Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? Chapter 59

The soft-spoken words carried ambiguity, and Eden could do nothing but stare blankly at Zephar, unsure how to respond.

He’d said otherwise, but Zephar was clearly angry. However, that anger wasn’t directed at her.

Then who was it for?

Did he realize this was Kyris’s doing?

Of course, the sudden appearance of Chuppi and the horse’s wild behavior were too contrived. There was no way Zephar hadn’t sensed something suspicious about the situation.

But now that the incident was wrapping up, Eden couldn’t recklessly share her suspicions and risk jeopardizing Asmun’s victory.

As she tensed up, unsure of Zephar’s thoughts behind that unreadable expression, he suddenly smiled lightly.

“I’m just relieved that you’re safe, Priestess.”

The moment he smiled, the tension in the air dissolved into something gentle and calm.

Zephar had a natural talent for taking control of the atmosphere. It must have been something he was born with.

“But now, I can’t quite say I’ve repaid the debt I owe you. Protecting one’s attendant is a competitor’s duty, after all.”

Realizing Zephar didn’t intend to pursue the matter further, Eden quickly shook her head.

“That’s not true. If anything, I owe you, Duke.”

Zephar stared at her for a moment, then lifted the corners of his lips.

“Then it seems we owe each other a debt, Priestess.”

His tone remained light, as though he was trying not to burden her further.

And thankfully, Zephar didn’t bring up the monster-erasure ability either. Eden still had no idea how to explain that, so she was quietly grateful.

Not wanting to disregard his kindness, Eden offered a smile of her own.

“Well, now I have an excuse to keep seeing you, Duke.”

She had worried that he might refuse to speak with her again after she’d ruined his chances in the tournament. But with this, the Hunting Tournament episode could now be wrapped up as a success.

Zephar would be needed in future storylines, after all.

It left a bitter taste in her mouth to think that way while standing before someone genuinely concerned about her, but it was unavoidable.

Just then—thud—someone knocked on the infirmary door, then pushed it open without waiting for permission.

“……”

As if he’d known exactly where to find them, Asmun stood there, glaring coldly at Zephar.

Zephar, unfazed, dropped his smile.

“Seems the award ceremony is over,” he said, not even bothering to greet Asmun.

Instead, he turned to Eden and smiled, then walked over and gently lifted her hand.

“Of course, we’ll be seeing each other again. I’ll make sure to visit you, Priestess.”

With those soft-spoken words, Zephar brought his lips to the back of her hand. It was a kiss laced with reverence—respectful and solemn.

As expected, Asmun’s face stiffened at the gesture. Eden, too, froze in surprise.

Amidst the atmosphere that had instantly turned icy, Zephar alone remained composed, flashing one last smile at Eden before turning on his heel.

Their eyes met as he passed Asmun. The heat in their gazes was vastly different.

Still, since Asmun was royalty, Zephar bowed his head politely before brushing past him and leaving the room without hesitation.

“……”

Once the door closed, a tense silence settled over the infirmary.

Eden gingerly touched the back of her hand, where the warm pressure of Zephar’s kiss still lingered. As sudden as it was, a hand-kiss from such a beautiful man wasn’t the worst thing in the world.

Hmph. Must be part of the game setting too.

Still, for a strategy game, this sort of romantic scene felt awfully offbeat.

I don’t remember this happening in any of my previous playthroughs.

As Eden tilted her head in confusion, Asmun strode over and stood directly in front of her.

“What more business do you have with the Duke?”

It was a low, clipped question. Eden looked up to see the symbol of honor pinned on Asmun’s chest—the token awarded by the Emperor himself.

Truth be told, this was the first time the Hunting Tournament episode had ended in a victory. In all past playthroughs, the win had always gone to Karon.

He had finally won. Realizing that, Eden forgot the awkwardness from just moments ago and grabbed Asmun’s hand.

“You won!”

That absurd outburst caused Asmun’s previously rigid expression to crumble just slightly.

Even now, that’s all she’s thinking about…

He felt a storm of emotion churn inside as he looked at the woman who was more thrilled about his victory than he was.

“Does it really make you that happy?” he asked, voice dry.

Eden blinked, confused by the question.

“Huh? Aren’t you happy, Your Highness?”

Asmun stared at her face, still holding her hand.

He couldn’t give a clear answer. The emotions that stirred in his chest were too unfamiliar, too tangled for something as simple as ‘yes’ or ‘no.’

But as he continued to look at her radiant smile—

“I’m happy,” he said simply.

Eden, who had been bracing for another one of his emotional outbursts, lit up at that reply.

Asmun’s expression was still stoic, but it was warmer than what she’d seen during the festival banquet.

Well, of course he’d be in a good mood after utterly flipping Kyris’s scheme and coming out the victor. Maybe not as happy as she was, but close enough.

There was one more reason Eden was feeling so satisfied.

“I didn’t think you’d ask for the Reblum as your prize.”

He had set aside his pride and followed her advice.

Asmun gazed steadily at Eden, who was brimming with pride and smiling contentedly.

“I promised I’d become Emperor, didn’t I?”

 

Though Asmun’s reply was casual, it carried a heavy resolve. It was the kind of boldness Eden found herself thoroughly impressed with.

In truth, Asmun’s request for the Rebllum had thrown off Eden’s original plans. After all, there was a significant difference between the Emperor granting the Rebllum and Asmun asking for it.

By doing so, Asmun had effectively declared to the empire that he desired the throne, which meant Kyris would now move to eliminate him with everything he had. But that was fine.

Even with the situation twisted, Eden couldn’t bring herself to resent Asmun.

“You did well. Once the Rebllum is stabilized, everyone will have to acknowledge that Your Highness possesses the qualities of an emperor.”

Eden was fairly confident when it came to the Rebllum episode, having run through it several times using Kyris in previous playthroughs. She was already preparing a grander plan beyond the Rebllum—and things were shaping up favorably.

Eden, already smug with the thought of crushing Kyris, suddenly realized she was still holding Asmun’s hand. She moved to let go—only for Asmun to grip her hand tighter, refusing to release it.

Startled, she looked up at him, only to meet his steady red gaze. Despite the firmness of his grasp, his expression remained calm.

“Y-Your Highness…?”

“……”

“My hand…”

“Isn’t one person enough for you, Priestess?”

“Pardon…?”

“You’d best not waste your energy on others.”

Asmun’s voice was relaxed, but the words were unmistakably a warning.

The accuracy of his remark sent a chill down Eden’s spine.

“I’m the only one who can fulfill your wish.”

His gaze, now fully recovered from any previous instability, told Eden that Asmun had instinctively realized the truth behind her fate.

His destiny and her wish.

On the surface, they seemed to walk the same path—but between them lay a chasm.

Asmun knew she wasn’t merely moving in service to his destiny. Just like him, Eden had a mission of her own—one just as inescapable.

He stared at her intently, his eyes unwavering.

“I’m the only one who can walk that fate with you.”

“……”

“Don’t forget that.”

His large hand wrapped tightly around hers felt impossibly far away.

***

Though the grueling Hunting Tournament had finally ended, Eden still couldn’t relax in the carriage returning to the Grand Temple.

『【★】Basic Quest Complete!

You have eliminated one low-tier monster using the Low-Tier Monster Erasure ability!

Please select your reward:

<Prophecy Book / Item / Stat Increase>』

『【★】Basic Quest Complete!

Third Prince Asmun Declan has won the Imperial Hunting Tournament!

Please select your reward:

<Prophecy Book / Item / Stat Increase>』

Eden now had to decide what to choose for her two rewards—and that required careful thought.

She could roughly predict the story ahead, so it wasn’t like she needed the prophecy book right away. But the story could shift at any moment, and in such cases, the power of a prophecy book was nothing to scoff at.

To think she had two rewards and still felt this anxious…

“Human greed knows no bounds.”

She muttered to herself with a sigh, rubbing her throbbing temples.

The reward she wanted most was a stat increase—specifically, Holy Power. Without her healing ability, Asmun wouldn’t have recovered, and if he hadn’t recovered, he wouldn’t have won.

In this world, stamina was practically synonymous with power.

Recalling the way her vision had spun as she healed Asmun, Eden knew she couldn’t afford to overlook Holy Power anymore.

“Screw it. Stat increase!”

She gave in to impulse and shouted her choice.

“Holy Power!”

A clear chime rang out, and the reward screen shifted.

『You have selected Stat Increase: Holy Power.

Your Holy Power has increased by +10.』

Beneath that, Eden’s profile glimmered into view.

『Eden Liliart – Lv.5

Intelligence: 30
Strength: 25
Influence: 0
Magic: 30
Holy Power: 40

Title: Apprentice Priestess of the High Elb Temple』

Her stats had improved dramatically from the pitiful values she started with. Staring at her Holy Power finally hitting 40, Eden exhaled softly through her nose.

She didn’t suddenly feel holier or filled with divine spirit, but just seeing the number was oddly reassuring. Something told her she’d be using her healing ability a lot more from now on.

“All right. That’s it for stats…”

Now, as for the other reward…