<Isn’t This a Strategy Game? Chapter 69>

Eden, who was excited thinking she had caught a lead, suddenly remembered Ella and furrowed her brow seriously.

‘But everything is unrelated to Ella’s whereabouts.’

Finding Tevel to cut off the roots of crime was important, but the quest given to me right now was to find Ella.

It’s all part of Reblem’s episode, so the ‘Confidential Trade’ quest probably has something to do with finding Ella, but figuring out the connection was incredibly tough.

If Ella’s disappearance is artificial and related to the crime-infested city of Reblem, there could only be one conclusion.

‘Ella has been kidnapped.’

To find her, seeking out the trafficking syndicates would be faster than dealing with Tevel, who handles drugs and monsters.

“……Finding the trafficking syndicates will be tough, huh?”

After a serious question, Asmun stared blankly at Eden for a moment before finally speaking up.

“They’re also looking into it.”

But could we really find Ella in such a chaotic place?

Eden felt a bit deflated and cast a glance at the meat.

‘If Ella’s disappearance is directly linked to Eloch…’

Just then, someone knocked urgently on the door.

“Come in.”

At Asmun’s command, Ronpell, wearing a ragged cloak, entered.

“Your Highness, we’ve received information that trafficking is being conducted in a place called Eloch.”

At that report, Eden’s eyes lit up.

“So Eloch is indeed a syndicate. They seem to have a large operation revolving around drugs and gambling, and they also focus heavily on monster trafficking. However, no one knows who the leader of the syndicate is.”

If drugs are involved, it’s definitely Tevel’s brand of drugs.

“Originally, they focused solely on that area, but recently they’ve apparently started collecting weapons and even purchasing kidnapped children.”

Hah. Finally grasping a lead, Eden unknowingly clenched her fork tightly and bit her lip. That means Ella is indeed in the hands of Eloch.

After Ronpell finished his report and went back out, Asmun looked at Eden again.

“We might be able to solve two issues at once.”

Asmun also seemed convinced that Ella’s disappearance was linked to Eloch.

“What on earth could they want with kidnapped children?”

Asmun, looking at the angry Eden, momentarily seemed to think deeply before speaking in a calm tone.

“……Who knows? We’ll find out soon enough. So for now, it’s best not to think too hard and to rest. We’ll need to travel a long distance tomorrow.”

Knowing there wasn’t a better way for the moment, Eden weakly nodded. Then she finally took her fork and plunged it into the meat Asmun had set aside, glancing over at him.

Eden’s and Asmun’s eyes met as he continued to stare at her.

“You must become the Emperor so that no child like Ella will ever exist again.”

Eden was also aware of her mission to turn the man in front of her into a wise ruler. So, the intention of the game was ultimately to save the decaying Empire from within, unnoticed.

And Eden truly began to hope for peace in this world.

Asmun stared at Eden for a while before finally breaking the silence with a response.

“……I will.”

With that answer, Eden smiled faintly and stuffed a piece of well-cooked meat into her mouth. Finally putting something into her stomach after a day of starvation felt like a reprieve.

Asmun watched Eden eat thoughtfully, his expression deep in contemplation as she enjoyed her meal.

Eden returned to Asmun’s quarters and awaited the message from Eloch.

She had kept Logis alive without killing him to ensure everything progressed perfectly, and now, all that was left was to find out the date of the Tumagrave opening, and she could get to the core of Reblem.

Once that was achieved, finding Ella would be a piece of cake.

However, her hopes of finding Tevel to capture Eloch and return Ella to Tetes were shattered in an instant.

“……I heard they saved Palaf.”

Asmun handed Eden a message that had come from Logis. Eden stared blankly at the message as if struck dumb. Just as Asmun had said, the message simply stated that Palaf had been rescued, and they had no need of him, so he could be sold elsewhere—thoroughly unfeeling content.

‘No…’

It felt as if the rope she had just managed to hold on to snapped, causing everything to come crashing down around her.

Finding Tevel might be delayed slightly, but there was no guarantee how long Ella would remain safe.

“Don’t be too down. There must be another way.”

Since the plan had fallen apart, Asmun was also troubled. The best way would be to buy that invite, but Eloch wasn’t exactly cooperative and wouldn’t issue an invite to someone unverified.

No one left in Asmun’s connections was significant enough to pull off getting an invite.

Then, something clicked. Eden, who had been speechless in shock, clenched the message from Eloch tightly and her eyes sparkled with determination.

“Given the circumstances, we have to get that invite.”

As Eden spoke exactly what she was thinking, Asmun’s expression turned oddly serious.

“But it won’t be easy. They will be looking for someone noble enough to pique their interest and have connections to express their willingness to participate.”

With Asmun’s cold analysis, Eden tightened her fist. Of course, he was right. That’s why this was an area Asmun couldn’t handle.

Those guys wouldn’t give a second glance at the 3rd Prince who was lagging in the succession struggle, nor could they ask nobles who were wary of Asmun due to Kiris’s watchful eye.

However, against all odds, someone existed who fit Asmun’s criteria and would be able to help.

“……”

Eden glanced cautiously at Asmun, then nodded.

“We still have time, so it’d be better to look for another method…”

With a face full of fatigue, Eden murmured as she turned to walk away.

Asmun continued to watch her retreating figure, still tightly gripping the message.

Then, the very next day, something happened.

“Your Highness, Duke Jepar Yuren is visiting.”

Stunned, Asmun, who had been reviewing paperwork, froze. He seemed unsure whether he heard correctly, lifting his head with a cold expression.

“……What did you say?”

“Duke… Duke Jepar Yuren is here. He’s waiting for you in the reception room…”

Immediately, Asmun stood up. Startled, his subordinate stepped back, and Asmun headed straight for the reception room. An ominous premonition shadowed his face.

Upon entering the reception room, he found Jepar enjoying tea in a relaxed manner.

“What brings you here?”

Asmun, speaking coldly without even sitting down, caught Jepar’s gaze as he looked up at him with a smile.

“How have you been, Your Highness, the 3rd Prince?”

“I asked what brings you to a place like this.”

Jepar smiled, clearly aware of the tension in Asmun’s reaction. He knew exactly the cause of that tension.

“I was invited, you see.”

Before that answer had even finished, hurried footsteps could be heard racing towards the reception room. The door was flung open, and Eden burst in.

Asmun slowly turned his head, giving Eden a cold stare.

“I asked you to take care of this.”

Eden, startled, held her ground and met his gaze.

“Priest.”

As Jepar, oblivious to the situation, stood up to greet Eden warmly, Asmun’s eyebrows furrowed even deeper.

“How have you been? I was just about to head to the Great Temple to see you. But how did you end up here…?”

At the mention of ‘here,’ Asmun’s eyebrows shot up. Eden, picking up on Asmun’s vibe, tentatively spoke.

“Well, if I may explain, it’s a bit of a lengthy tale. Would it be alright if I spoke with His Highness for a moment? Just a brief chat!”

“Of course.”

Jepar replied with a smile, and Eden quickly seized Asmun’s arm, pulling him along. As the touch of her hand on his arm reached Jepar’s eyes, his brow tight but no one noticed.

Eden dragged Asmun down the corridor, clearly uncomfortable, continuing her explanation.

“Your Highness, you know that the Duke is the most optimized person we’re looking for.”

“……”

“With the Duke’s power, there’s no way he wouldn’t find connections related to Eloch, and Eloch wouldn’t miss an influential guest like the Duke.”

That was obvious. The moment Eden heard that invitations would be sent to the nobility, she had thought of Jepar. One of the Empire’s most powerful figures, he wouldn’t need to care about palace politics.

While she didn’t know much about Jepar’s private life, it was also worth noting that he didn’t have the cleanest image.

Asmun likely held some disdain for Jepar over the hunting contest, so this route was one he had been trying to avoid, but there were no alternatives left now.

If they couldn’t find Ella, Asmun couldn’t become Emperor.

“To find the Duke of Yuren in Reblem, I was close to having my heart stop from surprise.”

Asmun said coldly, his facade unyielding.

“It would have been nice if you had given me a heads-up beforehand.”

Since this was indeed his fault, Eden managed to avoid his fiery red gaze, looking elsewhere instead.

But even if she had warned him earlier, Asmun would never have agreed. If she had said it now, it would only worsen the situation.

“I didn’t have time to discuss this—things came up suddenly.”

“How did you send a messenger? Anyone entering and exiting this castle has to go through an inspection.”