Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game?

As the gatekeeper stepped aside, Eden pushed the open door further and stepped inside.

The High Priest’s office was accessed through a door guarded by the gatekeeper, leading up a small circular staircase. Though she climbed these stairs daily, today they felt endlessly long simply because someone was inside.

Upon reaching the top, she saw Serman, the High Priest, just as he was taking out a book from the library. His flowing lavender hair was familiar—indeed, it was truly the High Priest.

‘It’s like seeing a celebrity.’

Ever since entering the game world, Eden had come to understand just how popular the High Priest was in Hesmore. Everyone praised him as a capable, kind, and reliable figure, and some even trusted him more than the Emperor.

Especially among the citizens of the capital, it was commonly said that they could sleep peacefully thanks to the High Priest. It was no wonder he was treated like a divine presence.

Eden took a deep breath and then spoke.

“Hello, High Priest. I’m here to clean.”

As she bowed, Serman turned to her. Soon, his gentle voice followed.

“Sister Eden.”

Hearing her name so suddenly, Eden lifted her head in surprise. There, Serman was looking at her with a kind smile.

“Oh, hello.”

She greeted him again. It was surprising that he knew her name, but upon thinking about it, it made sense. Even Karon, the Holy Knight Captain, knew her. Not only had she attended the Founding Banquet, but it was also Serman whom Ivatan, the Chancellor, had asked to arrange a meeting with her. Of course, he would recognize her.

“Ah, are you feeling better?”

At his words, Eden blinked in confusion.

Her body? Was she injured somewhere?

Realizing her confusion, Serman chuckled softly and added,

“During the banquet…”

Ah. Now she understood and felt a little embarrassed. Of course, the High Priest had been there at the Founding Banquet.

He was also the one who had ordered that she be allowed to stay in the Imperial Palace for a day if she wished, or that a carriage be prepared for her return.

“Oh, ah… Yes, I’m fine. Thanks to you.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Serman smiled warmly. He was just as young, dignified, and gentle as she had seen at the banquet.

His lavender hair, which almost looked silver in some light, had an ethereal quality, and his deep purple eyes held an enigmatic power. He was truly like a character straight out of a fantasy novel or game.

He was even incredibly handsome—it was strange that he wasn’t one of the main characters in the game.

Well, if he were a recruitable character, the game would be too easy.

“You came at the right time. A message just arrived from the palace.”

At his words, Eden’s eyes widened. Serman walked to his desk, picked up a letter, and handed it to her.

“This is for you.”

As he smiled, Eden quickly composed herself and approached him.

“Thank you.”

She accepted the letter and immediately checked the writing on the envelope.

e.

It was indeed addressed to her.

Eden had already learned that she was an orphan in this world and had grown up in a rural temple before coming to the Haelv Temple. However, this letter wasn’t from her old temple. If it had been, it wouldn’t have been delivered through the High Priest first.

That meant it could only be from one person.

“……”

She wanted to open it immediately, but the situation didn’t allow for it. As she struggled to suppress the urge and tried to shove the letter into her pocket, Serman spoke kindly.

“You can read it now.”

“…Pardon?”

“Important letters shouldn’t be put off.”

Ah. At his words, Eden hesitated, then carefully took the letter back out.

Perhaps it was his high-ranking status, but Serman had a way of making people nervous even when he wasn’t doing anything. Not even Asmun, the Third Prince, had given her this kind of tension.

‘Maybe it’s his age. Serman seems like the oldest character aside from the Emperor.’

With that thought, Eden tore open the envelope and took out the letter inside.

“……”

Her eyes quickly scanned the contents.

As expected, the sender was Ivatan.

He was formally requesting a meeting with her and assured her that he would handle all the necessary procedures. He also informed her of the date for her next palace visit—four days from now. A carriage would be sent for her.

‘I knew it.’

The thought that she had successfully passed Ivatan’s strict selection made her lips curve slightly.

“It seems to be good news.”

Hearing Serman’s gentle voice beyond the letter, Eden suddenly remembered he was still there. She quickly adjusted her expression and looked up.

“Ahaha… Yes.”

She smoothly folded the letter and slipped it into her pocket.

“Well, it seems I’ll be able to work more for Hamyun with the power given to me.”

Serman likely already knew about her ability. As expected, he nodded knowingly at her words.

“The fact that such a special ability was given to you must hold deep meaning from Hamyun. It is admirable that you have chosen not to ignore it.”

“It was only possible because you did not dismiss my request, High Priest.”

Eden replied smoothly, earning another smile from Serman. It was mere flattery, but not entirely untrue.

She was genuinely impressed that someone as high-ranking as the High Priest had listened to a mere apprentice priest without hesitation. Of course, as a High Priest, treating others equally with great kindness was likely part of his character settings.

“If you ever need assistance or face difficulties, please let me know. I will support your courage.”

“Thank you, I will.”

“And about the cleaning…”

Serman glanced around his already tidy office, looking slightly unsure. Eden quickly spoke up.

“I would like to continue cleaning until the assigned date.”

Serman turned back to her, his sharp gaze examining her.

“I can handle it. This is something I promised to do. My primary duty is to serve as a priest of the Haelv Temple, and I believe I should fulfill my duties before moving on to other tasks.”

Of course, this was a lie.

This was just a game, and her real job wasn’t being a priest. Ideally, she would have liked to reduce her cleaning duties. But for some reason, she wanted to make a good impression on Serman.

‘Even if he’s not a romance route character, he might be useful in the future.’

Besides, there wasn’t much cleaning left to do.

As Eden firmly insisted, Serman silently observed her for a moment before smiling.

“Then, please proceed.”

“Yes!”

Eden responded energetically and immediately started cleaning. Serman watched her briefly before returning to his desk to resume his work. An awkward silence filled the room as the cleaning continued.

Though Serman quickly immersed himself in his tasks as if she weren’t there, Eden kept glancing at him until she finally finished and left the office.

“Hah… It felt like a teachers’ office.”

Shuddering at the memory of cleaning teachers’ offices in the past, she prayed that she wouldn’t run into Serman during the next cleaning session.

As she walked back to her dormitory, she pulled out Ivatan’s letter again.

“Four days from now…”

Muttering the date of her next palace visit, Eden looked up at the darkening sky.

She didn’t know if things were going smoothly, but there was no turning back now.

***

A piercing shriek rang out.

Kyaaak—!

“Urgh!”

With a sickening sound, blood splattered in every direction.

Seated atop his horse, Asmun watched with an impassive expression as one of his subordinates swiftly cut down a charging monster.

“This place is exactly as rumored—swarming with beasts.”

Ronpel, who had already slain about fifty monsters since they arrived in Lebeim, scowled in irritation. The corpses of slain monsters littered the mountain paths they had traversed.

“Do you really think something as incredible as that is hidden here?”

Ronpel wiped away the blood splattered on his face and looked doubtful.

Rather than answering immediately, Asmun turned his gaze toward the trees, which had been slashed apart in battle.

Lebeim was truly as terrible as its reputation claimed. The harsh cold, the treacherous terrain, the dense and stubborn trees growing despite the environment—and, worst of all, the monsters lurking in every corner.

Even he found it difficult to believe Eden’s words.

But…

That absurd statement still echoed in his mind.

It was ridiculous to trust a mere apprentice priestess who hadn’t even officially ascended to her rank. Believing in her was even more absurd than believing in the gods.

And yet… the eyes that had spoken those words had not been absurd.

Eden had saved him twice already, and Asmun could no longer deny that she was

.