The World After Leaving the Hero’s Party

Chapter 28: Return (1)

“…Well, if you really want to go in that badly…”

“No, there’s no need to intrude on someone’s personal privacy.”

I’d wait until we were closer before stepping inside. Forcing my way in now and causing unnecessary tension could disrupt my plans later, which would be a headache.

“……”

Veronica stared at me silently, her expression as unreadable as ever. Her silver hair rippled in the breeze, scattering over her black clerical robe.

She always had a cold demeanor, even in illustrations and in-game. Seeing her now, in person, she seemed even more so.

“Oh, really? Then let’s get to cleaning.”

With a sharp turn, she began walking briskly. Watching her retreating figure, I tilted my head in confusion.

What’s with her?

“Hey! Wait for me!”

Sometimes, when no one else wanted to deal with a task, there was usually a good reason. But I didn’t expect it to be this much of a disaster.

Standing at the entrance of the warehouse, I saw Veronica avoiding my gaze.

“What’s the deal with this place?”

“Well, uh, the Inquisitors kind of just dumped all the items not related to heretical investigations in here…”

“You’re not telling me they left important or dangerous items here too, are you?”

“Of course not! Those are stored properly elsewhere!”

“Good. Then all we need to do is organize this mess, right?”

“Just separate the items marked for disposal, and the junior priests will handle the rest. Come on, let’s get to work.”

Veronica rolled up the sleeves of her black clerical robe. Was she really planning to help? When she moved to step inside, I grabbed her hood.

“What now?”

“Shouldn’t Your Eminence rest? I can handle this on my own.”

“You’re going to clean a warehouse this size all by yourself?”

“This isn’t a big deal for me.”

In the game, this warehouse-cleaning task required at least three people. One of them had to be a mage, and another a warrior, because their skills were essential for the job.

But I could use all the skills from every class, so I could manage it solo.

“Want me to fetch you a lantern?”

“No need. Light.”

I cast a basic magic spell, creating a sphere of light that brightened the dim warehouse. Now I could see every corner clearly. And wow, there really was a lot of junk.

“Oh, there’s some decent gear here too.”

“If there’s anything you need, feel free to take it.”

“Don’t mind if I do.”

Since these were items confiscated from heretics, they were unlikely to be cheap trinkets. I picked up a sword lying neatly atop a cabinet and unsheathed it.

It hadn’t been maintained in a while, so the blade was slightly dulled, but it was still a fine weapon.

“I’ll be taking some of these weapons.”

This worked out perfectly, as I needed some for registering with Moonlight.

After I set the sword aside, Veronica approached, glanced at the label on the weapon, and nodded.

“Sure, go ahead.”

“But where did this one come from? It looks pretty high-quality.”

“That was taken during an operation a long time ago. The Inquisitors were hunting down the Heart of a Heretical Cult, and it belonged to their archbishop. It turned out to be an ordinary sword after thorough examination, so it ended up here. See the emblem on it?”

“Oh, I see.”

“I thought you’d recognize the emblem immediately.”

This part wasn’t in the game, so I wouldn’t know. I nodded vaguely and picked up a nearby axe.

“What about this one?”

“That’s from the Berserker Lokart, who devoured human flesh. There were rumors that his madness stemmed from this axe.”

“But it wasn’t true?”

“No, it was the work of a demon possessing his body.”

Many of the items stored here had intriguing backstories. Listening to Veronica’s explanations, I inspected various objects and selected the weapons I needed.

“You could get better equipment if you completed more missions…”

“This is plenty. Now, let’s get started.”

After registering a staff rumored to have been used by a snake-worshiping cultist with Moonlight, I held the weapon aloft. As soon as I did, Moonlight emitted a gentle green glow, transforming into a staff that radiated pale lunar light. I immediately activated a skill.

“Wind.”

The quality of the staff amplified the spell’s power. A gust of wind swept through the warehouse, gathering foul odors and dust and expelling them outside. Then, using the list Veronica held, I methodically got to work.

“Are you sure you don’t need help?”

“Absolutely. Go take a break. If you insist on doing something, maybe prepare some tea for when I’m done.”

“…Oh, uh, sure. I’ll get the best tea ready.”

Even though I didn’t need assistance, Veronica sent a few junior priests my way. Since they weren’t really needed, I sent them back. By the time I’d finished organizing most of the items, a nun came to inspect the warehouse.

“Wow, this is amazing! I didn’t think it would be this spotless…”

“I’ve placed the items marked for disposal over there, and the rest are organized in the cabinets according to the list. Also, there were some damaged shelves, so I repaired them.”

“You even did repairs?”

“Yes. I noticed part of the warehouse wall was crumbling, too. If you provide the materials, I could handle that as well. I’ve got experience with stonework and construction.”

“Oh my goodness… You’ve done so much already! We can handle the rest. This is more than enough!”

It seemed to be a big success. Judging by the satisfied look on the nun’s face, there was no doubt.

“As a reward, we’ll be providing you with three bottles of holy water.”

“Thank you. I’ll gladly accept.”

“If you’re finished here, Cardinal Veronica has requested your presence.”

“Understood.”

After learning where Veronica was waiting, I closed the warehouse door and headed to the small garden behind the building. There, Veronica was waiting with tea already prepared.

“All done? Good work.”

“It was nothing. Anything else you need done? Another warehouse, perhaps?”

“Well… Nothing like this for now.”

Unlike adventurers, who often avoided certain tasks, it seemed the church didn’t have too many requests that were left untouched.

But there was no use whining about it. You can’t conjure work out of thin air.

So I decided to use my connections.

Might as well take advantage of what I’ve got.

“By the way, wouldn’t your personal requests count as official missions?”

“Well… I am a high-ranking cleric, so as long as the rewards are within my authority…”

“If you ever have something difficult to handle, don’t hesitate to call me. I’ll drop everything and come running.”

“…Oh, oh. Really? If it comes to that, the reward would…”

“Don’t misunderstand my pure goodwill and generosity. Do you think I’d help you just for a reward?”

The count matters. The count always matters.

Honestly, I’m not particularly interested in relics, potions, or holy water.

“…What… What do you mean by that…? Hah… Forget it. Just drink your tea.”

When she poured a cup of deep red tea, I picked it up and took a sip. As expected of a cardinal, both the tea and cookies were excellent.

“So? Where are you off to next?”

“Back to the royal palace.”

For now, my base of operations is the palace. I have to continue training Lucille, handling requests from the Adventurer’s Guild, and working on completing my achievements.

I gave a half-hearted reply while reviewing my remaining achievements. Veronica, however, stared at me intently.

“Do you have any plans to settle down?”

“Not really.”

“Why not? You must’ve saved up a fortune by now.”

“If you shake my pockets, you’ll only get dust.”

“Where did all the money you’ve earned go?”

Where else? Into my achievement grind.

Saving a starving village during a famine, treating a sick elderly woman, rescuing enslaved non-humans…

Not to mention, I spent a lot leveling up life skills like cooking, metallurgy, woodworking, leatherworking, and gem crafting. That stuff burns money fast.

“Besides, the jobs I take don’t pay well to begin with.”

“Hah… Sometimes I think you’re more of a priest than I am. If that’s the case, why not just join the church?”

“No thanks. Anyway, thanks for the tea and cookies. I should get going.”

“…The Hero’s Party… Claire, Leventia, Evangeline… You’re not going to see them before you leave?”

“Those three? Why?”

There’s no reason for me to meet them, nor do I have any particular business with them. I replied casually and raised my hand in farewell.

“Well then, see you next time. If anything comes up, contact me at the royal palace.”

“…Anything?”

“Anything.”

As long as it counts towards the church’s request tally, I’ll show up whenever they call.

I extended my hand to Veronica, and after hesitating for a moment, she lightly shook it.

“See you next time.”

“…Yeah. Take care.”

Veronica gripped my hand tightly for a moment and offered a faint smile. She slowly released her grip, and I gave her a smirk in return.

“Well then, goodbye!”

Like a gust of wind, he was gone. Veronica let out a deep sigh.

What a man, she thought. Always so free of greed.

It had been the same back when the Hero’s Party defeated the Demon King.

From the moment she first met him in the village of Baek-eun, he had been a great help. Out of curiosity, she’d even conducted an investigation into him.

The Sage.

Unlike the self-proclaimed wise men of the continent, who were all talk, he was different. His affiliation, identity, and even his place of origin were shrouded in mystery, making him all the more suspicious.

But his actions were undeniably those of a true sage—closer to a saint than most priests she knew.

The more Veronica learned about him, the more fascinated she became. That interest, rather than fading, grew stronger over time. It spread within her like a wildfire, consuming her thoughts.

“Thank you for your hard work today.”

As Veronica returned to her chambers, a nun greeted her politely. Veronica, lost in thought, scratched her cheek before asking.

“Sister Lorbenia.”

“Yes, Your Eminence?”

“Come to think of it, you’re married, aren’t you? And you have children?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

The church allowed its priests to marry and have families, although it wasn’t common among the more devout clergy. Even the Pope himself had a wife.

Lost in her musings, Veronica gave Sister Lorbenia a faint smile.

“Isn’t it difficult? Balancing church duties with taking care of your family?”

“My husband is very supportive and kind. He helps out a lot, so it’s not much of a burden.”

“…I see. Supportive… kind… Understood. Carry on.”

After giving a small bow, Sister Lorbenia walked away. Watching her retreating figure, Veronica let out another sigh.

Supportive. Kind. Helpful.

Repeating the words in a murmur, Veronica arrived at her room. She lifted the divine seal that only she could break and stepped inside. Here, in this private sanctuary, she could finally relax.

“Light of Heaven.”

The light conjured in her hand illuminated the room. The walls, desk, bed, and every surface were filled with one thing—materials and sketches all about the Sage.

Since developing her interest in him, Veronica had diligently collected everything she could find. Every detail about his actions, every trace of his presence, all compiled in this space.

A space filled with countless records and images of Yoon Hyun woo, the Sage—a space she could never let him see.

No matter how kind-hearted he was, this might be too much, even for him.

So she had to keep it hidden. No one else could know.

These treasures of hers, which brought her comfort in difficult times.

“Ah…”

Even so, the drawings and dolls inspired by him paled in comparison to the real thing—the living, breathing Hyun woo, who had just been laughing and chatting beside her.

Veronica sat down heavily on her bed. She placed the teacup he had used on the table beside her bed.

Another treasure was added to her collection.

She tapped the cup lightly with her slender fingers and smiled faintly. Hugging a large pillow adorned with a sketch of Hyun woo, she murmured softly.

“I’ll protect you. No matter what.”

TL Note: Rate us on NOVEL UPDATES