I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 731: [Final Event] [Blood Moon Festival] [13] End Game Talk With John

The fifth day of the Blood Moon Festival began earlier than most would have liked.

By dawn, the students of Trinity Eden Academy were already being roused from their beds, some dragging their feet while others tried in vain to fix their hair before stepping outside.

A lavish breakfast awaited them in the grand dining hall—a vast place lined with gleaming chandeliers and long oak tables capable of seating every student in the academy. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread, sizzling meat, and sweet fruit preserves—all prepared by the finest cooks of Ravenia.

It should have been a peaceful morning.

It wasn’t.

”Damn, I didn’t get a single hour of sleep,” Victor grumbled, yawning so wide it looked painful as he shuffled beside John.

”Why’s that?” A low, irritated growl from behind them asked. ”Too busy thinking about all the girls you tricked, you bastard?”

The voice belonged to Rodolf, who was already scowling before breakfast had even started.

Victor turned to glare at him. ”It’s your fault, dumbass! You don’t snore—you growl in your sleep. Tell him, John!”

John didn’t answer. His silence said more than words could, though the faint twitch in his jaw made it obvious he agreed. If it weren’t for the fact that fighting during the Festival events could land them in trouble, John probably would’ve punched Rodolf just to shut him up.

Rodolf folded his arms. ”A trash like you doesn’t deserve to sleep.”

”What?!” Victor frowned, bewildered. ”What the hell did I even do to you?”

”Roda,” John was the one replying..

Victor blinked, looking over at him. ”What?”

John gave him a stern look. ”He’s pissed because you started dating Roda. His niece.”

Understanding dawned on Victor’s face immediately.

Ah. That explained the anger.

Rodolf just snorted, confirming it. His expression said everything: he wasn’t joking.

”Come on, man...” Victor sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. ”You know I love Roda. You can’t really hold that against me.”

”Screw that! I’ll never accept it!” Rodolf shouted..

There was something raw in his tone—not just anger, but protectiveness. Ever since losing the Roda of the First Timeline, Rodolf had grown fiercely attached to the one before him now. He wasn’t about to let her be hurt again, no matter the cost.

Victor held up his hands. ”Look, I get it. You’re overprotective—I’ve been there. I was the same when Alicia got engaged to Adrian, and he turned out to be a total asshole. If Percy ever ends up with someone like that, I’ll do the same thing you’re doing. Still... if she had to end up with someone, I’d rather it be Amael.”

John’s expression darkened hearing that.

As if Edward’s endless ’gigolo aura’ wasn’t enough, now others were helping expand his harem too. Alicia, of all people—a Hidden Heroine, one of the key figures from the Third Game. John didn’t even know how to react anymore.

Before the tension could rise further, a voice interrupted them.

Speaking of her...

”What are you arguing about this early?”

They turned to see Roda herself, standing before them with her arms crossed, her bright yellow eyes narrowing at her uncle. It was obvious she’d caught the last part of the argument.

Rodolf’s mouth twitched. ”Roda... huh, it’s nothing. Come on, let’s go eat.”

But Roda wasn’t buying it. She glanced at Victor, then smiled faintly. ”I’ll eat with Victor today.”

Without waiting for permission, she took Victor’s arm and started leading him away, leaving Rodolf frozen in place.

”...”

Rodolf’s expression crumpled. It was as if his heart had been shattered right there in the middle of the hall.

John watched him in quiet pity. The sight reminded him too much of himself—of the bitter ache he felt whenever he saw Edward and Layla together, laughing like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

”You’ll get used to it,” John said quietly, glancing at Rodolf.

It wasn’t in his nature to offer comfort but seeing Rodolf standing there, watching his niece walk away with a broken expression, even John felt compelled to say something. The words came out blunt, but honest.

He knew what it was like to carry that kind of sting.

Heartache had a way of humbling even the strongest men.

Thankfully, John had Amelia now. She was the one person who could keep his emotions steady, the gentle warmth that balanced out his cold exterior. Rodolf, in his own way, had Cylien, though their situation was... far from simple.