Thosha Given how important your walkthrough is, my recommendation is to do it right. I'm not surprised; you hinted that this might well be the case many months ago at the end of Chapter 3. Take the time you need, because as you note this will be a huge change in dispensing with the mage tower and the monument. I agree with you about playing it through again. That's what I'm starting today, another playthrough.
It's a testament to how well TLS is done: it never gets old. And it has two truly shiteous villains, both of which deserve unpleasant endings. Xerxes in particular needs to come to a truly bad end.
It's also a testament to how well your walkthrough is in what has become an extremely complex and complicated game. Please make a note at some point of anyone or thing who has helped you in addition to Fulminato and Grim8P.