<Wasn’t This a Strategy Game? Chapter 49>

Eden quickly grabbed the hand and shook it.

“Having someone as impressive as you as an aide means the Grand Duke is definitely taking home the trophy at this tournament! Priest, can you join me for the next tournament?”

Madam Marens joked, and it seemed like Eden was genuinely at a loss.

“Just kidding. It’s a joke.”

As Madam Marens looked at Eden with a joyful smile, Jepar couldn’t help but smirk alongside her.

Starting with Madam Marens, people began crowding in from all directions, greeting Jepar while trying to catch a glimpse of Eden up close.

Jepar tried to keep an eye on Eden without caring, but Eden felt overwhelmed by their constant gazes and eventually made up a half-hearted excuse to slip away.

“Ha…”

Among those in splendid banquet attire, Eden stood out in her priest’s robe, and every step felt like being stared at.

Avoiding all those looks, Eden found refuge in a corner on the terrace, barely catching her breath with a sigh.

But soon enough, a familiar voice drifted back to her.

“Priest.”

Turning around at the voice that sounded a bit flustered, she saw Karon, who appeared to have followed her.

“Captain.”

Eden’s expression relaxed a bit upon seeing Karon.

“May I ask what happened? You’re aiding the Grand Duke, Priest…?”

Karon looked slightly confused about the situation, but unlike Asmun, he didn’t seem cold or aloof.

Eden forced a smile.

“I wanted to participate in the hunting tournament.”

“…”

“I ended up this way while looking for a way. Haha…”

Karon furrowed his brow as if trying to understand Eden’s words and then nodded.

“I see.”

His face was still filled with confusion, but Karon didn’t press any further. Grateful that Karon was refraining from too many questions, Eden decided to tease him a bit.

“By the way, isn’t it cheating for the captain to participate in the hunting tournament?”

“Huh?”

Eden then recalled Karon mercilessly taking down monsters in the western forest.

The fluidity of his movements, without a scream escaping the monsters as they perished. His gaze remained unwavering even as other knights grew weary.

Without a doubt, Karon was the finest knight in this world, just as it had been set up from the beginning.

“Is there anyone who could defeat the Empire’s top sword master within this vast banquet hall?”

At that, Karon chuckled softly. Then he replied in a kind tone.

“Even I couldn’t handle Seruka, the one you took down, Priest.”

His smooth blonde hair sparkled under the radiant moonlight.

“Truly, this hunting tournament is pointless. Someone like you should not have to serve as anyone’s aide.”

“…”

“There’s likely no one here who could deal with Seruka on their own.”

Eden felt a bit better with Karon’s compliment. Contrary to his initially shocking impression, Karon turned out to be considerate and kind.

“That can’t be true. I believe the excellent knight before me could manage it.”

Eden’s playful comment made Karon smile again.

His shy smile was incredibly holy, making Eden briefly envious of Hamun, who received such blind affection from this man.

At that moment…

“You seem to be having fun, but I’m sorry to interrupt.”

The warm atmosphere was pierced by a voice as cold as ice, causing Eden’s body to stiffen.

When Karon turned around, he saw Asmun with a disturbingly expressionless face.

“I’d like to have a word with the Priest. Could you excuse us?”

The polite tone sounded formal, yet it made the atmosphere even more dangerous.

Karon glanced at the frozen Eden before nodding politely to Asmun.

“3rd Prince.”

However, Asmun’s gaze remained fixated on Eden, who had yet to turn around.

Karon now firmly believed there was something between the two. It was indeed strange for Asmun to accompany them during the hunt.

“We were in the middle of a conversation.”

“Yes. I noticed.”

Asmun replied nonchalantly.

“I still have things to discuss.”

The air on the terrace felt exceedingly cold, but Karon seemed unconcerned as he smiled softly.

Only then did Asmun turn his gaze toward Karon. His red eyes were far more intense than the night air.

“Then the three of us can have a cozy discussion here. Priest, do you wish for that?”

Asmun’s smirk grew wider as he locked eyes with Karon.

Eden flinched at this and let out a small sigh.

This was, after all, an expected development, and she had matters to relay to Asmun before the tournament commenced.

Steeling herself, Eden turned to Karon.

“Um, Captain… I’d like to talk with His Highness alone for a moment.”

Eden felt apologetic asking this, but Karon took his eyes off Asmun to look at her.

“Understood.”

Karon flashed a warm, affectionate smile at Eden. He was curious why Eden seemed so flustered around the 3rd Prince, yet he didn’t wish to complicate matters further for her.

“Then.”

Karon gave a small bow before turning away smoothly. The air where Karon had just been felt overwhelmingly suffocating.

It was Asmun who broke the silence first.

“I can’t easily understand what’s happening here with my foolish brain.”

Asmun’s voice was unnervingly calm and composed, sending chills down Eden’s spine. She began to recite the excuses she had prepared.

“This was the best option. I couldn’t just appear publicly with Your Highness.”

This was the truth.

There were already people who were suspicious of she and Asmun being intertwined, and there was no need to raise concerns by being seen together so soon.

However, despite Eden’s explanation, Asmun’s hard gaze did not soften.

“You seem to have misunderstood my question.”

“…”

“I’m asking if there’s a compelling reason for you to participate in the hunting tournament.”

Asmun was convinced that there was something else behind Eden’s presence. He grew frustrated that he couldn’t uncover it.

Eden didn’t desire wealth, fame, or power. If she had, she wouldn’t have put the wager on him in the first place.

Why on earth was she taking such risks?

“Of course, there is.”

When Eden replied confidently, Asmun’s eyes narrowed.

“What if a prophecy has been delivered, but you can’t convey it to me? The hunting tournament is an opportune time for trouble. We cannot afford to let our guard down.”

Eden skillfully recited her audacious lines.

“As it happens, a prophecy has indeed arrived.”

Eden said that, quickly glancing around, carefully inspecting below the terrace, ensuring no one was around, then lowered her voice significantly to whisper.

“You need to be cautious of monsters with red eyes. That’s a trap. There’s magic involved, and once you touch it, the attack will be reflected. If the eyes are unusually red, avoid it.”

Asmun kept his icy gaze on Eden as she delivered the prophecy.

“And also, be wary of Marquis Ogden. Tomorrow, he’ll be under control magic. If you come across him, he’ll try to harm you. If you attack, you’ll be framed, so it’s best to avoid him entirely. If you see him, just run!”

Eden recalled Ogden wearing a senior badge earlier.

Normally, both Asmun and Ogden shouldn’t have been awarded the senior badges, but due to Eden, the story had changed, allowing Asmun to receive one, which meant Ogden was also given one.

That meant Kiris hadn’t given up on that plan.

“Lastly, change horses just before you enter the tournament tomorrow. He probably tampered with the horse too. Of course, if it’s not your horse, it might be a bit slow, but it shouldn’t matter much since you won’t be aiming to win anyway.”

After whispering all of Kiris’ pranks, Eden nodded proudly.

After experiencing several hunting tournaments, Eden had used all these methods.

Each time, Asmun had found himself entangled in the attempted murder of Marquis Ogden, suffering a headache or ending up critically injured due to reflected attacks, or even taking a nasty fall that broke his leg.

So, as long as she managed to avoid those traps, there wouldn’t be any severe repercussions in the hunting tournament.

However, Asmun remained unphased by Eden’s warnings, merely fixing her with those cool, judging eyes, just like when he first saw her enter the banquet hall.

Soon, he spoke.

“I must win.”

His calmly stated reply left Eden in shock.

“…Huh?”

“Since you are so deeply concerned about my well-being, I must do everything in my power to survive until I ascend the throne.”

His voice, cold as ice, was strangely gentle. Eden found herself smirking at Asmun, who was grinning with one corner of his mouth lifted.

“So I’ll have to win the tournament and then ask for the position of Crown Prince as my prize.”

“…”

“That’s ultimately what you want, isn’t it?”

“…”

“Then, you needn’t engage in such reckless behavior any longer.”

The absurdity of his statement was delivered in a voice that felt far too nonchalant. Only Eden stood there, paralyzed by his madness.

Eden stared at Asmun in bewilderment for a moment before finally managing to flutter her lips.

“…You’re joking, right?”

But Asmun remained fixated on her, his expression suggesting he had never joked a day in his life.

The meaning of his gaze hit Eden a beat late.