Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? – Chapter 45

Author: B0ucha

Asmun slowly lowered his sword, his voice devoid of humor despite the joke-like remark. When Eden didn’t react, he got straight to the point.

“What brings you here? Did you receive another prophecy?”

His voice was infuriatingly relaxed. Eden strode toward him, her footsteps echoing in the eerily silent study. The stone door behind her slid shut, sealing them in.

The room was as pristine as its owner—devoid of unnecessary belongings, suffocating in its neatness.

Asmun had been reviewing documents.

As if he could sit there, calmly handling paperwork, after pulling something like this.

“Is it true that you refused Reblum?”

Her blunt demand didn’t faze him.

“You’ve heard quickly.”

His confirmation made Eden’s expression harden.

“Why? Do you not understand what Reblum represents? Are you really that foolish?”

Even though she had crossed a line, Asmun merely observed her without irritation, letting her fume.

“I received the offer due to a misunderstanding. Naturally, I could not accept.”

“A misunderstanding? You stayed behind to face the golem alone for the emperor! You led a monster subjugation at the western border! None of that is a misunderstanding!”

“But the one who figured out how to kill the golem… and the one who truly slayed the western monsters… was you.”

Asmun’s smile was calm as he looked down at her. Eden glared at him in frustration.

“What I do is for your sake. Isn’t that why you forced the oath on me?”

His smile faded, and he regarded her silently.

“You misunderstand.”

His voice was soft yet cold.

“The reason I bound us in an oath…”

“……”

“…was to control you.”

Eden’s breath caught.

He didn’t hesitate as he continued, his crimson eyes locked onto hers.

“But it seems such a cheap trick does not work on you.”

Eden clenched her fists.

She had known that her refusal to obey his every whim irritated him. But in the end, everything she had done had benefited him.

Yet, despite knowing that, he was still acting like this.

“What do you want from me, then?”

Asmun tilted his head slightly.

“I’m still deciding.”

Eden’s jaw nearly dropped at his absurd response.

He was watching her as if enjoying the way frustration contorted her face.

“I am still figuring out… what I want from you.”

The unexpected answer left her momentarily speechless.

What he wanted?

There was only one thing Asmun needed—to become emperor.

And she was here to help him achieve that.

“Do you not want to be emperor?”

“Of course I do.”

His response was calm, indifferent. The only one frustrated here was Eden.

“Then take Reblum! If you manage to restore order there, your influence will rise immensely. It’s far more important than slaying a few monsters! I’ll help you.”

“I have no interest.”

“…Are you being serious?”

Asmun’s lips twitched, as if amused by how hard she was gritting her teeth, but he quickly returned to his neutral expression.

“Go back. Once I figure out what I want from you, I’ll let you know.”

He was dismissing her.

Eden clenched her fists.

This was not going how she had expected.

Why was he being like this?

She wanted to grab him by the collar and shake some sense into him, but it was clear that wouldn’t work.

“Fine. I’ll leave.”

“……”

“But think about it again. Reblum is vital to you. Even if you run from it now, you’ll have to face it eventually.”

Because that was how the game was designed.

“Excuse me, then.”

Eden swallowed the urge to strangle him and turned on her heel.

The moment she stepped toward the wall, the hidden door shifted open, revealing the teleportation portal.

Without sparing him another glance, she stepped onto it.

Asmun’s figure blurred as she was transported away.

****

The deep chime of the temple bells echoed through the halls as Eden sat in silent contemplation.

By now, waking at dawn for morning prayers no longer exhausted her.

The real exhaustion came from dealing with Asmun.

Ivatan’s voice rang in her mind again.

“He will only lead the empire to ruin.”

And right after that, Asmun’s own words—

“As you commanded, I have returned the mine to the empire.”

Just when she thought she had finally earned his trust, it felt like she was back at square one. The realization left Eden feeling hollow. But whether she liked it or not, a new episode was about to begin.

The Hunting Tournament.

She recalled what she knew about the event.

The Hesmoro Imperial Hunting Tournament was more than just a noble pastime—it held a much deeper significance.

Most notably, the imperial family used captured monsters as hunting targets.

Through extensive research, the palace had devised control magic that restrained the monsters, sealing half of their strength and magical power, making them suitable prey.

This allowed nobles to safely showcase their skills and enjoy the event, while at the same time reassuring the people of the empire that the royal family had complete control over the monsters.

It was a massive political tool.

Eden’s eyes glinted.

She had experienced this episode before while playing as Kyris.

Which meant—she knew exactly what tricks Kyris would attempt during the event.

Since the tournament revolved around monsters, security would be airtight. The empire couldn’t afford to risk an accident.

But that also meant the scale of the event was enormous.

And the larger and more chaotic an event was, the easier it was to stir up trouble.

Kyris wouldn’t waste such an opportunity.

And if Eden remembered correctly, this tournament was also the moment when Asmun returned from the North.

After being exiled due to the Count Retten incident, he had earned merit in the North before making his way back.

That alone had put Kyris on edge.

Eden paused in thought.

Asmun had survived without her intervention.

He had repeatedly irritated Kyris and slowly climbed his way up.

Unlike Kyris, who relied purely on luck and manipulation, Asmun was fundamentally different.

Eden imagined his sharp red eyes, filled with ambition, and exhaled through her nose.

Still… I’m the player.

No one could become emperor without her. That was how this game was structured.

So she had to keep pushing to ensure Asmun’s path led to the throne.

She thought back to the prophecy that had instructed her to participate in the tournament.

The hunting grounds—filled with monsters—weren’t accessible to just anyone.

And since the High Priest wasn’t attending, there was no reason for priests to be present either.

That left only two ways to enter.

Either as a participant or as a participant’s retainer.

Even with their strength reduced by half, monsters were still dangerous.

For that reason, participants were allowed to bring one retainer to accompany them for support.

This was clearly a game mechanic designed for smooth gameplay.

Back when she played as Kyris, she had attended as a retainer.

But there’s no way Asmun would allow that.

After the Seruka incident, he was still furious. There was zero chance he’d let her join a monster hunt.

And asking Ivatan for help was out of the question.

Both men were obsessed with keeping her safe.

Karon, then?

But convincing Karon was even harder than convincing Asmun or Ivatan.

Becoming a participant herself was an option, but that was practically suicide.

She had no magic, no divine power, no combat ability.

Not to mention, who would even approve her application?

[Soon, the Imperial Hunting Tournament will be held. This event gathers key figures from across the empire and is a great opportunity to strengthen connections. Be sure to participate!]

The prophecy had insisted this was important.

Which meant—she had to attend, no matter what.

“Eden, we’re done. Let’s go eat.”

Rita’s whisper snapped Eden back to reality.

Only now did she realize that the morning prayer had ended.

Her stomach rumbled loudly, forcing her to set aside her thoughts for the moment.

With a sigh, she rose from her seat.

****

Days passed.

She couldn’t bring herself to ask Asmun or Ivatan about the tournament.

Time was slipping away.

The hunting event was now just three days away, and she still had no way to enter.