Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game?

“……”

Can I stop Asmun from becoming a tyrant?

The sudden anxiety that crossed her mind made Eden bite her lip. Her task wasn’t just to make Asmun the Emperor. She had to tame the anger and malice within him, prevent him from becoming a tyrant, and guide him to be a benevolent ruler who could save the empire.

But how?

That path, undoubtedly, would be harder than any game she had ever played.

As the image of his piercing crimson eyes resurfaced in her mind, her heart sank. If Asmun truly became a tyrant, there would be no turning back.

Even though the sharp pain in her chest had long faded, the faint ache returned, stinging just enough to remind her of her precarious position.

“Haha… it’s just a game, after all,” she muttered to herself.

Yet the thought of the empire reduced to ashes under Asmun’s reign sent chills down her spine. She felt her heartbeat quicken, its rhythm erratic.

Eden swallowed dryly.

“……”

The more dangerous and challenging a game was, the more thrilling it became. That was the universal rule of every game. Fear of failure couldn’t hold her back from taking action.

Eden slammed the book shut and stared at the empty air as if challenging the future itself.

“Let’s see who wins this game—you or me.”

Refueled by determination, Eden sought out Priest Mobrin.

“I need to meet the Chancellor. No, I must meet him.”

Her sudden statement startled Mobrin, who blinked in surprise.

“The Chancellor? Do you mean Chancellor Ivatan?”

“Yes.”

Eden nodded resolutely, her face firm with decision. After taking a deep breath, she spoke in a determined voice.

“I can provide information about monsters.”

Her nervous eyes sparkled with conviction.

“Information about every single monster currently existing on the continent.”

Contrary to her concerns about bureaucracy and lengthy procedures, things progressed surprisingly quickly.

In the chaotic aftermath of recent events, Sermon, who was still engaged in external affairs, heard Eden’s claim and immediately approved her request to visit the palace. Under Sermon’s authority, Eden underwent a few preliminary interviews and, within three days, was granted an audience with Ivatan.

“……”

And so, Eden found herself visiting the imperial palace once again.

Guided to the Chancellor’s office, Eden sat in the empty room, nervously awaiting its occupant. She never expected to face Ivatan like this.

The immaculate and subtly austere room bore a resemblance to its owner. As Eden stared at the two cups of herbal tea—one in front of her, the other across the table—the door clicked open.

Eden jumped to her feet and turned toward the sound, catching sight of the man entering the room.

It was Ivatan, the focus of her current quest.

The youngest Chancellor of Hesmor Empire and the empire’s foremost expert on monsters, Ivatan was a beacon of hope for the nation.

Many citizens believed that Ivatan would one day put an end to the monstrous coexistence that had plagued the continent for centuries. Indeed, since his appointment, the number of monsters eradicated had risen by an impressive 30%.

Eden gulped as she took in the sight of the man responsible for half the empire’s stability. His light brown hair, pale green eyes, and elegant features were as striking as ever.

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Eden recalled some of the passionate reviews she had come across, fans pouring their hearts out for this stoic man. She realized how extraordinary it was to meet him in person.

But his cold expression and faintly irritated demeanor spoke volumes. He seemed to have encountered some trouble before arriving here.

“……”

Eden cursed inwardly.

Ivatan stopped in his tracks when he saw Eden, likely recognizing her as the priestess involved in the commotion at the Founding Festival.

Their eyes met, and a translucent profile window appeared beside him.

Divine Power wasn’t just a measure of sacred abilities; it also reflected one’s faith. In the game, Divine Power became functional at 10, while a score of 5 indicated basic faith.

But Ivatan, like Asmun, completely lacked faith in the divine.

A cold tension ran down Eden’s back as Ivatan stared at her for a moment before striding toward the table where she sat.

“Good day, Chancellor,” Eden greeted him.

“Yes.”

As someone who had grown up in a culture of formal politeness, Eden subtly glared at Ivatan as he offered her a perfunctory greeting before pulling out his chair to sit.

“Please, have a seat,” he said curtly, his voice purely professional.

Eden forced a smile as she retook her seat.

Judging by his pallid complexion, Ivatan had likely been losing sleep over his overwhelming workload. Somehow, though, the exhaustion seemed to suit him.

“I heard you claim to have information about monsters,” Ivatan said, finally looking up from the document summarizing Eden’s background. His sharp eyes met hers.

“Is that true?”

His voice carried an unmistakable undertone of skepticism, which Eden found oddly familiar. Like Asmun, Ivatan clearly doubted her.

Given her involvement in the Founding Festival incident, his suspicion was understandable. Eden had anticipated this reaction and responded confidently.

“Yes, it’s true.”

It wasn’t a lie. After leveling up from clearing the monster at the festival, Eden had acquired a unique skill:

This ability allowed her to access detailed information on every monster in existence across the continent.

The skill was extraordinary, and Eden had confirmed there were no other known individuals with such an ability. Ivatan, the foremost expert on monsters, was the closest anyone came to her level of knowledge.

But revealing this skill carried risks. Attention from others—especially figures like the scheming Kyris—could become problematic. Despite her preference to stay under the radar, meeting Ivatan was necessary to progress the quest and obtain the prophecy book.

Because…

Asmun’s chilling words haunted her.

Eden felt a phantom ache in her chest as she cursed inwardly.

“How?” Ivatan’s skeptical gaze bore into her.

For 200 years since the Demon King’s sealing, monsters had continued to appear, remnants of his legacy. Hesmor Empire had tirelessly researched them to improve their strategies for extermination.

Even for someone like Ivatan, who possessed unparalleled knowledge of monsters, knowing

about them was impossible. That a mere novice priestess claimed to possess such information was absurd.

Still, Eden’s confidence was too bold to ignore.

“Do you want to know?” Eden asked coyly, her tone deliberate.

Ivatan’s expression hardened, irritation flashing across his face.

“I gave you this audience to find out. The only reason you’re sitting here is because of that claim,” he replied coldly.

Eden met his icy green eyes and smiled sweetly.

“Of course. I’ll tell you everything. You’ve graciously given me your time, after all.”

As she added a playful touch to her response, Ivatan’s expression darkened further. Ignoring his reaction, Eden casually picked up her now-cold teacup.

Apparently, just talking over tea wasn’t enough to fulfill the quest requirements. That left her with only one option.

“But before that…”

“……?”

“Why don’t you try some tea?”

A stunned silence filled the room. Ivatan raised a brow, glancing at Eden, who was smiling brightly.

“What…?”

“Please, have a sip,” she urged.

“You must be thirsty after coming here in such a rush. Enjoy some tea before we talk. There’s no hurry.”

“…I’ll pass.”

Ivatan suppressed his irritation and declined, but Eden wasn’t ready to give up.

Taking a deep breath, she spoke again in a calm, measured tone.

“Chancellor, if I may.”

“……?”

“This tea has made its way to your table after so much care and effort. Don’t you think it would be heartbroken if it were left untouched and allowed to grow cold?”