Gelda finally reached Sujibur's position, her boots crunching against the broken earth as she approached.
"Show me," she said sharply.
Sujibur pointed toward the edge of the devastation. "Here it is."
Gelda stepped forward and froze. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene before her. "What… how is this crater so big? So deep?"
At the bottom of the massive crater stood Lilith, motionless. She was surrounded by rubble, her hands hanging limply at her sides, her eyes wide but empty—completely in shock.
Without hesitation, Gelda leapt down into the crater, landing beside her. "Lilith," she said gently, "let's go."
Lilith didn't move.
Gelda crouched down and placed a hand on her shoulder. "He is no more," she whispered. "There's nothing more we can do."
Lilith's lips moved faintly. "He is no more… I killed him… I killed Tenebris…"
Gelda closed her eyes for a moment. "I know what you did," she said softly. "But we have to go. We have to show our respects and end this war."
Lilith shook her head slowly, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Tenebris loved me… and yet I killed him. Why… why was I so rash?"
Gelda pulled at Lilith's arm, trying to lift her up. "Come on. We don't have time for this."
But Lilith remained limp, and when Gelda tried again, Lilith gently pulled her arm free.
Gelda looked back over her shoulder. "Sujibur! Help me get Lilith through the portal."
Together, they forced a portal open and carried Lilith through.
When Lilith arrived home, she said nothing. She went straight to her room, closed the door, and didn't come out.
Later, the key members of their forces gathered in the grand hall of the Faust mansion. Gelda, Sujibur, and Jewel sat around a long table.
"The situation seems dire," Jewel began grimly. "With me and Lilith out of the picture, Herald and Ellar won't have trouble invading us. Our fighting power is already limited, and with my arm like this, I can't give it my full strength."
Gelda nodded slowly. "I can offer support," she said, "but even with my spatial magic, defeating those two will be very difficult."
Sujibur hesitated, then spoke up. "Can't we ask the young lord to help? We've all seen what he's capable of. With his help, I'm sure you could defeat them."
There was a pause. Then, in one swift motion, both Jewel and Gelda drew their weapons and held them at Sujibur's neck.
"You want to put a seven-year-old child on the front lines?" Gelda demanded. "The heir to the throne of Faust? The one we swore our lives to protect?"
Jewel's eyes narrowed. "Even suggesting such a thing is enough for me to consider you a traitor. Tell me, Sujibur—why should we let you live?"
Sujibur swallowed hard. "I know it must be tough for the young lord. He just lost his grandfather… and now his father too. But what else can we do?"
Gelda shook her head. "We fight. We put our own lives on the line. Even if he could defeat them, we would die before putting him in a conqueror's challenge."
"Agreed," Jewel said flatly. He lowered his weapon. "As of right now, I will hold the front lines. Gelda, try your best to wake Lilith from her shock."
Gelda sighed. "And how am I supposed to do that?"
"I don't know," Jewel admitted. "Try some tough love if you must. Here's the plan: Sujibur, since the eastern forces are weakened because of our attack, you will hold off the east. The north is still a problem, so I'll handle that myself."
Sujibur bowed his head. "Understood, sir."
"This might be our last meeting," Gelda said quietly. "Let's hope for the best."
"Understood," Jewel replied.
"Understood," Sujibur echoed.
After Jewel and Sujibur left, Gelda made her way to Liebe's quarters. She knocked softly. "Young lord, may I enter?"
A small voice replied from behind the door. "Liebe isn't here…"
Gelda frowned. "I'm coming in, my lord." She tried the handle, but the door was locked. "I'm still coming in," she said gently, and used her spatial magic to create a tiny portal on the other side. The lock clicked open, and she stepped inside.
Liebe sat by the window, eyes red and swollen. "If you were going to enter anyway," he murmured, "then why knock?"
Gelda gave a faint smile. "Sorry about that. But it was necessary." She took out a clean handkerchief and knelt beside him. "Your eyes are very swollen. Let me check… yes, you're still in good health. But please, take something to eat. You haven't eaten in twenty-four hours. If not for yourself, then at least for the sake of those who believe in you."
Liebe stared at the floor, silent.
"And about the funeral…" Gelda hesitated. "Since Tenebris died in the landslide, we tried… but…"
Liebe's eyes widened. "What? What is it?"
Gelda sighed. "His body was never found. We've been digging for twenty-four hours. The people at the site believe there's almost no chance."
Liebe's voice cracked. "Don't… don't tell me…"
"I'm sorry," Gelda whispered. "At the funeral, it won't be possible for you to say any last words. The funeral is just a formality now. '