Chapter 21
<Wasn’t This a Strategy Game? Chapter 21>
“I’m sorry.”
As a kindly and gentle voice interrupted, Ibthan and Eden turned their gazes towards Karon.
“Isn’t that a bit rude? The priest is already a person of the divine. Even if he’s just an intern priest, we’re all considered priests in the eyes of Hamun.”
Ibthan looked at Karon with a blank expression. Karon wore his usual smile, but the atmosphere in the conference room had subtly grown colder.
“But to suggest renouncing faith? Faith isn’t as light and easy as you, Chancellor, seem to think.”
His soft-spoken demeanor remained kind, but there was no longer a trace of the warmth he had shown to Ibthan. Nonetheless, Ibthan responded nonchalantly, parting his dry lips.
“It seems there’s a misunderstanding. I’m not suggesting renouncing faith. Is it really true that one can’t maintain their faith unless they’re a priest? I didn’t know Hamun was so narrow-minded.”
Gasp. This time, Ibthan’s rude remark froze Eden in place. When she glanced over at Karon, his expression had also grown even colder at the insult to Hamun.
“Of course, Hamun is generous enough to encompass those who are rude, like you, Chancellor.”
“Well, that’s good then. I’m sure Hamun will understand.”
“Unfortunately, Chancellor, it seems you don’t understand this matter at all.”
Karon countered with his kind smile still intact. The phrase “you don’t understand” made Ibthan’s brow furrow even more.
“What exactly am I not understanding?”
“I’m referring to the source of Priest Eden’s abilities. Hamun has chosen her. In His name, He has commanded her to save the people. And yet you suggest she abandon her priesthood.”
Karon let out a chuckle.
“I do worry that this conversation doesn’t leak out.”
Looking at Ibthan with a benevolent smile, Karon’s expression clearly conveyed “a ignorant person who can’t grasp the divine will.”
Ibthan undoubtedly read that meaning without issue. His own expression had stiffened considerably.
“Priest Eden’s abilities are unparalleled in the Empire, and there’s no telling when such abilities will appear again. Are you really going to toy with such a vital asset? Faith is good, but let’s distinguish between public and private matters.”
“Thank you for your concern, but I’m perfectly capable of distinguishing. Why do you think I’ve thrown myself into places swarming with monsters all this time?”
“Well, I just hope it’s not solely because it’s divine will. I believe you’d have enough discernment even with a job that doesn’t rely on thinking.”
Wow.
The tension in the air made Eden break out in a cold sweat. Karon’s faith appeared to be far greater than she had presumed. As expected, Ibthan clearly had no faith to begin with.
Eden quickly gathered her thoughts. In truth, Ibthan’s proposal wasn’t completely unappealing.
Gaining a respectable position in the Imperial Palace and building her power would undoubtedly make it much easier to elevate Asmun to Emperor.
But……
“Um, I’m sorry to interrupt.”
As Eden interjected, the two men, who had been glaring fiercely at each other, turned simultaneously to her.
“It seems I won’t be able to accept that proposal.”
At her words, Karon’s expression softened, while Ibthan’s face hardened even more.
“I’ve lived to become a priest, and I must fulfill my duties.”
This was half the truth. There must be a reason why the hidden character’s job was set as a priest. Until she thoroughly understood it, she couldn’t rashly abandon the role given to her.
“It may be a bit cumbersome, but I’d like to work by shuttling between the temple and the Imperial Palace.”
Ibthan let out a short sigh at Eden’s polite refusal. It seemed he had anticipated this response. Since the party involved was declining, there was no other choice.
Ibthan regained his composure and spoke again.
“Very well, I understand your intention.”
‘Your intention’?
Karon glanced at Ibthan disapprovingly at the ambiguous reply, but Ibthan ignored him completely.
“For now, let’s proceed that way. I’m sure the priest will need some time to think as well.”
“Thank you.”
Although it was a somewhat controversial answer, Eden hurriedly responded to avoid further arguments. Fortunately, Karon didn’t add any more comments.
“Then, Priest, please visit the Imperial Palace once a week. I will communicate with the temple and ask for them to adjust your schedule.”
“Yes, I will do that.”
Eden’s schedule consisted of prayers and cleaning, so there was no loss involved.
“And I’d like to know something for sure.”
Ibthan gazed intently at Eden.
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“Is there no way to read the information on monsters other than actually facing them?”
Sharp guy.
Eden smiled brightly at Ibthan’s question.
“No, if you have the monster’s proper name, you can obtain the information just the same.”
The unbelievable answer made Karon’s lips curl, as if he was shocked.
“You mean just knowing the name will reveal information?”
“Yes, just like someone nearby telling you.”
Of course, that someone was the game developer. For them, it would be more convenient to see it as Hamun.
Ibthan stared at Eden, presumably to gauge whether she was lying, while Karon appeared lost in thought.
“Understood.”
Ibthan didn’t inquire any further. He turned to Karon and spoke again.
“Haven’t we yet discovered the name of the monsters appearing at the western border? I hear the damage to the villages is severe.”
Karon quickly snapped back to the present and responded.
“Yes, unfortunately, we have not captured any yet. I will make sure to capture at least one during the next expedition. Then we will soon know.”
Karon finished his response and smiled at Eden. Unlike Ibthan, it seemed he quickly accepted Eden’s abilities. Truly a faith befitting a paladin.
Eden, trying to return his smile, hesitated.
‘The western border?’
The phrase immediately reminded her of a quest she had been given.
『【!】 Basic Quest:
Eliminate the monsters in the west. (0/30)』
Eden’s eyes widened. Eliminate the monsters in the west. The events of the founding banquet floated through her mind. It was definitely Karon who had killed Tannir, but she too had gained levels because she had ‘contributed’ to that extermination.
If the same rule applied here, it meant that simply participating in this expedition and providing some assistance could clear the quest.
“When is the expedition date?”
“We need about ten days to reorganize before setting out. The western border has a base portal, so it shouldn’t take long.”
Ten days later.
As Eden stood up abruptly after finishing her thoughts, both Ibthan and Karon’s gazes turned to her.
“I’ll go with you!”
As Eden exclaimed excitedly, a tense silence settled in the room. Unbothered in the slightest, Eden placed her hand on her chest and confidently declared.
“I’ll find out that monster’s name.”
Discovering the name of a monster was no longer difficult for her. However, contrary to her expectations, Ibthan’s expression was far from pleased.
“That’s not acceptable.”
It was a sharp refusal. Eden’s face fell in disbelief, as she assumed he would readily agree.
“What? Why not? I can really do well!”
“The priest must not be exposed to any danger from now on.”
Ibthan’s expression was cold as he stated that without any hesitation. While it could sound like a moving statement, Eden understood the underlying implications of his cold words. She had become an invaluable asset to the Empire, someone loaded with potential.
However, Eden couldn’t back down. If she remained safely holed up in the temple, there was no way she could clear even a basic quest, let alone the main storyline, and it would certainly lead to her downfall.
‘Last Kingmaker’ was a game that could only progress by clearing basic quests.
“But if I want to contribute to subduing monsters alongside you two in the future, I need some practical experience, right? Please let me go with you. I’m confident.”
As Eden persisted, a brief chill flickered across Ibthan’s face. He seemed annoyed at Eden’s stubbornness, as she failed to grasp the gravity of the situation.
“That’s unnecessary. Your duties will be in the Imperial Palace…”
“That’s a valid point.”
Karon interrupted him, abruptly stopping the conversation. This gave Ibthan a chance to shoot Karon a dangerously cold look, but Karon’s attention was solely on Eden.
“If the priest were to accompany us, we could save a great deal of time.”
“The risks involved in doing so are far too great for mere time-saving. This is a place where mid-level monsters, whose names remain unknown, appear.”
Ibthan’s tone was still flat, devoid of inflection, but there was a subtle chill beneath the surface. He seemed irritated to be dealing with two religious figures who couldn’t even handle basic calculations.
However, Karon refused to back down easily.
“As you said, the priest will need to join us for a long time moving forward. It’s essential she experiences the field as well.”
“Think rationally. She’s the only one in the Empire with such ability. Are we really going to allow someone with such incredible potential to die without even using her properly?”
With that cold and brutal statement, Karon finally looked back at him.
“Chancellor.”
“Speak.”
“It would be wise to hold your tongue. The priest is not an object; she is a person.”
With a smile, Karon struck right to the heart of the matter, causing Ibthan to close his mouth with a stiff expression. He seemed to recognize that he had misspoken but showed no signs of regret or panic.
‘Wow, what a piece of work.’
Eden marveled inwardly as she observed the exchange between the two men.
