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<Wasn’t This a Strategy Game? Episode 8>

Eden’s attitude was so brazen it was almost ridiculous, yet Asmun’s face remained cold as ice. A shiver of cold sweat trickled down Eden’s back under Asmun’s icy glare, which suggested he could chop her down at any moment.

Sure enough, it seemed that persuading him would be no easy feat.

Yet behind those frosty eyes, confusion must have thickened like a fog.

Regardless of what anyone said, today, I saved Asmun. Perhaps the blunt and one-dimensional Kiris thought this mess occurred due to a priest’s ridiculous blunder, but Asmun was keenly aware that I had ‘intentionally’ jumped in ‘with my life on the line.’

This was an effort unnecessary if Kiris’s kind was merely a nuisance or a threat to Asmun.

Yet, he would probably find it hard to believe anyone would help him for no reason.

Finally, taking a deep breath and venting a sigh, Eden pulled out her last card.

“You plan on attending the banquet hosted by Count Retton in five days, right?”

As her soft words slipped out, a deadly glint flickered in Asmun’s eyes. It was precisely the look that said, “How do you know my plans?”

Count Retton was essential for Asmun’s plans. So, after much ado, I managed to get an invitation to his secret banquet, which just so happened to be in five days. Since it was a covert operation, the rookie priest sitting in front of me had no way of knowing about it.

“It’s a trap. Do not go.”

“……What do you mean? A trap?”

“His Highness the 1st Prince has sensed that you need Count Retton. Count Retton has probably already sided with the 1st Prince.”

“…….”

“If you go to the castle that day, you’ll find not Count Retton but just the trap laid by His Highness the 1st Prince. Feel free to make a wager on it.”

With her confident tone, Asmun’s face stiffened in horror.

Eden, oblivious to his reaction, continued talking.

“If you fall into that trap, your status……”

It was then that Asmun, tired of listening, suddenly drew his sharp blade and pressed it to Eden’s neck. The blade halted just before slicing into her skin, leaving her speechless.

Gulping, Eden’s eyes darted around in shock, frozen in place.

“……”

Asmun’s eyes now glared at Eden with blatant hostility.

“I’ll ask again.”

His voice was calmingly deep, as if showing mercy for not having yet sliced her open.

“Who are you?”

This lunatic.

The chilling sensation of cold steel against her neck sent a shiver down Eden’s spine. While it felt like her legs could give way, she knew she couldn’t back down.

Eden clenched her fists tightly, mustered her strength, and met Asmun’s menacing glare head-on.

After all, this man was just a game character. One created by someone else. That menacing aura was simply part of his character settings.

Thinking this way bolstered her courage.

“I told you, I’m the one who’ll make you Emperor.”

Asmun scrutinized her with penetrating eyes, but the blade did not inch closer.

Eden seized the opportunity and pressed on.

“You’ll definitely need me.”

And, I need you as well.

Eden clenched her trembling fists even tighter and steadied her gaze.

The two of them stared each other down across the slender blade. Moonlight reflected off the blade, shattering into white fragments on Eden’s face.

In a suffocating tension that clutched her heart, Asmun finally parted his lips.

“Why?”

It was a low, soft question.

“What does my becoming Emperor mean to you?”

Now that was the essential question.

Everyone who engaged in such ventures held their own motivations. Eden was no different. She needed a satisfactory answer to convince Asmun.

Unfortunately, what Eden desired was beyond Asmun’s comprehension. Thus, she was left with only one response.

“I merely follow the will of the Gods.”

Having only visited the church once or twice for Christmas gifts as a child, a pang of guilt stung her heart. However, she was in no position to worry about that now.

Asmun chuckled at Eden’s answer.

“Sorry, but I don’t believe in gods.”

It was a statement that instantly neutralized all of Eden’s lengthy arguments.

This guy.

True, he didn’t seem the type to believe, but still.

Feeling cornered, Eden swallowed hard.

“That statement is blasphemy.”

Pretending to be a furious priest, Eden felt quite insulted by the blasphemy. Despite that, Asmun didn’t even blink.

It was bizarre for a man with such a threatening look to even believe in a god, but being a skeptic in this world was unbelievable.

How was she supposed to earn the trust of such a man?

No, perhaps she was on the brink of failing her very first quest.

As the primal fear of death loomed over her, Asmun spoke again.

“What will you wager?”

“……Huh?”

“You suggested a bet, didn’t you?”

Eden stared at Asmun in shock. The coolness in his eyes had softened a bit, yet the blade still pressed against her neck.

“What do you propose to wager, priest?”

His relaxed question made Eden’s heart sink.

Asmun appeared to be wavering at her words. Perhaps, she might actually manage this.

Earning his trust.

However, this path would undoubtedly be riddled with danger and difficulty.

It felt like gambling. To catch the big fish, she had to wager her most prized possession. Among all she had here, only one thing was precious enough to bet for Asmun.

“I will wager my life.”

At that, Asmun’s eyebrows slowly lifted in surprise.

“But if I’m right, you will believe in me.”

“……”

“And you must allow me to assist you.”

With her shameless demand, Asmun stared at her with an unreadable expression.

After a brief silence, the blade, which had been poised against her neck, was slowly retracted. Still, Eden looked at Asmun as if the blade was still resting on her throat.

For a fleeting moment, their gazes locked in tension.

“……”

Finally, a chilling voice escaped Asmun’s lips.

“Don’t get your hopes up.”

Eden successfully made it out of the dungeon.

The one guiding her through what seemed to be a secret passage was undoubtedly the same Asmun who had dragged her into that underground chamber.

As she barely exited the imperial palace, a small carriage awaited her.

“The coachman will take you to the Great Temple. Now then.”

The moment the carriage door closed, it began to move slowly.

Eden maintained a blank expression, but after a while, she let out a huge sigh of relief, falling sideways.

“Hah…”

It felt like all the energy had drained out of her body.

Facing Asmun drained her more than battling any monster. Just recalling the fierce glint in his eyes made her legs quiver.

“……But I did it.”

Eden muttered in a shaking voice, still feeling shaky and cupping her pale face with both hands.

“I survived.”

It still felt like the chilling blade lingered around her neck. Although it was hard to believe, she had survived against Asmun.

Rather than the relief of surviving, excitement coursed through her veins at having cleared such a high-difficulty quest when suddenly, a notification chime rang out.

Eden shot up and stared at the air.

『【★】Basic Quest Accomplished!

: Made an alliance proposal to Asmun and survived!

Please select your reward.

<Prophecy Book/ Item/ Stat>』

The achievement window, which always provided an exhilarating thrill, made a proud smile spread across Eden’s face.

“I managed to pull this off.”

Forgetting she had nearly died moments ago, Eden quickly felt joyful and pondered happily.

“I don’t need the Prophecy Book just yet…”

Since she vaguely knew about upcoming events, the Prophecy Book would be of little use to her at this point.

“Item…”

The items had indeed proven useful, but she couldn’t think of anything she needed right now. Of course, she would likely use something eventually.

Still deep in thought, Eden finally made her decision and boldly reached out.

“Stat, I choose you.”

As she pressed on the Stat option, another window popped up.

『【!】Which stat would you like to raise?

Intelligence 30

Physical Power 5

Power 0

Magical Power 5

Divine Power 20』

“So I can raise my Power like this too?”

Looking again at her pitiful stats, Eden fell into deep contemplation.

What should she raise for it to be a big deal?

While she weighed her options, the carriage was almost at the Great Temple. Finally, as the carriage came to a halt, Eden made her choice.

“I can’t afford to faint at an important moment.”

Choosing Physical Power, a clear notification sound resonated.

『You selected the stat <Physical Power> as your reward. Your Physical Power increases by +10.』

Instantly, she felt her body lighten. It was as if the energy Asmun had drained from her earlier refilled to maximum.

“Hah…”

In this crazy situation, Eden let out a nervous chuckle.

Soon, the carriage door opened, allowing the cool night air to pour in.

“We have arrived.”

Eden moved her noticeably lighter body and hopped out of the carriage.

After enduring such a long night, she felt pleasantly rejuvenated, confirming her recent choice had been spot on.

“Thank you, and please take care!”

The coachman, covered in blood and looking quite shabby, gazed curiously at Eden as she merrily made her way toward the Great Temple.

 

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