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“Wasn’t this a strategy game, though? Episode 17”

The chuckling mixed with a low voice was clearly a mockery. It was obvious that Eden thought Pasarham was worthless.

Asmun obviously thought that someone who didn’t even recognize the value of Pasarham, the crucial funding source, couldn’t be a Messenger of God.

“It seems like God is misunderstanding something. Please go back and tell Him this oracle cannot be followed.”

“……”

“Of course, since you were chosen by God, I believe you can deliver that much.”

Asmun’s gaze was subtle. He seemed disappointed yet perfectly resigned at the same time.

Eden saving me seemed like a coincidence, and now that the miracle had ended, I could sense a lack of lingering attachment. Perhaps he really believed there was no such thing as a god.

Eden clenched his fist. While there might not be a god, the prophecy book I received was undeniably real.

How did I figure that out!

“……”

Eden knew that if Asmun returned like this, there wouldn’t be a second chance. Just as Asmun stood to leave, Eden quickly rose and grabbed Asmun’s wrist.

“You can’t just leave like this!”

Asmun, unexpectedly caught and halted in his tracks, turned to look at Eden. The tense look in his eyes glared at me.

“……”

Asmun glanced at my left wrist, which Eden was gripping tightly. Despite daring to touch the prince, Eden showed no sign of surprise or panic.

It had been ages since someone had grabbed me like that. Just as Asmun was about to slip into a short reverie, Eden released his grip as if tossing it away.

“Your Highness must follow my words as well.”

With that, Eden raised his hand and tapped lightly on his chest above his heart. The mark he had engraved was still there, even beneath his thin priest’s robe.

“That was the condition of this pact.”

At those words, Asmun looked back at Eden again. He hadn’t expected a mention of the pact. It was a pact solely for me, to become Emperor by using the woman before me.

It was also true that if Eden were to break it, he could meet death, and it was indeed my intention to use him to invoke fear and pressure.

Yet, Eden’s gaze was bold enough to negate all of that. Not scared in the slightest, not intimidated at all, as if the initiative of this pact was in my hands.

“Give up Pasarham, and obtain Leveim.”

At the absurd proposal following that, Asmun’s eyebrows finally twisted in confusion.

Leveim? That barren, useless chunk of land? Even I knew that Kiris was struggling with it, unable to conquer or dispose of it.

“Is that also from the oracle?”

“Indeed.”

Asmun let out a quiet snort. It was a story that was hard not to laugh at. Hand over a treasure and get garbage in return. Despite that, Eden didn’t flinch.

“I know what Pasarham means to you, Your Highness.”

At that, Asmun looked down at Eden closely.

“What does it mean?”

“It’s the legacy left by Her Highness, the Second Empress…”

As soon as the mention of the Empress came up, Asmun’s gaze sharpened again. Still, Eden continued.

“It’s your only source of funding. You should know that there’s an unofficial Tevel linked to Pasarham.”

At that added remark, Asmun’s sharp eyes froze. Eden internally cheered at Asmun’s predictable reaction.

‘Man, this feels surprisingly thrilling.’

Eden felt a mix of pride resembling that of a true prophet or an all-powerful priest every time Asmun reacted sensitively to his words. It felt nice having this fierce prince hanging onto every single word I said. Is this why people claim to be advisors?

“Leveim will surely be more meaningful than all of that. Should I even bet my life on it?”

Even saying something so appalling, Eden remained relaxed. Asmun stared at the strange priest who seemed strangely confident beyond mere calmness.

“If you can’t believe in god…”

Eden didn’t shy away from Asmun’s gaze and moved his lips.

“Try believing in me.”

Asmun’s face, firm and set, glimmered once again with his brown eyes. Unbeknownst to him, he clenched his fist.

Indeed, the woman before me, who had saved my life twice, felt more trustworthy than some invisible deity.

“I will see to it that you become Emperor.”

However, I still couldn’t completely trust him; after all, why was he so dedicated to me becoming Emperor?

Eden merely claimed it was a divine revelation, but Asmun didn’t believe in gods.

“It wouldn’t be too late to return for the land afterwards.”

As Eden suggested to abandon Pasarham, his bright eyes confused Asmun’s mind.

“……”

Giving up Pasarham for Leveim?

It was an exchange that would make any passing dog laugh. Eden knew full well what power Pasarham held yet suggested throwing it away.

Could this truly be beneficial for me?

Logically, it made no sense whatsoever. Therefore, in terms of logic…

Something was piling up in my throat, but Asmun slowly swallowed it down and moved his dry lips.

“How is Leveim worth more than that?”

His words still carried doubt, but his face showed willingness to continue the conversation. That was enough. A smile bloomed on Eden’s lips.

“There’s a mountain called Redville in Leveim. Inside that mountain…”

As Eden spoke softly, Asmun’s face gradually hardened as he listened with an indifferent expression. Eden continued to speak without care.

Once Eden finished speaking, Asmun looked at her with even more disbelief than when he had been told to abandon Pasarham.

“So you have to listen to me.”

While stating something unbelievable, Eden was wearing a confident look.

“……”

Asmun watched Eden, who was smiling as if the value of Leveim had already been proven.

“You won’t regret it.”

Having solved the quest and delivered the contents of the prophecy book to Asmun with certainty, the next few days were quiet.

Eden returned to his routine, praying, cleaning, and fulfilling his duties as an apprentice priest.

“Sigh….”

He wished he had embodied a duke or count or some such character.

“The life of a laborer is the same here and there…”

As Eden folded the laundry, he looked up at the sky, reminiscing about how far removed his current life felt. Life back in reality was just as intense. It was like playing a game as well.

“I wonder if I passed the interview…”

On the day he started playing Last Kingmaker, Eden—no, the applicant—had attended an interview. Once this ridiculous game ended, he would return to a boring life that resembled an endless game without a clear objective.

‘But somehow, this time felt different.’

Eden was convinced that the moment he cleared it, he would be sent back to that day. After all, it was just a game.

“So I need to clear it. Yes.”

However, that was still a long way off. Though a new quest hadn’t popped up yet, a part of him felt grateful for that delay. The last tea time with Ibthan had been so shocking that it had left a slight trauma.

“What if a dance time with Hagen’ti comes up? I’m scared, I’m scared.”

As Eden folded the white laundry, he muttered absentmindedly, and he froze in surprise at his own words.

“Hagen’ti….”

Now that he thought about it, he had forgotten all about Hagen’ti. The sudden memory of his existence made Eden’s expression turn serious.

In truth, the only information about Hagen’ti was that he was a “Great Mage” who suddenly appeared and “went on a rampage,” destroying the Empire. It was understandable that he had forgotten the name since he had never heard it mentioned since coming here.

“When did Hagen’ti go on a rampage?”

Eden hugged the pile of laundry to himself while sinking deep in thought. The only time he had confronted Hagen’ti in the game was during the last playthrough.

When was that……

“Ah, my memory is a mess….”

Eden tossed the laundry aside and clutched his head. He had played through too many times, and as a result, he could no longer remember clearly. It might have been due to continuously playing as Kiris and getting the timelines all mixed up.

To clear it, he needed to find Hagen’ti before the rampage started and uncover the reason behind it. If he waited until it began, it would already be too late.

“I need to figure out why he goes on a rampage….”

Eden picked up the laundry again, getting to his feet. In times like this, using a connection would be the answer.

“Hagen’ti?”

Eden looked at Rita, nodding eagerly.

“You’re talking about the Great Mage?”

“Oh my. Right! Do you happen to know where he is right now?”

“No. It’s been over 50 years since he went into hiding.”

“……50 years? How old would he be?”

“Well, you know, mages often don’t age…”

Rita scratched her head. Eden’s expression turned more serious. After all, this was a Great Mage who could wipe out an entire empire; considering the world view, he must have been at least over a hundred years old.

‘Is he like Gandalf or Dumbledore?’

Eden bit his lip, feeling somewhat hopeless. That meant he was incredibly powerful. Of course, being capable of destroying an empire meant he was strong from the get-go.

Could I really stop the rampage of someone like him?

 

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