Soon after Randolf left, Lucas, Edwin, and Fio entered the room. Lucas held a stoic expression while Edwin wore a grim face. Fio, meanwhile, did not seem to understand what was going on, but perhaps sensing the heavy atmosphere, she did not have her usual cheeriness.

Lina was about to say something, but though her lips had made subtle movements, no words came to be. Instead, it was Lucas who was the first to speak.

"Theodore..." But even then, Lucas was unable to find his words.

Being the oldest of the children, he was also the one with the strongest sense of responsibility. Though he wanted to protect Theodore, he knew that it would have to be done at the cost of everyone else here. They could run away together, but Fio, Lina, and Theodore were still so young, could they live a life of being constantly hunted? In fact, Lucas couldn't even be sure if he himself could handle living like that.

"It's fine," said Theodore, trying to comfort them. "More importantly, I'm going to enroll into the Mage Tower! I'm going to learn some real magic! Isn't it exciting?"

Pumping his fist, Theodore feigned excitement at the idea. At this point, that was the only thing he could do for them. He wanted them to believe that this was what he wanted, even if he was reluctant deep down.

(It can't be helped. It was bound to happen one day. It just came sooner than expected, that's all.)

Internally trying to convince himself, Theodore beamed a bright smile despite feeling unwell, not yet recovering from the taxing healing magic he had performed.

"It's going to be the first time I'll be leaving town as well. I'm kind of looking forward to it. Oh, but don't worry, I'll be sure to keep writing letters to you guys. No matter where I go, I'll be sure to keep thinking of every-"

Before he could finish what he was going to say, Theodore was hit by a soft tackle. With her surprisingly thin arms wrapped around his head, Lina held Theodore tightly.

"Please... Please don't go. I won't nag at you anymore. I won't tell you to stop going into the hills anymore. Please, just stay here."

She was crying. With his head held, Theodore couldn't see her face, but from her voice, it was obvious that Lina was crying. Gently, he moved his arms to embrace her as well, rubbing her back to comfort her.

"Are you going somewhere?" Fio grabbed at Theodore's ankle. "Can you not? You didn't do anything bad, so why do you have to go?"

"Don't worry about it," Theodore said while maintaining his smile. "I told you right, I'm a hero, so I'll just be gone training for a bit."

"Then you'll be back, right? Once you get strong."

Unconsciously, Theodore tightened his grasp on Lina.

"Yeah, I'll be back. I'll definitely be back."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"Okay..."

To Fio, Theodore had never once gone back on his words. If he promised it, he had never failed to deliver. Which was why she never suspected a thing.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

A little ways from Theodore's bed, he could hear muffled sobbing. It sounded like Edwin was trying to stop himself from crying, but failed to do so. Lucas was by his side, trying to comfort him.

In this room, shared by the three boys that may as well be brothers, sadness overflowed. The only saving grace for Theodore was that Maria was not there to experience this.

***

A day after Theodore, Maria finally awoke. When she heard about what happened, she rushed out of her bed and began complaining to Randolf who was staying there to monitor Theodore. If it weren't for everyone else telling her that she needed to rest, she likely would have protested until Randolf's ears fell off.

Then, four more days passed. The time for departure was drawing close. Though anxious, those around Theodore could only pray that the ones to receive him were the mages instead of the Paladins.

Of course, Theodore had considered escaping, but with Randolf there, keeping a constant vigil, seemingly without sleep, there were no openings Theodore could exploit. Even if he did manage to somehow succeed, there were not many places he could go. He'd have to wager his chances in the wilderness, where he would have to contend with beasts and the occasional monsters. Despite being able to wield some meager magic, Theodore was not optimistic about his chances of survival.

Theodore considered unsealing Merry as well, but having no means of dealing with her should she run amok, he might very well be offering himself up as a meal. Either way, with no way to slip past Randolf, such a plan was moot.

His last days in the temple weighed heavily upon Theodore. For these last few days, they made him the most extravagant of meals, at least, as extravagant as they could afford. It was as if these last days were some special festivities, festivities only for him. Though the others remained as jovial as possible throughout the days, it was easy to see that the mood was forced. They wished to send him off with happy memories of this place, perhaps the final memories of this place.

On the fifth day, finally, a carriage arrived before the temple. It was a large carriage with barred windows, looking more like a sealed box rather than something one would want to travel in. There was an emblem on the side, one of a sword possessing a single eye, trusted downwards. It was the emblem of the Paladins of Eustia.

Many heavily armored paladins descended from the carriage, swords in their hands with one of them holding chains and shackles. Rather than being here for a child, it was more like they were here to arrest a dangerous criminal.

The paladins barged into the temple without so much as a knock on the door, spreading out with weapons at the ready as if they were raiding a bandits' lair to the shock of Maria and the orphans who had gathered due to the ruckus. Randolf, who had been staying at the temple to monitor Theodore, came out as well to meet the paladins.

"Captain Randolf, bring forth the reincarnated Demon Lord."

Stepping forward to speak was a paladin wearing ornate armor and a helmet shaped like a bucket, deciding even before his trials that Theodore was the Demon Lord reborn.

"Horace, the trials have not yet begun. Isn't it too early to-"

Before he could finish, Randolf was struck on the side of his cheek. He was surprised to be sure, but his stance shifted by not a single degree.

"I am a commander, Captain Randolf, your superior. I do not believe that I need to remind you of this again." The man named Horace, with a cold gaze, spoke without losing composure.

"I apologize, Commander Horace. However, it is as I have said, the trials have not yet begun. Or perhaps you believe your authority is above that of the Inquisitors?"

Horace grimaced at these words only slightly, the coldness in his eyes remained unfading. Again, he struck Randolf. Again, Randolf endured without flinching.

"Perhaps I have misspoken," said Horace, his voice without emotions. "But as the Inquisitors are not currently here, I am of the highest authority. I will not allow back-talking."

"As long as you understand."

Once more, Randolf was struck. It proved to be ineffective. Though he remained outwardly cold, seeing himself being belittled in such a way stoked a burning rage within the heart of the man named Horace.

"Hmph! I won't forget this."

Taking his eyes off of Randolf, Horace turned his cold eyes towards Maria and the others gathered behind Randolf. Immediately, Theodore was spotted, his white hair stood out amongst the others.

Instinctively, Theodore could feel that he was in grave danger even though his trials had not even begun. Perhaps Maria had sensed it as well. Reflexively, her hands wrapped around Theodore to keep him from being taken away.

"Take the boy," said Horace as he waved at the paladins around him. "Kill anyone who dares to resist."

***

End of Chapter 13

***