As he entered the Emperor''s study, he saw the old man sitting behind his desk, his face unreadable.


    He bowed respectfully, waiting for the Emperor to speak first.


    "Rio, I have summoned you here for a matter of grave importance," the Emperor said, his voice solemn.


    His heart skipped a beat, and he could feel a sense of dread settling over him just from the tone of Emperor Dn''s voice.


    "What is it, Your Majesty?" Rio asked, his voice calm.


    The Emperor spoke with a serious and fearful voice, "We have a grave problem. While you were away, N and Helia found a treasure map that supposedly leads to a ce where they could meet the soul of someone who has passed away."


    Rio listened attentively as the Emperor continued, "Although they both returned to the castle without going to the ce, I received a letter from Helia a few hours ago. She''s gone to the Ind of the Dead Soul to meet her brother''s spirit."


    The seriousness of the situation hit Rio as he realized Helia''s longing to visit the ce to meet her brother''s soul. It was not hidden from him how much she loved her Big brother Leon.


    Emperor sighed and spoke, "It seems Helia had her heart set on it but waited until N returned to the castle before making any moves. Her n was to go after Lia''s birthday celebration ended."


    "Do you know anything about this ce?" asked Rio, his voice tinged with concern.


    The Emperor''s words were spoken in a worried tone as if he were afraid of what might happen next, "My father, thete Emperor, knew about this ce. He forbade me from telling anyone about it. The Ind of the Dead Soul is located on the southern side of the Shamor Empire, but it lies within the corruptednd. No one dares to go there because it is said that those who do never return."


    "May I know what you want me to do?" Rio asked Dn, looking at him cautiously.


    The Emperor replied, "I want you to bring Helia back to the castle safely."


    Rio''s tone was curious as he asked, "I understand the severity of the situation, but why would you entrust me with this task? Surely there are others who are stronger and higher-stage warriors to handle this?" He couldn''t help but wonder why the Emperor had chosen him for such an important task.


    The Emperor''s voice was firm and unwavering as he spoke, "Unfortunately, I cannot go and bring back Helia myself. As the ruler of the Shamor Empire, I have important duties to attend to. And I don''t want to put Lia in danger by telling her. While someone stronger than you could possibly reach Helia, they would not be able to convince her toe back.


    Yesterday, I witnessed the bond between you and Helia, and I believe you are the only one who can persuade her to return. It is a task I can only entrust to you."


    He couldn''t help but think sarcastically to himself, "Oh, what a great and caring uncle. Even when his own niece is in danger, he still prioritizes his precious empire."


    "I''m sorry, but you''re wrong about our so-called bonding. Helia and I aren''t as close as you think we are. She wouldn''t listen to me even if I tried to convince her. You should find someone else for this task." Rio replied in a cold tone, meeting the Emperor''s gaze head-on.<novelnext></novelnext>


    "Rio, you must understand the gravity of this situation. Helia is of utmost importance to Lia, and I''m sure you know how much Lia cherishes her sister. Lia loves Helia more than she loves me, her own father. If anything were to happen to Helia, it would break Lia''s heart beyond repair.


    You are the only one who can convince Helia to return safely. Please, Rio, I implore you to help me in this dire situation." Emperor Dn pleaded with a sense of urgency.


    Rio remained silent as the Emperor requested his help in saving Helia. He thought about how much Lia cared for her sister and how they had been close since childhood. Helia was likely Lia''s most cherished bond. As Lia''s husband, Rio knew that it was his responsibility to do everything in his power to save Helia to ease Lia''s worries and for the sake of Lia''s Happiness.


    Thinking all of this, Rio sent a telepathic message to N, "Hey, did you and Helia find a treasure map that leads to the Ind of the Dead Soul?" he asked, as he was suspicious of the Emperor and didn''t trust himpletely.


    N''s voice came into his mind, cheerful, and bright, "Yeah, we did! Why do you ask, Rio?"


    "Nothing important, N. We''ll talkter," Rio replied in a casual tone, not wanting to reveal the graveness of the situation to her.


    After confirming with N, Rio stepped forward and said in a calm tone, "Alright, I''ll bring her back. But where exactly do I need to go to find her?"


    "Take this [Teleport Glyph]. It will lead you to the nearest shelter to that ce. After that, you will have to go south until youe across swampnd. Passing this swampnd will lead you to the bridge which leads to the Ind of Dead Soul. But I hope you can find Helia on your way to that ce," the Emperor said, taking out the glyph to give to Rio.


    Rio simply nodded as he took in the Emperor''s instructions. He moved closer to the Emperor, who looked at him with a mixture of worry and concern. His gaze fixated on the glyph in the Emperor''s outstretched palm as the boy took the glyph from his hand.


    Then, without a word, he stepped back, distancing himself from the Emperor. He tore the paper glyph apart, and suddenly, a spatial rift opened up, engulfing Rio''s body and causing him to vanish from sight.


    Dn looked on with concern, wondering if he would seed to bring her back.


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