How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 650: Riley’s troubles

"Hey, pay attention to me!" Flamme barked, tugging on Reina’s sleeve with a dramatic, high-pitched whine.

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you. You’re annoyed, it’s all Stacia’s fault, and so on," Reina answered flatly, already sensing the path this conversation was taking.

"Hoho~ so you actually get it! Hehe, that’s exactly why we should—wait, where are you going?"

Reina got up, brushing off her skirt. "I need to go get ready."

"Ready for what?" Flamme blinked in confusion, lounging back on the bench like a pampered cat.

"My match," Reina replied without hesitation.

"You actually need to prepare for stuff like that? Oh, come on, just stay here and hang out with me! It’s not often I’m this affectionate, you know!"

"Sorry, but you’ll have to deal with that yourself," Reina said with a tired sigh. "Besides, I don’t really have a use for your affection."

If anything, Flamme’s clingy behavior was proving to be more of an irritant than a comfort.

She still viewed Flamme as a dear friend, of course, but that didn't change the fact that the girl’s personality was... quintessentially Flamme. That alone was draining, especially since Reina's thoughts were already consumed by the upcoming afternoon duel.

"Regardless, I have to leave now."

"Tch... fine." Flamme clicked her tongue with flair. "Then I’ll just go and vent all my stress on cute little Enna instead."

"Go ahead," Reina replied instantly, already walking away.

Flamme watched her depart from the park, her boisterous aura fading with every step Reina took.

Once she was finally by herself, the exaggerated smirk she had maintained all morning slowly crumbled—as if a mask were being removed. She slumped against the wooden bench, a long, heavy breath escaping her lips.

Her shoulders trembled slightly as she whispered, "...Neru..."

Raising her hand, she called forth a tiny sphere of water that hovered gently above her palm. Faint ripples vibrated within it, seemingly mirroring her own restless heartbeat.

"Neru..." she whispered again, her voice softer and more vulnerable this time—calling out not as the defiant top student, but as a contracted spirit wielder seeking her partner.

She strained her ears, hoping to hear the voice of her spirit guardian, the one who always answered, always mocked her back, and always calmed her fiery temperament in its own chilly way.

But for the first time since their contract was forged—

There was no response.

The orb of water shook slightly in her grasp, reflecting the sorrow in her gaze as the silence weighed down on her heart like a burden she wasn't prepared to carry.

.....

"It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it, Riley...?"

The emperor’s voice held its usual peaceful elegance—tranquil and kind, yet possessing a gravity that could command nations with ease.

Riley, standing before him on the secluded garden terrace near the guest palace, offered a respectful bow.

"Yes, a significant amount of time has passed, Your Majesty."

"Hoho... Please, from this point on—at least in private—you should call me father. We are going to be family quite soon, after all."

"...If that is your wish," Riley replied, keeping his cool despite the internal jolt he felt. "Then I shall obey your will."

"There is no need for such formality either. I recall you being much more relaxed in the past." The emperor’s eyes twinkled with a hint of nostalgia. "Do you perhaps find this troublesome?"

"No, not at all. It’s just... it will likely take me some time to become comfortable with it."

The emperor let out a soft chuckle. "Fair enough."

Riley maintained a relaxed posture, though he remained mentally alert.

Even after all these years, the man sitting before him was striking.

Despite his true age, the emperor appeared no older than his late twenties—refined, ethereal, and almost unnaturally perfect.

Anyone seeing him for the first time would never suspect he was Snow’s father... or the sovereign of an entire empire.

"So," the emperor remarked as he slowly sipped the tea served for their talk, "how has your life at the academy been treating you lately?"

"It has been quite enjoyable," Riley answered honestly.

Naturally, he had been expecting this meeting.

The emperor wouldn't have made a personal trip to the academy without a specific reason.

And that reason obviously centered around Snow... and by extension, himself—and the other girls he was involved with.

Even so, he hadn't anticipated being called so early in the morning, just after breakfast, before he could even organize his thoughts for the day.

A gentle smile remained on the emperor's face as he observed Riley. "Enjoyable, is it? Hm... I am glad to hear that."

Riley gave a nod. "Yes... I’ve experienced a lot thanks to Snow and the others. Some moments were difficult, others were odd, but all of them have been significant."

"I see." The emperor placed his cup down, his gaze becoming slightly more focused. "Then I am relieved. It is only natural for a father to worry, after all. Especially regarding a child as dear as Snow."

Riley felt himself stiffen just a fraction.

The emperor went on with a light, amused sigh. "And based on what Rose mentioned yesterday... it appears your relationships have been advancing quite rapidly."

Riley fought the urge to cough.

Of course the emperor was aware.

There was no doubt about it.

Riley had already guessed that Rose had been far too talkative with the emperor regarding the recent developments between him and the girls.

"Yes," he answered steadily, "my bonds with everyone have been progressing smoothly recently. I couldn't ask for more."

"I understand. That is good," the emperor nodded, though a subtle weight now sat behind his words. "However... on that subject, there is one specific thing I am very curious about."

"Yes?" Riley asked, keeping his face neutral.

"You haven't done anything," the emperor said deliberately, his eyes narrowing in a way that was gentle yet piercing, "that would cause me to revoke the blessing I gave you—concerning Snow and your other girls... have you?"

"Certainly not," Riley replied at once. "Not at all."

The emperor leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming softly on the armrest.

"I realize that all of this—your connections, your feelings—is just the natural result of young love. But..." his voice dropped a pitch, "certain matters... must wait. Snow is still young. You are all still young. You should only consider those responsibilities after graduation—including the matter of heirs. Do I make myself clear?"

"...Yes."

"Good."

Though it wasn't spoken, Riley clearly understood the hidden warning:

'If you get my daughter pregnant before she graduates, I will kill you myself.'

A drop of cold sweat rolled down his back, but his expression stayed composed.

"Now then," the emperor continued, brushing aside the terrifying topic with royal grace, "moving on from that... I actually summoned you to get your thoughts on a certain matter."

The atmosphere in the area shifted instantly—turning heavier, quieter, and more intense.

Riley cast a subtle glance around.

The hidden shadow knights who had been guarding the emperor...

...had vanished.

No presence remained except for his own and the emperor's.

So, this is a conversation strictly for our ears only, Riley realized, adjusting his posture.

"Riley, have you had any encounters with Dream Weaves lately?"

Riley hesitated for a second, then gave a slow shake of his head.

"...No. Nothing so far."

"I see..." The emperor exhaled a long, measured breath.

"Is something happening?" Riley inquired, feeling the change in the air.

The emperor remained silent for a moment before nodding.

"Quite a lot, actually. Initially, I thought it was a routine problem—something I could manage on my own. But the deeper I investigate, the more complex and messy it becomes. Even Luther is struggling to help me, as he is occupied with issues in his own territory."

That detail caused Riley to tense up.

The Grand Duke was having a hard time?

That was unheard of. Riley had never once heard anyone suggest that Luther was finding anything difficult.

"I didn't want to drag you into this," the emperor went on. "But if this situation truly involves matters of the goddess... then I felt you might be someone capable of assisting."

"What exactly is the issue?" Riley asked.

The emperor’s face grew stern.

"In the north, rumors have recently surfaced of a dungeon appearing. Most reports suggest it is a catastrophic-level dungeon. For the first time in many decades, the Snow Barbarians were nearly wiped out because of it."

Riley’s eyes sharpened. "...Is the dungeon open?"

"That is the odd part," the emperor noted. "It remains closed. There are no signs of a break—and yet, monsters continue to pour out regardless. They appear randomly and violently. Entire villages have been devastated. We have dispatched several subjugation units, including S-rank mercenaries... but not a single one has returned."

A heavy silence fell between the two of them.

Riley had a very strong suspicion about which dungeon it might be.

However, he kept that thought to himself—at least for the moment.

"Have any other nations taken action?" Riley questioned.

The emperor slowly shook his head. "No. The northern lands were designated as neutral territory decades ago. No flags, no borders, no official owner. But since that area is closer to the Empire than anywhere else, most people just... assume it is within our sphere of influence. And because the Grand Duke’s lands are directly below it, most believe he is the one overseeing it."

He sighed. "As a result, no one else dares to enter or interfere. They are all waiting to see our next move."

"I see..." Riley murmured.

"But that is only half the issue," the emperor continued, his voice tightening. He looked at Riley with a gravity that made the air feel stagnant. "The other matter—the one that is more pressing right now—concerns the demonic cult."

Riley sat up a bit straighter.

"Their actions have been strange lately. More frantic. More impulsive. They are conducting experiments in broad daylight... raiding and terrorizing random villages throughout the Empire. None of this is particularly new—they have always been irrational scum—but this time..." The emperor paused, his expression darkening. "This time, something is different."

"What do you mean?"

"We managed to take a few of them alive recently." His eyes narrowed. "Every single one of them... uttered the exact same phrase before they expired. Word for word."

He took a breath, then repeated the words:

"’Oh lord Hell, save me... please be the guiding darkness that will change my fate.’"

"...Huh?" Riley blinked.

Hell? Are they talking about me?

Why on earth would demonic cultists be reciting his family name like a prayer?

He searched his memory, trying to think if he had ever done anything that would lead those fanatics to worship him... but he couldn't find a single reason.

What the hell happened while I wasn't paying attention...?