The World After Leaving the Hero Party

13 – if I do better

“Go in. And… you guys are all out.”

The ladies-in-waiting glanced at the hero and went outside. When they were alone like that, Claire stared at Lucille. Her outfit is a beginner mage robe with a staff.

No matter how you look at it, it was hard to see that it was a princess’s attire.

that’s why i knew

that she had gone out of the city and came back.

that I went out with him.

Fist clenched. Outside the castle, preparations for the summer festival had been going on for a long time.

Claire stared politely at Lucille in front of her eyes before opening her mouth softly.

“Have you been outside?”

“Yes. I was with Master.”

back.

It felt like a corner of my chest had been crushed. Claire’s expressionless mask slightly cracked.

Lucille laughed at that.

“But did you come all the way here to ask that?”

“Ah… that’s not… I have something to tell you.”

What could the warrior have to say to himself? Lucille swallowed a gulp.

Let’s not be afraid.

“I heard that you are learning from Hyeonu… Are you learning well?”

“Yes. I’m lacking a lot, so I want to learn more from Master.”

“I see. But… I’m sorry.”

Lucille tilted her head. Suddenly, Claire smiled softly.

That smile was quite uneasy, so Lucille slightly clenched her fists.

That gaze of the hero, that smile as if he had seized a chance, hurts more than the pain of his well-decorated nails piercing his palm.

“Now, monsters that have never been seen before are appearing on the battlefield.”

“is that so?”

What do you mean? Lucille tilted her head, and towards her, Claire spoke kindly and with a little regret.

“In the past, we and the wise men caught many monsters. And, each time, the wise man knew how to hunt many monsters.”

“So what?”

“The monsters that appeared this time are very powerful. To deal with them, skilled knights are needed, but such knights are difficult to put into battle.”

Information came in that I didn’t want to know. Although she had lived in seclusion for a long time, as she proved today, her clever mind was able to answer why Claire was bringing up such a story.

That’s why Lucille felt stuffy inside of something.

“The sages say they will return to the battlefield.”

I almost cheered when I heard the story from General Leoden.

Of course, I haven’t apologized to him yet, and I haven’t even been forgiven by him.

However, the fact that Hyeonu was coming to the battlefield meant that it would be easier to meet him than now.

If so, somehow and by any means.

Spend time with Hyeonu and pray to him.

Get down on your knees, bow your head.

Apologize at the cost of everything he wants.

Not only herself, but also Leventia and Evangeline.

I have enough heart to apologize to the sage and ask for forgiveness.

that chance.

An opportunity that was missed then and is now unattainable.

You can never miss an opportunity that may be the last as if it was fate.

The light returned to her beautiful orange eyes. Lucille bit her lips at the light of hope and the future.

“Okay… I see.”

Lucille’s reaction was calmer than Claire expected. I thought you’d be angry. I thought I would use a swarm because I wouldn’t let him go.

When Claire, who was slightly lowering her head, showed her face, her expression brightened.

“If Master decides for himself… I can’t stop him.”

It’s a lie.

I want to catch the truth

I want to tell you not to go.

Why is it so simple to go to where they are?

Are you going to go to a place where there are people who made you suffer so much?

Still, there is one reason Lucille cannot express herself.

It was the fact that he was still only a disciple to him.

Didn’t he promise there?

I will watch you grow.

I promise to stay by your side until then.

Even though the hero and the members of the warrior party suffered such things, he was the one who stayed with them and supported them until the demon king was defeated.

It never occurred to me that such a person would suddenly abandon himself and leave forever, without even keeping his promise.

Even if he did… I didn’t think he would leave without a word.

“I heard that the battlefield is a dangerous place… I’m worried.”

“You don’t have to worry. Princess. We…”

When Claire spoke seriously, Lucille smiled lightly without realizing it.

Even with those crazy adventurers, Master is friendly.

That’s why he took off the crane and cut off the kite.

But are you trying to tell me you’re not in danger?

And, when Claire noticed the meaning of Lucille’s smile, she lowered her eyes in guilt.

Aren’t you the one who was so cruel to him and made that good man leave?

I noticed that you criticize that you think you can be forgiven on such a subject.

My hands are shaking.

The fear that has been hidden deep in the chest rises.

What if it really is?

For over half a year already, he had avoided even meeting them.

Isn’t it just a coincidence that we met last time?

But really.

What if he rejects himself and himself to the end?

then?

how…

– Wow!!

Then the locked door was smashed open, interrupting Claire’s thoughts. While the ladies-in-waiting who had entered while rolling on the floor were preparing their postures with their weapons, men dressed in black were entering from outside the door, revealing their intent to kill.

“Blaze!!”

It was Lucille who moved first. Her wand glows and intermediate fire magic is activated to cover the body of the assassins.

It was amazing.

As far as Claire knows, Lucille hadn’t reached the level of a beginner wizard until recently.

But how long has it been since you used intermediate magic?

Once again, Claire couldn’t help but admire the greatness of the wise man, Hyeonu.

-Suddenly!!

Having defeated the assassins who had withstood the blaze in one blow, Claire let out a heavy sigh.

In her gaze, through the distant window, she saw Hyeonu, the Queen, and General Leoden together.

There was a problem on that side as well, but it seems that Hyeonu has already stopped it.

Thinking that it was Hyeonu-like, Claire gripped the warrior’s sword tightly.

“It looks like there is an intruder in the palace. If we leave it as it is… Hyeonu will suffer.

“…Please take care of yourself. Hero. Also, please return Master safely.”

It was only after seeing the lady-in-waiting with a weapon running towards her that Claire bowed her head slightly to Lucille, and Lucille accepted the greeting as well.

Both of them were smiling at each other, but their inner thoughts were inevitably different.

***

Invasion of Baekam Palace.

It was a huge event that could shake the entire country. There was a heavy silence in the meeting room of the royal palace, where the typhoon that could have collapsed the kingdom was safely passed.

“So. Did you find anything?”

She had been almost assassinated just last night, no, just a few hours ago, but she was lofty and arrogant in the center of the conference room. As if nothing had happened, General Leoden groaned and calmly said to her who dealt with the ministers without any major change.

“Nothing has been revealed, except… there is one similarity.”

“Similarities.”

“It’s an incident that happened in the past hundred villages.”

It must have been around the end of Chapter 4 of the main story, an incident that happened in Baek’s village.

There was an unknown group attacking a fairly large village belonging to the kingdom, and I and the adventurers, soldiers, and priests in Silver Village stopped it.

Of course, that was also a sign of the ‘Pale Moon’ event, and originally, the event should have started with the destruction of the village, but the event could be postponed by blocking it and destroying the base by chasing the leader who led them.

Read at readwn. com

Just thinking about that time really sent chills down my spine. I never thought the event would start right before the chapter boss fight.

Fortunately, the kids went obediently as I said, so it’s a pity, if we didn’t go and did this event, it would have been an achievement and things would have gone wrong and we would all have died.

“That… there is a person who changed at the end. The one with blade-like tentacles coming out of his back. Among those who invaded the village, there are those who have undergone similar changes.”

“I see… Sage. What do you think?”

“The remnants of Baegwolgyo are correct.”

When I agreed, the ministers all groaned, and Raquel, the royal mage, reported the details of her investigation.

“I inspected the tentacles I brought back then. And I came to one conclusion. It was also reported by the Heretic Questioner, Priest Valentine…”

“Artificial tentacles?”

“Yes.”

It wasn’t the demon king’s work.

It’s not the work of a monster, it’s a man’s work.

At those words, the corner of the Queen’s thick mouth twisted.

It’s a pretty cruel smile. I understand your feelings. because he was about to die

“Okay. Then next…”

The subject of the meeting was stories related to Baekwol-gyo, who was behind the assassin, and the future royal family security, and it was concluded that the number of security personnel should be increased.

After the meeting ended, Leoden approached me.

“I don’t know how many times I should thank you.”

“It’s done.”

It worked for me too. When I replied indifferently, he looked around and took out the bracelet from his bosom.

“Raquel looked into this and found nothing. It’s a nice artifact, though. Anyway, if you want this, you can take it. And she told me to give you this too.”

Five. This?

When I opened the luxurious box Leoden was holding, there was a wand inside. Much better than anything I’ve used before.

that is great. Even so, I didn’t have enough mana.

When I received the staff and inserted it into the waistband, Leoden sighed.

“I wonder if it’s right to call you to the battlefield in this dangerous situation.”

“I have to go.”

If you follow the flow of events, attacking the royal family is meaningless. Originally, assassination is also successful when you aim for an opportunity.

Right now, the kingdom is determined and preparing for an assassination, so most assassins will not be able to enter the royal castle, let alone Baekam Palace.

So they will look elsewhere.

Wreak havoc and get more lives.

As a result, to the battlefield where the Pale Moon can be summoned.

“It’s an artificially created monster… Raquel calls it a chimera. Wouldn’t it be dangerous if the chimera spreads?”

“Then it’s safe? But then and now, there won’t be that many chimeras. You don’t have to worry too much.”

When I said this with a smile, Leoden chuckled.

“Anyway… when are you planning to come to the battlefield?”

“I’ll be there in a few days.”

“Then you’ll go faster than me. They say the hero has already returned.”

In some districts last night, Claire eliminated all the assassins fighting the knights. And he just returned to the battlefield…

It was a little surprising. I thought you would ask to see me.

I don’t know what the hell he was talking about with Lucille.

“If you go to the battlefield… the warriors Claire, Leventia, and Evangeline will be burdensome, so find my lieutenant, you know?”

“Yes. I know.”

A large werewolf shaman is General Leoden’s lieutenant. Even among the NPCs, he was a pretty good fight character.

“Before you came, I told you about your coming, so don’t worry.”

I’m not worried at all, but what? Leoden patted me on the shoulder a few times and left.

Left alone, I immediately took out the jewel I obtained from the dungeon the other day from my pocket.

The jewel that emits a hideous red light was emitting a stronger light. I took it to the bracelet I got this time.

– Clap.

The part where the jewel is supposed to go in is affected by the light and opens. After confirming that the red jewel had settled down and the light had disappeared, I immediately headed for Lucille.

After class, having tea time with Lucille, I got to the point.

“I think I need to go to the battlefield for a bit.”

“Yes. I heard. Master. Monsters that have not been discovered so far have appeared?”

“Yes. I know a lot of things… By the way. Would you mind?”

Once, I was staying at the palace as Claire’s teacher. No matter how much the kingdom requested, I still have to be away for a few days.

In the meantime, it was clear that proper classes would be difficult, and if Lucille was relying on me now, I would have been disappointed or told not to go.

She didn’t seem to be under too much pressure.

No, rather, he was smiling comfortably.

“If I catch you, won’t Master go?”

“It can’t be.”

“I knew you would.”

Blinking, Lucille put on a cool smile and pulled out something.

What she took out was none other than an amulet adorned with gorgeous jewels.

this…

is it good?

“Where are you from?”

“I received it as a gift a long time ago. Of course, it may not be enough for Master to use, but…”

hat is.

This talisman containing powerful recovery magic will save your life at least once in a crisis situation just by possessing it.

Of course, but the price is quite expensive.

“You know what this is, right?”

“I know. But can I…can I have this?”

“Yes.”

This is giving away one life. Lucille nodded her head coolly as if it were natural while handing over valuable items useful to the royal family.

“I just.”

Lucille looked at me calmly.

“I just hope that Master will return safely.”

It’s rather awkward because I’m being treated like this.

Whatever it is, let’s be grateful for it. Now that I’ve received this, I’ll have to work harder.

I need to find more troll-like adventurers.

“I will do my best.”

“And. There…”

Hesitantly, she was silent for a long time before opening her mouth cautiously.

“If. If it’s time for Master to leave…”

“…Yes?”

“…I hope you don’t go. If Master made the decision thinking you must go…”

Lucille grabbed my sleeve lightly.

“Master… can you remember that there is a student named me?”

There was water in the eyes. I couldn’t resist her sincere, earnest gaze.

“I will definitely remember.”

“…You’re not saying you’re not going.”

“hahaha. That’s it. That’s our contract, isn’t it? The princess’s growth. After that… we’ll go our separate ways.”

It’s a neat word.

“As expected, it’s like Master’s way of connecting and breaking up. He also does cards like that.”

Although he spoke softly, Lucille’s expression looked quite bitter.

Turning her head slightly, she clenched her fists and seemed to be serious about something.

“…I work a little harder…”

how hard are you going to do?