---

“Wasn’t this supposed to be a strategy game?”

I couldn’t just admit the truth when asked a sharp question.

‘I can’t say I used the item I got as a quest reward.’

Eden had successfully completed a quest that led Hagen’ti outside the castle, and that day, she chose an item as her reward.

The item given as a reward was a messenger cube that could send messages to anyone, and Eden used it to send a letter to Jepar.

‘I didn’t expect it to arrive in just a day.’

Considering that the reward item is given in anticipation of future events, it was clear that obtaining the invitation through Jepar was a fait accompli.

“Do you think someone working for Lord Hamun would lack such ability?”

As Eden shamelessly insisted, Asmun narrowed his eyes.

“This is the only way. Tumagrave will surely open soon, and we have no time.”

“This Tumagrave is just the beginning. There will be plenty of opportunities ahead.”

“No, we don’t have time.”

Eden looked firmly at Asmun. Asmun still didn’t know it, but Eden’s plan didn’t end with Reblem.

“So I will ask Grand Duke Jepar for the invitation.”

Asmun looked at her stubborn eyes, swallowed a small sigh, and opened his mouth.

“… Just this once.”

At those words, Eden’s eyes widened. It meant he would make a concession. That fierce and unilateral prince.

“Grand Duke Yuren is not a suitable target for exploitation. He won’t act without a price.”

The dry voice that seemed to see right through her made Eden’s conscience prickle.

“Exploitation? It’s just a heartfelt request.”

At that, Asmun let out a quiet chuckle.

“I’m not sure if the Grand Duke would think that way. Anyway, since it seems to be the priest’s will, I’ll let this slide.”

Asmun left a cold warning and turned back towards the reception room. Eden quickly followed behind him.

Just as before, Jepar, who had shown no signs of losing his composure as he surveyed the reception room, rose from his seat at the arrival of the two.

“So, it seems your discussion has ended.”

Jepar smiled softly. It was a clean smile that showed no signs of displeasure or annoyance whatsoever.

Eden stepped forward one pace to look at Jepar.

“First of all, thank you very much for responding to my sudden contact. The reason for inviting you is… I have a request.”

He had been expecting this since he received Eden’s sudden message, so Jepar nodded leisurely without surprise.

“I see. May I hear your request, and then I’ll respond?”

He asked with a relaxed smile. Just as Eden was about to explain quickly, Asmun answered first.

“We received information that Eloch is planning to start Tumagrave business in Reblem. We would like your help to obtain the invitation, but if it’s too difficult, we understand if you decline.”

The concise and unceremonious explanation sent a moment of silence into the reception room. Eden shot a covert glare at Asmun.

‘You said you’d let it slide, but this guy…’

Despite hearing a highly abbreviated explanation, Jepar seemed to understand everything without needing to ask further, looking at Eden.

“Is it the priest who desires that invitation?”

Eden quickly nodded.

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Jepar regarded Eden with a subtle expression and fell into thought for a moment. Eden’s insides were burning with anxiety.

Could he really grasp what all this was about just from such a flimsy explanation? Did he understand what kind of place Eloch was, and the significance of the invitation?

As though in answer to her question, Jepar soon spoke in a succinct tone.

“Yes, I have a general idea of the situation.”

Eden watched him with anticipation. Contrary to her expectation that he would readily agree, Jepar wore a peculiar expression.

“Before that, I have a question. May I ask?”

“Of course.”

“I’m curious as to why the priest is here.”

Gulp.

She could sense the atmosphere in the reception room turning frigid at that question.

Asmun was staring at Jepar as if to pierce him, while Jepar gazed only at Eden, as though Asmun were nonexistent here.

It was indeed odd. Asmun wasn’t just in Reblem for the heck of it.

After taking a moment to collect herself, Eden skillfully replied.

“Yes. I will answer.”

At those words, Asmun’s gaze shifted back to Eden.

“His Highness the 3rd Prince will eradicate all crime syndicates disturbing Reblem.”

It was a blunt answer. Jepar raised an eyebrow in interest.

“I want to help him.”

The completely truthful answer, with no lies mixed in, surprised both Asmun and Jepar, who looked at Eden.

“I came here because I thought I could assist His Highness.”

This would solidify Jepar’s belief that Eden was on Asmun’s side, but pretending otherwise now would just be ridiculous.

Eden was already in danger, and she no longer needed to hide that she was a strategist for Asmun.

“I see.”

Jepar’s gaze sharpened on Eden, then he nodded.

“Understood. All you need is for me to acquire the invitation?”

That was an exceedingly clear answer. Eden smiled brightly and nodded.

“Yes! I knew Grand Duke would help us!”

Jepar smiled back.

“I’m helping only the priest.”

Asmun let out a small scoff. Eden stiffened for a moment before awkwardly smiling.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Jepar responded politely and prepared to leave.

“Then I will contact you as soon as I find the invitation.”

Only then did he finally glance at Asmun.

Asmun, whose eyes met Jepar’s, no longer displayed anger or displeasure and wore a relaxed expression.

Jepar also offered a calm smile back.

After Jepar left, the castle of Reblem fell into an unusually heavy silence for a while.

“Ronpell, whatever happened to the assignment I gave you earlier?”

Asmun’s quiet question made Ronpell’s face contort awkwardly.

“Yes, Your Highness. I’m still looking into it…”

Upon Ronpell trailing off, Asmun finally looked up from his documents to meet his gaze. With all hints of tension, Ronpell spoke again.

“I’ve found out that searching in the Empire is likely futile. I’ve heard rumors that someone saw something similar beyond the Hieldron coastline. If permitted, I would like to go there personally to investigate.”

At those words, Asmun replied leisurely.

“Attack all the pirate ships coming from the Hieldron coast and search them. There might be those who don’t even recognize the value of what they’ve brought in.”

Realizing he hadn’t thought of that, Ronpell’s eyes widened in surprise.

“It’s just a common grayish ore. But if you look closely, there are red veins inside. If you don’t know how to use it, it’s less useful than low-grade magic stones and would be classified as the lowest tier.”

A glance devoid of any kindness pierced Ronpell deeply.

“You must find it.”

Ronpell gulped hard and responded strongly.

“Yes! I will definitely find it!”

After Ronpell bowed and left, Asmun continued to scan through the papers that had long since lost his focus until he turned the last page. Finally exhaling softly, he leaned back.

“Ha…”

With his eyes closed, he pressed his forehead gently before opening them again to see Jepar’s expression flash past him, and he stared coldly into the air.

Jepar’s gaze, fixated insistently on Eden, was full of things he knew very well.

Jepar’s interest in Eden definitely fell into the realm of abnormality, and the proof of that was that he himself had flown all the way to Reblem for just one message.

He had to ensure that Jepar and Eden wouldn’t get tangled up again.

“…”

Asmun, staring as though the ceiling were that scheming Grand Duke, finally stood up and sought out Eden.

If he didn’t check whether Eden was currently in his castle, something might just explode.

“Where might the priest be?”

After asking a flustered soldier, he found her in a quiet, sunlit rear garden.

As he reached the rear garden, he indeed saw Eden sitting at a wooden table, engrossed in something.

At that moment, he felt something that had been boiling inside him finally settling down.

“…”

Asmun stood still for a moment, watching her without interrupting. Eden was writing something on paper, pausing to think before writing again.

“Hmm…”

Initially, he had suspected that the woman might have some ulterior motives, but now Asmun actually understood that Eden was truly risking everything to make him Emperor.

If that was indeed the will of the gods, then perhaps Eden was becoming important enough for Asmun to revere the deity who sent her to him.

Asmun remained fixedly watching Eden. The way she seemed to be seriously contemplating something, groaning softly, furrowing her brows, and biting her lips was amusing—

“…”

It was lovely.

“Ugh…”

Eden, unaware that Asmun was watching her, muttered a small curse and clutched her quill tightly. The plans she had laid out on the paper in her hand flowed one after another.

 

---