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<Wasn’t This a Strategy Game? Episode 62>

Eden felt a strange sense of unease, yet her attention was drawn to the teapot moving on its own on the table.

Clearly an expensive piece, the teapot floated gracefully in the air, pouring tea into Eden and Hagen’ti’s cups with a smooth swish.

A fragrant aroma wafted from the steaming tea, something Eden had never encountered before.

Eden, with her cold hands from wandering through the chilly corridor and snowfield, lifted her teacup. Just holding the cup felt like it was melting the chill away.

After slowly sipping the tea, Eden’s eyes widened in surprise.

“This is delicious.”

The tea was truly delightful. It had just the right amount of sweetness and a creamy texture that was utterly smooth.

When Eden looked startled at Hagen’ti, his eyes, which had been intently watching for her reaction, finally softened.

“There’s plenty more.”

There was something almost humorous in his quiet statement.

The tension from when they first met had vanished, and somehow Hagen’ti seemed charming now.

How odd to share tea time alone with a Great Mage in such a grand castle.

While it wasn’t a terrible experience, I hadn’t come here to enjoy a leisurely tea time.

“Hagen’ti, I have a question.”

With a cautious tone, Hagen’ti remained still, gazing at Eden.

“Has anyone else ever entered this castle…?”

After a brief pause, a straightforward reply came.

“No.”

That meant Hagen’ti still didn’t know about Sereman. It seemed Sereman had succeeded in avoiding Hagen’ti’s gaze even after entering the castle. Perhaps the setting suggested Sereman’s divine power was greater than Hagen’ti’s magical power.

Eden suddenly recalled Rita’s words.

‘But they said Hagen’ti could shield the entire Empire.’

Of course, that was just a rumor, so it could be a hollow piece of gossip.

Eden decided to ask her next question.

“So, is there a reason you can’t leave this castle?”

Hagen’ti did not immediately provide an answer to that. Eden tightly clasped the warm teacup with both hands, patiently awaiting his response.

Soon, Hagen’ti’s dry lips began to move.

“I don’t remember.”

Eden’s pupils froze at the unexpected answer.

“You… don’t remember…?”

“Yeah.”

Hagen’ti replied in a casual tone.

“Uh, since when? 10 years? 20 years?”

At the specific question, Hagen’ti tilted his head slightly. Eden realized she had inadvertently said something inappropriate and quickly shut her mouth.

“I’m not sure. I can’t remember.”

Eden’s mouth hung open in shock. This was a dilemma she hadn’t anticipated.

With this, she couldn’t figure out where Hagen’ti’s pain originated from, why he had started his seclusion, or how to prevent his rampages.

Even while thinking this might be part of the game’s setting, Eden felt a tightness in her throat. Hagen’ti’s expression as he spoke of his lost memories was unexpectedly calm.

This game was far too cruel to Hagen’ti.

“I see.”

Eden forced a composed voice and smiled. Since she couldn’t uncover the source from Hagen’ti, the only thing she could trust was her ability.

It felt cleaner that way. Having just one clear solution.

Now she just needed to level up quickly to acquire advanced healing skills to cure Hagen’ti’s inexplicable ailment. To ensure he wouldn’t succumb to his pain and rampage.

What concerned her, though, was…

“Hagen’ti, don’t forget to take these medicines every two weeks.”

Suddenly, Eden jumped up and pulled out the bags of medicine she had stuffed in her pockets and laid them on the table. Hagen’ti gazed listlessly at the familiar bottles.

“That should last you for three months.”

Eden said with a bright smile.

The medicines were the ones she had previously stolen from the temple. Soon, the cleaning in the Chancellor’s Office would be finished, and Hernah wouldn’t trade cleaning duties with her anymore, so she wouldn’t be able to visit Hagen’ti for a while.

But if she left behind the medicine, he should be able to manage.

“If you feel pain, don’t hold back and make sure to take….”

“You’re not planning to come back, are you?”

The voice cutting off Eden’s words was oddly sharp. Taken aback by the sudden question, Eden couldn’t continue and looked back at Hagen’ti.

“…Huh?”

For some reason, Hagen’ti’s expression seemed colder now. Though it was surprising, Eden quickly understood his feelings.

After all, if she had spent 50 years alone and finally felt human warmth, she would feel hurt if that person abruptly announced they were cutting off contact.

‘But feeling hurt… Hagen’ti…?’

Eden realized that Hagen’ti had indeed changed.

Was this a good sign?

“Oh, no? Absolutely not.”

Eden hurriedly reassured Hagen’ti. If things went wrong and he rampaged here, it would be the end.

“I promise I’ll come back.”

“…”

“Next time, let’s go to the snowfield again. I’ll show you something amazing then.”

At that promise, Hagen’ti’s gaze finally softened.

Eden recalled how much time she had already wasted here. If she didn’t return soon, Sereman was one thing, but the gatekeeper would definitely raise an eyebrow.

Eden quickly gulped down the tea that had cooled to a suitable temperature and grabbed Hagen’ti’s hand on the table.

“Should we head back to those stairs?”

Unlike before, when Hagen’ti had moved like a KTX train, now she felt him hesitate. As he remained still, Eden glanced at him and let out a disappointed sigh.

“Ah… I guess I used too much magic today? If you’re tired, we can just walk…”

At Eden’s words, Hagen’ti’s gaze suddenly flashed with irritation, and then both of them found themselves back in the corridor in front of the initial stairs.

‘Is he really this easy to handle…?’

Eden thought while growing impatient and promptly swung the door open.

“I’m leaving!”

Just then, as Eden rushed to dash down the stairs, her hand was caught by Hagen’ti.

She turned around in surprise to find him wearing an expression that seemed to have a lot to say.

“…When will you come again?”

After a moment of hesitation, his voice was faint. Eden looked at Hagen’ti in astonishment.

‘I never expected to be asked such a question.’

Feeling guilty, Eden placed her other hand on top of the one that was holding hers. She wanted to assure him she’d be back soon, but lying to that face was now impossible.

“It might take a bit. I’ll do my best to come back as quickly as I can.”

With that, she reluctantly released his hand. She really had to go now. Eden turned and hurriedly raced down the stairs.

Hagen’ti stood there, watching as the sound of Eden’s footsteps grew fainter and fainter.

As expected, Hernah no longer switched cleaning duties with her, which completely blocked off the path to visit Hagen’ti.

Eden thought she had done well to bring him the medicine and began planning to offer Hernah a precious gift next month in hopes of trading cleaning shifts again.

‘A month should be fine…’

Regardless, it was a good thing that she had barely cleared the quest. Thanks to that, all remaining quests had been completed.

So it was high time for a new quest to pop up, but for some reason, Eden was getting a little anxious as new quests just weren’t appearing.

‘Why isn’t the quest showing up?’

Since no one had ever seen the end of this game, the only way to gain confidence about her progress was through the alert boxes that kept popping up.

However, life continued here, regardless of the game’s progress, and her share hadn’t vanished, so Eden needed to help complete the monster bestiary by visiting the Imperial Palace.

Eden’s job was to check on the monsters in the underground prison, record their information, and relay it to Ibthan.

While doing this, Eden discovered that the bestiary skill also had its limits.

Initially, she hadn’t noticed while reading information on one or two monsters, but after reading the details for five or more monsters in succession, she felt a significant drop in her stamina.

“From now on, I’ll only read information on five monsters a day.”

Ibthan stared at Eden as she made the announcement boldly. Startled by his piercing gaze, Eden timidly added,

“It just gives me a bit of a headache if I go beyond that. Is that okay?”

“So be it.”

His unexpectedly cool response caught her off guard. She thought he would be displeased, considering his obsession with monster subjugation.

‘Right, you’re human too.’

Feeling refreshed by the smooth negotiation, Eden felt good about the situation.

Since she was receiving set compensation for helping complete the bestiary, if she received that this month, she could afford to buy Hernah a gift without issue.

‘If I beg while giving her a gift, she’ll definitely give in. She’s a nice person. I’ll have to get her a really good gift.’

Feeling pleased with her perfect plan, Eden chuckled to herself while preparing the documents, and Ibthan continued to stare at her.

Eden’s hand bore the scars from the hunting competition still visible.

“…”

Ibthan, of course, did not believe Eden’s claims that she had been rescued by Asmun by coincidence during the competition. That day, Kiris had specifically targeted Eden, and she had merely managed to escape the trap.

She had nearly lost her life. No, she would likely face such dangers more than once in the future. Once Kiris realized Eden was the core of Asmun, he wouldn’t let her go free.

While Ibthan pondered over Eden’s plight, she suddenly looked up after finishing all the paperwork.

“I’m done with it all.”

“…Leave it there.”

Eden organized the documents, set them to the side, then pulled something from her pocket and timidly extended it toward him.

“Also, this…”

Ibthan’s gaze shifted to the little package Eden presented.

“I apologize for my late introduction. That day, thanks to the Chancellor, I was saved.”

“…”

His eyebrows lifted as if to say what was that supposed to mean, and Eden awkwardly added,

“The emergency portal. I was attacked by a monster in between, but thanks to the portal you taught me, I was able to escape.”

“…”

“I’m really grateful, but this is all I have to give back.”

Eden smiled bashfully.

Ibthan looked at the package she had set down with an expressionless face. Inside the transparent wrapping were cookies.

“I made these myself. Don’t worry, there are no poisons in them.”

 

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