The World After Leaving the Hero’s Party

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

The sharp blade of regret forged since the Sage’s departure began to pierce Leventia’s heart once again.

Grasping her chest in unbearable pain, Leventia was about to turn away when—

“Don’t dwell on it too much. Back then, capturing the Demon King’s lieutenant was more important.”

Hyunwoo’s voice stilled the knife stabbing her heart. Unconsciously, Leventia looked toward him.

‘Why…?’

The realization that Hyunwoo was defending them made her lower the hand gripping her chest. Silently, she directed her gaze at the Sage illuminated in the light.

‘Why are you…?’

You should despise us.

You should attack us.

Of everyone, you’re the one most harmed by our mistakes.

And yet, even now…

Leventia could only watch the Sage walk away, longing for him from the darkness like a monster yearning for the light.

—

Wilkus and Lark had already completed their preparations and stood fully armed.

Wilkus, the werewolf shaman, wore light armor, a cloak, and carried a staff. Beside him was Lark, equipped with a black-ebony lute and a microphone designed for performances.

A division of soldiers was also ready to clear the path to the Temple of the Moon.

“I’ll handle the church’s side of things,” Veronica said.

“Hmm…”

“What?”

As she moved to join the church’s forces, I stared at her. Feeling my gaze, Veronica hesitated, tilting her head slightly. Her silver hair swayed in the night breeze, accentuating her pale, delicate features.

“Don’t get hurt.”

“…Hah. Who are you to say that to me?”

Turning sharply, Veronica strode toward the paladins, gripping her mace tightly. As she quickly donned her robe, I spotted three familiar figures approaching from the garrison.

“With the Hero’s party here, it’s time to move. Lieutenant, the garrison is in your hands.”

“Yes, sir!”

There was so much to prepare for the journey. Unlike the game, the real logistics of an operation like this were tedious.

Sigh. If I were going alone, I could just teleport, but with so many people, that wasn’t an option.

“…If I’d been there, I could’ve used Warp,” Claire muttered regretfully. I shook my head, prompting her to look at me, surprised.

“No need to blame yourself.”

Even in the game, the Temple of the Moon wasn’t accessible by the Hero’s Warp ability. Watching Claire chastise herself over something futile wasn’t necessary.

Startled by my words, she hesitated before bowing her head slightly.

“Th-Thank you.”

“I just speak the truth, as always.”

“…That’s true. You always…”

“Let’s move.”

Before Claire could finish, Veronica raised her voice slightly, snapping everyone’s attention back to the task at hand. Nodding, I gripped my staff and moved toward the adventurers.

“Man, this is nerve-wracking,” Lark muttered.

“What’s this? Afraid of some monsters? Don’t sing songs about death and glory if you’re such a coward.”

At my mockery, he squinted his reptilian eyes before shaking his head.

“Always claiming to know things, huh? Guess that’s all you really do.”

What is he even talking about?

The division tasked with clearing the path to the Temple of the Moon encountered no significant issues. Monsters, White beasts, and Baekwol cultists tried to stop us, but their resistance crumbled like straw before our strength.

“If I played and sang, we’d take them down even faster!” Lark lamented dramatically, making me sweat.

The Temple of the Moon was now within sight, and I couldn’t afford for the division’s morale to plummet while we dealt with the dungeon.

“Calm down, star singer. Save your voice for the main event.”

“Tsk. What a shame.”

He fiddled with his microphone, muttering to himself, “Fighting monsters is so dull. I’d rather give them a show.”

Honestly, if you started singing, the monsters probably wouldn’t fight—they’d go after you instead.

Suppressing a laugh, I simply patted his back and moved to the front of the division.

—

“A scout reported spotting a strange structure beyond that hill,” General Leoden informed me.

As expected, he was prepared.

I moved through the shadows to the top of the hill and saw it.

A white building guarded by dozens of beasts and Baekwol cultists, radiating a soft light reminiscent of the moon in my original world.

The Temple of the Moon—the finale of the Pale Moon event.

Once this is over, I’ll have cleared a major milestone.

Descending the hill with renewed determination, I found Claire waiting. She hesitated but managed a smile.

“Something good happened? Your smile looks nice…”

Something good?

Of course.

Because every step brings me closer to escaping this world.