<Wasn’t This a Strategy Game? Chapter 44>

Eden examined the small box with a puzzled expression as she opened it.

Inside lay a necklace adorned with a bright yellow gem that was clearly expensive.

“This necklace is made of magic stone. It has advanced magic cast on it, so it will protect your wellbeing, so please accept it even if you don’t want it.”

The only thing she didn’t want was the position.

She feigned reluctance, but the mention of magic stone made Eden cheer inwardly.

Even the lowest tier of magic stones was absurdly expensive, and it would take her a decade of her meager apprentice priest salary to save enough to buy one.

“… Then I shall graciously accept it.”

“Of course, even though it’s a magic stone necklace, it can’t protect you from foolishly walking into the mouth of a monster.”

With that added comment, Eden understood why Ibthan was in such a foul mood.

It was because the precious asset of the Empire, her, almost died without even putting up a fight.

“That couldn’t be helped. So what was I supposed to do instead?”

“You should have sent His Highness the 3rd Prince.”

At those cold words, Eden’s pupils froze.

“What did you just say?”

“His Highness the 3rd Prince himself offered to take on that burden, so why did you stop him?”

Ibthan’s eyes were icy as he asked.

“As I mentioned before, His Highness the 3rd Prince is of royal blood and could potentially be the heir…”

“You’ve misjudged that.”

Ibthan cut off Eden’s words with a relaxed tone, leaving her dumbfounded.

“Misjudged, you say?”

“His Highness the 3rd Prince will not become the heir.”

Ibthan’s tone was so assertive that Eden almost got convinced in that moment.

Ibthan stared at Eden with steady eyes, showing no sign of hesitation after his shocking statement.

It was Eden who felt flustered.

“Why do you think that?”

“His Highness the 3rd Prince cannot be responsible for the Empire.”

Ibthan replied without changing his expression.

“He would instead put the Empire in danger.”

Those words hit Eden like a punch to the gut. She couldn’t deny what Ibthan said.

Asmun was definitely a character with a high probability of becoming a tyrant, and Ibthan clearly recognized that point.

Asmun had been keeping a low profile until now, yet he managed to see through his true nature.

Eden couldn’t help but admire Ibthan’s insight.

“So it’d be better for you to drop this futile hope.”

Ibthan offered this quiet warning while locking gazes with the flustered Eden.

Suddenly, Eden felt a chill at the back of her head. It seemed Ibthan had sensed that she was supporting Asmun.

When did he…

But instead of denying it, Eden timidly countered.

“W-well, that’s uncertain.”

Yet, despite her stubborn rebuttal, Ibthan’s eyes didn’t waver. Eden’s reasons for supporting the 3rd Prince were unclear, but they were insane.

Although Ki’ris and Patrian couldn’t be said to be better, after all, politics could be handled by advisors.

If competent advisors were assigned to the two princes, they could somewhat play the role of emperor, but if Asmun, who was unpredictable and had no clarity of thought, became emperor, no one could control him.

No, above all, a 3rd Prince, who was starkly lacking in background, power, and ability, could never become emperor. Yet, the fact that Eden was staunchly backing Asmun was strangely unsettling.

Ibthan recalled the founding banquet.

It was no coincidence that Eden had gotten involved that day. If so, Eden risked her life not once but twice for the 3rd Prince.

Thinking about that was not only absurd but also strangely irritating.

Whether Eden’s talents were bestowed by Hamun or not, she must not die before fulfilling the mission assigned to her.

Especially not for someone like the 3rd Prince, for whom there was no possibility.

“It seems His Highness the 3rd Prince is well aware of his situation.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“His Majesty intended to grant His Highness the 3rd Prince Reblem, but this morning His Highness sent word declining it.”

At those words, Eden’s eyes widened. She knew Reblem well.

In the game, it was a city that was absolutely essential for becoming emperor—small, yes, but a lawless zone riddled with all sorts of crimes and illegal activities.

Properly governing it and revitalizing it was a kind of test or mission given by the emperor, and thus it was an episode that had to be cleared in order to progress.

“Reblem is a troublesome place to manage. It seems His Highness the 3rd Prince has a good grasp of his own capabilities.”

Stunned by the shocking news, Eden was left speechless, staring blankly at Ibthan.

When she played as Kiris, it took her five tries to finally seize Reblem.

For the emperor to offer Reblem to someone who until now was viewed as an exception—was giving him a chance to ascend to the line of heirs.

And yet, he refused it. He must be crazy.

“So your safety takes priority over His Highness the 3rd Prince, who will never become emperor.”

With those cold words, Eden’s reason finally returned.

She shot a casual glare at Ibthan, who was speaking cruelly, but he deftly changed the subject as if their talk about Asmun was over.

“You won’t be participating in any suppression activities moving forward. As I mentioned before, you only need to periodically visit the palace to analyze the monsters and help complete the bestiary.”

“……”

“For the time being, I must prepare for the hunting tournament, so please stay safely in the Great Temple until I contact you again.”

Ibthan emphasized the word ‘safely’ while looking at Eden. It was an expression that seemed to be waiting for a response.

Eden shot him a glare then nodded.

“Understood.”

As she stood up, she added:

“And I’ve noted your opinions regarding His Highness the 3rd Prince, Chancellor.”

When Eden brought up Asmun again, Ibthan slowly raised an eyebrow, gazing at her.

“But don’t worry. The matters you’re concerned about will absolutely not happen.”

As Eden smiled brightly, Ibthan’s gaze sharpened once more.

Ibthan realized that Eden had truly understood his point. If Asmun became emperor, he could become a tyrant that no one could stop.

Yet, Eden still insisted on her opinion.

“…What kind of confidence is that?”

With a sigh of disbelief, Ibthan asked as Eden smiled with her eyes narrowed.

“You’ll see. And.”

“……”

“The emperor is not decided by you, Chancellor. It’s determined by the heavens.”

With that, Eden raised her finger to point at the ceiling.

Taken aback by the unexpected counterattack, Ibthan froze as Eden smiled mischievously and said her farewells.

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

And before Ibthan could reach out, she briskly left the Chancellor’s Office.

Bang!

With the loud bang of the door closing, Ibthan let out a sigh of disbelief as he gazed at the door Eden had just exited.

As soon as the door slammed shut, Eden’s relaxed expression turned icy. In an instant, she switched gears and began to walk quickly.

‘Asmun, that crazy dude…!’

She couldn’t believe he’d declined Reblem.

Asmun couldn’t possibly not know the significance of Reblem, yet he turned down such an incredible opportunity!

Moreover, he did it without even consulting her!

Barely holding back the urge to use a teleport scroll to fly right to Asmun, Eden returned to the Great Temple and sought out Roman’s office.

“I must see His Majesty. Right now.”

Roman looked startled at the fiery determination in Eden’s eyes and nodded quickly.

“I will contact His Majesty immediately. Please wait in the reception room for a moment……”

However, before Roman could finish his sentence, Eden briskly marched over to the fireplace in the office. Finding the portal was no longer a challenge.

She glared at the neatly arranged books on the shelf next to the fireplace.

The long books looked uniform in size and color, making it hard to distinguish them, yet instinctively, Eden pulled out the third book from the shelf.

Suddenly, the large fireplace slowly slid to the side, revealing a concealed portal within.

“Priest!”

Roman rushed over in a panic at Eden discovering the portal in one go, but it was already too late. Before he could stop her, Eden had jumped onto the portal—

“No! Come back!”

Hearing Roman’s frantic voice, she instantaneously transported to Asmun’s mansion.

Opening her tightly closed eyes and looking around, she found herself in the very space she had passed through after dealing with monsters in Leveim, to return to the temple.

Eden realized she had successfully teleported.

While there was no visible door to escape this place, she didn’t need to worry. Intuition told her Asmun was just behind the wall.

Sure enough, one side of the wall slid open, creating a gap.

“……”

As soon as the space opened, a sharp sword was aimed directly at Eden. Naturally, it was Asmun standing there, holding the blade.

Eden glared back at Asmun without blinking.

“…I’ve never sent a message saying I was dying to see you so badly that you needed to rush to my room.”