NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 13.2
Gripping the Hero’s sword tightly, Claire declared, “There are intruders in the palace. If we leave this unchecked… Hyun Woo will have to handle everything. As the Hero, I’ll take care of the rest.”
“…Please be careful, Hero. And… please return Master safely.”
Noticing the head maid rushing over, Claire gave Lucille a small bow, which Lucille returned.
Both of them smiled at each other, but their thoughts couldn’t have been more different.
—
The Palace Intrusion Incident
The incident could have shaken the entire kingdom to its core. A storm that might have toppled the nation was quelled before it could reach its peak, but the atmosphere in the royal council chamber was heavy.
“Well? Did you find anything?”
Despite nearly being assassinated just hours ago, the Queen sat in the center of the room, commanding the meeting with an air of calm authority, as if nothing had happened.
General Leoden, letting out a low groan, eventually replied, “Nothing significant has been uncovered. However… there is one similarity.”
“A similarity?”
“It matches the incident in Baekun Village.”
The Baekun Village incident. That was near the end of Chapter 4 in the main storyline.
A mysterious group had attacked a large village within the kingdom, but I, along with adventurers, soldiers, and clerics stationed there, managed to fend them off.
Of course, that incident was a precursor to the “Pale Moon” event. Originally, the event would have begun with the village’s destruction, but we stopped it, tracked the leader back to their base, and delayed the event.
Thinking back, it still sent chills down my spine. That event had nearly triggered just before a chapter boss fight.
Fortunately, everyone had listened to me and left when I told them to. If they hadn’t, our achievements would have unraveled, and we’d have all died.
“The transformed ones, the ones with blade-like tentacles from their backs. Similar transformations were seen in those who attacked Baekun Village.”
“I see… Sage, what do you think?”
“They’re remnants of the White Moon Cult.”
When I agreed, the councilors groaned, and Raquel, the royal mage, presented the results of her investigation.
“We examined the tentacle retrieved from the incident. The conclusion we reached aligns with the report by Inquisitor Valentine…”
“An artificial creation?”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t the Demon King’s doing.
It wasn’t the work of monsters.
It was man-made.
The Queen’s full lips curled into a cruel smile at the revelation.
A fitting reaction, given how close she had come to death.
“I see. Then let us move on…”
The discussion shifted to the assassins’ connections to the White Moon Cult and strategies for bolstering royal security. The council concluded that additional guards would be deployed to strengthen the defenses.
As the meeting adjourned, General Leoden approached me.
“I don’t know how many times I must thank you.”
“No need.”
It was partly for my own sake, after all. When I dismissed his gratitude with a shrug, he looked around to ensure no one was eavesdropping and retrieved a bracelet from his pocket.
“Raquel examined this, but it didn’t reveal anything significant. It’s a decent artifact, though. Since you wanted it, it’s yours. And here, take this as well.”
Oh? What’s this?
Opening the ornate box Leoden handed me, I found a staff inside—far superior to the one I’d been using.
Just in time, too. I was running low on mana.
Sliding the staff into my belt, I glanced at Leoden, who sighed heavily.
“In such dangerous times, is it really right to send you to the frontlines?”
“I must go.”
Following the event’s progression, further attacks on the royal palace would be futile. Assassinations succeed by exploiting vulnerabilities, and with the kingdom actively reinforcing its defenses, even skilled assassins wouldn’t reach Baekam Palace, let alone the capital.
The enemy’s focus would shift elsewhere.
To the frontlines, where chaos could claim more lives—and summon the Pale Moon.
“Man-made monsters… Raquel called them chimeras. If they spread, won’t it be dangerous?”
“Isn’t that why we’re here? Chimeras weren’t abundant last time, and I doubt there are many now. No need to worry.”
Leoden chuckled faintly at my response. “When do you plan to leave for the frontlines?”
“In a few days.”
“Then you’ll arrive before I do. The Hero has already returned, I hear.”
Apparently, Claire had eliminated the assassins attacking several areas last night and promptly headed back to the battlefield.
A bit surprising. I thought she might at least ask to see me.
What exactly did she talk about with Lucille?
“When you get there, it might be awkward with Claire, Leventia, and Evangeline. Look for my lieutenant instead—you know who I mean.”
“Yes, I know.”
Leoden’s lieutenant was a hulking werewolf shaman—a formidable NPC with excellent combat skills.
“I’ve informed them you’re coming, so don’t worry.”
I wasn’t worried in the slightest, but Leoden patted my shoulder a few times before departing.
Left alone, I retrieved the gemstone I’d obtained from the dungeon earlier. Its ominous red glow shines even brighter now. I brought it to the bracelet I’d just acquired.
Clink.
The slot intended for a gemstone opened in response to the light. The red gem slid into place as if it belonged there, and its glow subsided. Satisfied, I made my way to Lucille.
—
Over tea after her lesson, I broached the subject.
“I’ll be heading to the frontlines for a while.”
“Yes, I heard. Master, they say monsters never before seen have appeared.”
“That’s correct. I have knowledge that might be useful… Are you alright with this?”
I’d been staying in the palace as her tutor, so this meant I’d be absent for several days.
There’d be no proper lessons during that time.
I thought she might feel disappointed or try to dissuade me.
But Lucille seemed unperturbed.
No, she actually looked at ease, smiling calmly.
“Would you stay if I asked you not to go?”
“Of course not.”
“I thought so.”
With a slight smile, Lucille reached into her belongings and pulled something out.
It was a beautifully adorned talisman, studded with dazzling jewels.
This… was valuable.
“Where did you get this?”
“It was a gift. It might not be up to your standards, but…”
Not up to my standards?
This talisman contained powerful healing magic. Just owning it could save your life in a critical moment.
And, as expected, it was worth a fortune.
“You know what this is, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. Will you accept it?”
“This is too much.”
“It’s not. Take it.”
Giving away something this precious so casually… Her attitude made it seem perfectly natural, yet I knew the significance of what she was offering.
“I only wish for you to return safely, Master.”
Such care… It felt almost awkward to accept.
But since she was giving it to me, it would be rude to refuse.
Grateful, I resolved to teach her even more diligently when I returned. Perhaps I’d even find some truly trollish adventurers to assist in her training.
“I’ll do my best.”
“And… Master…”
She hesitated, her voice faltering. After a long pause, she spoke again, carefully.
“If the time ever comes… when you must leave…”
“…Yes?”
“…I don’t want you to go, but if you decide you must…”
She gently tugged at my sleeve, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“Could you remember… that you have a student like me?”
Her earnest, desperate gaze made it impossible to refuse.
“I will remember. Always.”
“…You didn’t promise not to leave, though.”
“Haha. Well, our agreement was clear, wasn’t it? Your growth comes first. After that… we each go our own way.”
Neatly and cleanly.
“As expected of you, Master. Always so precise… just like when you play cards.”
Her words were light, but her expression was bitter.
She turned her head slightly, clenched her fist, and seemed to steel herself for something.
“…I just need to work harder.”
How hard could she possibly be planning to work?