<Wasn’t This a Strategy Game? Chapter 80>

This game was way more intricate and complicated than I thought; what I figured out from playing outside was just the tip of the iceberg.

‘In my previous playthrough, dark sorcerers were barely noticeable at all.’

From the founding of the nation to the hunting tournament, and then the Reblem episode and the Sun Festival, it all seemed like random events. But digging deeper revealed one common thread.

“It’s that dark sorcerers are involved.”

I might even have to face them in the end to clear this game. The dark sorcerers who are cunningly manipulating things from the shadows of this world.

Last time, I might have earned the trust of the Emperor and the citizens without any trouble, but this time, that’s just not happening.

Just as I resolved myself, a refreshing notification chimed.

Ding!

Eden looked up to check the quest window, her expression briefly stiffening before hardening into determination.

Then Hernah approached Eden and said, “Eden! There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

“What’s up?”

“The Chancellor is here! He’s looking for you!”

At those words, Eden’s eyes brightened. She stood up and nodded.

“Got it. Thanks, Hernah!”

“No problem. The Chancellor is in the reception room. Hurry up!”

A dazzling light sparkled above Hernah’s head, reflecting from the hairpin Eden had gifted her.

As Eden headed towards the reception room, Hernah seemed to remember something and grabbed her.

“Oh, by the way, Eden, can you change the office cleaning schedule again?”

A month ago, it would have been something Eden desperately wanted to grant. She turned back, thinking of Hagen’ti. When Eden’s eyes met Hernah’s, she smiled.

“No, it’s fine. Thanks for asking.”

When Eden entered the reception room, just as Hernah said, there was Ibthan. He was wearing a rather displeased expression.

This was to be expected. Ibthan’s predictions had completely missed the mark, and Asmun had managed to secure the Reblem’s reformation point.

Eden sat down in front of him without a hint of surprise. It was Eden who had dared to summon Ibthan all the way to the temple.

“What do you want?”

Ibthan, who had responded promptly to the summons, skipped the greeting and shot straight to the point. Eden knew exactly what he was getting at.

“I won, Chancellor.”

Eden smugly pointed out the part that would irritate him, wearing a smile. Ibthan’s face stiffened immediately.

Soon he regained his composure and said, “Yes, Priest, you have won. Congratulations.”

It was not a congratulatory face at all.

I expected he wouldn’t be thrilled, but solving Reblem was beneficial for Ibthan as well. Eden was starting to feel slightly hurt by how little enthusiasm he showed towards Asmun. After all her efforts.

“Do you still think His Highness Asmun isn’t fit to be Emperor?”

At that question, Ibthan gazed silently at Eden. His eyes confirmed his stance.

“Why?”

“Does my opinion matter now?”

“It matters to me.”

Of course, it did. Ibthan was also one of the key players, and Eden hadn’t given up on him yet.

Ibthan was a young and talented asset. Even after Asmun became Emperor, he would be essential for the Empire. And he was someone I could not do without.

“I want to know why you still can’t trust His Highness Asmun.”

Under Eden’s relentless questioning, Ibthan, who had been silent, finally moved his dry lips.

“……Because, Priest, you keep putting yourself in danger.”

Eden’s eyes hardened at his serious, low voice that dripped with dissatisfaction.

Of course, I already knew Ibthan was annoyed that I was getting into dangerous situations required for the Bestiary.

But seeing him say that and quickly turn his gaze away felt different from usual.

“So, without you, this remarkable achievement couldn’t have happened.”

“…….”

“I’ve heard you were with Reblem the whole time. I also heard you rescued the kidnapped children yourself.”

Upon hearing that news, Ibthan’s dislike for Asmun became even more pronounced. In the end, Eden was risking herself once again for Asmun.

Sure, I acknowledged Asmun’s decisiveness, judgment, and political skills as he swiftly wiped out criminal organizations and organized the system.

His abilities surprised even Ibthan, but only that much. The thought that I wouldn’t be able to control him once he became Emperor was still valid. In fact, it was becoming more and more solid.

“But what if.”

As he began to speak heavily, Eden unknowingly held her breath.

What if?

“If His Highness the 3rd Prince proves himself without the Priest, then I’ll reconsider.”

Saying that, Ibthan looked at Eden with a relaxed and composed gaze.

“If you have a wish, please tell me. I’ll be responsible for what I said.”

His eyes seemed to say that he already knew what type of wish Eden was going to make. Naturally, Eden’s wish was once again for Asmun.

‘Ugh, this annoying guy.’

Feeling like she’d lost despite winning, Eden opened her mouth.

“Alright, let me tell you. Control the square during the Sun Festival.”

At that, Ibthan raised an eyebrow. Once again, she was writing a wish aimed at Asmun’s politics.

So, “without Eden’s help, the 3rd Prince himself,” was naturally being negated, but asking to control the square was a strange request.

“The square? That is the heart of the Sun Festival, you know.”

“Yes, it’s the most crowded place.”

As Ibthan pointed out, the square, where all the parades ended, was where the most people gathered, and it was the heart of the Sun Festival. It was where the blessings of the Chancellor and Priests were bestowed upon the people.

“That day, there should be as few people in the square as possible. Please control it as much as you can. That’s my wish.”

The words seemed like they were trying to pull off some sort of stunt, causing Ibthan’s face to harden and become awkward.

“……What are you planning?”

“I can’t share that much. I just don’t have faith that the Chancellor is on my side.”

The casual tone made a vein pop on Ibthan’s forehead. Eden was overly identifying with Asmun and herself.

The idea that Ibthan wasn’t on Eden’s side was not wrong, but what about all the things they had achieved together up to that point?

Ibthan’s voice turned icy.

“Are you asking for help without knowing what it is?”

“You promised, didn’t you? Please don’t tell me the Chancellor of Hestromor is planning to break a promise.”

Anger flared in Ibthan’s expressions. Eden inwardly stuck her tongue out.

“Fine. But you should know something.”

Soon, Ibthan spoke with a calm voice as he looked at Eden.

“This Sun Festival…”

“Might be canceled, right?”

At those words, Ibthan’s face froze.

“How did you know?”

Eden merely smiled sweetly. Then she recalled the quest that had popped up earlier.

『【!】Basic Quest

: The Sun Festival, known as the grandest celebration in the Empire and the flower of Hestromor, is on the verge of cancellation. Raise your divine power to acquire the ‘Hamun’s Flower’ skill needed for the Sun Festival!』

The flower of the Sun Festival was the blessing of the Priests held in the square, and the seven priests, including the Chancellor, used their divine power to cover the entire square in flowers.

This flower, called Hamun’s Flower, was a blessing from Hamun and it was an essential event that couldn’t be missed.

‘I remember seeing it during Kiris’s time. It was one of the main illustrations. It was so incredibly extravagant.’

Of course, it wasn’t a power given to just anyone, and only seven priests could bloom Hamun’s Flower in a year, with their abilities conferred a month before the Sun Festival.

‘But the fact that I got this quest means one person is missing.’

If even one person was missing, the flower wouldn’t bloom, and if the last person didn’t appear before the Sun Festival, it would be canceled.

The biggest problem was that if the Sun Festival got canceled, Hamun would be thought to be enraged, and chaos would ensue throughout the nation.

“If the Sun Festival goes on as scheduled, you must fulfill my request.”

Ibthan looked at Eden, speechless.

Eden glanced at the clock. It was almost time for her to go study for the divine scriptures.

“Well, I’ll be on my way. Thanks for coming all this way.”

Doing a little bow, Eden turned to leave but then looked back at Ibthan, who still seemed confused. As he noticed Eden looking at him again, she gave him a sweetly irritating smile.

“Chancellor.”

When Eden called him affectionately, Ibthan quietly clenched his hands on the table.

“Do you remember what I said the day before the hunting tournament?”

The sudden question made Ibthan’s eyebrows twitch slightly.

“I said I would return alive and contribute to your mission.”

Recalling that day made Ibthan’s gaze flicker.

“That promise still holds. So, in fact, we are on the same side, Chancellor.”

“…….”

“If you accept it.”

Giving an unexpected statement, Eden nodded to the frozen Ibthan and turned away.