<Isn’t This a Strategy Game? Episode 22>

Eden knew all too well that Ibthan thought of her that way, so she didn’t mind, but Karon’s comment hit too close to home, making the atmosphere in the conference room turn icy once again.

Yet, Eden understood Ibthan’s position too. Considering I thought of him as just a chess piece for a clear victory, wasn’t it unfair for me to get angry at him for using me like that? If anything, perhaps acknowledging that would make things easier for both of us.

Just as Eden was about to say something, Karon spoke up first.

“And you don’t have to worry about your safety, Priest. Even if my limbs are torn apart, I will ensure your safety.”

With the completely frosty Ibthan and Karon, still smiling politely at each other, a tense standoff unfolded. Meanwhile, Eden was the only one sitting on pins and needles.

What on earth were those two fighting about…?

“Alright then.”

In the end, Ibthan took a step back.

“We can continue our meeting about the schedule after you two return from your expedition.”

Ibthan’s voice was as cold as ice.

“Let’s hope the Priest makes it back in one piece.”

The chilling gaze from Ibthan was directed at Eden, and it seemed like he wouldn’t bat an eye even if she were to be torn limb from limb.

It seemed earning Ibthan’s favor was a lost cause.

After a meeting that felt like it was going to make the soup we had for breakfast come back up, Eden left the conference room with Karon.

“I didn’t know you had such abilities, Priest. The fact that you can see information about monsters will save countless people.”

Karon walked alongside Eden, expressing his admiration. Eden responded with a shy smile.

“No, it’s more the Commander who will save more people. He has been doing so all along.”

Karon smiled back at her, his grin dazzling like the sunshine streaming through the large windows in the palace corridor. The ornate palace seemed to shine even brighter thanks to Karon.

“Hello, Karon.”

It seemed Eden wasn’t the only one who thought that way, as the maids passing by had brightened up when they greeted Karon.

Every time Karon kindly responded, the maids’ faces came alive, suggesting his role in this world was more than just that of the Commander of the Holy Knights.

Just then, as the two rounded the corner at the end of the corridor, they overheard the voices of the maids gathered around the bend.

“What? The 3rd Prince?”

At the mention of the 3rd Prince, Eden’s eyes widened in shock. She unconsciously stopped in her tracks. Karon, who halted beside her, slowly turned to look at Eden.

“That’s what I’m saying! The 3rd Prince discovered a mana stone mine!”

Eden’s heart sank with excitement at the thrilling news, and even Karon raised an eyebrow in surprise.

The 3rd Prince found a mana stone mine?

Karon’s expression changed subtly at the unexpected news. He started to walk over to the maids gathered around the corner to check on the gossip, but Eden quickly grabbed his arm.

Karon, startled by the sudden move, turned to Eden, who stumbled and sat down right where she was.

“Priest!”

“Ugh… I think I twisted my ankle…”

“Oh no, are you alright?”

Thankfully, Karon acted along with Eden’s ploy and sat down with a serious face. While he carefully examined her ankle, Eden perked up her ears, trying to eavesdrop on the maids’ conversation.

“Oh my gosh. A mana stone mine? No way! There was another mana stone mine in the empire?”

“Plus, I heard he’s returning the mine to the empire. Isn’t that amazing?”

“Whoa, is that really true?”

Just like that!

Eden’s face lit up at that statement. The maids continued to marvel at the incredible news, sharing their whispers before soon drifting away around the corner. Fortunately, they had gathered all the information they needed, so there was no need to eavesdrop any longer.

“It doesn’t look swollen, but what seems to be the problem? Can you walk?”

Karon continued to check Eden’s ankle and asked, to which Eden turned to him and replied.

“I’m fine now.”

“Huh?”

Karon looked up, and suddenly it seemed like Eden’s face, which had just been a portrait of distress, was now radiant.

“…?”

Eden sprang back up as if the previous drama hadn’t happened and began to wiggle her feet around.

“I just tripped a little.”

“……”

“Thanks to you, I’m all better.”

With her spirits lifted by the news from the maids, Eden couldn’t help but smile bashfully at Karon, who was looking at her with a bewildered expression.

Eden’s uplifted mood continued for several days after that.

“We’ve come to clean!”

A loud voice startled the dozing doorkeeper, who glared at Eden, but it did nothing to dim her spirits.

“I told you I was changing dinner time today, right? Did you hear that?”

Eden added with a bright smile, not waiting for an answer.

“……Is that so?”

The doorkeeper frowned, trying to assess whether he had actually been told. There had been a special service during the day, so dinner had been postponed, but it seemed the information hadn’t conveyed well.

“You didn’t hear? So, does that mean the cleaning can’t happen?”

That would be a bummer.

Eden feigned a sad expression, and after a moment’s hesitation, the doorkeeper shook his head.

“No. You have to do your duties.”

Damn. Eden hid her inner thoughts and forced a smile.

Sure, if Asmun found the mine, cleaning should be easy enough.

“By the way, is the Chancellor inside…?”

“He is out today due to work.”

“Ah, I see. Got it. Then I’ll get to cleaning!”

Eden’s expression brightened instantly at the news that the Chancellor was absent. She felt relieved, as cleaning in front of the Chancellor would have been daunting.

Feeling even more cheerful, Eden headed straight for the Chancellor’s Office, humming a tune as she began to clean. The reason Eden felt so good for days on end was, of course, deeply related to the conversation she had overheard in the palace.

「I’m telling you! The 3rd Prince discovered a mana stone mine!」

Ultimately, Asmun succeeded in discovering the hidden mana stone mine. And of course, it was thanks to the information I provided.

However, if Asmun hadn’t devised a plausible excuse to evade Kiris’ suspicion, it would have been a failure. No doubt, the scheming Kiris wouldn’t have just handed over Leveim.

And…….

「Plus, I heard he’s returning the mine to the empire. Isn’t that amazing?」

As Eden recalled the maid’s astonishing words, a satisfied smile crept onto her face. Asmun was finally starting to trust me.

The original Asmun would have kept the unofficial Tevel hidden for personal gain, just like he would have with Leveim’s mine, without informing others. After all, mana stones are perfect for backdoor deals.

But Eden’s thoughts were different.

「As soon as you find the mine, return to the capital and report to His Majesty the Emperor.」

At those words, Asmun looked at Eden as if he couldn’t believe it.

「And you should say you’re returning the mine to the empire.」

It was a ridiculous request, even to me, so it was natural for Asmun’s expression to turn cold.

「Why would I do that?」

Asmun had retorted in a hushed voice. Why should he engage in such foolishness? Of course, this was not something mentioned in the Prophecy Book.

However, this was a strategy game. You had to grasp your opponent’s nature and use it to your advantage.

Eden had analyzed the Emperor’s character over nine plays and realized that he was quite fair-minded and genuinely dedicated to the empire.

Occasionally, he displayed an excessively cold side, yet that strictness stemmed from his thorough commitment to the empire, and it was likely that he prioritizes how dedicated one could be to the empire when judging a potential successor.

Thus, what Asmun needed to gain in order to become Emperor was solid trust and affection from the Emperor, rather than shady financial resources directly before him. Eden had targeted precisely that point and…….

「The 3rd Prince said he would return the mine to the empire, and His Majesty has appointed the 3rd Prince as a co-owner of the mine.」

「Half of the mana stones from the mine will belong to the 3rd Prince.」

「That makes sense. It couldn’t have been easy to give up the mine, so I have a newfound respect for the 3rd Prince.」

「Exactly! He usually keeps quiet, so I didn’t realize he was someone who thought of the empire like this. It’s touching.」

Eden’s prediction turns out to be spot on. The Emperor appreciated Asmun for voluntarily reporting the mine and appointed him as a co-owner, promising to give him half of the mana stones.

Moreover, the rumors of the discovery of the fifth mana stone mine and Asmun’s actions spread rapidly, deeply moving the citizens as they recognized his noble intentions to donate the precious mines to the empire.

“This is killing two birds with one stone.”

With that, Asmun could officially occupy half of the mine without a hitch, along with gaining the Emperor’s trust and the respect of the people.

Even if it was only half, the amount coming from the mine would far exceed anything that came from Tevel. This was all thanks to Asmun trusting and following me.

“He was giving me that threatening look. That guy….”

While I felt an undeniable pride that my strategy paid off, it also filled me with happiness that Asmun, who had once aimed a blade at my neck during our first meeting, eventually chose to follow my advice. Was this what it felt like to be a strategist?

But as always, the joy was short-lived.

“Wait a minute.”