Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game?

Eden let out a small scoff. The prince before her was clearly attempting to engage in a battle of wits.

“But it’s just blood, isn’t it? Blood isn’t poisonous.”

“Normally, blood wouldn’t dissolve clothing.”

Eden’s eyes widened at that. It was true—parts of her blood-soaked clothes had partially dissolved. And as Asmun said, blood typically didn’t do that.

She covered her mouth with her hand in alarm. Now that she thought about it, a few drops might have entered her mouth.

“Could the venom from the fangs have mixed with the blood?”

It made sense. Looking back, she recalled feeling stiffness throughout her body over the past few days.

“Normally, poison that strong would spread throughout the body within a week.”

Eden’s expression grew increasingly horrified. It had been several days since the incident.

As Eden calculated the timeline in her head, Asmun chuckled lightly at her panic.

“Don’t worry. I’ve brought an antidote.”

True to his word, Asmun handed over a glass vial of antidote without hesitation. Though Eden was suspicious of his unusually cooperative demeanor, she reluctantly accepted the antidote he offered.

After all, if Asmun was aware of Count Retten’s intentions, he wouldn’t want Eden dead. Moreover, if he intended to kill her, he wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of coming to the temple.

“This… I just drink it, correct?”

Asmun nodded. Eden quickly uncorked the vial and prepared to down the contents in one go but hesitated.

Karon.

She hadn’t been the only one drenched in blood that day. Thinking of Karon, Eden furrowed her brows, and Asmun, observing her hesitation, broke the silence.

“Why aren’t you drinking it?”

Eden flinched at the sharp tone and turned to him. He was clearly offended, assuming she doubted him.

After hesitating for a moment, she spoke.

“Could… could I drink only half of it? Would it still be effective?”

Asmun stared at her, clearly puzzled by the question, as though demanding an explanation. Knowing she couldn’t afford to sow unnecessary suspicion, Eden decided to be honest.

“That day, the Holy Knight Commander was also drenched in Tannir’s blood. If it’s truly such a dangerous poison…”

At the mention of Karon, Asmun’s expression subtly shifted. Sensing this, Eden hurriedly added.

“The Holy Knight Commander is an indispensable figure in the Hesmor Empire. If anything were to happen to him, the Empire would suffer greatly…”

“I’ll ensure an antidote is sent to him as well.”

Asmun’s curt response left Eden momentarily stunned. Of course, as a prince, Asmun wouldn’t be unaware of Karon’s importance.

Relieved by Asmun’s understanding, Eden nodded and expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do after you’ve safeguarded my honor.”

Eden realized then that Asmun was about to bring up Count Retten. She clutched the antidote bottle tightly, holding her breath.

“The priest was right.”

Asmun’s steady gaze remained fixed on Eden.

“It’s true, then.”

But Eden could tell that he still harbored doubts about her. Asmun didn’t truly believe in the gods, which made him suspicious of someone claiming divine insight.

Even so, the fact that he had come to her meant he was willing to entertain her proposal.

Eden clenched the glass bottle and smiled confidently.

“I told you, didn’t I?”

“…”

“I’ll make you emperor. And to do so, I’ll protect your honor.”

Asmun stared at Eden, who returned his gaze with unwavering confidence. To his surprise, her words were true. On the day of their meeting at the rendezvous, it wasn’t Count Retten waiting for him.

Asmun, seeking to verify Eden’s claims, had sent people to investigate the meeting site. What they found was a monster auction taking place at the abandoned castle.

Monster auctions were considered high treason in Hesmor, where coexistence with monsters had been the norm for 200 years. Among certain nobles, however, possessing rare and dangerous monsters had become a status symbol. This had led to a black market for monster trade.

Kyris had planned to tarnish Asmun’s reputation by framing him for involvement in such dealings. If it became known that a prince had been trading monsters, especially after the recent unrest caused by a monster attack at the founding festival, Asmun’s honor would have been utterly destroyed.

“Your Highness, a Tanttiano is up for auction at the monster market!”

Tanttiano was a monster Asmun had captured during a recent expedition to the eastern forest. While not particularly powerful, its vibrant appearance and rarity made it a favorite among nobles.

“This must be Count Retten’s doing!”

Count Retten, who had provided soldiers to Asmun’s hunting expedition under the guise of support, had clearly smuggled out some of the captured Tanttianos.

As Eden had predicted, Retten had betrayed Asmun and aligned himself with Kyris. Perhaps he had been Kyris’s pawn from the start.

Thanks to Eden’s warning, Asmun had arrived at the auction with the imperial knights and apprehended everyone involved. The evidence, including documents proving Retten’s soldiers’ involvement, was sufficient to convict him of treason.

The next day, Asmun came to Eden. Though he still didn’t believe in the gods, he couldn’t ignore her.

“What should I do next?”

Eden was taken aback by his direct question but concealed her surprise. Asmun’s eyes were still cold but lacked the hostility she had first seen in them.

A thrill coursed through her. Asmun was seeking her advice. She was one step closer to her goal.

But…

“Has Count Retten been apprehended?”

“Yes.”

Damn it.

Eden gritted her teeth subtly. That meant Kyris was aware of the situation as well.

Originally, Asmun was supposed to fall into Kyris’s trap, be exiled to the northern wastes, and later make a comeback.

‘If I had known this would happen, I would have gone with Asmun from the beginning.’

Regrets wouldn’t change anything now.

“So… for now…”

Eden avoided Asmun’s penetrating gaze, a cold sweat forming on her brow. With Retten captured, Kyris’s plans were undoubtedly shifting. Giving Asmun incorrect information now could lead to disaster.

“I haven’t received a divine revelation yet.”

Meeting Asmun’s scrutinizing gaze, Eden maintained a conflicted expression. His eyes narrowed, and she spoke with determination.

“But since Your Highness has chosen to trust me, it will come soon!”

“…”

“So please wait a little longer.”

Eden stared at him with fierce determination, urging him to trust her. Asmun studied her overly bright eyes in silence.

Finally, he spoke.

“When the revelation comes, go to Priest Roman. Tell him you wish to meet me, and he will arrange it.”

Eden’s eyes widened in surprise. Noticing her reaction, Asmun calmly added.

“Rest assured, there will be no leaks.”

His gaze shifted to the antidote bottle in her hand, still untouched. Eden awkwardly lifted it, realizing what his personality demanded: she needed to drink it in his presence to prove her trust.

“Very well.”

She tilted her head in gratitude and downed the antidote in one go. Asmun watched as if she were swallowing poison, his eyes narrowing.

“Ugh…”

The antidote’s bitterness made Eden wince. It was unlike anything she’d ever tasted—a horrendous blend of overpowering bitterness followed by a cloying sweetness that stung her tongue.

“What kind of awful taste is this?”

Eden nearly spat it out but managed to swallow the sticky liquid, setting the empty bottle down as she met Asmun’s gaze. The act felt like sealing a pact between them.

Suspicious to the end.

Hiding her irritation, Eden gave him a cheerful smile.

Finally, Asmun’s sharp gaze softened. Picking up the empty bottle, he broke the silence.

“By the way.”

Eden, who had been discreetly moving her tongue around to rid herself of the aftertaste, turned her attention back to him.

“How did you know the monster’s name?”