<Wasn’t this a Strategy Game? Episode 100>

At those words, an extraordinarily heavy silence descended upon the quiet forest, where the sound of burning wood had been echoing.

Eden’s mind began to race.

The operations of Chediak, mentioned in the Quest, along with the illegal mines owned by the Dark Sorcerer and Kiris’s fiancée’s family…

Eden’s heart started to pound irregularly as she finally guessed the true intention behind this Quest.

“After learning all of this, I’ve come to one conclusion.”

As Eden involuntarily leaned towards Chediak, Hagen’ti fidgeted and moved to sit right next to Eden, staring intently at Chediak.

Eden’s excessive interest in Chediak didn’t escape notice, making Hagen’ti’s face quite displeased.

“Please share your speculation, Chediak. I want to hear it.”

“So…”

Chediak’s expression grew even more serious.

“They are preparing for the Anag’t Ritual.”

Asmun, who had left the capital, arrived not in the snowy northern mountains rumored to have Silverstone, nor on the vast eastern coast, but rather at a small baronial estate.

“P-Prince, what brings you here…?”

Rolando Bastelt, the current owner of the Bastelt Barony, was utterly bewildered by the situation unfolding before him.

It was shocking enough that the prince had visited a small region, but that he came to meet him out of the blue was something else entirely.

And what about those armed knights outside?

“I have a question for Baron Bastelt.”

The most bewildering part of it all was Asmun’s expression, which was so cold and grim that it made it seem as if something terrible was happening in the house.

Although far from the capital, Rolando was well aware of the capabilities Asmun had displayed during the Sun Festival.

Why was the heir candidate suddenly paying him a secret visit? What could there possibly be to ask?

“It’s something very important to me, so I hope you’ll answer without hiding anything.”

His tone was polite, but his gaze was so chilling it felt like a storm could break at any moment…

Rolando swallowed hard and looked at Asmun.

What could a prince want to ask him?

Even if he racked his brain, nothing related to the prince came to mind.

Damn it, what is this about?

“W-What is it that you wish to know…?”

“I’d like to hear more about the bloody incident that occurred in the Bastelt Barony eighty years ago.”

At this bold, unimaginable request, Rolando’s breath hitched.

He froze for a moment, as though forgetting how to breathe, and awkwardly averted his gaze.

“I-I… what are you talking about…?”

Asmun’s eyebrow raised at Rolando’s timid denial.

It was expected that he wouldn’t divulge everything right away, but Asmun had no patience left for such tricks.

“Ah. It seems the baron doesn’t really remember since it was such a long time ago.”

“Y-Yes… I mean, eighty years ago? Haha… I don’t really…”

“Understood.”

To Rolando’s surprise, Asmun accepted it rather easily, allowing Rolando to secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

However, the next words from Asmun were even more heart-stopping.

“Then I must ask about more recent events.”

“Recent… yes…?”

“You didn’t forget about the incident two years ago when the Eloch Guild acquired the mid-level monster, Lextos?”

Rolando’s face froze on the spot.

“You remember that Lextos killed ten residents of Sorvachel and couldn’t be controlled, requiring the help of Eloch once more.”

“Ha-ha, what are you saying, Your Highness…?”

As Rolando tried to awkwardly laugh it off, Asmun’s crimson eyes sank heavier.

“Baron Bastelt. I didn’t come all this way to hear that kind of answer.”

Asmun’s voice was polite, yet the red gaze looking at Rolando was as cold as a blade.

“I’ll give you another chance. It would be wise to acknowledge that I have the transaction document from that time and respond accordingly.”

“…”

“Speak of what happened in this wretched mansion eighty years ago. Leave nothing out.”

Rolando’s lips trembled as he turned pale.

“Y-Your Highness…?”

“What they are preparing for is undoubtedly the Anag’t Ritual.”

Eden’s face twisted in confusion at Chediak’s words.

“The Anag’t Ritual? What is that?”

When Eden looked at Hagen’ti and asked, Hagen’ti answered quietly.

“…It’s a Dark Magic that controls souls.”

“Controls souls?”

How…?

Chediak answered that question for her.

“Correct. It’s a magic that manipulates and uses souls like puppets. It’s very dangerous and complex, and they are trying to attempt it. All that magic circle and materials are evidence of that.”

“Materials?”

“Do you remember the woman who was lying inside that prison earlier?”

At that question, Eden recalled the woman dying and collapsed inside the prison.

“She was barely kept alive with Dark Magic. At this rate, she won’t last three days.”

Eden frowned at the cruel words, then curiously asked.

“So those people are the materials for the Anag’t Ritual? If they’re going to die anyway, what’s the point of keeping them alive? Do they need living sacrifices? But wouldn’t it be better to use healthy ones?”

“She is likely someone with Divine Power. Using someone with Divine Power as a sacrifice doubles the effect.”

That was an unexpected statement. Eden was at a loss for words, mouth agape.

“Humans with Divine Power who are not priests are rare. It seems they’ll have a hard time finding a priest.”

“…”

“Moreover, I saw them hiding a large stone tablet with the Anag’t spell, which is essential for the Anag’t Ritual, inside the mine. So it’s obvious. They are preparing for the Anag’t Ritual.”

“…How do you know all this? You’re not a Dark Sorcerer, are you?”

“What nonsense! I’ve merely studied their patterns for a long time!”

“Just kidding. No jokes in you, Chediak.”

Eden let out a small sigh.

“In dark times, jokes are necessary, so remember that. Anyway, I got it. So they want to manipulate someone, right?”

As Chediak nodded at Eden’s accurate interpretation, unease stirred within her.

Since Kiris was from a family close enough to be engaged to her, it was highly likely that the ritual was related to Kiris.

‘Things just got way out of hand. Was meeting Chediak a way to figure out how to capture Kiris?’

If so, who on earth?

Asmun? Or me?

Eden already had memories of seeing someone overtaken and manipulated by Dark Magic.

Marens.

Marens had nearly lost his mind trying to kill me. But that was only for a brief moment. This ritual would undoubtedly be a different level.

“Who are they trying to manipulate? Do you have any guesses?”

However, Chediak’s answer was completely unexpected.

“…I suspect it’s probably the Emperor.”

What?

“Wait, what do you mean by that?”

Surprised, Eden repeated the question, but Chediak sealed his lips once more.

“So you’re saying the Dark Sorcerers are trying to control the Emperor?”

“That’s my speculation.”

The calm affirmation made her heart drop.

The Emperor? Why? My father?

“D-Do you have any evidence?”

“That magic is not something just anyone can wield. Only a highly skilled Dark Sorcerer can do it. Moreover, even just gathering the materials requires countless driks. As I mentioned, both living sacrifices and rare materials are needed.”

Chediak spoke with confidence in his speculation, his words lacking any hesitation.

“The Milstein Family is a noble house that wants for nothing. In a family where anyone can be bribed, how many people would require such a large sum of money and manpower to be manipulated?”

“…”

“Moreover, lately, Dark Sorcerers have been going mad, dreaming of the Demon King’s resurrection. They must be planning to swallow the Empire whole.”

At those words, Eden felt her fluttering heart come to a grinding halt. An instinct told her that Chediak’s speculation was spot on.

This meant Chediak’s meddling was definitely not just meddling.

He was a patriot trying to stop evil, risking danger for the safety of the Empire.

‘Kiris, you crazy bastard… you’ve finally lost it.’

He was getting anxious because Asmun was showing prominent potential.

What if Asmun really sought out Silverstone and became the successor?

Thus, Kiris would conduct the Anag’t Ritual to consume the Emperor’s soul, and I’d sit on the throne. A rather easy way to do it.

“This is treason…”

Eden muttered in a trembling voice, and Hagen’ti glanced at her. Chediak also nodded with a look of dismay.

“It’s a dreadful treason. So we must stop it.”

Eden quickly raised her head to look at him.

“Is there a way to stop it?”

“It’s a temporary solution…”

“Tell me.”

“First, we need to rescue the hostage and steal the tablet. Though they’ll find a way to retrieve it later, the Anag’t Ritual must be performed within three days around the full moon.”

At the mention of the full moon, Eden instinctively looked at Hagen’ti. He looked back at her with a blank expression.

‘That cursed full moon…’

Just thinking about it made her shiver. Eden turned back to Chediak and spoke.

“About the full moon…”

“Yes, it’s from tomorrow evening onwards.”

“…”

“So if we can get through this full moon, we’ll buy some time until the next one comes around.”

“I see. Good idea. But…”

Eden bit her lip in anxiety.

“We need a fundamental solution.”

“Yes. I think so too. But this is all I can do…”

Chediak cradled his head in distress and bowed it low. Eden took a deep breath as she watched him.

“There’s no need to worry.”

In her confident tone, Chediak lifted his head slightly to look at Eden. When their eyes met, Eden smiled brightly.

“Didn’t I say it? I came to help you, Chediak.”

Thus, helping Chediak was ultimately a pathway towards clearing the game.

Even though she had taken in all the circumstances, the clear screen didn’t pop up, so there was only one thing left to do.

To help him catch this audacious traitor.

Eden’s heart thumped vigorously, filled with excitement and tension in equal measure.