Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? – Chapter 43

Author: B0ucha

Hegenti stared at her after uttering those dreadful words, as if Eden had ruined some sacred opportunity. And yet, there was no resentment in his gaze—only quiet indifference.

Eden couldn’t find the words to respond.

Hegenti’s eyes drifted away from her, settling on the moon outside the window.

Bathed in pale moonlight, his face was as breathtaking as ever. But in his gaze, fixed upon the glowing orb in the sky, there was nothing.

Like a man who had long since stopped living—only waiting for the end.

A strange ache settled in Eden’s chest.

Why was it that this void, this emptiness, made him feel more human than anyone else she had met in this world?

Why did this quiet, moonlit corridor feel more real than anything else?

She suddenly realized how unbearably cold this part of the castle was. Without thinking, she hunched her shoulders.

Eden turned her gaze to the window.

The land outside was dark and barren. She didn’t need to see it to know that this castle was the only place where anyone could possibly live.

Though, for most people, surviving even a week in this place would be impossible.

The only thing visible in the lifeless landscape was the nearly full moon, round and heavy in the sky.

After a long pause, Eden turned back to Hegenti.

“So is that why you’re here?”

Her unexpected question made Hegenti shift his gaze back to her.

Eden took a step closer.

“What else would I do?”

She stared into his cold, emotionless eyes.

“If there was another way to end this without dying—”

Hegenti didn’t answer.

“What then?”

Eden’s frustration boiled over. She glared at him, but then, instead of shouting, she smiled.

“If you survive that day, then don’t regret it.”

She reached out and grabbed his hand.

Hegenti’s pupils dilated slightly.

Oblivious to his stiffened posture, Eden squeezed his hands with both of hers.

His skin was cold, but there was warmth beneath it.

Proof that he was still alive.

And now, she finally understood how to stop Hegenti’s rampages.

She had to keep that warmth alive.

Make sure he never wanted to die again.

“I’ll take responsibility.”

Eden lifted her head, locking eyes with him.

“I saved you, so I’ll take responsibility for you.”

Hegenti stared at her, his hands still in hers, as if trying to comprehend the absurd promise she was making.

“How about seeing a doctor?” Eden asked cautiously. “It wouldn’t hurt to check. You never know.”

Hegenti immediately pulled his hands away and turned on his heel.

Damn it.

Eden was about to chase after him when an alert window popped up in front of her, stopping her in her tracks.

Ding.

[Warning! High Priest Serman Laoqu is returning to the Grand Temple.]

Eden’s eyes widened at the blinking red text.

A warning?

She had never seen anything like this in her previous playthroughs.

There was no time to analyze it. She had to get out of the High Priest’s office before Serman arrived.

She turned to leave but hesitated, glancing back.

Hegenti was already walking away.

“I’ll be back! I won’t be late next time! I promise!”

Eden shouted after him, but he didn’t turn around.

She spun on her heel and dashed toward the exit, completely unaware that Hegenti had stopped in his tracks the moment her footsteps faded into the distance.

****

“Priestess.”

Eden had been casually watering a potted plant when she heard Serman’s voice behind her. She quickly put on an expression of surprise and turned to face him.

Thankfully, she had made it back before he arrived.

“High Priest.”

Serman stood before her, his long, lavender-colored hair flowing over his shoulders. He looked more exhausted than the last time she had seen him.

With the increasing monster attacks, even the High Priest seemed to have no time to rest.

Was this part of the game’s script?

She still didn’t know why Serman’s office had a hidden passage to Hegenti’s castle.

She had assumed it was to stop Hegenti’s outbursts, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it.

Yet no matter how she thought about it, that was the only conclusion that made sense.

Hegenti’s rampages were something only she knew about from outside the game. If anyone in this world were aware of them, it would have to be the High Priest.

Of course, she couldn’t rule out the possibility that Serman had another purpose.

But for now, there was no evidence to suggest he was working against her.

“You’re still cleaning,” Serman observed.

Eden smiled.

“I was just about to finish.”

The High Priest returned her smile but then added, as if remembering something,

“I heard you only just returned to the capital. It was inconsiderate of me to assign you duties so soon. You must be exhausted from the journey.”

He looked genuinely apologetic, but Eden, her expression still calm and composed, shook her head.

“Not at all. In fact, cleaning helps clear my mind. It’s quite peaceful. A form of meditation, in a way.”

“I’m glad you think so. Though the office doesn’t necessarily need cleaning, it is part of temple tradition.”

Eden knew exactly what he meant.

Cleaning was a mandatory duty for priests, especially for novice priests. Among those duties, cleaning places imbued with the High Priest’s presence carried special significance.

It was an old tradition of the Grand Temple, one that even Serman could not simply disregard.

“I heard of the great deeds you accomplished during the expedition.”

Eden snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him.

“You did a remarkable thing. Hahmun will surely be pleased with your noble intentions.”

Serman gazed at her with warmth, his eyes filled with what seemed to be genuine admiration. It almost felt like she was being praised by the gods themselves.

Eden simply smiled.

Whatever his true intentions were, gaining the High Priest’s favor was going smoothly.

“Ah, if I recall correctly, today was supposed to be your final cleaning duty. Is that right?”

Her entire body tensed as if doused with cold water.

“No, actually. Herna has been busy with her own training, so I volunteered to continue a bit longer.”

The words flowed out effortlessly, though her back was already drenched in cold sweat.

She needed access to this office. She had to continue seeing Hegenti. And the easiest way to maintain a natural presence here was to keep cleaning.

“You will have many responsibilities of your own soon,” Serman noted.

“Don’t worry. As I said, I enjoy cleaning.”

“But—”

“If it ever becomes too much, I promise I will let you know.”

Eden cut him off with a firm yet polite tone.

Serman hesitated for a moment before finally nodding with a smile.

“In that case, if you ever find it too difficult, please do not hesitate to tell me.”

His violet eyes, ever mysterious, softened with kindness.

****

The next day, Eden had to visit the imperial palace. Since she had returned from the expedition, she was required to report to Ivatan.

At his office, she relayed every detail about Chupi and Seruka.

“Oh, and Chupi’s saliva mixed with oak leaves creates an excellent remedy for skin conditions. It even heals wounds from its own venom.”

Ivatan, who had been silently taking notes, lifted his head and looked at her.

His gaze flickered to her face.

His eyes lingered on her fully healed right cheek before shifting to the still scarred left one.

“…Did you test this yourself?”

Eden blinked.

Then she realized.

Her right cheek was completely healed.

And she had left the left one alone.

She hadn’t even seen Asmun yet, and Ivatan had noticed first.

“This… I applied medicine.”

“Just on one side? Keeping the other as a souvenir?”

His tone was blatantly mocking.

Eden immediately recognized that he was baiting her.

“…What’s your problem?”

She had no patience for this.

“I returned safely, as promised. I even took care of the monster at the western border. Seruka was eliminated before word of it even reached the capital.”

Ivatan said nothing.

“I don’t expect praise, but there’s no need to mock me, is there?”

At that, Ivatan let out a quiet laugh, almost incredulous.

“…Did you actually expect to be praised?”

“Yes.”

“……”

“The emperor praised me. Are you saying you disagree with His Majesty?”

At that, Ivatan’s face hardened.

He set down his quill and looked at her properly for the first time.

“Did you risk your life for the emperor’s approval?”

“Watch your words, Chancellor. That’s going too far.”

“His Majesty was deeply moved by your noble actions,” Ivatan continued, ignoring her protest. “So much so that he wished to bestow a title upon you.”