Villain: After I died, all the heroines cried themselves to sleep.

Inside the café, Rod and Professor Moya exchanged information about their investigation over the past few days.

Professor Moya frowned after hearing this, but then relaxed.

In the end, you will gain nothing.

"No need to rush. At least for now, we can be sure that this is not something a student can do."

Rod calmly stirred his coffee.

It was as if everything was under control.

Actually, he's completely clueless right now.

The only thing that puts him ahead of Professor Moya is that he's been haunted by a ghost.

In the two days since the patrols were suspended, Rhodes has occasionally experienced a strange palpitation, whether at the academy or at the mansion.

There was a vague feeling that I was being spied on by something.

Unfortunately, whenever he tried to find that presence in the shadows, the feeling of being spied on would instantly disappear.

To escape Rhodes's pursuit, one must be at least a level one sorcerer; it's definitely not something a student could do.

Rhodes did not mention this.

She didn't even tell Anjie.

Since the other party is targeting him, they will eventually show their face.

But before that...

"Her Majesty the Empress has sent an attendant to invite me to the palace for an audience this afternoon."

Rod said slowly.

Professor Moya's face immediately darkened upon hearing this.

Are you showing off to me?

The appointment of court tutors by Her Majesty the Queen also attracted competition among professors.

In the end, only Professor Rhodes and Professor Moya were selected.

Professor Rhodes remains in first place.

"As far as I know, during the years I was away, you took over the responsibility of lecturing Her Majesty the Queen."

"So what?"

"Is His Majesty well?"

"..."

Professor Moya suddenly paused for a moment.

She looked over in surprise.

"You haven't been back for over a week and haven't even had an audience with His Majesty?"

"With Her Majesty's abilities, even if I don't say anything, she already knows I've returned."

"...Then you'd better watch yourself."

Professor Moya finally managed to utter this sentence after a long pause.

"..."

Rod pretended to take a sip of coffee.

To cover up one's guilty conscience.

He talked to Professor Moya about this, hoping to get a sense of what he was getting from him.

It's easy to tell from the other party's words that the outcome is very bad.

During Rhodes's time as the chair professor.

Ange and Luna handled it casually.

Although the academy president was unpredictable, he was also quite capable.

The only one who truly couldn't handle it was the Empress.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been burying his head in the sand until now.

Unfortunately, what was bound to happen still happened.

Rhodes couldn't even find a reason to refuse.

He glanced at the system's taskbar without making a sound.

Objective: To protect the life of the Empress.

Objective: Escape the palace with the Empress.

……

After parting ways with Professor Moya, Rhodes headed to the palace.

"Teacher, do you really have to go?"

Ange grabbed Rod's sleeve and looked up at him.

His voice was somewhat low.

"Her Majesty the Empress has been acting arbitrarily and capriciously these past few years. Getting too close to her could easily lead to disaster. Teacher, you are perfectly free to refuse Her Majesty. If Her Majesty has any complaints, I will stand by your side."

"...You should know that she is my student."

Rod said seriously.

This is the truth.

Anjie exuded a thick, heavy atmosphere that was certainly unsettling.

However, the system task concerned the Empress's life.

Rhodes insisted on visiting him no matter what.

He is the chief professor.

"Sure enough, no matter how much time passes, the teacher will not change; she will still be the teacher I know."

A subtle smile appeared on Anjie's face.

They are dedicated to every student, never give up on any student, and strive for the ultimate perfection.

No one can shake his will and his ideals.

This was the same Professor Rhodes she knew.

That's also where Professor Rhodes' arrogance and charm lie.

"I couldn't stop the teacher's choice, but..."

Ange loosened her grip on Rod's sleeve.

Like a wife seeing her husband off at the door, she helps Rod straighten his clothes and smooth out the wrinkles.

It gave Rhodes a strange sense of déjà vu.

All organized.

Ange placed her hands on Rod's chest, stood on tiptoe, and brought her lips close to Rod's ear.

His breath hit Rod's ear, carrying a hint of coolness.

Soft whispers echoed in my ears.

But I couldn't feel any warmth.

"Teacher...you are mine..."

"I am your best student... In the end, I will definitely be the one by your side..."

"Even if it means resorting to any means necessary... I will bring you back to my side, teacher... No one can take you away from me..."

"..."

Despite the gentle and sweet words of the confession, Rod felt a chill run down his spine.

It was as if it were etched with a curse that could never be escaped.

Pain and happiness.

With more than a month to go before winter, the temperature has already dropped considerably, making people shiver.

"Teacher, go home early."

Ange pulled herself back and smiled as she patted the dust off Rod's shoulder.

"..."

Rhodes nodded calmly.

He then walked towards the palace without looking back.

He clutched his head in his heart.

Can I really survive?

……

When Rhodes arrived at the palace gates, Her Majesty the Queen's chief guard had been waiting for a long time.

"Professor Rhodes, I didn't expect you to actually come back."

The captain of the guard greeted Rhodes familiarly.

Rod nodded in response.

He never underestimated his opponent, because the chief guard was responsible for the Empress's outer security and was a rare sword master, equivalent to a top-level sorcerer.

He is one level higher than Rod, a level one warlock.

"Let's go, His Majesty is waiting for you in the inner court."

The head guard led Rhodes into the palace.

Passing through the magnificent palace complex, one arrives at the inner court deep within the imperial palace.

At this moment, the head guard suddenly stopped, and a capable maid walked out from the inner court. She was the head maid of Her Majesty the Empress.

The head maid clasped her hands together at her waist and bowed to Rhodes.

"Professor Rhodes, please come with me."

So Rhodes followed the head maid to the entrance of Her Majesty the Queen's bedchamber.

"His Majesty is waiting for the professor inside."

The head maid gestured for her to enter, then immediately stood guard in front of the bedchamber, eyes downcast and mindful of her surroundings.

Rhodes looked up at the familiar palace.

If the meeting takes place in the audience room, it means the formalities are complete.

But replacing it with the current palace would mean great danger.

It was like a dragon's den or a tiger's lair.

Rhodes took a deep breath and entered the palace.

Inside the palace, the furnishings exude elegance and luxury. Crystal chandeliers hanging from the dome sparkle like a galaxy, illuminating the entire space, while soft, plush carpets carpet the floor, making one feel as if they are floating on clouds.

Under the starry sky, a blonde woman leaned lazily against the sofa, one hand supporting her cheek, sitting like a high and mighty emperor above the sea of ​​clouds.

"You're willing to come back?"

The Empress looked down at Rhodes with a flat, indifferent voice that echoed in her bedchamber.

Like the calm before a storm.

"What do you think I should do with you, Professor Rhodes?"