EP.101

Once, Claire had asked her mother a question.

If simply looking at someone makes you feel good, if you always want to be with that person and feel your heart warm just from standing together and talking, what does that mean about how you feel toward them?

In response to this question, Claire’s Mother smiled and answered.

“Then, my dear, you are in love with that man.”

“…I never said he was a man.”

“Oh, you don’t need to hide anything. I can understand, no matter whom you bring home.”

Feeling as though her thoughts were being read, Claire scowled, prompting her mother to chuckle at her daughter’s adorable demeanor.

“That’s just how human emotions work. Sometimes, without even realizing it, you fall for someone, miss them for reasons you can’t quite grasp, and eventually grow fond of them. Just like how I ended up marrying your father after seeing him often.”

“…Mom, you said it was because Dad was handsome that you went out with him.”

Claire replied with disbelief, and her mother just shrugged her shoulders lightly.

“Did I? Well, looks can certainly play a role in attracting you to someone. But if your father’s looks were the only factor, I would never have married him. Human emotions aren’t that simple.”

“There is meaning in the connections people forge, and there is significance in the bonds that grow from those meetings. Such connections enrich your life and make you more lovable.”

“So, my daughter, don’t be too doubtful about your feelings. What you feel for that man is pure happiness, stemming solely from your own choice.”

Unfortunately, it seemed that her mother’s premise was fundamentally flawed.

[The origin of everything is quite simple. I wished to observe that man continuously within your sight. You may not be aware, but my connection with him is quite profound.]

[However, while you may be open, that man is someone who is reluctant to forge bonds with others. Much like you, he is also a tremendous coward.]

[In the end, for you, who are connected to me, to get closer to that man, a catalyst was needed. And in my judgment, that catalyst was the emotion of love.]

A truly sinister voice explained this with an air of amusement, as if it had been waiting for the moment to enlighten Claire all along.

[I artificially imprinted curiosity about that man into your heart. By forming even a minor bond with him, I intended for you to pay more attention to him.]

She thought it was love. She thought she had come to like someone for the first time. Even if that meant losing him to other women, she believed this feeling she had for him was solely hers.

[As expected, due to your mistake, that man was injured, and while caring for him, you shared many conversations. The more you spoke, the more you wanted to know about him.]

[That curiosity naturally transformed into interest, and then that interest changed into affection, which in turn became love. It was a completely expected result, as everything had been my intention from the start.]

Just seeing him brought her joy. Talking to him made her heart flutter. If he complimented the lunch she made, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

And she was so pleased to realize that she felt this way about him.

[At first, I was content just to keep that man close and observe him. However, upon noticing the dark stain of emotion stirring within your heart, I decided to alter my plans. That dark emotion was none other than jealousy and desire—a very ugly feeling.]

But now it seemed like it had all been an illusion. A mirage. Perhaps it was nothing more than something as fleeting and futile as the moon reflected on water or a sandcastle.

[You envied those women who could casually approach the areas you found inaccessible, and soon after felt jealousy, eventually harboring murderous intent. And as you nurtured those negative feelings, the connection between you and me grew stronger. I could not let such a golden opportunity slip by while simply keeping my eyes open.]

From the very beginning, my emotions were all lies. Since the beginning was a lie, nothing that constitutes who I am could possibly be true. The sense of powerlessness engulfing me mocked me, telling me I had always been a mere doll.

[Honestly, it was a sight too precious to be seen alone. To be swayed by a manufactured heart, by feelings that were fabricated, and to suffer so miserably alone—how could this not be a tragic comedy!]

The jarring laughter filled the surroundings. Yet, none of that mattered.

I was unable to regain my composure at the thought that everything I had believed in, everything I held dear, was, in fact, a deception.

[No, it’s not merely about feelings. The talent for magic that Mascarena’s children possess, and even your existence in this era, are all nothing more than results I prepared 200 years ago. You, as a woman, were destined to be my puppet even before you were born.]

[Now you understand, don’t you? You are my doll. Among everything that constitutes you, there is nothing truthful, and everything that you are stems from me. Hence, you are a fake that has no value in this world.]

I came to the realization that the life of Claire Delphine Mascarena held no value from the very beginning.

[How dare a woman, who possesses nothing of her own and is merely a doll, claim to love another man! That is indeed the height of arrogance!]

That very truth ripped my heart apart.

[Though, now that I think about it, perhaps there was one meaningful thing in your life. That is, you have become the touchstone for my release from this cursed seal!]

[Rejoice, Claire Delphine Mascarena. You have, with your own hands, become the fundamental catalyst for the Dragon of End.]

… It hurts. In stark contrast to the feeling of having him taken from me, my heart feels like it’s burning with pain. What have I been living for?

[Ah, but tell me, do you know why I’m explaining all these facts to you in such detail?]

Suddenly, the mocking voice that had been laughing at me transformed into a warm tone, much like that of a merciful king.

I had no desire to respond, but despite my will, my mouth opened, spilling the questions I had kept inside.

“…No, I don’t know. Why?”

[It is because I desire you to hate me.]

[You see, I am a being that feeds on human negativity. As long as there are those who hate me, I will not perish; and as long as there are those who despise me, I will gain strength. And you are someone who can hate and despise me.]

[So, tell me, do you not find me despicable? Do you not resent me? Do you not want to kill me right now?]

While I knew I shouldn’t, a dark and murky feeling began to rise within me, gradually consuming my heart.

And that black impulse transformed into a clear conviction, filling my entire being.

In this moment, that feeling born from Claire’s true self was none other than—

“I hate you! I hate you with a passion!”

[Correct. Well done, Claire Delphine Mascarena. My precious doll. And you, the one who hates me so intensely. Thanks to you, I can once again weaken humanity.]

[As a reward, I shall grant your wish. After killing all of humanity, I will ensure that the only man you desire remains unharmed and becomes your puppet. In that world, only the two of you will exist, and he will not look anywhere else but at you. What’s more, he won’t have any reason to cast his gaze aside.]

I despise it. I loathe the being before me. I could not forgive it for treating everything I cherished and even my own existence as mere playthings.

Despite knowing very well that these feelings of mine would nourish that being, I could not control my heart.

I want to kill it. I could not tolerate its existence, breathing on this land. Even if I were to die here, I wanted nothing more than to drag that one down with me, fueled by a dark impulse that filled my mind.

[It’s useless. As long as you hate me, I will never die. Likewise, you who are connected to me will also never perish. Everything you are doing now will ultimately be utterly worthless. Just as your very existence is.]

“Shut up!”

She unleashed her magic. Her heart, dominated by an unprecedented murderous intent, completed the casting in an instant.

The spell prepared was ‘Coquitous Spear.’

It was the most powerful magic Claire knew at this time and a spell she had practiced repeatedly to avoid making mistakes again since that day.

A massive spear of flames materialized before Claire, and it took less than a second to fly toward that being.

Fortunately, that being seemed to underestimate her, merely staring at her blankly until Claire completed the casting.

Yes, keep underestimating me. With this great magic, even if I can’t kill it, at least it should sustain some degree of damage—

[It’s useless.]

Sizzling—

However, as ‘Coquitous Spear’ reached its body, it instantly dissipated.

[How dare you think to resist me with magic. Truly arrogant, Claire Delphine Mascarena. It appears you still do not understand what I am.]

Thud—

The moment it took a step forward from the depths of darkness, Claire was finally able to discern its true identity.

A colossal form, one that she could not fully comprehend from beginning to end, scales that held absolute resistance against magic, and wings that, though currently folded, could block out the sky should they unfurl.

It instinctively commanded the magic of the atmosphere, its breath would burn everything in existence, and as a being alone, it symbolized perfection. The name passed down through the ages spoken of in lore was—

“…Dragon of End.”

As Claire muttered that name in a daze, the dragon looked at her with a satisfied gaze.

[Indeed. I am the one who will bring the age of man to an end and open the curtain on the Dragon of End.]

[Although your resistance is indeed pitiful, it would still be impolite for a mere doll to defy its master. Perhaps I should correct your manners before leaving this place.]

As it murmured, the Dragon of End approached Claire—

“Just where do you think you’re putting that filthy paw? And if you have any sense, how about keeping that mouth of yours shut? Women don’t particularly like the foul breath of lizards.”

A voice that Claire knew all too well came from behind her.

Though she had secretly wished to meet him just once more, she had not dared to voice it until now, and that man—

“…Jin.”

As Claire murmured his name in a trembling voice, the Dragon of End paused for a moment, then turned to look at Jin with a sense of delight.

[Welcome back, it has indeed been a long time.]

“…A long time? When have we ever met? I don’t recall knowing a lizard like you.”

Jin remarked in a nonchalant tone, causing the Dragon of End to smile in amusement as it opened its mouth.

[You speak in such a way, yet countless memories of encounters with you remain vivid in my mind.]

[So, allow me to reiterate. I sincerely welcome you.]

[…My nemesis. And an old friend. Regresser, Jin.]