Before the Final Spurt

With little time to spare, Theodore and Kalman got to work preparing for their individual trials ahead.

With what appeared to be but one last step between them and their goals, Theodore and Kalman could no longer trust the other to help with any preparations. As such, Theodore would have to make do with what he did learn to make. As for the special smoke bombs and high-grade potions from Kalman, Theodore would have to make do with what was left of the supplies he had been given before.

While busy with preparations, Theodore had few chances to speak with the others. In fact, he hardly even saw Kalman anymore, with the old alchemist either in the workshop proper or in his study. As for Fiana and Albatross, while they do drop by daily, they appeared to be avoiding any sort of meaningful conversations.

Like so, the days went on, with the living room that was so filled with conversations and scheming becoming cold and silent.

Then, finally, the day came. With but a few in the city realizing it, the Archmage had disappeared from the city, signaling those who were in the know to action. And as their faction began to move, those who observed the shift began to move as well. One by one, as if clouds around a growing storm, the mages began to converge. On the surface, the city appeared to be calmer than ever before, but underneath, a great maelstrom was starting to form.

Having observed the eerie calm before the storm, Albatross called for the others, informing them of the signs.

"Finally! I was getting worried for a moment there that things weren't going as planned," said Theodore.

"*You're* worried!? I waited fifty years for this day. Fifty years!" Kalman exclaimed, his tension high, his greatest desire was the closest it had ever been within his reach.

"Well, good for you two, I guess," said Albatross, pretending to not be shaking with anxiety for what was to come.

"Father..." Fiana came forward. "I pray that your wish is fulfilled. As for myself... I will find a new life elsewhere, as you've told me. I... I am sorry that I am not more useful."

Kalman sighed at those words. In his eyes, Fiana was simply not suited to be a mage.

"Live strong," he said to her. "That is your right as someone who was born."

Silently, Fiana nodded.

While the father and daughter were talking, Albatross waved Theodore over, wanting to speak in private.

The two went into Theodore's room, with Albatross taking the bed and Theodore the chair by his desk, it was just like old times. Although it hasn't been that long, it felt as if it took forever to get here.

"Theodore, are you really staying behind?" asked Albatross.

"That's right. I'm not changing my mind now. Rather, my mind is set on this since the beginning."

So he said to convince Albatross, but things have changed. Even if he escapes, there was no longer anywhere he wanted to go. The place he called home, the people he promised to return to, they're already gone. With Albatross soon on her way out of the city, there was only the grudge Theodore had with the Demon Lord within him left.

"If you say so."

Compared to the other day, Albatross was relatively calm. No doubt she had done some contemplation on her own since that day.

"I am quite grateful to you, you know," Albatross said suddenly, her eyes turning away. "The truth was, you could have easily tossed me to the side once you started teaming up with Kalman, right?"

"Well, not quite. Your 'Albatross Notes' have proven rather useful."

"Maybe, but really, I don't think you, yourself would have needed it much. In the end, Kalman was the one with the most to gain from those notes. That's what I think."

"If it weren't for your info, I would have had quite a hard time getting my hands on the maps though."

"In hindsight, maybe, even though you had to get cursed to make it happen. But what was your original plan in including me in this little group?"

"... Well, I did promise that you and I would work together to escape this place."

"Work together, but not escape together, it would seem..."

"What's the matter? You seem to be caring about me a lot more these days. Did you forget that I'm the Demon Lord reincarnate?"

"I mean, if you're stuck here, I am going to have a hard time getting my revenge, wouldn't I?" With a smile, Albatross gave Theodore a sideway glance.

"Perhaps that is my master plan after all?" Theodore return the smile with a wicked grin, though the mood he displayed appeared more silly than wicked.

(You're not getting that revenge, I'm afraid, but I sure am.)

"But seriously," said Albatross, her expression becoming solemn, "why are you going down there? What's so important that you have to take such a big risk to get it?"

"I am afraid that will have to be a secret. It's too risky to speak its name aloud. But I assure you, it *is* important. Because even if I did escape this place, I can't escape the fact that I am a Demon Lord reincarnate. I am heading down there because this might just be my only chance of getting rid of this, to separate 'Theodore' from the 'Demon Lord.'"

With Theodore revealing his true, albeit mildly worded, intention, Albatross's eyes widened. All of the sudden, she felt embarrassed about her behavior the other day.

"Ah... I see... I see... If that's how it is, then I suppose I was a bit harsh the other day after all." Then, for a moment, Albatross went silent, appearing to be contemplating something as she bit her lips. "Still, even so, are you sure you have to go? Even I can tell that your survival would be slim."

"It's fine," said Theodore, his tone somewhat callous. "I have nowhere else to go anyways. With this, at least I can deal with the Demon Lord one way or the other."

From those words, Albatross was starting to understand what Theodore wanted to do, what it means for him to be rid of the Demon Lord. Almost instinctively, Albatross felt that Theodore was at a dangerous place.

With not even the slightest hesitation, Albatross reached out and grabbed onto Theodore's shoulder. Feeling once again how small he was, it reaffirmed her of what she was about to say.

"Come with us," Albatross said to him. "I don't know what happened, but if you have nowhere to go, then come with us."

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End of Chapter 123

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