Chapter 10- Beyond the desire

The next time Seraphina entered the sanctum, it was not under the weight of temptation—but duty.

She had told herself she would not return so soon. That she needed time to regain control, to remind herself that Elias was only one piece of the puzzle.

And yet, here she was.

Elias sat at his desk, candlelight flickering over scattered documents, maps, and ledgers. He did not look up immediately, but the moment she stepped closer, he spoke—

"I was wondering when you'd return."

His voice was calm, composed—as if nothing had changed.

Seraphina crossed her arms. "I'm not here for what you think."

Elias finally lifted his gaze, his violet eyes glinting with something unreadable.

"Is that so?" He leaned back slightly, gesturing toward the desk. "Then perhaps you'd like to see what occupies my time outside of… temptation."

Seraphina hesitated before stepping closer. The desk was covered in documents detailing trade routes, tax reforms, and agricultural plans.

She frowned, scanning the careful annotations. "You oversee the empire's economy?"

"Among other things." Elias tapped a document with one gloved finger. "The temple's resources are vast, and I ensure they are not wasted. This—" he gestured to a parchment marked with supply routes, "—is a restructuring of the grain distribution. The western provinces suffered a poor harvest this year. If left unchecked, they will face famine within months."

Seraphina's eyes widened slightly. "And you're fixing it?"

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "Who else?"

She glanced down again. It was brilliant. He had restructured the empire's supply chain, ensuring surplus grain from the south was redirected before shortages could even begin.

"This isn't just temple work," she murmured. "You're practically running the empire's economy from behind the scenes."

Elias tilted his head. "The emperor rules. I ensure his people do not starve. A kingdom is not held together by power alone, Seraphina—it is held together by stability."

She looked at him then, really looked at him.

This man—this ruthless, patient, controlled man—was not simply a priest.

He was a strategist. A quiet architect of the empire's strength. Not just in faith, but in governance.

Something inside her shifted.

She had thought of him as another obstacle to conquer in this game. But what if he was more than that?

What if he was a piece she needed to win?

Elias watched her, his gaze unreadable. "You look troubled."

She met his eyes. "I think I underestimated you."

His smirk deepened, slow and knowing. "Then you are learning."

And for the first time, Seraphina wondered—was she playing Elias, or had he been playing her from the very beginning?

Seraphina stared at the maps, the ledgers, the intricate web Elias had woven behind the empire's prosperity.

For a moment—just a moment—she had been tempted to admire him.

But admiration was dangerous.

She turned away, folding her arms. "You're efficient. I'll give you that."

Elias smirked. "High praise."

Seraphina didn't respond. She couldn't afford to.

Not when the truth pressed heavy in her chest.

She wasn't here to be impressed. She wasn't here to get tangled in power games and politics, no matter how intoxicating Elias's presence was.

She was here to win.

She exhaled slowly, letting herself remember:

—The bright flash of a truck's headlights.

—The jarring impact, the feeling of being pulled into a world that was never meant to be real.

—The system's cold, unwavering directives.

⟡ [Objective: Unlock All Endings] ⟡

⟡ [Progress: 40%] ⟡

She had already completed one route. Four remained.

And she could not allow herself to lose sight of that.

Not for Elias. Not for any of them.

Because this world—no matter how real it felt, no matter how much it pulled her in—was still a game.

And games had endings.

She clenched her fists. If she failed, what would happen?

Would she be trapped here forever? Forced to relive this cycle over and over again? Or would this world collapse, taking everything and everyone with it?

She didn't know.

And that was the real danger.

Elias watched her, his sharp gaze missing nothing. "You're thinking too hard."

She forced a smirk. "And you're assuming I trust you."

He let out a quiet chuckle. "You don't."

She met his gaze, unflinching. "I don't trust any of you."

Elias tilted his head, considering her for a moment. Then, to her surprise, he smiled.

Not his usual smirk—but something darker, something knowing.

"Good," he murmured. "You shouldn't."

A chill ran through her.

Because she knew, with absolute certainty, that Elias was hiding something.

Just like the others.

Just like this world itself.

And she would uncover the truth—no matter what it took.

[Next Route??…]

⟡ [Scene Progressing…] ⟡