Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? Chapter 111

Patrian, Having Eliminated Kyris, Was Brazen and Radical

Patrian was likely envisioning a finale where he personally captured the black mages and seized the imperial throne.

It was, in every way, a perfect plan.

‘If I don’t act quickly, it’s all over.’

His impatience to eliminate Asmun and claim the throne was becoming plainly evident.

And yet, he was proceeding with everything in utmost secrecy without exposing a single opening, making it difficult to read his intentions.

At times like this, the only thing needed was a reward.

『【!】Basic Quest

: Locate the ‘Monster Codex Fragment’ hidden in the secret storage beneath the Imperial Palace.』

A new quest arrived just in time, but by now, the difficulty level of every quest had shot up, driving Eden to the edge.

‘Ha, the underground of the Imperial Palace……’

It was obvious that security would be tighter than ever due to recent intrusions—how in the world was she supposed to get in?

And not just anywhere, but into a hidden secret vault underground.

‘But I knew a day like this would come.’

The person necessary for this quest was obvious. Someone who could move freely in and out of the palace and help Eden do the same.

Perhaps someone who, even more than the royal family themselves, knew the layout of the palace inside and out.

“Chancellor, could you help me?”

The one Eden went to find—once again—was Ivatan.

“……”

Ivatan silently stared at Eden, who now shamelessly greeted him with a bright smile.

It had only been a few days since she was last seen working on the codex. He had thought it was too soon for her to return.

“……So, you’re asking me to secretly guide you to the underground storage of the palace?”

“Yes. I’ll make up an excuse and come back tonight, so I’d appreciate it if you could do that. It’d also be nice if we could shake off the temple clerics smoothly.”

“……”

Ivatan looked at Eden with a blank expression, giving no hint whether he intended to help or refuse.

It wasn’t just Zephar who never moved without compensation. Eden was prepared for this and laid down her card.

“There are fragments of the codex scattered in that storage. I need to find them.”

At those words, Ivatan’s brow twitched.

“If you don’t help me, I’ll have no choice but to sneak into the palace at dawn. But with the security tightened, I’ll definitely get caught. And I’ll end up severely punished for trespassing on imperial grounds. Given the current state of things, it’ll eventually lead to……”

“……”

“A death sentence I cannot escape.”

At her increasingly shameless words, Ivatan let out a small, incredulous sigh.

Just as Eden had said, the palace security was currently at its tightest.

There had been two black mage intrusions, and following the recent execution of Kyris, who was tied to them, suspicions of an internal traitor had only heightened the tense atmosphere.

If she were to attempt something like this now, even as a saint, she would not be able to avoid harsh punishment.

And the woman standing before him…

‘She really would sneak in.’

Ivatan, who had already understood Eden long ago, wore a complicated expression. Eden smiled sweetly as she looked at him.

“You wouldn’t want to see me executed, would you?”

***

That night, Ivatan ended up volunteering for overtime.

Eden made an excuse about having important business regarding the codex and revisited the chancellor’s office, as promised.

Under the pretense of needing urgent information on a newly discovered monster, Eden and Ivatan slipped away from the temple clerics and headed underground.

Of course, they weren’t headed to the portal connected to the monster lab. Instead, they entered a deep underground chamber Eden had never visited before.

“Thank you, Chancellor.”

Even at Eden’s affectionate gratitude, Ivatan couldn’t bring himself to smile. Whenever Eden acted like this, it was always followed by a major incident.

But whether Eden was the one causing the incident or resolving it—he wasn’t even sure anymore.

Whatever the case, there was one clear truth. He could no longer stand by and allow Eden to face execution.

“How were you so sure I’d know where the secret vault is?”

“I’m sure of it. You’re a genius, after all.”

Her tone was casual, as though it wasn’t a big deal, but Ivatan’s steps slowed at her words.

‘Hmm?’

Noticing the gap where Ivatan had been walking beside her, Eden quickly turned her head. He had stopped a few steps behind and was staring at her intently.

“What’s wrong?”

When Eden asked in confusion, Ivatan quickly averted his gaze as if just realizing something.

“It’s nothing.”

He then resumed walking, quickly passing her.

It was fortunate that the underground was too dark to show his face. It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep his expression in check from collapsing at her every word.

‘Insane……’

Why did the word “genius” stir him up so much?

“Are you okay?”

Ivatan quickly matched her pace again, but avoided making eye contact as he answered Eden, who was peering at him.

“I’m fine.”

Still, Eden’s puzzled gaze lingered. Ivatan stubbornly faced forward and skillfully changed the subject.

“If I help you with this, you must promise never to sneak into the palace again. The situation is far more serious than you imagine, Saintess.”

Thankfully, that finally wiped the concern from her eyes, and the topic shifted in a flash.

“Oh! By the way, what happened to the black mage captured during the banquet?”

“His Highness Patrian is conducting the interrogation. Doesn’t seem like he’ll give up his backers easily.”

Eden’s face turned absurd at that response.

Patrian investigating the mastermind?

‘He is the mastermind, that lunatic!’

Still, she couldn’t disagree with his warning that the situation was grave.

The fact that the emperor had even entrusted investigative authority to Patrian showed a deep level of trust.

Even the key witness, Lydia, was now under Patrian’s protection—making it impossible to meet her. There was nothing left for Eden’s side.

‘Asmun and I suffered for months getting that done, and he just—’

She needed to stay calm, but Eden couldn’t help growing anxious. Only a reward could soothe her nerves even slightly. Patrian was an extremely difficult opponent.

If only quests came in pairs like that one time.

“This way.”

Following Ivatan’s lead, Eden navigated the maze-like underground corridors. As Ivatan skillfully led the way, a massive door appeared before them.

Ivatan placed his palm at the center of the door. To her surprise, the heavy iron door slid open on its own.

“Only royalty and the current chancellor can enter this place. Aside from His Majesty, the other royals likely don’t even know it exists.”

Ivatan turned to Eden with an expressionless face as he added his explanation. His eyes clearly warned her not to even dream of coming back here.

Eden pretended not to notice and smiled sweetly.

“I see.”

Once again, choosing Ivatan as her partner for this quest had been the right move.

Following him into the storage room, Eden came to an abrupt halt at the sight before her.

“As you can see, it’s not a place you can search in a day. I’ve tried organizing it several times, but I never found the codex fragments.”

Just as Ivatan said, the massive vault was filled with all kinds of clutter. It looked far too vast to find anything, even with a month of searching.

‘This is insane.’

Eden carefully began walking around the storage room. She could sense Ivatan following beside her.

“Did you really search the whole place? This huge space?”

“Took about four years in between other duties. But I’ve never seen anything like a Monster Codex fragment.”

His voice carried no trace of the hardship or frustration from those four years. It was completely indifferent.

Eden clicked her tongue inwardly.

‘Ruthless man……’

His consistency was so purely Ivatan that she was starting to admire him.

“Then there’s only one answer.”

Eden said coolly, continuing to scan the surroundings.

“There must be another space hidden in here.”

At that, Ivatan’s brow subtly furrowed.

“You’re suggesting there’s a portal or something?”

“That’s one possibility. Or……”

Eden frantically looked around. Searching this whole vault carefully was impossible. That could only mean there was another hidden mechanism inside.

And if it was part of a game system……

Ding!

An alert chimed subtly in Eden’s sensitive ear, making her snap her head around.

‘There!’

Her eyes sparkled as she dashed toward the spot.

“……You’re saying this is the portal?”

Ivatan, who had followed slowly behind, asked in a flat tone.

In front of Eden was a dusty, old cabinet. But what she saw wasn’t what Ivatan could see—it was a transparent system window visible only to her.

『If you wish to enter the most sinister and secretive place within the palace, offer “wisdom” into the cabinet.』