The World After Leaving the Hero’s Party

Chapter 13: If I Do Better

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“Go inside. And… everyone else, leave us.”

The maids glanced at the Hero before quietly exiting. Left alone, Claire gazed at Lucille. Her outfit—a novice mage’s robe and a staff—was far from what one would expect from a princess.

That alone told Claire everything.

Lucille had left the palace.

She had gone out with him.

Claire’s hands clenched into fists. Outside the palace, preparations for the summer festival were well underway.

Claire studied Lucille, who stood before her with calm composure, and then spoke softly.

“You’ve been outside, haven’t you?”

“Yes. I was with the Master.”

Thud.

It felt as though something heavy was crushing her chest. A slight crack appeared in the mask of indifference Claire wore.

Lucille noticed it and smiled faintly.

“Is that why you came here? To ask about that?”

“Ah… no, not exactly. There is something I wanted to discuss with you.”

What could the Hero possibly want to discuss with her? Lucille swallowed hard.

Don’t be afraid.

“I heard you’re learning from Hyun Woo. Are you progressing well?”

“Yes. I still have much to learn, so I’m spending as much time as I can with my Master.”

“I see. Then… I’m sorry to inform you.”

Lucille tilted her head, puzzled by the sudden change in tone. Claire’s soft smile returned, but there was something unsettling about it.

Lucille unconsciously clenched her fists. The polished nails biting into her palm hurt less than the Hero’s gaze. That gaze—like someone who had just seized an opportunity—stung more.

“There are monsters appearing on the frontlines—monsters we’ve never seen before.”

“Is that so?”

Lucille tilted her head again, unsure of the relevance. Claire, with a mix of kindness and guilt, continued.

“In the past, Hyun Woo and we in the Hero’s Party have defeated many monsters. He always knew how to handle them.”

“And?”

“The monsters this time are incredibly powerful. To combat them, we need seasoned knights. But it’s not easy to deploy such knights to the frontlines.”

Unwanted pieces of information started falling into place. Despite having been secluded for years, Lucille’s sharp mind quickly discerned the reason for Claire’s visit.

A feeling of suffocation crept into her chest.

“Hyun Woo has agreed to return to the battlefield.”

When Lucille heard this from General Leoden earlier, she’d nearly cheered.

Of course, she hadn’t apologized to him yet. He hadn’t forgiven her.

But if Hyun Woo was going to the frontlines, it would make meeting him easier.

No matter what, by any means necessary, she could spend more time with him.

She could kneel, bow her head, and apologize.

If he wanted it, she would give him everything to earn his forgiveness—not just herself, but Leventia and Evangeline as well.

This was her chance.

The opportunity she had missed before. The opportunity she thought she would never have again.

A chance that felt like destiny’s final offering.

Determination flared in Lucille’s amber eyes, and she bit her lip.

“I see… understood.”

Lucille’s reaction was calmer than Claire expected. She had thought Lucille might rage, refuse to let him go, or even throw a tantrum.

When Claire, who had been bowing her head slightly, raised her face, she was met with a composed expression.

“If the Master decided this himself, there’s nothing I can do to stop him.”

A lie.

The truth was, she wanted to stop him.

She wanted to say, “Don’t go.”

Why go to where they were?

The people who caused him so much pain?

But Lucille couldn’t say any of that.

Because she was still just a student to him.

And he had promised her.

He had promised to stay until she grew stronger.

This was the man who had remained with the Hero’s Party despite their actions, supporting them until the Demon King was defeated.

Such a man wouldn’t suddenly abandon her without fulfilling his promise.

And even if he were to leave…

Surely, he wouldn’t go without saying anything.

“The frontlines are dangerous… I’m worried.”

“You don’t need to be. Princess, we…”

Claire began to speak earnestly, but Lucille couldn’t help but smile faintly.

This was the same man who had managed to befriend all sorts of rowdy adventurers.

Yet he had severed ties with the Hero’s Party.

And now Claire was trying to assure her that it wouldn’t be dangerous?

Claire caught the meaning behind Lucille’s smile and lowered her gaze, guilt gnawing at her.

They had driven away someone so kind, someone who had endured so much for them.

And now they were hoping for his forgiveness?

Her hand trembled.

Fear, buried deep within her heart, began to resurface.

What if he never forgave them?

For over half a year, he had avoided any interaction with them.

Even their last meeting had been purely coincidental.

What if he truly rejected her, rejected them?

Then what?

How could she…

Crash!

Claire’s thoughts were interrupted as the locked door shattered. Maids were thrown to the ground as armed assassins stormed in, exuding murderous intent.

“Blaze!”

Lucille was the first to act. Her staff glowed, and a mid-tier fire spell engulfed the assassins.

Claire was astonished.

As far as she knew, Lucille had barely been capable of novice-level magic until recently.

How had she improved so much in such a short time?

Claire couldn’t help but be impressed by Hyun Woo’s exceptional teaching.

Slash!

Claire dispatched the surviving assassins in a single strike. Letting out a heavy sigh, she turned her gaze to a distant window. Beyond it, she saw Hyun Woo standing with the Queen and General Leoden.

It seemed there had been trouble there as well, but Hyun Woo had already dealt with it.

Of course he had. That was just like him.

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.”