Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? Chapter 48

As Eden smiled brightly at Hegenti, she reassured him, “Next time, I’ll bring more of this medicine.”

Her expression was so confident, so trustworthy, that for a moment, even Hegenti almost believed her.

He stared at her for a long moment before finally nodding.

Twice.

Eden’s heart soared.

He nodded twice!

Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him with overwhelming affection.

She had not only managed to ease his pain but had also earned his trust.

However, Eden was too caught up in her excitement to notice the subtle shift in Hegenti’s gray eyes as they watched her.

****

The Hesmoro Imperial Hunting Tournament was an annual event held in Mount Homer, a vast mountain range owned by the imperial family.

Though not particularly high in altitude, its wide expanse and rugged terrain made it the ideal hunting ground.

With rumors of unknown monsters appearing across the empire and whispers of the Demon King’s resurrection spreading since the Founding Ball incident, this year’s tournament had become more crucial than ever.

The emperor wanted to reassure the frightened citizens, so the number and variety of monsters being released this year was double the usual amount.

For anyone seeking to solidify their influence, winning this tournament was a golden opportunity.

It was the perfect stage for ambitious nobles and princes eager to prove their worth.

Of course, simply desiring victory wasn’t enough.

The rules of the tournament were strict.

First, scrolls and magical tools were strictly prohibited.

Participants had to rely entirely on their own abilities.

While personal magic was allowed, external aids such as enchanted weapons or artifacts were completely banned.

Simple defensive spells were permitted as they didn’t directly influence the hunt, but anything else was strictly regulated.

…Whether those rules were actually enforced was another matter.

The second rule was that access to the Advanced Hunting Grounds was restricted.

Essentially, the real competition began one year before the tournament ended.

Participants had to earn the right to enter the Advanced Hunting Grounds by proving their ability throughout the year.

For this reason, many nobles were forced to take part in monster subjugation campaigns, and this was precisely what Ivatan had been aiming for.

Despite the complex political backdrop, the requirement for obtaining entry was surprisingly simple:

You needed a record of slaying high-tier monsters.

“This is the Advanced Hunting Grounds Entry Badge.”

Before the banquet, Asmun was presented with a silver badge after passing inspection.

Previously, securing this badge would have been difficult, as slaying just one monster wasn’t usually enough to qualify.

However, because he had saved the emperor, he was granted special approval.

Asmun understood.

The emperor was continuing to test him.

“…….”

His expression remained unreadable as he glanced at the badge pinned to his chest before stepping inside the banquet hall.

Though the actual tournament would take place the following day, a preliminary banquet was held in a palace at the foot of the mountain.

Asmun had no interest in these gatherings, but attendance was mandatory for all participants.

The purpose was to allow networking among the hunters before they spent the next few days competing in the wilderness.

The hall was already packed with nobles, all eager to make an impression.

However, Asmun’s gaze swept over the room indifferently.

Not a single person here interested him.

“Your Highness, the Third Prince.”

A man approached with a loud, cheerful voice, breaking Asmun’s solitude.

He turned to see Marquis Ogden, a nobleman he had encountered several times before.

“I knew you would receive the badge, Your Highness! It was only natural! Not only did you slay the golem alone, but you also nearly vanquished the monsters in the Grand Duchy of Yuren!”

Ogden’s booming voice drew the attention of nearby nobles.

Asmun felt their gazes shift toward him, though none dared to approach first.

It was clear that the aristocracy was paying close attention to his recent movements.

Asmun studied Ogden for a moment before offering a quiet smile.

“It was merely luck.”

Ogden’s face lit up with admiration.

“Ah, Your Highness is truly humble! I have always recognized your noble character. After all, with Her Majesty the Second Empress as your mother, it is only natural that you possess such wisdom—ah…!”

Ogden froze mid-sentence, his face draining of color as he realized his mistake.

He had carelessly mentioned Asmun’s mother.

The Second Empress was a forbidden topic.

The air grew tense.

Many nobles had already turned away, pretending not to hear.

But Asmun’s expression remained calm.

There was no anger. No sharp glare.

His face was entirely placid.

Was the rumor false?

Ogden had heard that Asmun was deeply sensitive about his mother.

Yet now, the prince showed no reaction at all.

Feeling uneasy, the marquis hurriedly changed the subject.

“Ah—anyway, I look forward to Your Highness’s performance in the tournament! I hear there will be new monsters released this year?”

“So I’ve heard,” Asmun replied indifferently, offering another polite smile.

It was clear that his rescue of the emperor had caused a shift in perception.

For years, he had been ignored, a shadow among the royals.

Now, the nobles were hesitating, uncertain whether to align with him or not.

He could feel their indecision.

It was a fascinating change.

Asmun’s fingers lightly brushed over his badge, his mind elsewhere.

Eden.

If she hadn’t been there, he wouldn’t have been able to tip the scales so quickly.

He acknowledged that.

He could admit that much.

But the memory of her disappearing into Seruka’s mouth still made his stomach twist uncomfortably.

That was why he had rejected Reblum.

He couldn’t allow himself to be swayed.

Ogden’s meaningless chatter faded into the background.

Then suddenly—

The entire hall began buzzing with whispers.

“That… isn’t that her?”

“The priestess from the rumors?”

Eden felt the word “priestess” cut through the murmur of voices, reaching Asmun’s ears.

There was no attempt to conceal the gossip.

“Did you hear? During the subjugation, she climbed inside a monster’s body and sliced its throat from within.”

“A mere apprentice priestess? That’s impossible… She’s not a participant, is she?”

“She’s here as Grand Duke Yuren’s aide! What exactly is their relationship?”

As the murmurs intensified, Asmun’s brows tensed.

Slowly, he turned toward the direction where all the attention was gathering.

There, Zephar Yuren entered the banquet hall, wearing his Advanced Hunting Grounds badge.

And following behind him—

Eden.

“…….”

Asmun’s gaze froze.

“…Your Highness, is that the priestess?”

Ogden Marquis, still lingering by his side, followed his line of sight. His excited tone suddenly faltered when he glanced at Asmun’s expression.

His face was deathly cold, his stare fixed on the apprentice priestess standing behind Yuren.

At that moment, Eden noticed him too.

Their gazes met.

“…….”

“…….”

A deadly, ice-cold energy made Eden’s spine tingle.

She immediately looked away.

The moment she averted her eyes, Asmun felt something inside him turn frigid.

“This way, Priestess.”

Zephar glanced back at Eden, his voice gentle as he escorted her forward.

Eden followed quietly, exhaling a tense breath.

Of course, she had known Asmun wouldn’t be happy seeing her at the hunting tournament without warning.

But that look…

That expression he had just given her wasn’t simply annoyance.

It was much worse.

I’m screwed.

Eden bit her lip, holding back a groan.

She had no choice.

If she didn’t participate, the quest wouldn’t progress.

If the quest stalled, she couldn’t push the game forward.

And if the game didn’t progress, she couldn’t make Asmun emperor.

So even if he was angry, she had to go through with this.

“I’d like to join the hunting tournament, Grand Duke. As your retainer.”

Zephar had been momentarily stunned when she made her request.

Then, he had laughed.

A genuine, amused laugh, as if he found her request utterly ridiculous yet deeply intriguing.

“As my retainer? Are you sure you want that?”

His words had carried a strange weight, but before Eden could respond, he had already agreed.

And that was how she had ended up here.

*****

“Grand Duke, it’s been a long time.”

A mature, graceful voice interrupted their approach.

Eden turned toward the sound.

A woman in her late fifties, dressed in an elegant yet practical gown, smiled warmly as she approached.

“Lady Marens.”

Zephar greeted her with polite familiarity.

The name clicked in Eden’s mind.

She had encountered this character twice while playing as Kyris.

Marens was a self-made noblewoman who had resurrected a dying household with her own strength after losing her husband.

Not only was she wealthy, but she also wielded significant political power.

Eden distinctly remembered Kyris attempting to secure Marens’s support in a past episode—only to be flatly rejected.

She had never even seen Lady Marens back then; the rejection had been delivered via letter.

This was the first time Eden was seeing her in person.

“You’re participating in the tournament as well, I see,” Zephar remarked.

“Of course. I’m not sure if this old body can still hunt, but I’ll do my best.”

“That’s rather humble of you, considering the badge you’re wearing.”

At his words, Eden’s gaze snapped to Marens’s chest.

She, too, was wearing the Advanced Hunting Grounds badge.

At her age?

For a noblewoman to earn that badge meant she had actively been hunting high-tier monsters.

Even through the elegant gown, her toned physique was unmistakable.

She wasn’t just a figurehead—she was a warrior.

No wonder she was impossible to win over in the game.

“And this young lady beside you…?”

“Ah, this is Priestess Eden. She will be assisting me in this tournament.”

“Eden?”

Marens’s eyes widened.

“Surely not the same Eden who slayed a monster in the Yuren forests?”

The moment her name was spoken, nearby nobles visibly reacted.

Feeling the attention shift, Eden forced an awkward smile.

“Ah, yes, that’s me. Hello.”

“I’ve heard incredible stories about you! What an honor to meet you in person.”

Marens extended her hand warmly toward Eden.