Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? Chapter 82

The moment she heard that familiar low voice, Eden’s breath caught. It was Karon.

‘I didn’t sense him at all…!’

Eden steadied her breath and quietly spoke.

“It’s me, Captain.”

She felt Karon exhale softly behind her. Eden gathered her courage and slowly turned around.

Once he confirmed her face, Karon quickly lowered his sword.

“Priest.”

At the startled call, Eden offered an awkward smile.

“What are you doing here at this hour…?”

Eden was about to explain when voices rang out from farther inside the building.

“The door’s open? Is someone in there?”

Karon started to turn, but Eden quickly grabbed the collar of his uniform and yanked him behind a nearby pillar in a panic.

He allowed himself to be pulled without resistance, ending up pressed against the pillar with Eden standing far too close in the narrow space.

“……”

Karon looked down at her, visibly flustered. The cramped space left little room between them.

As footsteps approached, Karon quickly composed himself and pulled Eden deeper into the shadows, shielding her completely with his body to ensure not even a sliver of her was exposed.

Gasp.

Eden, surprised by how calm he was, found herself the one flustered instead.

“I’ve never seen the sealed chapel open before.”

“See? I told you I had a good feeling today.”

“You think we’ll really get the blooming ability by praying here?”

The voices were anxious. Eden quickly realized the newcomers had come seeking the final priestly selection—just like she had.

“If we’re caught coming in here, our titles as priests will be revoked.”

One of them muttered in concern. From that, Eden gathered they weren’t trainee priests like her.

‘So they’re full-fledged priests.’

Well, it made sense. Being selected meant becoming a high priest immediately and receiving special treatment within the temple. No wonder the spot was coveted.

“There’s no smoke without fire, right? I hear the Grand Sanctuary’s full of secrets even the High Priest hasn’t uncovered.”

“Shh, someone might hear.”

“It’s just us, who cares.”

The priests bickered for a bit, then grew quiet—presumably beginning their prayers.

All the while, Eden and Karon remained pressed close, hidden from view.

From the priests’ behavior, Karon could easily infer why Eden was here at this hour. To increase her divine power.

‘I’ve heard some people seek out temple secrets to strengthen their divine power, but for the priest to do so herself…’

Eventually, the priests stirred. The sound of movement signaled the end of their prayers.

“This is my first time seeing the sealed chapel—it’s actually nice. Why’s it off-limits?”

“Good question. Should we come again tomorrow?”

No!

Eden screamed silently, and Karon glanced at her.

“Oh, did you hear that rumor? About a trainee priest named Eden.”

Eden’s eyes widened. Her name had suddenly come up.

“You mean that she was involved in the Reblum incident?”

“Yeah, she’s gotten herself into a real mess.”

What do they mean, a mess?

Eden frowned.

“The Captain’s going to give the High Priest hell again.”

Oh no.

Now even Karon was being dragged into it. Eden stole a glance at him, but his expression remained unreadable, his eyes fixed calmly ahead.

“Why the Captain though?”

“He’s been trying to convince the Emperor to let the temple purify Reblum under official sanction, remember?”

Eden’s heart sank. She hadn’t known that at all.

“The High Priest is already overloaded—why should he care about some remote city? He’s busy just maintaining the capital’s defenses.”

“Apparently, the Captain made multiple requests to authorize an expedition to Reblum.”

“Geez, what a pain. Does he think the Grand Sanctuary is just sitting idle with nothing to do?”

Enough already… shut up…!

Eden, growing increasingly anxious, kept glancing nervously at Karon. But he remained perfectly still, neither angry nor visibly disturbed—just unreadable.

“And now that the Third Prince resolved the Reblum incident and a trainee priest was involved too? No wonder the Captain’s mad. He probably wanted that credit for himself.”

“The High Priest must be really frustrated. That trainee’s clearly overstepping her bounds.”

“Seriously. Just because she knows a bit about monster lore, she’s acting like she’s all that. She’s just a trainee.”

Ugh, those bastards…

Eden’s face flushed with embarrassment and fury. Karon quietly tightened his hand around her shoulder, steadying her.

“……”

She had no idea all of that had been going on in the background.

Eden’s heart thudded faintly from the flood of new information.

Karon wasn’t the kind of person they made him out to be. But it was true that the relationship between him and the High Priest hadn’t been a good one.

“This kind of chance doesn’t come often—should we sneak in and take a look?”

“It’s late. If we get caught, it’ll be serious. Let’s go.”

Finally, the sounds of their departure echoed, and Eden let out a long, shaky breath.

Damn it… please don’t come back tomorrow…

Just then, Karon spoke softly.

“Priest.”

Startled, Eden looked up at him. After overhearing all that gossip, she didn’t know what to say. But before she could come up with anything, Karon spoke again.

“I heard about your efforts in Reblum. You truly did find Ella.”

He said this with a faint, warm smile.

Eden stared at his gentle expression—so serene it seemed holy—and couldn’t help but smile back, just a little.

“Oh. I should’ve reported to you as soon as I got back. I’m sorry for the delay, Captain. It’s all thanks to you.”

“Not at all. Everything was your doing, Priest.”

Karon didn’t press her on anything, and thanks to that, Eden’s heart felt significantly lighter. She began speaking freely, even without being asked.

“The truth is, I heard a rumor that praying here increases divine power. I feel a bit embarrassed.”

“I wasn’t aware of such a rumor. But… wouldn’t that be an unnecessary one for you, Priest?”

At his polite question, Eden gave an awkward little smile.

“Not at all. I’m still just a trainee priest, far from capable.”

“But you’re someone chosen by Hamyun.”

As Karon repeated what he had once said before, Eden felt a strange emotion stir within her. She had assumed earning Karon’s trust would be extremely difficult.

“Do you… trust me?”

Her quiet question hung in the air. Karon gazed at her silently through the dark.

Eden became keenly aware once again of how close they were. And yet, Karon showed no signs of awkwardness or embarrassment.

“Reblum had been a growing source of unrest, and if it had been left alone, it might’ve become irreparable.”

“……”

“You appeared at such a time and truly saved Reblum. How could I not trust someone like you?”

His voice was gentle as he said it.

“But you really mustn’t wander places like this at night. As you heard, this chapel is off-limits. If you’re caught, you’ll lose your title.”

His words were, in their own way, a tacit acknowledgment: he was turning a blind eye this time.

Eden smiled gratefully.

“I’ll be careful.”

From her answer, Karon understood that Eden had no intention of giving up on this place.

He hesitated briefly, then opened his mouth, as if carefully choosing his words.

“Priest.”

His low voice was weighted and calm.

“Do you truly want to know how to raise your divine power?”

Eden’s eyes lit up. Of course she did. Just by asking that, it meant Karon knew a method.

And as the captain of the Holy Knights, the man second only to the High Priest in divine power, it made perfect sense that he would know how.

“Yes. I want to know.”

Her answer was immediate and unwavering. Karon quietly stared at her, then opened his lips.

“The method is…”

“……”

“To come into contact with someone possessing strong divine power.”

…Huh?

Eden stiffened, stunned by the completely unexpected answer. Karon gently placed his hands on both her shoulders.

“If that person is willing to share their divine power…”

He slowly lowered his head. She felt the touch of his lips on her forehead.

Soft.

A warm, ticklish sensation brushed her skin.

“You’ll definitely gain divine power.”

Karon whispered, and right on cue, three system chimes rang out.

『【★】You’ve received a Holy Knight’s kiss. Divine power +10.』

『【★】Main Quest Complete!
: You’ve increased your divine power and acquired the blooming ability!
<Prophecy Book / Items / Stats>』

『【★】You’ve acquired the skill “Hamyun’s Flower.”
You can now bloom the Flower of Blessing with your hand.』

Too shocked to check the quest window, Eden simply stared at Karon.

That divine power could be transferred through skinship? This game was seriously not normal.

Karon, having pulled back from her forehead, was now gazing at her with his usual gentle eyes.

“This is my pledge of loyalty to you, Priest.”
*****

The following day, Eden went straight to Serman.

“High Priest. I am the final priest for the Solar Festival.”

Her bold declaration left not only Serman, but also the attending priests, staring at her in surprise.

Serman looked at her for a moment, then asked calmly,

“Can you prove it, right here?”

Eden nodded confidently and raised her palm high.

Everyone held their breath and focused their gaze on her hand.

Gasp.

A flower of ethereal blue light bloomed in Eden’s palm, and someone audibly choked in astonishment.

Serman looked slightly surprised, then responded in a composed voice.

“The final priest has appeared. Proceed with the Solar Festival as planned.”

At his order, the priests bowed in unison.

“Yes, High Priest!”

Meeting Serman’s warm gaze, Eden returned a confident smile of her own.