Farewells

"A boorish bunch, aren't you?"

Just as the paladins were about to take Theodore in, a presence announced their arrival. Striding through the front door with an unhurried gait, an enigmatic presence entered the chapel. Wearing a thick grey robe with the hood on and a white mask without any features aside from a pair of drawn eyes, it was difficult to tell anything about the new arrival. Still, from their voice, one could surmise that they're a woman.

"The zealots of Eustia seemed to get worse every year. Are you so lacking in recruits that you've begun to take in thugs?" the mysterious continued, hurling provocations at the paladins even as she approached, unafraid of the armed men.

"Who are you!? Name yourself!"

Surprised, the paladins turn their weapons towards the masked woman and began surrounding her. The only ones present that remained unshaken were Commander Horace, Randolf, and Theodore who had spotted her before she entered.

"The name is Annaliese," the woman announced proudly. "Master Enchanter of the Mage Tower, at your service."

"Anna... It's been a while." Randolf was the first to respond. "How is the Archmage?"

"She said to send you her regards, though she also expressed irritation at the fact that you only ever write to her when you need something. Not that any of that has anything to do with me. Where is the boy you spoke of in your letter?"

"Halt!" Horace stepped forward. "The Paladins found the boy first. We will take him under our custody."

"That matters not. The boy has already been accepted as an apprentice of the Mage Tower, we will take it from here."

"Apprentice? Since when?" For the first time, there was a fluctuation in Horace's voice, showing confusion at the situation. "Don't tell me..."

As the realization dawned on him, Horace turned his gaze towards Randolf.

"I've spoken to the boy about his condition and have reasons to believe that he may have something to do with the Mage Tower, so I contacted them as well," Randolf offered up an explanation just as Horace was about to demand it.

"Again with that self-righteousness of yours... It would appear that being demoted and transferred to such a remote region was not punishment enough for you."

"Are we done?" the master enchanter, Annaliese, cut in. "If there's nothing else, I'll be taking the boy."

Horace sent her a glare, staring at her as if trying to bore a hole right through Annaliese's flesh.

"If you've made him an official apprentice, then it can't be helped. Foolish as it may be, the empire has left the administration of mages to the Circle of Mages. Of course, if you err in your judgment regarding the boy, you will be the ones held responsible. Mark my words, if the boy does turn out to be Demon Lord and you do nothing, The Paladins will be the first to petition for the dismantlement of your institution."

Waving at his paladins, Horace signaled them to begin pulling back. Though some of them grumbled and whispered curses at the 'witch' from the Mage Tower, none of them dared to disobey.

Just before he took his leave, however, Horace turned towards Randolf one last time.

"Your petty little ideals and self-righteousness alone won't save anyone," he uttered, his voice filled with hate. "Let us hope none of us live to regret this."

With those final words, Horace and his paladins finally left the chapel. Even so, it wasn't until the galloping of the horses pulling on the carriage had faded into the distance did Maria and the orphans let loose a sigh of relief.

***

"Is that him?" asked Annaliese as she approached Theodore.

"I'm, um, Theodore... Nice to meet you," responded Theodore as he tried to calm his pounding heart after going through the ordeal that was the Paladins of Eustia.

As Theodore looked up into the drawn eyes upon the master enchanter's mask, he could feel the hands wrapped around him tighten. Theodore had relaxed since Horace had left, but Maria only got more anxious. It was because, in the end, Theodore would be taken regardless.

"Oh, quite a sensible child you are. I wonder how much you remember."

Reaching out her hand, Annaliese tried to pat the boy on the head, only for him to be pulled away by a rather nervous Maria. Annaliese, being able to read the mood, quickly refrained.

"We shall be leaving soon. Say your farewells while you can. I will be waiting outside."

With that, Annaliese exited the building. Randolf, after looking around awkwardly, began to follow suit and took his leave as well.

For a moment, there was finally silence in the chapel. Yet, it was not peaceful, the air heavy with anxiety and melancholy.

"I guess I'll be going now," said Theodore, the first to break the silence.

"I need to go grab something. I'll be back in a minute," said Lina, before running off into the back.

"Theodore," calling his name with the sweetest voice, Maria lowered herself to meet Theodore's gaze. "I'm not sure what this reincarnation business is all about, but no matter who you are, who you used to be, no matter what happens, you'll always be my sweet Theodore. I'll always love you. Always."

As she said those words, she pulled Theodore into her embrace. Wrapped in her arms, Theodore could hear the softest sobbing in his ears.

Theodore wasn't sure why, but he could feel a wet warmth in his eyes. He did not know it... He did not know how much he needed to hear those words, to know that there would be someone who would love him no matter who he was.

(I don't want to go. I want to stay here. I don't want to be the Demon Lord. I just want to be Theodore. I just... I just want to stay here forever...)

But he could not speak those words aloud, no matter how much they tore at his heart, struggling to come out.

"I'll be fine," Theodore finally said, forging his aching heart into steel. "I'll be sure to write often and tell you about all the things out there."

Gently, Theodore broke away from her, meeting Maria, her eyes red, with a bright smile. He swore in his heart that no tears would be shed from him today, not in front of those he loved the most. He wasn't about cost them a shred of worry.

"I don't doubt that you'll do just fine," said Lucas as he placed his rugged hand gently on Theodore's head. He had a bitter smile on his face. "You'll be the first of us to go see the world. Write us plenty and tell us about your trip, alright?"

"I can't believe you beat me to it," said Edwin, putting a hand on Theodore's shoulder. "I thought I would be the first one to venture out into the world."

"You'll come back, right?" said Fio as she tugged on Theodore's sleeve. "You promised, right?"

"Yeah, I'll be back in a jiffy. So don't worry about it."

It was, of course, a lie. As far as Theodore knew, he won't be back in a long while. He might never come back. With the exception of Fio, they all likely knew this too.

Soon enough, Lina returned. Clutched before her chest was a set of six objects, wooden carvings it seemed. Theodore had known for a while now, that Lina was fond of carving with wood. He had caught her chipping away at a piece of wood with a piece of sharp stone once. Back then, she made him promise to keep it a secret, though Theodore would tease her with it every now and then.

"I know they're not that good, but it's the best I can do right now. I want you to have them."

The carvings were of varying heights. Upon receiving them, Theodore gave back the one that was the second shortest of the carvings.

"This one is supposed to be a carving of me, right? Let's keep it here instead so that I'll be with you even if I'm not here."

"You can tell? I haven't even painted them yet..."

"It's obvious if you look at the height."

"I guess..."

"Though, by the time I come back, I'll probably be taller than you."

"Yeah..."

"You're rather meek today."

"Shuddup!"

Theodore let out a light chuckle. This was likely the last time he'll get to tease her.

"Well, I should be going now. Best not keep the master enchanter waiting if I want to make a good impression," said Theodore with pretend cheer.

***

End of Chapter 14

***