Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? Chapter 32

From then on, another long stretch of tedious travel followed.

“We’ve arrived at the final stronghold!”

At those words, Eden’s eyes snapped open. Given their current pace, it would take about a month to reach the border on foot. Fortunately, large portals had been installed throughout the empire. The only issue was that they still had to reach the portal locations by conventional means.

It was only then that Eden understood how Asmun and the emperor had managed to return to the capital in a single day after being attacked by the golems.

When playing the game, travel was as simple as clicking on a location. There had been no way to notice such detailed mechanics.

“This is the last portal. After passing through it, we’ll reach the border forest within a day’s travel.”

Since portals were only installed at key locations, they still had to travel a considerable distance between them. Even so, the portals saved them a great deal of time.

“Thanks to the portals, we arrived quickly. Do you always travel this way?”

At Eden’s question, Karon answered kindly.

“Normally, we don’t use strongholds and travel through villages instead, exterminating monsters along the way. However, since we have a specific objective this time, we’re taking the shortcut.”

That objective, of course, was to use Eden’s abilities to identify monsters’ weaknesses. The realization made her feel slightly awkward.

Even though this was just a game, her presence meant that some villages were losing their chance to eliminate monsters.

“I see. Then I need to make sure I prove my worth.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to pressure you.”

“I know, don’t worry.”

Asmun silently observed the conversation between Eden and Karon. Unlike the warm and pleasant atmosphere surrounding them, the air around Asmun was chilling. The knights nearby instinctively kept their distance, watching him nervously.

“From this point on, you must be extremely cautious. Do not stray from my side.”

As they finally reached the forest where the unknown monster was said to appear, Karon issued a firm warning.

And as if to prove his point, the moment they entered the forest, monsters began swarming at them relentlessly.

“Kyaaaak!”

Following Karon’s advice, Eden kept her distance and observed the scene. Karon and his knights led the charge, cutting down the monsters with ease.

At the forefront, Karon was nothing short of terrifying. Each swing of his sword sent out a brilliant flash, and with every stroke, a monster’s head flew cleanly off. His power, technique, and stamina were all in perfect balance—so much so that it was obvious at a glance.

In less than an hour, the air reeked of blood. Yet, protected by a solid defensive line, not a single drop reached Eden.

“Good grief…”

Each time a monster fell, Eden clicked her tongue, her brows knitting slightly. She had thought of them as mere creatures that tormented people, so their deaths didn’t seem particularly tragic.

Asmun, watching her reaction, noted that there was no trace of fear—only mild regret. He let out a faint click of his tongue, observing her impassively.

“……”

The hunting party continued deeper into the forest, pressing on without hesitation. At this rate, they seemed poised to exterminate all the monsters without issue.

However, the more monsters Karon slew, the more anxious Eden became.

Corpses piled up along their path, but…

[Basic Quest: Exterminate the Western Monsters (0/30)]

The quest counter hadn’t moved a single digit.

Despite the sheer number of monsters killed, she hadn’t leveled up even once.

‘Damn it, I have to get involved somehow.’

But how?

The monsters Karon was slaughtering were mid-to-low-tier creatures. Even without identifying their weaknesses, brute force alone was enough to kill them. In other words, her ability was completely unnecessary.

At this rate, coming all this way would have been for nothing.

‘Not only that, but if I can’t complete the quest, I won’t be able to progress at all.’

Eden recalled how Last Kingmaker operated.

Hidden quests and event quests could be ignored without affecting the main story. However, basic quests were mandatory—without clearing them, the game wouldn’t advance to the next episode.

Of course, since she was stuck in the game world, she could technically return later and kill thirty monsters to progress.

‘But when will I ever come back to the west again? And besides, who knows if Asmun will even let me live that long?’

As Eden struggled to find a solution, the surroundings suddenly grew quiet.

The relentless wave of monsters seemed to have lost some of its momentum.

“Is everyone unharmed?”

Karon, his entire body drenched in monster blood, turned to check on Eden and Asmun. His pristine white cloak was now soaked in crimson, fluttering as he moved.

“Yes, I’m fine. What about you, Captain?”

“Of course.”

Despite the carnage, Karon showed no signs of exhaustion. He simply smiled, completely at ease.

Seeing him standing there, covered in blood yet smiling, sent a chill down Eden’s spine.

Yet at the same time, the contrast between his beauty and the gruesome scene was almost cinematic.

In comparison…

Eden glanced at Asmun, who stood beside her like an immovable statue. Despite the hours spent in the forest, he looked as pristine as when they first arrived—without so much as a speck of dirt on him. Not a drop of blood, not even a bead of sweat. His expression was one of pure boredom, as though the prolonged hunt had become tedious.

“…….”

It had been hours since they entered the forest, yet Asmun hadn’t unsheathed his sword even once. His knights, too, remained idle, merely observing the Holy Knights fight without any orders from their master.

“It seems I have nothing to do.”

Noticing Eden’s stare, Asmun muttered nonchalantly, without the slightest hint of embarrassment. From the beginning, he had no real intention of participating in this hunt.

As Karon took a brief pause to reorganize the knights, Eden quietly sidled up next to Asmun and spoke in a hushed voice.

“Your Highness, you can’t just stand around doing nothing.”

“The Holy Knight Captain is handling everything just fine.”

Eden frowned at his shameless response.

“Still, people are watching! At least pretend to be involved! Don’t you know that an emperor must secure public support? You don’t have to be as impressive as the Captain, but at least get some blood on you!”

Eden kept her voice low, wary of others overhearing. But just as she was scolding him, Asmun suddenly drew his sword.

Before she could even react, he swung it sharply above her head.

Swish—!

The unexpected action froze Eden in place. A moment later, a chilling death cry echoed.

“Kyaaak!”

A monster that had been lunging at her fell lifelessly to the ground, its body cleanly sliced.

“…….”

Eden barely managed to breathe as she slowly turned her eyes toward the creature that had landed mere inches from her feet. It had been killed in a single stroke.

When she looked back at Asmun, his once-pristine face was now smeared with fresh blood.

“There. That should do.”

Asmun spoke casually, as if nothing had happened.

Eden was speechless.

“What happened?!”

Karon, having noticed the brief commotion, rushed over. His eyes darted to the slain monster at Eden’s feet, and his face hardened.

Then he looked at her—blood was splattered across her head and shoulders.

“Priestess, are you alright?!”

Before she could respond, Asmun cut in.

“There’s nothing to worry about. I will protect the Priestess.”

“…….”

“Go finish your work. You seemed quite busy.”

Though Asmun spoke coolly, Karon ignored him and turned his attention back to Eden.

“Priestess, are you truly unharmed?”

But Eden didn’t answer.

Because at that moment, a system notification appeared in front of her.

[Basic Quest: Exterminate the Western Monsters (1/30)]

“…One?”

Eden blinked in confusion.

A moment ago, the quest count had been zero. But now, one monster had been counted. The only thing that had changed was that Asmun had killed a creature.

Why?

Eden hadn’t touched the monster. She hadn’t even read its information. The only difference was that Asmun had killed it instead of Karon.

A strange, cold sensation tightened in her chest.

Then, a memory surfaced.

The words Asmun had spoken the day he forced the oath-binding potion upon her echoed in her ears.

“From now on, Priestess, you and I are bound by fate.”

Eden turned to look at Asmun, whose face remained expressionless despite the blood staining his skin.

It had to be because of the Oath of Fate.

Since their destinies were now intertwined, any monster Asmun killed was being counted as if she had killed it herself.

An unexpected development.

Finally regaining her composure, Eden turned to Karon with a calm expression and nodded.

“I’m fine.”

“Priestess, you’re covered in blood—”

“Compared to you, Captain, this is nothing. Please, go handle the remaining monsters. His Highness, the Third Prince, has promised to protect me. As long as I stay by his side, I won’t even get a scratch. His Highness is exceptionally skilled, after all.”

Eden wiped some of the blood off her face and smiled as if nothing had happened.

Karon hesitated, looking slightly unsettled.

Meanwhile, Asmun’s previously stiff expression seemed to relax just a little.

“Your Highness, may I speak with you for a moment?”

Eden turned to Karon and requested permission before leading Asmun deeper into the forest.

Though Karon looked uneasy, he didn’t stop them. After all, Asmun still had his bloodstained sword in hand.

Once they were far enough from prying ears, Eden suddenly spun around to face Asmun.

“Your Highness, I have just received a divine revelation.”