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“Wasn’t this a strategy game?”

At the sound of a familiar low voice, Eden’s breath hitched. It was Karon.

‘I didn’t feel any presence at all…!’

Eden took a deep breath and replied in a small voice, “It’s me, Commander.”

Suddenly, Karon’s breathing calmed down. Gathering her courage, Eden peeked back at him.

Upon seeing Eden’s face, Karon quickly sheathed his sword.

“Priest.”

Startled by his tone, Eden forced a shy smile.

“What are you doing here at this hour…?”

Before Eden could explain, a presence was sensed from a distance.

“The door’s open. Is someone inside?”

Karon turned to look, but Eden urgently grabbed his collar and pulled him behind a pillar to hide.

Karon, caught off guard, found himself facing Eden behind the narrow column.

“……”

Karon gazed down at her, wide-eyed and flustered, too close for comfort due to the tight space.

As footsteps approached, Karon quickly shook off his surprise and pressed deeper into the shadows, keeping Eden concealed.

‘Huff.’

It was surprisingly calm, which only confused Eden more.

“I’ve never seen the Abandoned Hall open before.”

“See, I told you I had a good feeling today.”

“Do you really think we could gain divine power by praying here?”

Her voice trembled with anxiety. Eden quickly realized that these people had come to this place to become the chosen priests.

“If we get caught in here, our priest qualifications will be revoked.”

One of them muttered worriedly. That made Eden realize they were not just apprentice priests like her.

‘Are they official priests?’

It was understandable; chosen priests not only became high priests but also received special treatment in the Temple.

“There’s gotta be a reason for the rumors about the Abandoned Hall, right? The Chancellor doesn’t know all its secrets yet.”

“Shh, someone will hear us.”

“It’s just us, what are you worried about?”

The priests quibbled before falling silent as if they were about to pray.

Meanwhile, Karon and Eden stayed huddled close together, hidden away.

Karon realized why Eden was here at this time: to increase her divine power.

‘I’d heard that some people explore the Temple’s secrets to enhance their powers, but for a priest…’

The praying priests finally rose to their feet.

“I’ve never been in the Abandoned Hall before, it’s quite nice. Why is it off-limits?”

“Who knows? Should we come back tomorrow?”

No way!

Eden silently screamed as Karon glanced at her.

“Hey, did you hear that rumor? About an apprentice priest named Eden.”

Eden’s eyes widened as her name was mentioned out of nowhere.

“They’re saying that apprentice priest is involved with Reblem.”

“Yeah, it just got complicated.”

What does that even mean? Complicated?

Eden frowned.

“The Commander is going to pester the Chancellor again.”

Hoo boy.

As Karon was mentioned, Eden held her breath and stole a glance at him. However, Karon remained expressionless.

“Why is the Commander bothering?”

“The Commander has been insisting that we need to cleanse Reblem in the name of the Temple.”

Eden’s heart sank at this previously unknown information.

“How busy is the Chancellor that he’s even worrying about that city? He’s already exhausted just trying to protect the capital.”

“Seems he’s been seeking permissions to go on an expedition to Reblem several times.”

“Damn, what a nuisance. Does he think the Temple is that free?”

Stop…! Be quiet…!

Eden shot Karon a nervous look, but he continued to gaze blankly into space, unbothered and not looking angry, though not particularly cheerful either.

“Meanwhile, the 3rd Prince resolved the Reblem situation, and now an apprentice priest is involved, so he must be pretty upset. He probably wanted to take the credit for it.”

“The Chancellor must be in deep trouble. That apprentice priest doesn’t seem to hold back at all.”

“Exactly! As if understanding monster intel makes them a big shot! Just an apprentice priest, after all.”

Ugh, those jerks.

Eden’s face flushed as Karon tightened his grip on her shoulder.

“……”

She had no idea such background stories existed.

Her heart raced as she realized she had learned too much.

Karon was not someone like they described, but one thing was clear: he and the Chancellor were not on good terms.

“What a rare opportunity! Should we peek inside for a bit?”

“It’s getting late. We need to leave or we’ll be in big trouble.”

Finally, as the sounds of the two leaving reached her ears, Eden let out a sigh of relief.

‘Damn, I hope they don’t come back tomorrow.’

Just then, Karon called out to Eden softly.

“Priest.”

Startled, Eden turned to look at him. Hearing gossip right in front of him made her wonder how to respond, but Karon opened his mouth again.

“I’ve heard about your exploits at Reblem. You really found Ella.”

Karon smiled gently as he spoke.

Eden stared blankly at his radiant smile before a small smile crept onto her own face.

“Ah. I should have looked for you as soon as I returned, but I was late in greeting you. It’s all thanks to you.”

“Not at all. It was entirely your achievement.”

Karon didn’t press her further, putting Eden’s mind at ease. She found herself spilling out her thoughts.

“Actually, there’s a rumor that praying here boosts divine power. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

“I had no idea such a rumor existed. But for you, priestess, isn’t it just unnecessary gossip?”

His polite question made Eden chuckle awkwardly.

“Not at all. I’m still just a novice priestess in every way.”

“But you’ve been chosen by Hamun.”

When Karon echoed his own words, Eden felt a strange mix of emotions. She had thought gaining Karon’s trust would be quite a challenge.

“Do you trust me?”

At her quiet question, Karon gazed intently at her from the shadows.

Eden realized just how close they were, with Karon not displaying a hint of embarrassment.

“Reblem was a significant headache; if left unaddressed, it would have been irreversible.”

“……”

“At a time like this, I can’t help but trust the priestess who truly saved Reblem.”

His voice was warm and tender.

“But wandering around at night in a place like this isn’t safe. As you’ve heard, this area is off-limits, and if caught, you’ll be stripped of your qualifications.”

That meant he was letting her off for meeting here, which made Eden smile gratefully.

“I’ll be careful.”

Karon noted that she wasn’t giving up on this place.

After a moment of contemplation, he parted his dry lips.

“Priestess.”

His low voice was exceptionally heavy.

“Do you really want to know how to increase your divine power?”

Eden’s eyes lit up at the quiet question. Of course. The fact he was asking meant Karon knew how to do it.

Given his position as the Commander of the Holy Knights, it wouldn’t be surprising that he knew how to increase divine power.

“Yes. I want to know.”

With her firm answer, Karon gazed at her and moved his lips.

“The method is……”

“……”

“By coming into contact with someone who possesses strong divine power.”

What?

Eden froze at this unexpected answer, and Karon gently grasped her shoulders.

“If that person willingly shares their divine power with you……”

Karon leaned in slowly, his lips brushing against Eden’s forehead.

Touch.

With a soft sound and a tickling sensation, it made contact.

“You will definitely gain divine power.”

As Karon whispered that, three notification sounds followed.

Surprised, Eden looked at Karon without even checking her quest log.

The method of gaining divine power was through physical contact? This game was definitely not normal!

Karon had pulled away from Eden’s forehead, gazing at her with his usual gentle eyes.

“This is my loyalty to you, priestess.”

The next day, Eden headed straight to Sereman.

“Chancellor, I am the last priest of the Sun’s Rite.”

Her bold declaration startled not only Sereman but also the priests accompanying him.

Sereman stared at Eden for a moment before calmly asking, “Can you prove that here and now?”

Eden confidently nodded and spread her palm high. Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on her raised hand.

“Huff.”

As a mysterious blue flower began to bloom on Eden’s palm, someone lost control and gasped.

Sereman looked at her, a bit surprised, before taking on a composed tone.

“Now that the last priest has appeared, let us proceed with the Sun’s Rite as planned.”

At his words, the other priests bowed their heads in response.

“Yes, Chancellor!”

Eden met Sereman’s kind gaze and gave a confident smile.

 

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