The World After Leaving the Hero’s Party

Chapter 8: Why

In this world, there exists a word called “destiny.” It is like a compass guiding the direction of mortal lives, already predetermined.

Some rise high according to their destiny only to fall into ruin, while others claw their way up from the depths.

Among astrologers and astronomers, there are those who claim that everything about a person is determined by fate.

Claire rather liked the word destiny.

After all, it was destiny that had transformed her, a girl from a small village, into a hero of the world.

It was also destiny that allowed her to draw the sword no one else in the kingdom could pull, and led her to fight to save the world.

And

By drawing the Hero’s Sword, she had met the Sage.

That’s why she liked the word destiny.

Even though the Sage had left them, she considered that merely a consequence of her own inadequacy.

She and he had met through destiny.

If it hadn’t been destiny, there would be no explanation for why he accompanied them on the journey to defeat the Demon King.

And, because of that destiny, she had to hold onto the hope that she would meet him again.

But sometimes…

Sometimes that so-called destiny was terrifying.

Especially now, as she faced a moment where she had no choice, where she was forced to make a decision.

“It’s time to go.”

With a heavy voice, coarse skin, and scars etched across his face, the middle-aged General Leoden spoke in his brusque tone.

Claire didn’t particularly like him. Admittedly, his rough features might be intimidating to women her age.

But, having seen the horrific appearances of the monsters on their journey to defeat the Demon King, his looks didn’t really bother her.

The only reason she disliked General Leoden was because he knew everything.

And because, despite knowing, he always forced her to choose.

“…Couldn’t I just open the portal for you?”

Claire, hesitating, couldn’t help but voice her thoughts, even though this was her duty. Even though it was her mission as a hero.

As always, Leoden responded calmly, his deep, reprimanding tone cutting through her hesitation and forcing her to decide.

“Submitting regular reports is your duty.”

“…Understood.”

Once, she had turned her back on her duty.

Had she not experienced firsthand what had happened as a result?

So why was she trying to run away again?

Claire bit down hard on her lip, silencing the dark part of herself that laughed mockingly. Sting. From her split lip, she tasted the now-familiar tang of blood.

“…I will open the portal.”

Only the Hero could open a portal, something even the Sage was incapable of.

Watching the portal, one of her divine blessings, Leoden strode through without hesitation, and Claire halted as she took in the view of the royal capital on the other side.

On the other side of the portal, the royal capital was basking in summer.

It was the first summer festival since the Demon King’s defeat.

As she gazed at the bustling preparations for the festival, grander and more spectacular than the one she had once attended, she lowered her head.

She had no right to think about the one she’d shared that festival with.

Suppressing memories of that blissful, joyous time, Claire forced herself to step forward, heavy-footed.

The capital she’d seen beyond the portal was bustling with preparations for the festival. Unlike the warzones she was used to, the peaceful atmosphere here, along with the bright, scorching sunlight, had lifted everyone’s spirits. Yet, as she walked toward the palace, Claire’s footsteps remained heavy.

“General Leoden and the Hero, welcome. His Majesty is expecting you. Please follow me.”

With a rigid expression, the deputy commander of the Royal Order led them onward. Familiar with the palace’s corridors by now, Claire let out a long, weary sigh as they walked toward the audience chamber.

Facing the royal palace, the most prominent building in the capital with its long history and traditions, weighed heavily on her heart. Seeing it always brought someone to mind.

“…Haah.”

She had often entered the palace with Leventia or Evangeline, but never with Hyun Woo.

He had loved ancient relics, ruins, and lavish places, yet she had never been able to bring him to the palace.

After all, he was an unofficial party member, merely a follower, in practical terms.

Of course, she had petitioned for his entry multiple times, but those requests were always dismissed by the nobles and knights.

An unknown individual.

An unblessed one.

They refused to allow him into the palace, claiming they couldn’t let someone like him, whose motives were unclear, near the Hero’s party.

So, whenever she had the chance, Claire would tell the queen about the Sage.

That he was a good person, an exceptional person.

And thus, she had finally secured permission for him to enter the palace.

But he never once accompanied her there.

By then, their relationship had already grown so strained.

Walking down the corridors adorned with polished marble, Claire could only think of them as paths of thorns.

This splendor suffocated her.

What could he…

What could he be doing right now?

“Isn’t the summer festival soon? Amy, are you going with your boyfriend?”

“Yes! I bought a new outfit just for it. Hehe. I’m going to try to charm him with it.”

Her keen hearing caught the maids’ whispers from a corner of the hallway.

Their casual gossip, trivial to them, struck a chord deep within her.

She, too, had dressed in something she’d never normally wear.

What had she been thinking when she wore that outfit?

…Ah, that’s right.

She had wanted to make him happy by looking beautiful for him.

So that he could stand beside something that would leave others in awe.

With such arrogance, such pride.

As though she were rewarding him by gracing him with her presence.

It had been a mistake.

If only she had done something different.

If only…

If only…

If only she had hugged him when he stood outside the festival grounds that day.

If only she had begged for forgiveness.

If only she had thanked him, apologized, admitted how undeserving she was for him taking on her burdens.

If only she’d resolved to step forward and handle the duties she had pushed onto him.

For someone who had lived by leaning so heavily on him, what did a mere dress matter?

Even if she had to offer her blood-stained, scarred body to keep him from leaving…

“…Huh…?”

She froze when she saw a man standing in front of the audience chamber, a faint, familiar smile on his face.

The regrets that had always filled her mind…

The wretched self she faced with every breath…

All of it disappeared in an instant, leaving her mind blank.

On that blank slate, the name “Hyun Woo” dripped like ink, spreading rapidly.

Why was the Sage—why was Hyun Woo here?

She didn’t know the reason. But she had to speak.

No, she had to say something to him.

Not once had she been able to see him since he left, despite her endless desire to apologize, to beg for forgiveness.

He had adamantly refused any contact with them.

And now, she saw him here, as if by fate.

Yes, perhaps this was destiny.

If it was, then she had to act.

Regardless of where she was.

No matter who she was.

No matter what her duty might be.

“…Sa…ge…?”