The World After Leaving the Hero’s Party

Chapter 11: Midnight Visitor (1)

—

[‘Healing Mastery’ achieved.]

Wow. Finally got it.

While I was busy confirming my new achievement, Lucille sat down among the numerous monster corpses—creatures that resembled wild boars—catching her breath.

“Hah… hah…”

That labored breathing was a sign she’d used her magic to its limits during the fight. She could barely even hold onto the sword in her hand.

Lucille had shown remarkable talent when she was young. Although she hadn’t used that talent much after shutting herself away in her room, I’d heard she was once exceptional in both swordsmanship and magic.

Even though she hadn’t trained for a long time, she was still capable enough to handle a relatively easy quest like this on her own.

“Hehe.”

Lucille took my outstretched hand and stood up. Watching her, the werewolf shaman gave a cheeky wink and a grin.

Our quest was simply to gather mushrooms in the forest.

So, why did we end up in a fierce battle with monsters? There was only one reason.

“Wow! It’s been ages since I’ve caught so many monsters! Sage! Have you ever tried monster meat? Oh, humans probably can’t eat it, right? But it’s surprisingly tasty if you get used to it. Next time you come to our village, you have to try the special monster boar steak! My sister’s an expert at making it. And, uh, Miss Lucille? You can come too! You’re the Sage’s apprentice, after all!”

Despite his friendly invitation, Lucille gave him a look full of resentment. The werewolf boy just grinned even wider.

“If you mention the name Wilkes Stridum, you can eat and drink to your heart’s content in my village! I’m the strongest shaman there, believe it or not! Oh, right. You haven’t seen my shaman magic in action, have you? Should I show you? So, like—”

Lucille’s face grew darker. Perhaps tired of his endless babbling, she started to rub her earlobe and then looked over at me.

I flicked the furry forehead of the chattering werewolf, silencing him with a smack.

Thwack!

“Ow!”

“Would you kindly shut up?”

“Ow! I got hit! Even my father never hit me!”

Ah, so that’s why you ended up like this—because your father didn’t have the sense to discipline you. Well, if I ever visit your village, I’ll be sure to tell him.

Might as well suggest that a little discipline would be beneficial for his son.

If the Sage says it, they’ll take it seriously.

“…Ugh… I thought this was supposed to be an easy quest…”

As Lucille muttered in her exhaustion, the werewolf boy only grinned even more cheerfully.

The reason we encountered so many monsters during what was supposed to be an easy mushroom-gathering quest was clear.

This kid.

His boundless energy and relentless chattering were loud enough to be heard from a mile away.

In a quiet forest where you could only hear birds and the occasional babbling brook, anyone making that much noise would attract monsters like a magnet.

Whether he realized his role in this chaos or not, the boy still wore a bright smile.

I nearly wanted to flick him again.

Anyway, we’d found the mushrooms we were looking for. I plucked a large mushroom from under an oak tree, stashed it in my bag, and tucked my staff into my belt.

“Hah… hah… Master… I… I think I’m at my limit…”

Lucille was always quiet. Even the maids around her tended to be reserved, matching her demeanor.

But after enduring this chatterbox and facing the horde of monsters his noise had attracted, she looked half dazed.

Tsk, tsk. How will she survive in this harsh world like this?

“Let’s head back.”

“Oh, but it’s a pity. I’d love to spend more ti—”

“…Let’s go back.”

Oh, wow.

Lucille’s voice was icy as she shot him a sharp glare.

Lucille, the self-doubting, timid Lucille—had actually spoken so bluntly to someone else!

Maybe it was her intense, chilling aura, but the boy sheepishly patted my arm and whispered in an unusually small voice.

“Your apprentice is kind of scary.”

Well, you’re the one who made her scary.

After completing the quest, I led an utterly exhausted Lucille toward the fountain at the center of the royal capital.

She found a quiet spot to sit, calming herself with the sandwiches and juice her maid had packed. Watching her, I took out my lute.

“Oh…”

“Would you prefer to eat in peace?”

Playing music to reduce stress counted as an achievement, after all.

Especially because listening to music during a meal enhanced the effect, so I wanted to take the opportunity while I could.

As I gently strummed the lute and posed the question, Lucille pulled out a sandwich from the basket, took a small bite, and gave me a slight smile.

“You’re not eating?”

“I usually skip lunch.”

“Hmm… Then I’ll leave it to you.”

After tuning the strings, I plucked them a few times. It had been a while since I’d played street minstrel.

Sitting by the fountain, I began to pluck the lute’s strings for my lone audience.

Twang, twang. Alongside the trickling sound of the fountain, the clear, delicate tones of the lute rang out.

Thanks to performing frequently while following the main storyline, I’d become skilled enough with the lute to avoid criticism.

As I continued to play, a few people—some who seemed to be resting, others on dates—stopped to join my audience.

Ding, ding…

The song ended, and Lucille seemed visibly more relaxed.

“Wow~!”

“One more song, please!”

“Over here!”

Since the tune was calm and pleasant, some couples even approached with coins in hand, smiling as they tossed a few coins my way. Not that I was short on money, so I didn’t really need to accept.

Politely returning the coins, I turned back to Lucille.

“Feeling better?”

“Yes. But, Master… your playing… it’s incredible. I think it’s even better than the palace musicians.”

“You flatter me.”

And you really do.

Those musicians could play circles around me.

I’d listened to them occasionally—real professionals are on another level.

“No, I mean it.”

“People say that the way you perceive music depends on your mood.”

“Oh… So, the others from the Hero’s Party…”

Lucille hesitated, glancing at me as she spoke.

I responded with a silent smile, and she seemed to catch the hint, lowering her head slightly, her shoulders shrinking in apology.

“I’m sorry.”

“Apologizing immediately after making a mistake? You’re truly remarkable, Princess.”

Plenty of people couldn’t manage that simple courtesy. Remembering the others I’d met, I stowed my lute away.

“Shall we head out?”

“Yes. I’ll return to the castle—”

“No.”

“…Sorry?”

“We have another stop.”

It was only noon. There was still plenty of time left in the day.

At the very least, I thought we should aim to complete three quests. Lucille’s face paled at my explanation, but I didn’t have any intention of going easy on her.

“So, um… who will we be paired with this time?” she asked cautiously.

“Not sure.”

TL Note: Pls 🙂 Rate us on NOVEL UPDATES