The One Who Disappeared on an Ordinary Day (Part 1)

"Thank you for your trouble. That potion is truly of great significance to me. Ideally... I hope to receive it as soon as possible."

Galan's voice carried a hint of hope, because even if Fitz could craft it, the outcome would be the same if he didn't get his hands on it before he disappeared.

Is it because of Lia?

Fitz asked curiously.

"Um."

Galan did not deny it.

After all, Fitz had witnessed the whole thing that night, so there was no way he could hide it even if he wanted to.

Besides, their relationship isn't exactly a secret right now, nor is there any need for it to become one.

"If that's the case, will you take Lia with you when you leave?"

Remembering what Galan had said earlier, Fitz asked in confusion.

"I can't take her with me, and there's no need to... After all, we're destined to meet again."

Galan answered firmly.

Although she said she would return to more than forty years in the future, in reality, Lia successfully found her future self.

Therefore, he can give the answer to this question without hesitation.

"Is that so...? That's interesting."

Fitz laughed heartily in the child's body, seemingly sensing a strange connection between the two and feeling a growing curiosity about Galan's background.

However, considering that he was about to leave and there was little chance of seeing him again, Fitz refrained from asking any more questions.

The journey we've taken together has come to an end, and some answers, even if known, wouldn't hold much significance.

For Fitz, knowing that Galan was a reliable man was enough.

"Alright, I'll be leaving around later. Well... if the boss asks, I'll just say I had to leave suddenly because of some family matters."

Fitz thought for a moment, but couldn't seem to come up with a good reason to explain to his the boss, which was why he assigned the task of delivering the message to Galan.

If he went by himself, he might get a beating from the boss.

"You said you had a family emergency... but the boss always thought you were a homeless person, so he definitely won't believe that reason."

Galan shook his head upon hearing this, expressing concern about Fitz's skill in fabricating lies.

Anyone who knows him would never believe that Fitz wanted to leave on his own after hearing such an absurd reason, right? They would most likely think that Galan had taken him somewhere.

"Then how should I bring this up?"

Fitz also expressed his helplessness about this.

This was the best explanation he could come up with.

"Or, you could say you were found by your enemies and left suddenly because you didn't want to implicate the boss?"

The two were pondering how best to phrase it.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck Galan, and he came up with this excuse.

"If you tell the boss this, he'll most likely believe you. After all, you've never told him about your background, and it's not impossible for something like this to happen suddenly. Otherwise, how could a highly talented Apothecary end up on the streets?"

Hey, come to that point, you didn't really mean it for that reason, did you?

At this point, Galan tentatively glanced at Fitz, but the other only gave him a speechless look before shaking his head in denial.

"You have quite the imagination, and this reason is indeed not bad. I'll leave this matter to you. I'll pack a few more things before they return."

Fitz didn't reject Galan's idea, thinking it seemed like a good approach. Having nothing more to say, he jumped off the chair and headed for the door.

"Is it really that urgent? This is so sudden."

According to Fitz himself, the Rejuvenation Potion was only just made today, but he had to leave this afternoon.

This was far too hasty, something Galan hadn't anticipated at all.

It was as if he had planned this all along, waiting for the day it would happen so he could disappear without a trace.

"Are you really not going to come back to visit again? You can't seem to let go, can you?"

Seeing Fitz had already reached the door, Galan still turned around and asked a question.

Although he felt his question was somewhat unnecessary, it was still an answer he was seeking for many people.

Every meeting in this world is one less chance to meet.

If he never returns to the city again, that would be far too cruel for the boss.

Over the course of their time together, Galan could clearly sense the boss's concern for Fitz.

... I know it's wrong to just leave like this... but I have things I must do, and some things can't be avoided by hiding. As for whether I'll come back later... I don't know... but no matter what, I'll try my best to develop the [Elixir of Immortality] and deliver it to you as soon as possible."

He put his hand on the doorknob, said those words, opened the door, and walked out.

Galan didn't say anything more, just sat there blankly, looking out the window.

Winter has only just begun, and it's already so cold...

"What!?"

Before he could even taste the hot tea that had just been poured into his mouth, the boss spat it all over Galan's face, scalding him so badly that Galan expression turned ferocious.

"Damn it, the boss, calm down! What's the point of chasing after him now? Fitz's probably already out of town!"

Hearing Galan, who was chasing after him, wiping his face and trying to persuade him, say this, the boss, who had been in a hurry, suddenly stopped.

Yes, the person is already gone, so what's the point of chasing after them?

She had already planned to work with Frog to make a big business, earn enough money, and then take this rascal back to her small the South village to buy a house and retire.

Let him do whatever he wants while he's there. Hopefully, he'll get lucky and bring a girlfriend back someday, then I can help him find one.

But now there's nothing left.

He looked at the azure sky and suddenly felt that this scene was so familiar. His wife had returned from a business trip in the past and found that she had been killed in her home by the Demons.

In fact, the city had already organized the orderly evacuation of residents by that time, and many people successfully made it to safety.

But this silly girl kept hiding in the corner of the house, waiting for him to come back and take her away. In the end, she was met by Demons who discovered her.