

The only person who would send Cain to fetch me was his superior. Kaitel.

He didn’t need to say the name.

I smiled faintly.

Kaitel wanted to discuss the Four Dragons.

I had disrupted his plans by learning the truth sooner than anticipated.

I sheathed my sword.

If Kaitel had summoned me, I had to appear completely loyal.

I was unfamiliar with deception.

“Let’s go.”

“I’ll lead the way.”

Meeting Kaitel was significant. I had finally reached this point, but I had to deceive him.

He was likely suspicious, perhaps even influenced by the Four Dragons’ residual thoughts.

I would have to postpone my meeting with Miragen.

As I considered how to apologize. I followed Cain, my mind racing.

If asked who had changed the most since their first meeting, Kaitel would undoubtedly choose Robert Taylor.

The weak, timid youth was gone, replaced by a man who controlled the Taylor family through his own merit.

How could he be the same person? he had initially dismissed his ambition as bluster.

He hadn’t believed his claim that he would become Duke. Despite the rumors of his transformation, he had still considered him a nuisance, a problem to be dealt with eventually.

That was why he had spoken so carelessly.

He had mentioned the artifacts, believing he would die before he could act on that information. But he had uncovered his schemes, his secret organization.

Yet, he still feigned loyalty.

Why? What was his motive for acting so differently, so uncharacteristically pro-imperial?

He had considered the possibility of Miragen’s influence, but love didn’t seem like a sufficient explanation.

He had approached him even before their relationship developed. And now, he knew he possessed the strength to defeat a demon like the Minotaur.

He was dangerous.

If he became an obstacle to his plans, everything could crumble.

His sudden alliance with the stabilizing forces in the North was also concerning.

What if he joined forces with the North and marched on the capital?

He wouldn’t be able to defend against such an assault with the capital’s forces alone.

He would have to seek outside help, which would disrupt his carefully laid plans.

“Independent power, the restoration of former glory.”

He sighed, clutching his throbbing head.

He felt a surge of murderous intent whenever he looked at him. He shouldn’t feel this way.

He was simply testing him. To see if he would remain loyal even after learning the truth, or if his loyalty was just a facade.

“You’ve always said that was your ultimate goal.” Robert said, his head bowed slightly.

“Everything I did in the North was for that future. Though it goes against the will of the Moon Goddess, it’s the only way to escape this confinement.”

The Empire’s territory was a fraction of what it once was. Barely a third of the continent, and excluding the vast, sparsely populated North, less than seventy percent was habitable.

Could anyone survive in the barren South? Perhaps half.

It was too small.

He had to expand. His ambition, nurtured since childhood, extended beyond the Empire’s borders.

He had explored countless options, but always encountered obstacles.

“The Moon Goddess abhors bloodshed. It’s been centuries since the last war, and even that was a defensive action against invaders. Do you remember the last time we initiated a war of conquest?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Of course not. It never happened. The Empire has always been on the defensive. That’s why our territory has shrunk, why we’ve even lost control of the land where the Moon Temple stands.”

They were radical words, even for a member of the imperial family.

Kaitel, Robert, and Cain all knew it.

He could be excommunicated for such blasphemy, yet no one refuted him.

“That’s why I sought an alliance. If we need power, we can borrow it from the opposite side.”

An excuse. Both Robert and him knew it.

He had sought an alliance with the sun because he needed power, but the relationship between the Four Dragons and the imperial family was far more complex. Long ago, to survive their first encounter with the Four Dragons, the imperial family had made a pact.

A pact that still bound them.

Robert didn’t know this. He only sensed that something was amiss.

If he simply needed power, he wouldn’t have erased the records.

But there was something more important. He was testing his loyalty.

He smiled.

“I understand. I acquired the artifacts to fulfill your wishes.”

“I’m glad you understand. I’ve called you here to discuss my future plans.”

Plans he had been developing for a while. He had recently realized that these plans might align with Robert’s ambitions.

He met his calm gaze.

“The North’s power has grown significantly. I was surprised by how quickly you dealt with the barbarians. You even eliminated the Minotaur, removing a potential threat.”

“I’ve certainly improved.”

When he mentioned the North, Robert understood his intentions.

His lips twitched slightly. He had anticipated this, but he had hoped it wouldn’t come to this.

Every future was different now.

He had hoped Adele’s death would also be averted in this twisted timeline. But he continued, his words shattering his hopes.

“If such a power turned against us, the Empire would descend into chaos.”

“…I agree.”

“But if we could sway them to our side? We could crush the South like insects.”

He grinned cruelly.

Robert remained impassive.

He had anticipated this.

He could see the wheels turning in his mind.

He was clearly shaken, but his expression remained calm.

“You intend to kill the Grand Duchess.”

Spring, not autumn.

Time was moving faster now, and summer was fast approaching.

“Will you cooperate?”

He stared into his eyes.

Robert remained silent.

For a fleeting moment, a red glint flashed in Kaitel’s normally golden eyes.

[Translator Notes]