<Wasn’t this a Strategy Game? Chapter 117>

No, it might just be my ankle that’s caught.

“…So there was a way to find Jepar’s weakness written down.”

That’s why the Prophecy Book had such ridiculous content—it was meant to unfold like this. The only way to break through this crazy situation is to catch Jepar’s weakness.

Eden, who had been feeling deflated, perked up and frowned.

“No, this isn’t a matter of mere weaknesses.”

What on earth is Jepar doing?

The unease creeping up her neck made Eden’s stomach turn again.

Anyway, that weakness was my only lifeline.

Since it has come to this, should I inform Asmun and somehow raid the Yuren Grand Duchy’s mansion to rummage through the underground for his weakness?

‘But what if I fail?’

My head throbbed again.

‘Then Jepar will hand this document straight to the Emperor.’

Even so, I couldn’t just accept his proposal and travel directly to the Yuren Grand Duchy to seize that weakness, could I?

Ding!

The obliviously cheerful notification sound made Eden’s serious expression shift toward a new quest window.

“……”

Eden’s unfocused gaze floated aimlessly in the air.

‘This damn……’

At this rate, it looks like I really have to go to the Yuren Grand Duchy. Just thinking about Asmun’s cold face already sent shivers down my spine.

Ding!

Another notification window appeared in front of her.

Eden’s eyes froze at the sight.

“…What?”

Extend his life?

The blatant statement flashed the moment she first saw Hagen’ti in her mind.

She recalled Hagen’ti groaning as if he were on the verge of death.

“Hagen’ti…!”

In an instant, Eden turned pale and covered her mouth with her hands.

Extend his life! Isn’t Hagen’ti supposed to be all right now?

I thought he was fine. I was sure the medicine would suppress his pain…!

“What… am I going to do…?”

If I don’t clear this quest in 5 hours, the game is over. It’s likely to lead to Hagen’ti’s rampage ending.

But right now, more than that, thoughts of Hagen’ti suffering made her vision dark.

So, the reason Hagen’ti had stayed in that castle for fifty years was…

‘Because if he leaves the castle, his condition worsens.’

And Hagen’ti leaving the castle was all because of me. Unbelievable.

For a brief moment, a 1st-grade summoning ticket crossed my mind, but recklessly using it to summon Hagen’ti outside the castle might push him into a rampage sooner.

The safest option was for me to go to Hagen’ti’s castle right now and calm him down, just like last time.

But how…

“Chancellor’s Office…!”

After a while of being flustered and unsure, Eden finally remembered Sereman’s Chancellor’s Office. I had the key to the office, so that would be the easiest method.

But what if Sereman is there?

No, the fact that this quest has popped up means Sereman is not in the office. This game’s algorithm was designed that way.

But even if he’s absent, how can I enter the office now that I couldn’t even make up an excuse like cleaning?

If only I could use magic, like Hagen’ti…

At that moment, a face popped up in Eden’s mind.

“Chediak.”

Breathing out, she murmured Chediak’s name and immediately took out the 1st-grade summoning ticket without hesitation.

“Chediak! Summon Chediak for me!”

And before even ten seconds had passed, Chediak, who was brushing his teeth, dropped from the sky right in front of her.

“……?”

Chediak, with foam all over his mouth, stared at Eden in shock.

What in the world…?

“Chediak!”

“…Saint?”

The clear-cut effect of the item was impressive, but there was no time to waste, so Eden quickly grabbed Chediak and rushed to explain.

“I’m so sorry for calling you out of the blue, but I’ll explain later! I need your help right now!”

“What’s going on…?”

“There’s no time to explain. We’re inside the Great Temple. Can you teleport from here?”

“Th-the Great Temple?”

Eden nodded desperately.

Since Hagen’ti had boasted that no one could find him, it would likely be impossible to teleport directly to Hagen’ti’s castle with Chediak’s magic.

But perhaps it would be possible to move within the Great Temple? If Chediak is more skilled as a mage than I thought.

And now, Chediak was my last hope.

Chediak looked flustered, but soon noticed how serious Eden was and calmly replied.

“There are many barriers in here, so I’m not sure if it’s possible. Where do you need to go?”

“We need to head to the tower in the east. No, wait. We can’t go inside there. It would be better to go to the bushes beneath the Eastern Tower, where we won’t be seen.”

“Please hold on. I need to understand the structure clearly. Is there a map?”

At those words, Eden quickly brought out a parchment and pen to sketch a rough plan of the Great Temple. Chediak soon took on a serious expression, still with foam on his face, and nodded.

“I’ll try it once. Can you grab my arm?”

Eden quickly took hold of his arm. Chediak took a short deep breath and attempted to move.

The familiar sensation of floating beneath her feet wrapped around her body, and in the blink of an eye, they landed in the cool night air beneath the bushes of the Eastern Tower.

It was a success!

Eden looked at Chediak with eyes full of admiration. Even though she didn’t notice it because Hagen’ti was overpowered, Chediak was undoubtedly a significant character with considerable skills.

“Is this all we need?”

Chediak, who was overly tense in this sudden situation, lowered his voice to ask, and Eden shook her head.

“This is just the beginning.”

“Huh…?”

Eden looked up to see Sereman’s Chancellor’s Office lit up.

If this whole thing was already a designed scheme, then Sereman would have vacated the office tonight. I was now sure of it.

The problem was the guard stationed in front of the office.

“Can you use any fainting spells or something?”

“Huh…?”

“I need to get inside that room, but there is a guard at the front. He’s a priest with excellent divine power, so he won’t be easy to deal with. But I absolutely need to get inside.”

“Saint. I completely don’t understand what’s happening right now…”

“Hagen… no, Choco might die.”

“Huh?!”

“So we absolutely have to go rescue him. I’m counting on you.”

At her desperate plea, confusion deepened in Chediak’s eyes.

‘Choco might die? Is Choco trapped inside there? In the Great Temple? Why on earth?’

A tidal wave of questions arose, but more than that, Chediak’s sense of duty kicked in fiercely.

Plus, didn’t they already receive considerable help from these two during the previous incident? So he had to repay that debt.

Chediak looked up at the Eastern Tower with a determined expression.

“We have to hurry and rescue Choco!”

Chediak’s skills exceeded all expectations; he swiftly cast a concealment spell to hide both of them and then ascended the Eastern Tower. Successfully casting a fainting spell, he took down the priests guarding the door.

Eden and Chediak slipped over the fallen priests and entered the Chancellor’s Office. As expected, it was empty inside.

“Over here!”

Just as Eden dashed towards the study and was about to pull out her key from her pocket, Chediak interrupted her.

“Wait a moment!”

Chediak urgently grabbed Eden’s hand to stop her. Startled, Eden turned to look at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s a dangerous barrier set up here.”

At his words, Eden’s eyes widened in shock.

“A barrier?”

“Yes. It seems to be a trap. If you touch that door, a dangerous spell will activate.”

Chediak examined the study’s door with a serious expression.

“This is….”

His eyes widened in panic. The barrier around this door was something that should never be faced in the Great Temple, which was meant to be the holiest place in Hesmaro.

“This is Dark Magic.”

Eden’s eyes, which had been alarmed as she looked at Chediak, froze.

What?

“Have you entered this room before?”

Eden nodded with a stunned expression.

“It seems the owner of this room realized that. They likely set this barrier to capture the Saint.”

Hearing those words, Eden felt her heart sink.

The owner of this room was Sereman. If that’s the case, it means Sereman noticed someone going in and out of Hagen’ti’s castle, and he set the barrier to capture him.

The last time Eden used this place was a long time ago, right after the hunting tournament episode. It was before the Reblem episode even started.

So after that, Sereman must have picked up on something.

‘But a barrier made of Dark Magic?’