Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? Chapter 44

Eden accepted the small box Ivatan handed her with a skeptical expression and carefully opened it.

Inside, nestled neatly, was a necklace adorned with a brilliant golden gemstone that was unmistakably valuable at a single glance.

“It’s a mana stone necklace. It has high-tier magic imbued within it and will protect you, so even if you’re reluctant, accept it.”

The only thing Eden was reluctant about was a title.

Despite feigning hesitation, the mention of mana stone made her inwardly rejoice.

Mana stones, even the lowest tier, were absurdly expensive. A novice priest’s meager salary wouldn’t be enough to afford one even after ten years of saving.

“…Then I’ll accept it gratefully.”

“Of course, no matter how powerful the mana stone, it wouldn’t have protected you if you had actually been swallowed by a monster.”

At Ivatan’s sharp remark, Eden suddenly realized why he was so irritable.

She was a valuable asset to the empire, and she had almost gotten herself killed before they could even put her to use.

“It was unavoidable. What should I have done instead?”

“You should have sent the third prince.”

Eden’s expression hardened.

“…What did you just say?”

“His Highness personally volunteered to take your place. Why did you stop him?”

Ivatan’s voice was ice cold.

“As I’ve told you, His Highness is of royal blood. He could be a future successor—”

“You’re mistaken.”

Ivatan cut her off in a slow, deliberate voice.

Eden’s eyes narrowed in disbelief.

“What do you mean, mistaken?”

“His Highness the Third Prince will never be emperor.”

His tone was so resolute that for a moment, Eden nearly believed him.

Ivatan met her gaze without hesitation.

The one caught off guard was Eden.

“And why do you think that?”

“Because he is not capable of leading the empire.”

His expression didn’t waver as he continued.

“In fact, he will only lead the empire to ruin.”

The words struck Eden like a blow to the chest.

Because she couldn’t deny them.

Asmun had the potential to become a tyrant.

And Ivatan had seen it clearly.

Up until now, Asmun had kept his head down, but Ivatan had managed to see through him completely.

She had to admit—his insight was impressive.

“So you should abandon any foolish hopes,” Ivatan added, his voice almost a warning.

His unwavering gaze sent a chill down Eden’s spine.

He had figured it out.

He knew she was supporting Asmun.

At some point, he had pieced it together.

Eden didn’t bother to deny it, but she chose a careful response.

“You never know what could happen.”

Her stubborn rebuttal didn’t shake him in the slightest.

Ivatan didn’t understand why she supported Asmun, but to him, the idea was impossible.

Asmun had been hiding in the shadows for years, but the moment he seized power, he would be unstoppable.

Kyris and Patrian weren’t ideal rulers either, but at the very least, governance could be handled by advisors.

Asmun, however, would listen to no one.

He would be a ruler who obeyed only himself.

More than anything, he had no foundation—no power, no political backing, no influence.

There was no scenario in which the third prince could take the throne.

And yet, Eden was clinging to him.

Ivatan thought back to the founding ball.

It wasn’t a coincidence that Eden had been involved that night.

That meant she had risked her life twice now for Asmun.

The thought irritated him more than it should have.

Whatever Eden’s gift was—whether divine or something else—she had a role to fulfill.

She couldn’t afford to waste herself on a prince with no future.

“His Highness seems to understand his own position better than you do,” Ivatan finally said.

“What do you mean by that?”

“His Majesty offered him Reblum as a governorship, but His Highness refused this morning.”

Eden’s eyes widened.

“So, rather than a prince who will never be emperor, your safety is the priority.”

Ivatan’s cold statement snapped Eden’s mind back into focus.

She subtly glared at him, but he had already moved on, shifting the topic smoothly as if the discussion about Asmun was now closed.

“There will be no more participation in monster hunts. As I mentioned before, your role will be to visit the palace regularly, analyze monsters, and help complete the bestiary.”

“……”

“For now, preparations for the hunting tournament will keep us occupied. Stay in the Grand Temple until we contact you again.”

Ivatan emphasized the word safely as he stared at her, waiting for a response.

Eden held back the urge to roll her eyes at his condescending tone and nodded.

“Understood.”

She rose from her seat and added,

“And I have also taken note of your opinion regarding His Highness the Third Prince.”

Ivatan raised an eyebrow at her.

“But don’t worry. The scenario you fear will never happen.”

Eden flashed a bright, confident smile, and immediately, Ivatan’s sharp gaze turned even keener.

He realized—she had understood his warning exactly.

If Asmun became emperor, he might become a ruler beyond anyone’s control. A tyrant.

And yet, she still opposed him.

“What gives you that confidence?” Ivatan asked, barely concealing his exasperation.

Eden smiled, tilting her head slightly.

“You’ll see soon enough. And—”

“……”

“The emperor isn’t chosen by the chancellor. The heavens decide.”

She raised her index finger and pointed to the ceiling.

For the first time, Ivatan hesitated, caught off guard by her unexpected counter.

Eden smirked, giving him an infuriatingly cheerful farewell.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

Before he could stop her, she turned on her heel and strode confidently out of his office.

Bang!

The heavy door slammed shut behind her.

Ivatan remained frozen for a moment, then let out a long, incredulous sigh, staring at the door she had just marched through.

Outside, Eden maintained a calm, composed expression as she exited his office.

But the moment the door closed behind her—

Her face darkened.

She gritted her teeth, storming down the hallway.

“Asmun, you crazy bastard…!”

Rejecting Reblum? That was insane.

He knew exactly what Reblum meant.

And he had turned down the greatest opportunity of his life—without even consulting her?

Eden resisted the overwhelming urge to use a teleportation scroll and storm into his house that very second.

Instead, she headed straight to the Grand Temple and sought out Priest Roman’s office.

“I need to see His Highness. Right now.”

Roman, startled by the fire in her eyes, hesitated before nodding.

“I will contact him immediately. Please wait in the reception room—”

Before he could finish, Eden walked straight to the fireplace.

Finding the teleportation portal had become second nature to her.

Her eyes locked onto the bookshelf beside the fireplace.

The neatly arranged books were identical in size and color, looking like a collection of records. But Eden knew which one to pull.

Without hesitation, she grabbed the third book.

At once, the massive fireplace shifted sideways, revealing the hidden portal.

“Priestess!”

Roman paled and rushed toward her, but it was too late.

Eden stepped onto the portal without hesitation.

“No, stop! You can’t just—!”

Before Roman could reach her, the spell activated.

In an instant, she was gone.

She opened her eyes and scanned her surroundings.

She recognized this place.

It was the same space she had passed through when returning from Lebeim.

She had arrived exactly where she intended.

There was no visible exit—but that wasn’t a problem.

She could hear footsteps.

She knew who was behind the wall.

And sure enough—

The wall to her side slid open, revealing a passage beyond.

“……”

The moment the door fully opened, a sword was pointed straight at her throat.

Of course, it was Asmun.

Eden didn’t even blink.

Instead, she glared at him.

“…I don’t recall sending you a message saying I was so desperate to see you that I needed to rush into my home.”