Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? Chapter 83

“…That trainee priest is the final chosen priest?”

Kyris let out a cold laugh, his tone steeped in disbelief.

“Yes, Your Highness. Fortunately, it seems the Solar Festival will proceed as scheduled thanks to her.”

At his subordinate’s reply, Kyris’s half-smile abruptly turned sharp. He slowly rose from his seat, grabbed the glass in front of him, and hurled it violently.

CRASH!

The glass struck the wall with force and shattered, shards scattering everywhere. His attendants instantly stiffened, lips sealed.

“‘Fortunately’?! You damn fool. Can you not grasp the situation at all?!”

“M-My apologies, Your Highness!”

“Damn it! What is that girl?! That cursed—!”

Kyris couldn’t contain his rage. He threw anything within reach before finally collapsing back onto the sofa, dragging a hand through his hair.

“I should’ve killed her back then.”

His eyes glinted with murderous intent.

Because of the Reblum incident, several of Kyris’s connections had been implicated. He’d had to toil for days just to sever the ties and minimize the damage.

Not only that, but merchants and entrepreneurs linked to him had been swept up in the crackdown, cutting off several crucial sources of funding. All of it—Asmun’s doing, and the trainee priest had been involved every step of the way. There was no doubt that Asmun’s meteoric rise began the moment she entered the picture.

And now that irritating priest had been selected again?

Kyris was furious enough to burst. His blood boiled to the top of his head.

“Fine. Maybe it’s better this way. It was bound to come to this eventually.”

He swiped a hand across his flushed face, trying to regain composure. At least, he consoled himself, not a single dark mage had been caught.

He didn’t care what happened to Reblum. Though he had ties to Eloch, he had already tied off loose ends. Thankfully, he hadn’t visited that wretched fighting ring that day—truly a stroke of luck.

If anything, it felt like the heavens were on his side.

“Preparations are in place?”

A nervous aide quickly stepped forward and answered.

“Yes, Your Highness. At last, they’ve succeeded in summoning the beast. We’ve also procured the weapons you’ll use. Large numbers will be stationed in the plaza that day as well. There should be no cause for concern. Shall we proceed with the plan during the Solar Festival as scheduled?”

Kyris, his composure returning, stared coolly into space before responding.

“That’s not enough. Tell them to release a swarm of gargoyles at the festival.”

“…Excuse me? Y-Your Highness, but… wouldn’t that make things far too complicated? The Solar Festival is a religious celebration. Most mages won’t even attend—”

The subordinate tried carefully to reason with him.

Mages had little rapport with priests and rarely involved themselves in politics. Aside from the palace mages, there would be no others on site. If gargoyle-class monsters suddenly appeared, the knights alone would hardly be sufficient to contain the chaos. And the plaza would be packed—shoulder-to-shoulder with civilians.

“Exactly. The more chaotic it is, the better it is for me.”

“But, Your Highness… the plaza’s structure is restrictive. If things spiral out of control, even you could be endangered—”

“You idiot. You think they can’t handle a mere swarm of gargoyles? Their power goes beyond what we imagine. Tell them to stir up the chaos just enough—and then rein it in when the time is right.”

“…”

“If that bastard Asmun becomes emperor, they will suffer most. That’s why they’ll stop at nothing to make me emperor.”

A crooked smile twisted across Kyris’s lips.

“Tell them this. No matter what happens, protect His Majesty the Emperor.”

Then, slowly exhaling a breath, Kyris continued.

“Everyone else in the Empire… they can die.”

His eyes glistened with a sickly gleam.

“The more blood spilled in the plaza, the better. The greater the sacrifice, the deeper the memory will burn.”

His face, now back to its usual shade, wore a twistedly smug smile.
****

“I’ll take that one.”

Eden pointed confidently at the necklace displayed at the front of the gift shop.

“Priest, you have excellent taste! That’s the last magic-stone necklace in stock. It’s made with lower-grade stones, but the craftsmanship is exquisite.”

“Really?”

“Oh, yes! It was incredibly hard to get. And it’ll look perfect with your fair skin, Priest!”

Eden simply gave a small smile.

The necklace wasn’t for her—it was a gift for Rita. With Rita’s clear, fair complexion, it would suit her perfectly.

“Please wrap it nicely.”

Because of Rita, Eden had not only met Karon at the old chapel and increased her divine power, but also learned how to keep increasing it. She had to get her a decent gift—there was no question. Not to mention, she’d already received so much help.

While waiting for the gift to be wrapped, Eden browsed the shop, her gaze landing on a certain small object.

“Hmm…”

As she stared at the trinket, a conversation nearby caught her attention.

“It’s all thanks to the Third Prince that Reblum turned around.”

The mention of Asmun made Eden’s eyes light up. She pricked up her ears while pretending not to care.

“Only someone like His Highness the Third Prince could’ve taken down those monsters.”

“Yeah, I admit it. My view of him changed after this. And they say Reblum’s recovering rapidly? It’s impressive.”

Hearing such direct praise of Asmun from the people made Eden’s heart swell with uncontainable pride.

To become emperor, one needed the emperor’s trust—but winning the people’s hearts was just as vital.

“After what happened with the Second Empress, it was disheartening to see her lose all drive and ambition…”

“Yeah, Her Majesty the Second Empress was certainly a good person.”

The smile lingering on Eden’s lips faded slightly at the mention of the Second Empress.

She’d forgotten, amid Asmun’s fierce political world, but his character setting was clear.

A prince who, upon losing his mother, also lost his secure nest—bullied by his half-brothers as he grew up.

Maybe that’s why the nickname As felt so…

“So, are you saying you’re switching your bet to His Highness the Third Prince now?”

“Ugh, no way! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. His Highness the First Prince is still around, isn’t he…?”

At that, Eden’s brow arched sharply.

“Weren’t you the one saying they couldn’t have caught those bastards without the Third Prince?”

“Hey, that’s one thing. But a bet’s a bet! Just cleaning up Reblum doesn’t mean he can become Emperor. Do you know how many monsters His Highness the First Prince has subjugated? How many people he’s protected?”

“Exactly my point. There’s no way His Majesty the Emperor would name the Third Prince as crown prince. In terms of legitimacy and everything else, the First Prince has the clear edge.”

“It’s a shame, but yeah. The Third Prince only started making waves recently. For the Empire’s sake, it’s better that the more legitimate heir becomes crown prince…”

The two men, previously chatting with enthusiasm, abruptly fell silent when they noticed Eden glaring daggers at them.

Just then, the shopkeeper approached with the finished gift.

“Here you are, Priest.”

Without even glancing at him, Eden pointed at the item that had caught her eye earlier.

“Wrap this one too. Nicely.”

Arms crossed, Eden waited for the second gift to be wrapped. This time, it didn’t take long, and the package was promptly brought to her.

Still stunned by her sharp presence, the two men dared not resume their talk and simply glanced at her nervously.

“You made a fine purchase, Priest. No regrets—truly.”

Accepting the wrapped gift, Eden turned toward the two men still browsing the displays, carefully avoiding eye contact.

The surprised men flinched as she approached.

“If you want to win your bet…”

Eden shot them a piercing look, then broke into a sweet smile.

“Better put your money on the prince who has actual ability, not some ‘legitimate’ nonsense. That’s all.”

Leaving the dumbfounded men behind, Eden exited the shop with a light step.

As she strolled across the vast plaza toward her next destination, her expression grew heavier.

It’s still not impactful enough.

She let out a quiet sigh.

No matter what had happened in Reblum, for common folk living day to day, it wasn’t something they had personally experienced. So even if Asmun was out there catching villains, it wouldn’t make a deep impression.

In the end, impact was everything.

She needed a way to leave a lasting impression—something that would etch Asmun’s name into the minds of the people once and for all.

“Welcome.”

Eden had arrived at her destination and was guided to her reserved seat.

The restaurant she entered was said to be the most expensive in the capital, and she instantly understood why upon being seated.

“Wow.”

She softly gasped as she took in the panoramic view of the plaza.

The restaurant had been built atop a tall tower overlooking the square, offering a full, sweeping view of its expanse.

It was far more grand than any illustration she’d seen could have conveyed.

Tall pillars stood in a wide circle, and the sky above was vast and unobstructed.

It was such a massive space that, when crowded, it could easily hold hundreds—maybe even thousands.

It’s already packed even now.

Below, nobles and commoners alike, men and women, young and old—people of every sort bustled about, living their lives.

If something happens here… it really would be horrific.

The mere thought gave her chills, and she instinctively surveyed her surroundings once more.

The plaza was larger than she’d expected, but if Ivatan kept his promise, perhaps a major disaster could still be avoided.

A heavy sense of responsibility settled on her chest—along with growing disgust toward Kyris, who was scheming such horrors. Regardless of Asmun’s ambitions, Kyris was utterly unfit to be Emperor.

I have to stop him. No matter what.

As Eden steeled her resolve—

“Priest.”