Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? Chapter 78

“Priest, thank you so much. Thank you…… I truly thought I’d never see Ella again… sob…”

Tethes wept like a child, bowing repeatedly to Eden in gratitude. The sight stirred something in Eden’s heart.

She was truly relieved to have found Ella. A pure sense of joy and relief welled up inside her, completely unrelated to any quest or reward.

“No, I’m just glad we found Ella.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Priest…! I really don’t know how I can ever repay you… sniff…”

Tethes wiped away his tears with his rough hands and hastily pulled something out from his chest.

“This is small, but… please accept it, Priest.”

Taken aback by the sudden gift, Eden waved her hands in refusal. Just resolving the Reblum episode by finding Ella was reward enough.

“Ah, no. I didn’t do it expecting something like this.”

“Please. It would ease my heart, Priest. This isn’t nearly enough for the life of my daughter. It’s the most precious thing I have. A necklace said to bring good luck.”

Despite Eden’s reluctance, Tethes forced the item into her hand, then picked up Ella and hoisted her onto his back.

“And if by any chance—though I’m sure you won’t need it—if you ever require my help, please come find me. I, Tethes, swear on the name of Pabelov that I’ll aid you without fail!”

He gave a deep bow and turned away.

“Bye, Priest Lady!”

Ella, riding on her father’s back, waved vigorously with a tinge of sadness. Eden quickly smiled and waved back.

Only after the two had disappeared from view did Eden stop waving and look down at what had been placed in her hand.

She really hadn’t done it expecting anything in return.

Strangely, however, a feeling more rewarding and moving than any reward she’d received before welled up inside her.

“Why is this unnecessarily emotional…”

Eden stifled what felt like tears welling up and sniffled.

What Tethes had given her was a delicate ring set with a tiny red gem.

It didn’t look like a particularly valuable mana stone, but Tethes had said it was the most precious thing he owned, and that made accepting it feel a bit burdensome.

Of course, she also understood his desire to express gratitude, so handing it back right away didn’t seem right either.

“I’ll keep it safe and return it before I go back…”

Eden was about to put it in her pocket but worried she might lose it, so she took off the necklace she was wearing and threaded the ring onto its chain.

It was the mana stone necklace bestowed by the Emperor. Though it had lost most of its power after being used once, she still wore it out of regard for the imperial gift.

“This way I won’t lose it.”

Eden, satisfied, looked at the necklace now holding two pendants—when a shadow fell over her.

Sensing someone, she looked up and froze at the sight of Asmun standing in front of her.

“Y-Your Highness.”

Asmun, expressionless, was silently staring at the ring dangling from Eden’s necklace.

“Ah, this. Well… Ella’s father gave it as thanks… He’s a blacksmith.”

Eden stammered awkwardly, and only then did Asmun’s gaze lift to her face. He quietly observed her averted eyes and then finally spoke.

“Where is he?”

At his calm question, a chill ran down Eden’s spine. The inevitable had come. There was no need to ask who he meant by “he.”

“…In the room.”

Eden’s voice was barely a whisper. Asmun’s face hardened ominously.

“You mean… the Priest’s quarters?”

At that, Eden awkwardly looked away. It wasn’t something she could help.

”You said I could stay with you after we returned to the ship.”

She had made that promise herself. She couldn’t just drive Hegenti back to that ruined castle.

Moreover, Hegenti had made significant contributions in this episode. His unhesitating restoration of the ship at her request had even been moving.

But as a result, not only Asmun but also his subordinates had developed a visible curiosity about Hegenti, prompting Eden to hide him away in her quarters.

She never anticipated that Hegenti would leave the castle and come find her at this point, and now Eden’s head felt like it was about to explode.

“Who is he? He’s not affiliated with the temple.”

His softly probing voice was cold.

She had described Hegenti’s appearance and asked the temple if they knew of a mage with such magical power, but they seemed completely unaware.

Despite resolving the Reblum incident, Asmun’s mood remained at rock bottom because Hegenti had stuck to Eden’s side like a shadow the entire time.

“……”

Eden swallowed hard and slowly began to speak.

“He’s someone Your Highness will need in order to become Emperor.”

Asmun’s face grew even colder, but Eden pressed on with the excuse she had prepared.

“As you saw that day, he’s a capable mage. If I’d been alone, things could’ve gone very badly.”

“What is his name?”

Despite his grim expression, Asmun’s voice was relaxed. If the mage was truly that remarkable, his name would surely appear on the Tower’s registry.

Knowing his intent, Eden took a breath and then calmly answered. She had wrestled with the decision of whether or not to hide Hegenti’s existence countless times…

“Hegenti.”

At her response, Asmun’s brows furrowed.

“Hegenti,” she repeated.

As Eden repeated the name, Asmun’s eyes froze momentarily.

Asmun, of course, knew of the Archmage Hegenti. But as far as he knew, that renowned Archmage had vanished fifty years ago—and no one had seen him since.

“…You mean the Archmage?”

Asmun asked incredulously, and Eden nodded.

It seemed the best way to convince Asmun. Given his personality, he would never accept Eden defending someone unless they had serious value.

“…Did Hamyun tell you this as well?”

After a brief hesitation, Eden nodded again. Continuing the lie pricked her conscience, but there was no other choice.

“No one else can know who Hegenti really is.”

She hastily added, and Asmun fell silent for a moment.

If it became known that Hegenti had returned, it would certainly cause an uproar. His very existence was monumental. The imperial court—no, even Kyris—would go to any lengths to recruit him to their side.

That was precisely what Asmun couldn’t understand.

Why would someone like that…

“Why is he helping you, Priest?”

That question caught Eden off guard. Honestly, she didn’t have a clear answer herself. Was it just the way things were scripted? Because she, as a hidden character, was the first to discover him? Or…

“I… saved Hegenti.”

It was a strange answer, but from that alone, Asmun quickly inferred the nature of their relationship. So, Eden hadn’t been given salvation exclusively—Hegenti had received it from her too.

A deep, gnawing displeasure welled up in his throat, but Asmun calmly swallowed it down and spoke again.

“So, are you just going to leave him like that?”

His voice was cold, and Eden hesitated before finally speaking cautiously.

“I was hoping Your Highness could take care of Hegenti for a while.”

“No.”

Hegenti, who had been stuck in Eden’s room all day restraining his desire to be by her side, was given the same suggestion Eden had made to Asmun—but his answer was identical.

“Yeah… figured as much…”

Eden gave a resigned, weary smile. Asmun, too, had responded without even a second’s hesitation.

”I refuse.”

Both men gave firm, unequivocal answers, leaving Eden at a complete loss once again.

She had to return to the temple now, and Asmun had to remain in Reblum for a while to wrap things up.

Hegenti refused to go back to the castle, but she couldn’t very well take him to the temple either.

She still didn’t fully grasp Serman’s intentions, and thus couldn’t afford to expose Hegenti’s presence.

‘Come to think of it… does Serman know Hegenti left the castle…?’

Eden glanced at Hegenti. He was staring at her, unwavering.

‘I never imagined Hegenti would leave the castle on his own…’

Still, in the end, it had been Hegenti’s appearance at the crucial moment that allowed her to complete the episode safely.

‘This must also be part of the predetermined story.’

Whatever the reason, one thing was certain—Hegenti had developed an attachment to her. If this was how the story was meant to go, then she’d have to make use of him a little longer—whether she liked it or not.

“Hegenti. You saw that day—I have things I need to do.”

Her voice was resolute, and Hegenti looked quietly at her.

“When it’s all over, I’ll stay by your side without hurting you.”

At those words, Hegenti’s usually impassive eyes subtly deepened. Eden’s strategy had clearly worked.

‘It’s not even a lie, really. I will heal him—once I get the advanced healing skills.’

Trying to justify herself, Eden held his gaze.

“So I want you to help me finish everything safely.”

As she looked at Hegenti’s power again, Eden came to a new realization—he was also a target for strategy.

Hegenti’s abilities were essential for Asmun’s path to the throne, and for her own path as well—he could pave every road she needed like a high-speed pass.

After a brief silence, Hegenti spoke.

“What do I have to do?”

Eden tried not to sound too eager as she answered.

“First of all, help ensure that the Third Prince ascends the throne and brings about a peaceful reign—”

“No.”