Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? Chapter 113

When Eden couldn’t hold back and muttered to herself, Ivatan—who had still been seriously poring over the codex—looked up at her in surprise.

But Eden paid no attention to his gaze. Instead, she snatched the codex from his hands and carefully read it over again.

‘But it says they eventually transform into full monsters.’

Eden bit her lip and ran through the possibilities in her mind.

There was only one conclusion: Patrian was also being used by the black mages.

Unaware of the horrific end awaiting him.

“Haa…”

Eden let out a breathless, disbelieving sigh. If things had come to this, then there was truly only one way this world could be saved.

No matter what happened, Asmun had to become emperor.

“Why do you look like that?”

Sensing something was off, Ivatan asked quietly. Eden looked at him with complicated eyes.

She couldn’t tell him that the empire was on the brink of falling into the hands of black mages—and that the one accelerating it all was the empire’s second prince. He would never believe her.

“……It’s nothing. I was just shocked… That something like this is even possible.”

“It’s an extremely rare occurrence. You likely don’t need to worry too much.”

Ivatan offered the words in his usual blunt tone—though they sounded almost like consolation. At that moment, a new alert window appeared above his head.

An event quest.

『【!】Event Quest

: A dangerous item imbued with sinister black magic is nearby! Experience the power of black magic firsthand and overcome it. Upon completion, you will receive a ‘special reward’!

Would you like to proceed with the event quest?』

‘Experience the power of black magic?’

Eden’s face contorted at the absurd quest. She’d already obtained everything she needed here, and it was too risky to stir up trouble—especially with her current companion.

If it had been Hegenti, the OP mage, or Karon the swordmaster, she would’ve taken the challenge without hesitation…

“Then are you finished here? We should return now. If we delay, the temple clerics will start getting suspicious.”

Ivatan was right. It would be wise to end things here and head back.

But she just couldn’t shake her lingering hesitation…

‘If I’m going to go up against a fully unhinged Patrian, I’ll need every reward I can get.’

There was no telling when the next quest would come. Eden didn’t want to leave anything on the table. So far, the rewards from event quests had always come in clutch at key moments.

Her wavering heart began to rationalize.

‘This quest only appeared because it’s doable. Yeah. That’s gotta be it.’

Ivatan furrowed his brows as he caught the strange, almost manic glint in Eden’s eyes.

“……Saintess? Are you alright?”

“Yes.”

“……Excuse me?”

Eden shut her mouth tight and silently braced herself for the oncoming disaster.

But—nothing happened.

Ivatan, who had been watching her mutter incomprehensible things into the air, now looked at her with pity. She’d been acting strangely ever since they arrived—staring at empty space and speaking to no one.

Perhaps the sudden burden of sainthood had proven too much.

“We really should return now.”

Just as he turned decisively, preparing to escort her out—

Click.

A metallic sound echoed through the space, making Ivatan freeze in place.

『You have accepted the Event Quest!

The event quest will now begin.』

 

As the prompt appeared, a low whirring hum filled the air.

Both Ivatan and Eden turned toward the source—only to see that the birdcage from earlier had swung open halfway.

“……!”

And the bird doll within… was emerging…

“Uh…”

Eden stood frozen as the doll flew toward her at breakneck speed. It was aiming straight at her with no intention of giving her time to dodge.

Ivatan shouted urgently.

“A curse! Get away—!”

Realizing the situation instantly, he yanked Eden out of the way. But the bird was too fast to avoid entirely.

Because Ivatan pulled her close to shield her, Eden was spared the collision—but he wasn’t.

Thud!

“Urgh…”

The bird doll struck Ivatan square in the back. At that moment, the space around them quaked violently, and the world was swallowed in darkness.

“Gasp…”

Only then did Eden realize—the bird had been the cursed black magic item mentioned in the quest. She whipped her head up in alarm.

Just then, the darkness quickly receded, revealing a completely unfamiliar landscape.

Eden looked around in panic.

‘This isn’t the vault…’

The two of them were now collapsed on the ground in the middle of a forest so vast and lush, the trees seemed to stretch endlessly toward the sky.

Gone was the stale scent of dust and old paper. In its place was a cool, clean breeze carrying the fresh scent of greenery.

Even the rustle of leaves and chirping of birds felt vividly real.

‘Did we just… teleport?’

Her heart thudded erratically with anxiety. The situation was so bizarre, she couldn’t even begin to guess what had happened.

Realizing Ivatan was still holding her, frozen, Eden grabbed his shoulders in alarm.

“Chancellor! Are you okay?”

Finally, a faint breath escaped him.

“I’m fine.”

His voice was quiet and subdued. As he gently released his arms from around her, Eden jumped to her feet and scanned their surroundings.

“The location changed.”

The quest said to “experience black magic.” So this must be the result of it. But anything beyond that was unclear.

A forest? Why a forest?

‘What was it called again? ?’

Then… was this someone’s memory?

But there was no forest like this in her memories.

Which meant—could this be Ivatan’s?

Eden turned toward him in alarm. Ivatan slowly rose to his feet and stared at a large tree ahead.

Following his gaze, Eden looked up and noticed something unusual. The leaves at the ends of the branches glowed gold.

It was a beautiful sight. A place like this would be unforgettable.

“……Do you recognize this place?”

Eden asked cautiously, and Ivatan turned to her.

“Yes. It’s known as the Golden Forest. And judging by the situation… I believe this is my memory.”

His answer was concise and clear, just like him.

And it left Eden looking awkward. Because Ivatan had taken the cursed hit meant for her, they’d ended up inside his memory.

Troublesome. Her own memories would’ve been hard enough—let alone someone else’s.

‘Experience black magic firsthand and overcome it,’ huh?

There was likely only one way to complete this quest: escape the illusion.

‘But how…?’

Just then, the sound of footsteps pattering quickly toward them rang through the trees.

Eden and Ivatan slowly turned toward the sound—and saw a small child running toward them with all his might.

‘That’s…’

Eden frowned. Light brown hair. Faded green eyes. He looked to be around ten years old.

She recognized him instantly.

‘Ivatan…!’

It was none other than a young Ivatan.

‘My god. He was adorable as a kid!’

This was such a rare sight. Eden sneaked a glance at the very not adorable grown-up Ivatan beside her.

‘Huh…?’

But for some reason, his expression was unsettlingly blank as he watched his younger self.

“Huff… Huff…”

Panting heavily, young Ivatan stumbled to a halt before them and collapsed onto the ground.

Eden instinctively reached out to help him up.

But thwack—Ivatan, now calm again, grabbed her wrist in one swift motion, stopping her.

“Chancellor…”

“Don’t touch him.”

His voice was cold and resolute.

But…

When Eden looked again at the young Ivatan, she saw a tear-streaked, pitiful face.

‘He’s crying…’

There was no time to dwell on it. The scene moved on.

“Ivatan!”

Someone came running after the boy, grabbing his hand and pulling him into an embrace.

A young man who looked a lot like Ivatan—most likely…

‘His older brother…?’

Another man followed close behind, a bit older. This time there was no doubt.

It was Ivatan’s father.

“Evron! Ivatan!”

At the sight of him, Ivatan’s eyes flickered slightly. The three of them looked panicked—like they were running from something.

Eden quickly realized what they were fleeing from.

A massive monster was charging toward them in the distance, roaring furiously.

“Gasp…”

Eden froze in shock, and Ivatan grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to face him.

“This is an illusion.”

There was a faint tremble at the end of his voice.

A desperate shout rang out.

“Evron! Take Ivatan and go, now!”

“Father, but—!”

“Go!”

With that, Ivatan’s father drew his sword and ran at the monster.

Ivatan didn’t look back even once. His eyes met Eden’s, unwavering.

“If we don’t escape, we’ll be trapped here forever.”

Behind him, the sounds of battle echoed—his father fighting the monster.

“But how…”

Eden stammered, her face pale.

This wasn’t what she’d meant to see…

“There’s a simple way.”

Her trembling gaze met Ivatan’s eyes—now perfectly steady and unshakable.

“Don’t waver.”