Despite having run too fast, Theo's breathing was steady; his stamina was too high for it to affect him. He barged inside the council room and came face to face with Eldoria, who was sitting on her chair with a grim expression.
He immediately jumped at her, wrapping his arms around her. It had been a whole month since he had seen her.
"Miss Eldoria... How could you leave me alone for so long? I missed you so much..." He sobbed like a spoilt brat.
Eldoria hugged him back, a smile forming faintly on her face before it was wiped off. She pushed Theo off her gently, her eyes serious.
"Theo... Listen to me... I have something important to tell you..."
Sensing the change in atmosphere, Theo backed off and sat down on the chair beside her, his heart racing.
"What is it...? Did something happen to you?" Theo looked at Eldoria from head to toe, finding nothing amiss. He sighed in relief; at least she wasn't injured.
"I... I had been summoned by Elf Queen to the Elf kingdom. It was under attack by demons. I was originally from there, so they counted on me to help defend the kingdom. However..." Her voice grew heavy and a tear rolled down her cheek. "I failed. The demons were very powerful and well organized; they overwhelmed us, and despite our best efforts, we lost to them."
Theo listened to this story and was engulfed by sadness, not because of the Elf kingdom but because he had never seen Eldoria in such a pathetic condition.
"The Elf kingdom is now occupied by them. If my intuition is correct, a new demon lord has been resurrected, something that happens every 1000 years. This time, however, it's happening much earlier than expected. I somehow managed to escape and returned here."
"That's... fortunate, the gods are merciful..." he whispered. The only good news about this situation was this: at least Eldoria was safe.
"Gods... I am not so sure, because soon I'd be leaving for an adventure, to find and kill the demon lord and liberate the Elf kingdom. That's why I need you to keep this domain safe while I am gone. I will teach you how to maintain the barrier and other things. After me, you are the strongest person in this domain. You are the only one I can rely on in this predicament."
"No way. I won't let you go fight the demon lord alone," Theo spoke immediately, without hesitation. There was no telling how strong this demon lord was, but seeing that the Elf kingdom was already defeated and Eldoria had to escape, it wasn't a good idea.
"My people need me. I'd have to go..." Eldoria replied, not backing down.
"Your people are here too..." Theo rebuked.
"Yes, but they aren't in immediate danger... I didn't raise you so you could talk back to me when I need your help the most." Eldoria scolded him, her eyes red—must have been the first time.
"I..." Theo's heart sank. She was right; he had no right to refuse. She was the reason for whatever he was today. "I can't do any magic but healing. I won't be able to maintain the barrier." He changed tactics.
"Besides, I am much stronger than you. I am sure you have defeated your fair share of demons in your time. Now let me take over this responsibility, as your successor..." He looked into Eldoria's eyes.
It was true. In these years, Eldoria and Theo had fought many practice matches, but Eldoria hasn't won in the last two years.
"Don't be foolish. You have no real combat experience. You won't be able to do anything. Don't take the demon lord lightly..." Eldoria was angry.
"You haven't lost everything yet. Your domain, your people are still here. It's your responsibility to protect them. Only you can maintain the barrier properly. Trust me, I will go and defeat the demon lord no matter what."
Eldoria closed her eyes, her mind racing. It was true—the barrier was her specialty and only she could maintain it. All the elves here were indeed closer to Eldoria than the elves in the kingdom which she had left centuries ago.
Not to mention she had already tried and failed; it would be stupid to try again and not use Theo, who was arguably stronger than her. She also didn't have to worry about him being injured—his healing was overpowered. This was the most rational choice. She wasn't in her prime anymore.
She sighed. There was no other choice. She opened her eyes and looked at Theo.
"Are... Are you sure? Promise me you'd return if your life seems to be in danger." Her voice was thick and reluctant.
"I promise..." Theo replied immediately.
"Good. Well, if you so insist, then go..." She stood up and clasped her hands together, her eyes full of tears, and she begged. "I beg you... please... please save my people..."
Theo answered with a tight hug.
---
The next morning, Theo woke up at early dawn. He took a bath and changed into new adventuring clothes: thick leather clothing and a bag. He was already getting ready. He packed everything he thought he needed and bid farewell to all the elves.
Myra and Lyra were sobbing loudly as they hugged him.
"Theo... oh, Theo... take care of yourself... please..."
"Please don't die... who will we play with if you... if you..."
Theo rubbed their backs to calm them.
"You know how strong my healing is. Do you think I can die?" he reassured them.
"Yeah, but..."
"Please..."
The two were wasting time, so Lady Sera pulled them away from him. She also rubbed his cheek and bid him farewell.
"I will pray for your success. I have never been to that Elf kingdom, but please—that's where most of our race lives. If possible, please save it..."
Theo nodded. He turned. Eldoria had locked herself in her room after their last meeting. The sun was rising from the east as he stepped forth.
One step. Two steps. Three steps.
He passed through the barrier as easily as last time.
His adventure had begun.