Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? – Chapter 49

Author: B0ucha

Eden quickly reached out to grasp the offered hand for a handshake.

“With someone so remarkable as your aide, doesn’t that mean victory in this tournament already belongs to the Grand Duke? Priest, won’t you consider partnering with me in the next competition?”

Lady Marens spoke in a tone that sounded like a joke, though her anxious expression betrayed some sincerity, leaving Eden completely flustered.

“I’m joking, just joking.”

When Lady Marens laughed cheerfully at Eden, Zephar joined in with a slight lift of his lips.

Following Lady Marens’ lead, people began to crowd around Zephar to offer greetings—though their true intent was to get a closer look at Eden.

Zephar didn’t seem to mind and tried to look after her, but the sheer weight of their gazes pressing into her became too overwhelming. Eden eventually made up an excuse and slipped away.

“Haa…”

In the midst of the opulent banquet hall, where everyone wore resplendent evening attire, Eden stood out in her priest’s robe, drawing attention with every step.

Dodging all those eyes, she fled to a secluded terrace, finally catching her breath as she let out a long sigh.

But soon, a familiar voice called from behind.

“Priest.”

She turned at the mix of confusion and hesitation in the voice—and saw Karon, who had apparently followed her.

“Captain.”

Eden’s face softened a little at the sight of Karon.

“May I ask what happened? You, the aide of Grand Duke Yuren… I just don’t understand.”

Karon looked genuinely perplexed, but unlike Asmun, there was no coldness or hostility in his expression.

Eden offered a sheepish smile.

“I just… wanted to try participating in the hunting competition.”

“…”

“And while I was looking for a way, things just… ended up like this. Haha…”

Karon furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of it, then eventually nodded.

“I see.”

His face still showed lingering questions, but he asked no more. Eden, grateful that Karon wasn’t the type to press too hard, decided to lighten the mood.

“But Captain, isn’t it kind of unfair for you to be in this competition?”

“Excuse me?”

Eden recalled the image of Karon cutting down monsters without mercy in the western forest.

His movements were precise and clean; the monsters didn’t even have time to scream before falling. His eyes had never wavered—not once.

Even as the other knights began to tire, Karon remained unwavering.

Without a doubt, Karon was the finest knight in this world. Just as he had been originally designed to be.

“Is there anyone in this grand hall who could defeat the Empire’s greatest Sword Master?”

At that, Karon let out a small laugh. Then, in a gentle voice, he responded.

“But you were the one who dealt with Seruka—the one even I couldn’t handle.”

His sleek blond hair sparkled under the radiant moonlight.

“This hunting competition is meaningless. How can someone like you be here merely as someone’s aide?”

“…”

“There’s not a single person in this hall who could have handled Seruka alone.”

Eden couldn’t help but feel a little pleased at Karon’s praise. Contrary to the overwhelming impression he gave at first, Karon was deeply considerate and kind.

“There’s no way that’s true. I’m sure the exceptional knight standing before me could manage it.”

At Eden’s playful remark, Karon smiled again.

As he bowed his head slightly in laughter, his face looked almost divine—and for a fleeting moment, Eden felt envious of Hamyun, who was the recipient of such unwavering devotion from this man.

Then, it happened.

“Apologies for interrupting your fun.”

A voice, cold as ice and slicing through the pleasant air, froze Eden in place.

When Karon turned around, there stood Asmun—his expression utterly blank, frighteningly so.

“I’d like to have a word with the Priest. Would you mind giving us some privacy?”

Though Asmun’s voice was polite and soft, it only made his request feel more dangerous.

Karon glanced at Eden, who stood frozen, then bowed to Asmun.

“Your Highness, Third Prince.”

But Asmun’s gaze didn’t even flicker toward Karon. His eyes were locked solely on Eden.

By now, Karon was certain something had happened between the two. There had been no reason for Asmun to join the subjugation mission, after all.

“I was speaking with the Priest.”

“Yes. I saw that.”

Asmun answered coolly.

“I also have something left to say.”

The air on the terrace had grown piercingly cold, but Karon, unfazed, gave a gentle smile.

Only then did Asmun finally look at Karon. His red eyes were colder than the night air.

“Then let’s all stay here and discuss it together. Priest, is that what you want?”

Asmun narrowed his eyes and curled his lips into a bitter smile as he stared Karon down.

Eden flinched, then let out a quiet sigh.

This was inevitable—and she also had matters to discuss with Asmun before the hunting competition began.

Eden finally turned to Karon.

“Captain… I’d like to speak with His Highness alone for a moment.”

When Eden asked with an apologetic tone, Karon averted his eyes from Asmun and looked at Eden.

“Understood.”

Karon gave Eden a deliberately gentle smile. He was curious why she seemed so timid around the Third Prince, but he didn’t want to make things more difficult for her.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

With a polite nod, Karon turned and walked away. The air left in his absence was stifling beyond description.

It was Asmun who spoke first.

“My dull mind is struggling to comprehend what exactly is going on here.”

His voice was calm and measured to an unsettling degree, making a chill run down Eden’s spine. She began explaining with the excuse she had prepared.

“This was the best method available. I couldn’t very well appear publicly at your side, could I?”

That, too, was the truth.

Even as things stood, there were bound to be people who found her continued association with Asmun suspicious. There was no need to add fuel to the fire by openly being seen together.

But despite the explanation, Asmun’s cold gaze did not soften.

“You’ve misunderstood my question.”

“…”

“I’m asking if there’s a specific reason you need to participate in the hunting competition.”

Asmun was convinced Eden had some other motive—and the fact that he couldn’t uncover it made him furious.

Eden had no interest in money, fame, or power. If she had, she would never have bet her stakes on Asmun in the first place.

So why, why was she putting herself in danger like this?

“There is, of course.”

Eden replied confidently, and Asmun’s eyes narrowed.

“What if a divine message were to descend, but I couldn’t get it to you in time? The hunting competition is an ideal opportunity to stir things up. You must not lower your guard.”

Eden spun the lie smoothly, shamelessly.

“And as a matter of fact, a message has come down.”

She looked around quickly—scanning her surroundings, even checking below the terrace—before finally lowering her voice into a whisper.

“You must be cautious of any monster with red eyes. That one is a trap. It’s enchanted—if you attack it, your attack will be reflected. If the red is unnaturally intense, avoid it at all costs.”

Asmun remained cold as ever, staring at Eden as she conveyed this so-called divine message.

“And be wary of Marquis Ogden. Tomorrow, he’ll fall under a mind control spell. If you cross paths, he’ll try to harm you. But if you retaliate, you’ll be framed—so it’s best to just avoid him. If you see him, run.”

Eden had remembered seeing Marquis Ogden wearing a high-ranking badge earlier.

Originally, neither Asmun nor Ogden should’ve received high-ranking badges. But because of Eden’s interference, the story had changed, and Asmun now wore one. Which meant Ogden, who was supposed to attack him, had also received one.

Which, in turn, meant Kyris hadn’t abandoned the plan.

“Lastly, switch out your horse right before tomorrow’s competition. I’m sure something’s been done to it. The replacement may be a bit slower since it’s not your usual steed, but you’re not aiming to win anyway, so it’ll do well enough.”

Having whispered all of Kyris’s tricks, Eden nodded with satisfaction.

Through several iterations of the hunting competition, she had experienced all these scenarios firsthand.

Each time, Asmun had either been charged with attempted murder of Marquis Ogden, critically injured by reflected attacks, or thrown from his horse with a broken leg.

Avoiding those incidents meant he could come out of this hunting arc relatively unscathed.

But even after hearing all this, Asmun showed no surprise, no sense of gratitude. He merely continued to gaze at Eden with the same icy expression he had worn upon first seeing her in the banquet hall.

Then, he finally opened his mouth.

“Then I must win.”

The quiet remark left Eden dumbstruck.

“…What?”

“Since the priest is so deeply concerned for my safety, I should survive with all my might until I reach the throne.”

His voice, still steeped in cold air, was disturbingly kind. Eden looked at Asmun, who gave a faint, sardonic smile.

“Which means I’ll win the competition and, as my prize, ask for the crown prince’s seat.”

“…”

“Isn’t that what you ultimately want?”

“…”

“Then you won’t have to resort to such reckless actions anymore.”

His words were outrageous, yet his tone was so nonchalant. Eden was the only one whose breath caught in the madness of what he was saying.