Liebe said, "Understood." Over time, the bond between Liebe and Lilith began to diminish.
Then it was November 15th.
Gelda said, "Young lord, the day after tomorrow is your birthday. What do you want as a birthday present?"
Liebe replied, "A life‑size Gundam model."
Gelda said, "That might be a bit unrealistic. How about you write it down and give it to me, and I'll give it to your daddy so he can make your birthday wish come true?"
Liebe said, "Okay then," and went to his room to start writing down the list.
Licht asked, "What's going on?"
Gelda replied, "Well, the little lord is preparing a list of gifts he wants for his birthday."
Licht said, "So, how many Gundam models did he ask for?"
Gelda said, "Life‑size. And what are you kids getting him?"
Licht said, "Don't know… maybe a toy or something."
Then Liebe came back with his list.
Gelda said, "Now that's a big list! What is it?"
Liebe said, "You can't see it. It's only for Daddy. But mostly Gundam models like the EX‑S, the Unicorn, and a few others… like 50 more."
Gelda said, "This might be a bit much, even for Daddy."
Liebe said, "Okay, okay. Licht, let's go play Tabs."
Licht said, "Okay then. I'll win this time for sure."
Liebe said, "You should buy a bed."
Licht asked, "Why?"
Liebe grinned, "So that you can keep dreaming about it."
Licht said, "That wasn't funny."
Liebe laughed, "Of course it isn't. It's hilarious!"
As Licht and Liebe went off to play, Jewel came to visit.
Gelda said, "Jewel, you're here. That's surprising."
Jewel said, "I have something important to say to Lilith."
Gelda asked, "What might that be?"
Jewel said, "I'm planning on retiring."
Gelda exclaimed, "What?! What kind of conversation did Liebe have with you at the hospital? I can't imagine a seven‑year‑old saying anything that insensitive that it would make you just get up and retire!"
Jewel said, "It's rather that the conversation enlightened me, and I thought about it long and hard."
Gelda asked, "What did he really say? A seven‑year‑old actually enlightened you? What actually happened?"
Jewel said, "Well, do you remember when you two visited me at the hospital after the war?"
Gelda said, "The doctor Liebe costume was something…"
Jewel said, "Yeah. That morning I was enjoying the view, and then… let me tell you what happened.
That fateful morning, there was a knock at my hospital room door."
Gelda said, "Jewel, it's me, and the young lord is here to see you."
Jewel said, "Come in."
Gelda said, "The young lord is here."
Liebe said, "Hello, it's me—Doctor Liebe. Your arm seems to be in bad shape. You need medicine."
Jewel said, "Thanks… I guess."
Gelda said, "You two keep talking. I'll get us something to eat."
Jewel asked, "How are you, young lord? Is everything okay?"
Liebe said, "I'm good. How did you get hurt? Were you a bit too rough?"
Jewel said, "Yeah… I was being inconsiderate. But why are you here, little lord?"
Liebe said, "I wanted to ask about the excavation on the landslide."
Jewel said, "Unfortunately, I can't say. But I wanted to ask you something."
Liebe said, "Feel free to ask anything you want to, Doctor Liebe—your patient."
Jewel asked, "How can you be so cheerful? Wasn't your father's funeral just yesterday? Don't you feel sad that you will never see him again?"
Hearing this, Liebe broke into tears. He started to cry and weep on Jewel's clothes.
Liebe said, "Uncle… I miss him. I want to see Daddy again."
Realizing how much Liebe missed Tenebris, Jewel also started to cry and said, "I'm sorry, young lord. I'm sorry that despite being a vice captain, I couldn't save him. I'm sorry. It's my fault Tenebris is no more. I'm sorry. It's because of me that you will never get to see your dad again. I'm sorry, young lord… I have failed you. I don't deserve the honor of being the vice captain of Black Rose."
Liebe said, "It's okay, it's okay. You did your best, Uncle."
Then Gelda, standing at the door and seeing them cry, thought it would be best if she gave them a moment.
After they stopped crying, Jewel asked, "Young lord, how can you be strong even now?"
Liebe said, "I'm being strong because Mommy told me to stay strong until she came back home. And that's why I'm still strong… waiting for Mommy."
Hearing this, Jewel said, "Young lord… you truly have surpassed me."
Jewel continued, "That's what happened that day at the hospital. And with my arm like this, I'm no longer fit to be vice captain. That day I also realized something: if I kept going on, I would end up like Tenebris… and I don't want Licht and Roza to suffer the same way the young lord has. That's why I'm going to resign. Now that the threat of Elaar and Hearld is gone, my role as the vice captain of Black Rose is fulfilled. Now it's time to be a family man."
Gelda asked, "But what will you do now?"
Jewel said, "I want to issue a conqueror's challenge, take a small territory, and become the lord there… and spend my days as a noble."