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

Return to the imperial capital.

Rod took Ange and Luna back to his mansion.

Before he could even rest for two days, the Empress's attendants came to visit him, conveying the Empress's decree inviting Rhodes to the palace for an audience.

Rhodes knew this day would come.

He then accepted the imperial decree and entered the palace to meet the Empress.

Upon learning the news, Ange and Luna took over the head maid's job and tidied Rod's clothes.

"Teacher, you must remember, I am your best disciple, and in the end, only I can be by your side..."

"Teacher, even if Her Majesty the Empress threatens you, don't worry. I will fight to the death to protect your dignity and make her pay a terrible price!"

"..."

Please spare me.

Rhodes remained silent.

They entered the Queen's bedchamber.

As expected, he will continue to be pressured by the Empress.

Do you remember our promise?

The Empress said coldly.

"Of course I remember."

Rod answered without changing his expression.

He was intimately familiar with the scene and the conversation.

Clearly, he had experienced the same scenario countless times in past time loops.

Rhodes calmly responded to the Queen's questions.

"Rhodes, please sit down."

The Queen pointed to the sofa next to her.

Rod did as instructed and sat down on the sofa.

The next second, he was forcefully pushed down by the empress.

The Queen lay on top of Rhodes and whispered in his ear.

I hate betrayal, especially your betrayal.

"Don't let me know again that you abandoned me and are with other women."

"I'll let Princess Yuni go this time, but if there's a next time, I'll kill them all in front of you, and then kill you last."

After leaving behind a chilling threat, she fell asleep on Rod.

"..."

Rhodes looked at the sleeping empress.

Sweaty.

The Queen did not wake up until evening.

Upon seeing Rod, she immediately embraced him with tears in her eyes.

"Teacher...Teacher...I miss you so much..."

The domineering and powerful empress just moments ago instantly transformed into a delicate and fragile young girl.

Rod had doubts and tried to comfort the other person.

After finally managing to stop the empress from crying, they heard her say timidly.

"Teacher, someone is trying to kill us! We have to run away quickly. I've been having so many nightmares, and every time I see you dying in front of me..."

"..."

"Teacher, don't you believe me?"

The Queen clutched at Rhodes's clothes, her eyes blurry with tears.

No, I believe you.

Rhodes nodded seriously.

After hearing the Queen's account, he immediately realized...

The Queen's nightmares are very likely remnants of memories from a time loop.

Moreover, from this perspective, the assassination attempt on the Empress and him might be the triggering condition for the time loop!

"Teacher...don't leave me..."

"Don't worry, I won't abandon you."

Rhodes gently stroked the Queen's hair.

He glanced at the system task out of the corner of his eye.

Objective: To protect the life of the Empress.

Objective: Escape the palace with the Empress.

The Advent Society was not completely eradicated; perhaps it is they who threaten the Queen's life.

Just like using Yuni, it triggers an endless time loop.

……

It was already the next day when they left the palace.

Nothing particularly pleasant or enjoyable happened during their overnight stay in the palace.

After the Queen awoke, her original personality returned, and she angrily banished Rhodes from the palace.

Back at the mansion.

Rod also had to endure Ange and Luna's nonchalant questioning.

Soon after, the witch also joined in the fun, inquiring about the progress of her research on soul magic.

The next few days.

Rhodes becomes a time management master.

I woke up to the sound of Ange and Luna arguing in the morning.

During the mealtime, I continued to watch the two of them vying for dominance.

"Teacher, you're always so busy, eat more meat to keep your energy up."

"Eating something so greasy first thing in the morning is only bad for your health. Teacher, you should eat more salad."

"...Pay attention to table manners. Don't hand out food that has already been eaten."

"Teacher, I don't mind. Besides, haven't we already done it?"

"W-what? You did it?!"

"..."

After the meal, Rhodes would usually head to the Imperial Academy's research lab to continue his research on soul magic.

Ange and Luna assist Rhodes in his research.

"Second place, you've already gotten the steps wrong, so don't try to make things worse."

"Huh? Ah! How do I do this again?"

The witch, who is also the headmistress of the academy, often drops out of her work to come and visit.

"Professor Rhodes, do you need my help?"

"The dean should go back to work."

"That's right, we don't need the Dean causing trouble here."

"Wow, Professor, look, your two students are ganging up on me!"

In addition, Rhodes would occasionally set aside his work to visit the palace and meet with the Queen.

The Queen received Rhodes languidly.

"Is the professor here yet? Let's start class quickly, and then we can play chess together."

Sometimes, when the Queen falls asleep next to Rhodes, her second personality emerges, clinging to Rhodes and refusing to let go.

Rhodes was thus forced to remain in the palace to lull the Queen to sleep.

"Teacher... I remember hearing all of One Thousand and One Nights..."

"Have you heard them all? Then I'll tell you other stories..."

If he doesn't need to stay overnight in the palace, Rhodes will return to the mansion as usual.

In the evenings, I work in my study, and Ange and Luna come to keep me company.

Even when I return to my room at midnight, the witch will come to visit.

Throughout the day.

Rhodes basically juggled several women.

He barely survived thanks to his skillful ability to carry water.

It's quite speechless when you think about it.

He was clearly identified as a villain by the system, so what kind of treatment is this for a destined male protagonist?

……

Days passed by like this.

Witches' Day is here.

Rhodes played the vampire count, Ange played the siren, and Luna played Pumpkin Jack; they all attended the academy party together.

We also ran into the Golden Generation Five on the way and chatted for a while.

Livia then winked at Luna and led the others away.

Further on, you'll pass through a secluded alley.

The old witch's whispers could be heard from inside.

Rhodes had a strong sense of déjà vu about this.

So they went into the divination tent and dragged out the mischievous witch.

"So you want to add me to your harem too? Professor Rhodes is truly insatiable. At this rate, he'll die at the hands of a woman sooner or later!"

Arrive at the college's party on time.

Rhodes danced a dance with each of the three men.

As he vaguely remembered, he thought he had danced with the Queen.

But the Queen was not present this time.

But regardless, with Melie winning the best performance of the night.

The Witches' Day celebrations have come to a successful close.

after that.

Rhodes, along with Ange, Luna, and the witch who had given up on treatment, left the imperial capital.

Searching for the end of the world.

Before leaving, Rhodes made a special trip to the palace to invite the Empress to accompany him.

However, the Empress was focused on state affairs and had no intention of leaving the capital.

He merely gave cold permission for Rhodes to go on his trip.

And so it was.

When I returned, it was already winter.

The journey was full of fun and laughter.

In Sky City, the group participated in a music competition and won second place.

Rhodes chose an alchemy manual as the second-place prize.

After returning.

Rhodes continued his journey to meet the Empress.

The Empress seemed to have entered a period of winter, and her attitude was extremely cold.

It's obvious to anyone that she was unhappy about Rod going on the trip with the others.

Fortunately, the Queen's second personality remained unchanged, and she still harbored deep affection for Rhodes.

Gradually.

The Winter Snow Festival is approaching.