Roland studied little Silva. No wonder she grew up so stunning—she was already a true beauty in childhood, the elegant grace of an imperial princess faintly gleaming even now.

He had an overwhelming urge to nuzzle her like a kitten, scoop her into his arms to ruffle her hair, or gently bump his cheek against her chubby little face.

Young Silva blinked her big eyes—eyes that, just like in adulthood, shone with the clarity of dawn, pure and untainted, like a crystal-clear lake.

She stared at the creepy uncle before her with innocent confusion, then took a cautious step back.

“Mommy said I shouldn’t play with people like you.”

“I’m not a bad person. In fact, I’m a *really* good guy,” Roland said, crouching down with a warm, gentle smile.

“I know your name is Silva. I know you live in Oliverlam. I know your dad is Onid, your mom is Blanche, and your best friend is Yenoa.”

Little Silva froze, startled that this strange man knew her parents’ names and where she lived.

Adorably puzzled, she furrowed her tiny brow—her confused expression itself was sweet and well-behaved.

“Let me guess,” Roland said mysteriously, adopting the air of a sage. “Did you get separated from your friend Yenoa?”

Little Silva’s mouth parted slightly. “How do you know? Are you… the legendary fortune-teller from the stories?”

Seeing his mysterious aura and hearing him name her family, home, and situation, she instinctively believed he was the prophetic master from fairy tales.

“You… can think of it that way,” Roland replied smoothly.

“R-Really?!” Her face lit with wonder. Shyly, she asked, “C-Can you… tell me when Mommy and Daddy will finally notice me?”

“What?” Roland raised an eyebrow. “They don’t pay attention to you?”

She nodded dejectedly. “My older and younger siblings are all so talented—more than me. So Mommy and Daddy ignore me. Only little Yaya plays with me.”

*Oh ho.*

*Looks like I’ve uncovered something serious.*

*Onid and Blanche… so you played favorites back then?*

“Why do you think they overlook you?” Roland pressed gently.

“I’m… too clumsy,” she murmured, cheeks flushing.

*Clumsy? If you’re clumsy, the whole world’s full of idiots.*

“And… I’m scared of snakes…”

*Funny. I was too. Until I killed enough.*

Roland finally understood. No wonder adult Silva never spoke of her childhood—she feared being laughed at.

“S-So, Big Brother… can you tell my fortune now?”

Seeing her hopeful eyes, Roland gently patted her head and chuckled. “No problem. Let me calculate.”

He began “calculating”—one finger, two fingers, three…

“After my reading,” Roland declared confidently, “you’ll not only earn your parents’ attention but be admired by countless souls. You’ll become queen, rule the empire, lead it to prosperity, and command the respect of millions.”

He continued earnestly: “You’ll grow brilliantly wise—surpassing all your siblings. And most importantly… you’ll never fear snakes again.”

“Really? It feels like you’re lying,” she said, doubt flickering in her eyes.

“…What would I gain by lying?”

She thought a moment, then shook her head.

“Then trust me. That’s all.”

She let out a soft “Oh” and nodded thoughtfully.

*Heh. So gullible. If she stayed this naive as an adult… with my silver tongue…*

“Big Brother, let’s find little Yaya! I’m worried,” she tugged his coat sleeve.

Roland jolted—*Right. Yenoa.* He’d been so busy teasing Silva he nearly forgot the mission.

“Do you know where she is?”

She pointed a tiny finger toward distant Augustine Castle.

“Little Yaya’s there… I don’t know why I know,” she said innocently.

*Of course. As co-creators of this dreamscape, they share a link.*

*But why is Yenoa inside the main castle? Teleport error?*

“Big Brother, please hurry! This place is scary!” She clutched his sleeve, eager to leave.

Her urgency raised suspicion. Children don’t act well. *She’s hiding something.*

“Silva… are you keeping something from me?”

She flinched. “N-No!”

*Case closed.*

“Tell me. I’ll give you a lollipop after.”

Roland reached into his coat pocket—then froze.

His magical coat, once as bottomless as Doraemon’s pocket… was now just an ordinary coat. Solid pockets. Nothing inside.

“…It’s a dream,” he sighed, slapping his forehead. “Lollipop’s waiting outside.”

But little Silva stared past him, eyes wide with terror, tears welling, her tiny hand gripping his tightly.

A faint *hiss… hiss…* slithered from behind.

Roland’s blood ran cold.

“Fucking shit!”

He spun around. A towering black serpent loomed. Roland unleashed the Dragon Abyss Flame Fist.

The majestic flame dragon seemed small beside it—but its power was fierce.

It slammed into the serpent’s massive body. Scales and flesh melted instantly under searing heat, carving a gruesome hole.

Foul blood gushed like a spring, staining the ground crimson. Fire raced through the wound, engulfing the beast.

The serpent roared in fury, its tail thrashing ruins into dust clouds.

“B-Big Brother… I’m scared…” She shrank behind him, tears brimming, clutching his coat.

“Don’t panic. Today, I’ll teach you to conquer fear,” Roland said calmly.

*This serpent is her subconscious manifesting her fear. No wonder she wanted to flee.*

*But aside from size? Harmless.*

Crimson flames consumed the serpent entirely. Against the blazing sky, the towering beast crumbled to ash with a final roar.

Little Silva peeked out cautiously. Seeing only ashes, she sighed in relief.

“Big Brother, you’re amazing!” Her eyes sparkled with pure admiration.

“Keep it humble! Trash snakes like this? I could handle a hundred! Ahahahaha!” Roland laughed, hands on hips.

BOOM! CRASH! RUMBLE! RUMBLE…!!!

Buildings collapsed all around. Hundreds of towering black serpents slithered forth. Their colossal bodies blotted out the sun, forming a cage of scales and shadow.

Silent. Oppressive. Hundreds of cruel crimson eyes locked onto Roland—*“Kid… what did you just say?”*

They appeared in a heartbeat. Roland’s laughter died mid-breath.

“Hahahaha…”

“Ha…”

“…”

He fell silent. Little Silva buried herself in his arms, trembling.

*Facepalm.* *I shouldn’t have said “a hundred.”*

*Her subconscious literally manifested one hundred.*

“I suspect you’re messing with me,” Roland muttered, face etched with despair.

“I-I didn’t mean to…” she stammered, flustered.

“Forget it. Let me teach you how to overcome fear.”

Ignoring the encircling serpents, Roland crouched. He placed gentle hands on her soft shoulders.

“I’ve traveled nations for years. Faced horrors you’ve never imagined—monsters, evils, spirits, the darkest hearts. Yet I never feared. Why?”

She shook her head blankly.

“Because courage dissolves fear.”

She nodded as if understanding—but her eyes were lost.

“You once dreamed of being an adventurer. But do you know the true spirit of adventure?”

She shook her head again.

“It’s the courage to explore. The will to press forward. The resolve to see every quest through. To be a true adventurer, you must conquer every fear on your path. These are just snakes—and you are the Imperial Princess.”

“And if you want your parents to see you? Conquering what frightens you is the fastest path to growth.”

Little Silva nodded slowly. She didn’t grasp it all—but she knew what to do now.