Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? Chapter 108

“You’ll be attending as the Temple’s representative. Since His Highness Patrian is hosting, your presence is required.”

At the mention of Patrian’s name, Eden’s face hardened. As expected, this odd banquet was part of Patrian’s design.

‘What trick is he pulling this time…’

Judging by the priest’s resolute expression, she wasn’t going to find an excuse to skip it. Eden had no choice but to accept the invitation.

Because the banquet had been thrown together in haste, two days later Eden still showed up in a brand-new gown befitting the Temple’s representative.

The banquet blazed with such brilliance it seemed intent on smothering the recent scandal of filial impiety under sheer splendor—more lavish than any before.

Was this display really supposed to comfort the Empire’s people?

‘Don’t make me laugh.’

Mouthing the flimsy excuse to herself, Eden let out a derisive breath.

But inside that glittering hall she had to stand alone for quite some time, like an outcast in a corner. No one approached her.

‘Damn it—Patrian’s even worse than Kyris.’

Her status had shot straight up from apprentice priest to Saintess, but with Patrian flipping the board, everyone at the banquet—plainly Asmun’s faction, and with rumors tying her to the affair—pretended not to see her.

And now Eden could finally guess what Patrian was aiming for.

‘He wants me to feel the tide turning with my own skin.’

The banquet’s purpose was an exquisitely sharp game of nerves—to imprint his triumphant “entrance” on everyone.

‘What a smug, rotten…’

Just as he intended, the atmosphere was fraught.

Everyone was decked out and smiling as if delighted, but tension and wariness threaded the air, impossible to hide.

Kyris had toppled in an instant, absurdly, and his key associates had been purged or exiled, throwing high society into turmoil.

No one breathed a word about Kyris, watching one another’s faces—but everyone here knew exactly what had happened at the palace.

Hence…

“Your Highness Patrian, you said you’d traveled in the Totrud region recently, didn’t you? Might we hear your travelogue?”

“I’m more curious about Ekarok. Everyone knows His Highness Patrian slew the high-rank monster salamander there, yes?”

They were clinging to Patrian like bats, fawning shamelessly.

Eeden narrowed her eyes, recognizing among the men stuck to Patrian’s side several who, not long ago, had been sending gifts to Asmun and trying to line up with his camp.

‘Spineless weathercocks…’

She tore her gaze from the distasteful sight and glared instead at an innocent cake decoration.

If only Asmun were here, it would sting less—but he’d been wildly busy, searching for Silvestone ahead of Patrian. She hadn’t seen him in days. He probably wouldn’t make it tonight either.

‘Right. Silvestone matters more than some banquet.’

The Emperor’s promise to grant the throne to whoever found Silvestone still held. Now the fastest way to flip the board was to find Silvestone.

Where on earth was it?

“Saintess. Have you been well?”

Jolted from her thoughts, Eden looked up to see Lady Marens beaming at her.

“Lady Marens.”

Eden’s face brightened—not just with relief, but with a touch of being moved—as she greeted her.

At Lady Marens’s greeting, Eden could feel those who had been pretending not to see her sneaking glances their way.

“Have you been well? It’s late to ask, but are you fully recovered?”

“Of course. Thanks to the Saintess and His Highness Asmun, I’m perfectly fine.”

Lady Marens had made a large offering to the Temple in thanks for that day.

“I’m the one who’s late. I visited the Temple a few times, but you were difficult to meet.”

At that, Eden’s stomach tightened with guilt.

Well, she had spent more days outside than in.

“When I heard you’d be here tonight, I shamelessly dragged these old bones to a young people’s banquet.”

“What do you mean? Since when do banquets have an age limit? You’re plenty youthful, my lady.”

At Eden’s easy charm, Lady Marens let out a hearty laugh.

“His Majesty’s already pleaded a headache and retired. When he was young he loved all this glitter; age spares no one.”

Eden could only give an awkward smile at the sudden gossip about the Emperor.

So she really had been his academy mate—close enough to speak without reserve.

“But I hurried back because I wanted a blessing from the new Saintess. Would you grant me a small blessing? I’d like Saintess Eden’s benediction.”

“Of course. May Hamyun’s blessing be with you always, my lady.” [Note: Hamyun is the deity’s name.]

Eden gladly bestowed the Saintess’s blessing.

She might not be a “true” Saintess—but her wish that this gracious woman receive Hamyun’s favor was sincere, and that was enough.

Just then—

“My goodness, a blessing from the new Saintess. Might I receive one as well?”

A man stepped up, barging in loudly. Heads turned their way.

Eden was taken aback, but she hid it and smiled kindly.

“Yes, of course.”

“The Saintess is giving blessings! Form a line, everyone!”

His booming voice drew eyes, and people hesitated, gauging the mood. When Patrian himself began to approach, the crowd started to drift their way.

“I would like the Saintess’s blessing as well.”

Patrian asked with an open smile and a courteous tone—a far cry from the hours he’d spent pretending not to see Eden.

Eden, too, spoke as if nothing were amiss, her voice gentle.

“May Hamyun’s blessing be with His Highness Patrian.”

The two of them smiled at each other, hiding their true thoughts with care.

Then—

“Saintess, if it isn’t too rude… may I ask a question?”

It was the same man who’d drawn attention with that loud voice. Still smiling, Eden looked at him.

“And your name is?”

“Ah. I am Fernando Mile of House Mile, Marquis Mile.”

“Yes, Marquis Mile. What did you wish to ask?”

“I was deeply impressed by the story that, as an apprentice priest, you struck down Seruka in the Duchy of Yuren.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“Yes, but there’s something I found a bit curious.”

At the ominous turn, anxiety flickered through Eden’s eyes.

“The Saintess personally entered Seruka’s body and cut off its head, did you not?”

“Yes, I did.”

“And the Saintess possesses the power to annihilate monsters—the power of a Grand Saintess.”

“…Yes.”

“Then why did that Seruka not vanish?”

Tilting his head, Fernando asked as if purely curious. Eden cursed inwardly.

‘You little…’

Playing innocent—he was obviously one of Patrian’s men.

She had recognized Patrian’s pattern now: he never stepped forward himself; he manipulated from behind to chip away at a rival’s reputation.

Indeed, there was a contradiction: if she had the power to annihilate monsters, why hadn’t she annihilated Seruka? It was also evidence she wasn’t a true Saintess.

“What impertinence. Do you know how many witnessed the Saintess prove her power in the Temple gardens, Marquis Mile?”

Lady Marens chided him, clearly displeased, but Fernando didn’t stop.

“Yes, I’ve heard that as well. But the creature used then was a low-rank monster. I’m only asking out of genuine curiosity. Surely the power doesn’t work only on small fry?”

Murmurs of agreement rose here and there.

‘Damn, damn, damn.’

Cold sweat slid down Eden’s spine as she forced a smile.

What excuse could she make?

Her thoughts tangled—but she couldn’t stall any longer.

“Well, that’s…”

The noisy hall had fallen quiet without her noticing; every gaze was fixed on Eden.

Patrian had stepped back a pace, sipping wine, watching the scene as if it had nothing to do with him.

Just as Eden, lips refusing to part, struggled to say something—

“The power to annihilate monsters is not granted without cost.”

A low, cool voice cut through the taut air and saved her.

Startled, Eden turned—and saw Asmun striding toward them.

“Grand Saintess Haila, too, once served as a mere apprentice at a country temple.”

Asmun came to Eden’s side and fixed the marquis with a steady look as he continued,

“According to the sacred history, the Grand Saintess received oracles, hunted monsters, and thereby gained greater holy power. In the end, she acquired strength enough to annihilate even high-rank monsters.”

He was reciting details even Eden didn’t know. With her ally appearing—more welcome than ever—Eden’s face brightened.

“As a marquis, I thought you would at least know that much.”