NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 22.1
Chapter 22: Pale Moon (1)
The objective was identified, and now, all that remained was to take action.
The ones entering the Moon’s Temple were Wilkes, Lark, Veronica, and me.
The four of us were to wait in the rear, then slip in while the Hero Party and the Special Unit launched their attack on the forces guarding the temple from the church.
“Alright. Everyone, get ready.”
It was then that Claire, who had been observing from a distance, approached.
“Lark, don’t bards prefer fighting outside dungeons?”
“Huh? Well, yeah, that’s true.”
“Then… if Hyun Woo permits, could I take your place?”
“Eh? I mean, I don’t mind, but hey, Sage, is that okay?”
As the one responsible for forming the party, Lark couldn’t act without my approval.
Thus, Claire turned to me, speaking with a desperate tone.
“Uh… Hyun Woo. If you don’t want me, Levantia or even Evangeline will be fine. They’ll follow your orders more diligently than Lark. If you wish…”
“You’d even sacrifice your life for it?”
She nodded.
With a cloudy, somber expression, Claire slightly bowed her head.
From afar, Levantia and Evangeline bore the same desperate look as her, gazing earnestly in this direction.
“Hmm. Isn’t a bard essential for this party composition?”
As I pondered, Veronica stepped forward. Claire flinched at her voice, her damp eyes locking onto me.
“So? What will you do, Sage? I’ll respect your decision. Of course, knowing you, a change in personnel wouldn’t pose any problems. But still…”
“But?”
“Didn’t you choose this composition because it’s the most optimal?”
Not exactly.
The most critical part of the Pale Moon event’s final battle was Veronica. The rest of the party merely needed to support her.
If I hadn’t taught the kingdom’s forces how to deal with the White beasts, it might’ve mattered. But since they already knew, the party composition was of little consequence to me.
“From the church’s perspective, eliminating heretics and removing threats is the utmost priority.”
At Veronica’s resolute remark, Claire clenched her fists. She gazed steadily at Veronica, her dry lips parting hesitantly.
“Cardinal Veronica…”
“Yes, hero? What is it?”
“Are your words purely for the sake of the church?”
“Why would a cardinal like me have ulterior motives?”
“Hyun Woo could come up with countless alternatives. We’ve worked with him for a long time, so…”
“Oh? So, working together with him for so long, you achieved that?”
At Veronica’s twisted smirk, Claire flinched and lowered her head.
The situation was spiraling in a strange direction. Even Wilkes, who usually lacked situational awareness, clamped his mouth shut. Lark, on the other hand, was sweating profusely.
Time to intervene.
“Enough. There’s no need for internal discord before the enemy.”
“Then?”
“We stick to the original plan.”
Claire slumped her shoulders further, while Veronica smiled triumphantly.
Once the matter was settled, Lark scratched the back of his head with his long tail.
“Guess I shouldn’t have left room for debate. I didn’t think it’d turn into this tense. Tch.”
“Forget it. These things happen.”
“You always say that. Which is why…”
As Veronica began offering me advice, Claire shook her head with a sorrowful expression.
“No… I made an unreasonable request. Lark, I’m sorry. Hyun Woo, I’m sorry. Then…”
Apologizing, Claire trudged off toward her designated position. When she returned, General Leoden approached me.
“Is it time to begin?”
“Yes? Oh. Yes. Let’s do it.”
With my approval, General Leoden raised his banner.
The prepared Special Unit swiftly charged toward the Moon’s Temple.
“Alright, let’s get ready too.”
I hefted the lance commonly used by knights. Utilizing the knightly skill Lance Charging would make clearing the path easier.
As I mounted my steed, Lark and Wilkes also climbed onto their horses.
“Here we go.”
Veronica naturally settled herself behind me, wrapping her long arms around my waist and boldly embracing me.
I glanced back at her.
“What are you doing?”
“I can’t ride, and I need to cast protective shields in case of emergencies. It’s better this way, isn’t it? We’ve done it before.”
She referenced a similar situation back in Baekun Village. I shrugged.
“Haven’t learned to ride yet? What’ve you been doing all this time?”
“The position of cardinal keeps one rather busy.”
“Think it’s okay for a cardinal to hug a man like this?”
“A man, huh.”
At my joke, she chuckled lightly.
“Why not? These things happen.”
How relaxed. Unlike the three over there, who wouldn’t stop staring at us.
“Anyway, is everyone ready?”
Gripping the reins in one hand, I tightened my hold on the lance.
The battle had already begun, with the Special Unit clashing fiercely against the White beasts and the cultists of the White Moon.
“Lance Charging!!”