The World After Leaving the Hero’s Party

Chapter 21: It’s My Heart (2)

My party members appeared flustered by my words but held their tongues.

“General Leoden, what lies in that direction?” I asked.

“Hmm, over there? That’s the habitat of monsters,” he replied.

“Then we’ll have to clear a path. I trust we can leave that to you?”

Surely, they weren’t planning to do anything. My pointed gaze met General Leoden’s, and he nodded lightly.

“This is a mission to apprehend the traitors and deal with the monsters—both tasks that fall to the kingdom’s army. Besides,” he said, turning his sharp gaze to Claire, “the Hero will assist.”

His words were clearly meant to keep them from joining me. Claire and the others wore dark expressions, but that wasn’t my problem.

With roles assigned, it was time to act. Back in my tent, I began gathering my equipment.

“Man, that’s a lot.”

Hoisting a heavy backpack, weapons, armor, and other gear, I stepped out of the tent. Waiting outside was Veronica. Leaning against a pillar, she gazed at the crimson moon, her silver hair glowing faintly. As always, she was stunning, just as she had been in the game.

“What are you doing?”

“Just watching the moon. By the way, what were they doing earlier?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, don’t you?”

“I do, but it’s a long story.”

“Then summarize it for me. The Pale Moon hasn’t been fully summoned yet, right?”

“No, it has. That white moon earlier was proof.”

Veronica’s expression, initially calm, hardened. I patted her on the shoulder with a reassuring smile.

“…What happens if the Pale Moon remains in the sky?” she asked.

“A brief appearance is fine. But if it stays too long, monsters will transform into White beasts.”

If ordinary monsters continuously evolved into far stronger White beasts under the moonlight? The sheer danger of it left Veronica pale—ironically, even whiter than the moonlight itself.

“Wait… if it continues shining? Earlier, it was…”

“It’s fine as long as it’s brief.”

“…What happens if the Pale Moon stays up for more than a day?”

What happens? Game over.

I didn’t answer, and Veronica’s face grew even more rigid.

“…We should’ve ended it earlier,” she muttered, seemingly recalling the events at Baekun Village. Grinding her teeth, she seemed consumed by frustration. Back then, the lack of manpower made it impossible to end the Baekwol Cult. She was likely thinking things might have been different if the Hero’s party had been there.

“Don’t beat yourself up. Back then, capturing the Demon King’s lieutenant was more important.”

“They’re a vile group.”

“Who’s arguing?”

Everything has its time and place. I calmed Veronica, who sighed deeply and tilted her head.

“You’re not what I expected. I thought you’d be cursing them too.”

“What good would that do? The past is the past. Let it flow.”

I meant it.

My ties with the Hero’s party were severed long ago. No point in reopening old wounds for revenge or reconciliation. Besides, I knew they sought my forgiveness and wanted to make amends, but why should I accept?

All I wanted was to do my part, achieve my goals, and return to my original world.

“Sometimes I think you’re really strange.”

“Wow, *sometimes*? I’m touched.”

On the way out of the garrison, I noticed a new recruit struggling to cope, scratching his arms raw and showing signs of mental collapse. Strumming my lute, I played a soothing tune to ease his stress. Feeling Veronica’s sharp gaze, I glanced her way.

“What are you staring at?”

“…Nothing.”

She was so cryptic.

—

I wasn’t underestimating the adventurers, but rumors said the Temple of the Moon was a dangerous dungeon.

Given the Sage’s accuracy, this time would be no exception.

Leventia carefully stepped outside, leaving a disheartened Claire behind. She had decided to speak with him directly.

If the dungeon was truly perilous, she wanted to stand in front of him, as she had in the past. Though she knew he’d likely reject her—after all, he only tolerated conversations with Claire—she couldn’t ignore the urge to act.

Not to earn his forgiveness, but to protect him.

Not to prove her remorse, but from pure intent.

As she approached Hyunwoo’s tent, the sound of voices carried on the wind, making her pause.

“…We should’ve ended it earlier.”

It was Veronica’s voice, filled with unmistakable hostility. Anyone could sense the animosity behind her words.

Realizing this, Leventia bit her lip.

Veronica, the woman who had stayed with the Sage to face the Baekwol Cult at Baekun Village, had long harbored resentment toward the Hero’s party. It made sense. To the inquisitor, the cult—heretics who rejected the Light—were even greater enemies than the Demon King.

Thus, it was natural for her to resent the Hero’s party, who left the village to pursue the Demon King’s lieutenant.

Likewise, it was natural for her to admire the Sage, who chose to remain and fight.

Leventia leaned against a shadowed wall, unable to step forward. She had no excuses to offer against Veronica’s accusations. This was the burden they bore for their choices.

Slowly, she lowered her head.

If only I had stayed with him.

If we had fought the Baekwol Cult instead of pursuing the Demon King’s lieutenant…

If, instead of harboring jealousy and inadequacy toward the Sage, I had admired him as Veronica does…

But it was all in the past—irrevocable, immutable.