Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? – Chapter 70

Author: B0ucha

It was a sharp question—one Eden couldn’t possibly answer truthfully.

‘I can’t exactly say it was a reward item from a quest.’

Eden had succeeded in the quest to lead Hagenti out of the temple grounds. That day, as a reward, she’d received an item:

『You have selected an item as your reward. The player has received the item “One-Time Messenger Orb.”』

The orb allowed her to send a message to anyone she wished, and she had used it to send a letter to Zephar.

‘I didn’t expect him to arrive in just a day, though.’

Considering how reward items often accounted for upcoming events, it was clear that using Zephar to obtain an invitation had been a predetermined part of the story.

“Do you think someone carrying out Hamyun’s will wouldn’t be capable of at least this much?” Eden brazenly bluffed.

Asmon narrowed his eyes.

“This is our only option. I’m sure the Tuma will be held soon—we don’t have time.”

“The upcoming Tuma is only the first. There will be other chances.”

“No. We don’t have time,” Eden said firmly, eyes unwavering.

Of course, Asmon didn’t know yet—but Eden’s plans didn’t end with Reblum.

“That’s why I’m going to ask Duke Zephar for the invitation. And I’ll get it.”

Asmon looked into those stubborn eyes, then let out a quiet sigh before speaking.

“…Just this once.”

Eden’s eyes widened. He was yielding. The cold, iron-willed prince was giving an inch.

“Duke Yuren isn’t the kind of man you can use lightly. He doesn’t move unless there’s something in it for him.”

His dry tone, as if he could see straight through her intentions, made Eden flinch with guilt.

“It’s not using him. I’m making a sincere request.”

Asmon let out a soft, almost inaudible laugh.

“I wonder if the duke would see it that way. Regardless… if that’s your will, I’ll let it pass this time.”

With that cold warning, Asmon turned and headed back toward the drawing room. Eden quickly followed after.

As before, Zephar looked around the room without the slightest hint of discomfort or tension. When the two of them entered, he rose from his seat.

“Seems your conversation is finished.”

He offered a pleasant smile, showing no sign of offense or irritation.

Eden took a step forward and faced him.

“First of all, thank you so much for responding to my sudden request. I invited you here because… I have a favor to ask.”

Zephar, who had already expected this ever since receiving her message, nodded calmly without surprise.

“I see. May I hear the request before I answer?”

He smiled genially. Eden opened her mouth to explain—but Asmon beat her to it.

“We’ve learned that a merchant guild called Eloch is planning to begin a Tuma operation here in Reblum. We were hoping you might obtain an invitation to the arena. But if it’s too difficult, we understand.”

His explanation was curt and lacking, creating an awkward silence in the drawing room. Eden shot him a side-eye glare.

“So much for ‘letting it pass,’ you stubborn man…”

Despite the brief explanation, Zephar didn’t ask for clarification. Instead, he turned his gaze to Eden.

“Is it you who wants this invitation, Priestess?”

Eden immediately nodded.

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Zephar studied her with a curious expression, lost in thought for a moment. Eden’s stomach twisted with nerves.

Did he really understand what’s going on from that flimsy explanation? Does he know what Eloch is? What the invitation means?

As if answering her doubts, Zephar soon spoke in a composed voice.

“Yes. I’ve gathered the general situation.”

Eden, still tense, looked up at him. But contrary to her expectations, Zephar wore a rather complex expression.

“Before that—there’s something I’d like to ask, if that’s alright.”

“Of course.”

“I’m curious as to why you’re here, Priestess.”

Gasp.

The atmosphere in the room turned frigid. Asmon now had his eyes locked on Zephar, sharp and unyielding. But Zephar acted as if Asmon didn’t even exist, focusing solely on Eden.

It would look odd, of course—her being here in Reblum, at Asmon’s personal residence no less.

Eden took a breath to steady herself, then answered smoothly.

“Yes. I’ll answer you.”

That drew Asmon’s gaze toward her as well.

“His Highness the Third Prince is going to root out the criminal organizations plaguing Reblum.”

A blunt response. Zephar’s brow lifted with interest.

“I’m here because I want to help him.”

It was the absolute truth, without a single lie. Both Asmon and Zephar stared at her in mild surprise.

“I came because I believed I could be of assistance.”

Now Zephar would clearly understand that Eden had taken Asmon’s side. But pretending otherwise at this point would be laughable.

Eden had already chosen. She was already neck-deep. There was no need to hide that she was Asmon’s strategist anymore.

“I see.”

Zephar regarded her with a curious glint in his eyes, then nodded slowly.

“Understood. So you only need the invitation?”

His reply was as direct as it was decisive.

Eden smiled brightly and nodded.

“Yes! I knew you would help us, Duke!”

Zephar gave a gentle smile in return.

“The only one I’m helping is the priestess.”

At that, Asmon let out a small scoff through his nose. Eden, stiff as a board, forced an awkward smile.

“…Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

Zephar responded politely, then rose to take his leave.

“Once I secure the invitation, I’ll contact you right away.”

Only then did he finally glance at Asmon.

Their eyes met—but Asmon, rather than showing displeasure or annoyance, looked on with calm, leisurely eyes.

Zephar, too, offered a light, relaxed smile in return.

***

After Zephar left, Reblum Castle grew eerily quiet for a while.

“Ronpel. How’s the matter I instructed you about progressing?”

At Asmon’s calm question, Ronpel’s face turned awkward.

“Yes, Your Highness. We’re still searching, but…”

As he trailed off, Asmon, who had been buried in paperwork, finally looked up. Feeling the weight of that gaze, Ronpel straightened up with resolve and continued.

“We’ve investigated, but… it appears it’s impossible to find it within the Empire. There are rumors, however, that something resembling it has been spotted beyond the Healdron coast. With your permission, I’d like to go search personally.”

Asmon replied at a leisurely pace.

“Raid every pirate ship coming from the Healdron coast. Some fool probably brought it in without even knowing its value.”

Ronpel’s eyes widened with sudden understanding.

“I’ll say it again. It looks like a common gray ore. But look closely and you’ll see crimson veins running through it. Unless you know how to use it, it’s even less valuable than a low-grade mana stone, so it’ll likely be classified as the lowest tier.”

His merciless red eyes bore into Ronpel.

“Find it. No matter what.”

Ronpel swallowed hard and answered with determination.

“Yes, Your Highness! I’ll find it for sure!”

He bowed deeply and exited.

Left alone, Asmon skimmed through paperwork that didn’t even register in his eyes. Only when he’d turned the last page did he let out a quiet sigh and tilt his head back.

“…Haa.”

He pressed his fingers to his temples, eyes shut, but then, a familiar face flashed through his mind.

Zephar’s expression—his gaze clinging to Eden—passed by his memory like a cold wind.

There had been something far too familiar in those eyes. A look Asmon knew all too well.

Zephar’s interest in Eden was undoubtedly abnormal. The proof was in the fact that he’d flown all the way to Reblum after receiving a single letter.

He had to prevent Zephar and Eden from becoming entangled any further.

“….”

Glaring at the ceiling as if it were that damnable Duke himself, Asmon finally stood up and went to look for Eden.

If he didn’t confirm her presence within the castle that very moment, something inside him might just explode.

“Where is the priestess?”

After chasing down a few flustered guards, he found her at last—in a quiet, sunlit back garden.

There she was, seated at a wooden table, engrossed in something.

Only then did the boiling heat in his chest begin to settle.

“….”

Asmon stood still, not disturbing her, and simply watched from a distance where he could see her clearly.

Eden was scribbling on a sheet of paper, pausing, then writing again, clearly deep in thought.

“Hm…”

There had been a time when he doubted whether this woman harbored some dark, manipulative scheme—but now Asmon knew: Eden had truly staked everything on making him emperor.

If this was truly the will of the gods, then perhaps Asmon could even come to revere the deity who had sent Eden his way.

Eden had become that important to him.

Asmon stood frozen, continuing to watch her.

The way she groaned quietly in thought, furrowed her brows, and chewed on her lip…

It was ridiculous.

“…”

And endearing.

“Ha… dammit.”

Muttering softly, unaware that Asmon was watching, Eden gripped her quill with frustration.

The paper in her hand was covered in her scribbled plans.

[How to Wreck Kyris]