After docking, as they were walking, Gelda asked,
"Lord, are you okay?"
Liebe replied,
"I'm fine. It's just that my body is adjusting to the new attribute… Metal."
Gelda nodded.
"Suddenly gaining a new magic attribute… The same thing happened to your mother and myself. But if it makes you comfortable, know this—your body doesn't use it passively. When you concentrate, it emerges. That's when you can reach the full 33% of the devil's power."
Liebe said,
"Thank you."
Gelda added,
"Based on the 31 you selected out of 94, your choice was quite excellent—considering the options like mercury, titanium, francium, aluminum, and copper."
Liebe sighed.
"I'm disappointed. I should've tried for more."
"No, Lord," Gelda said firmly.
"33% was more than dangerous enough for fighting a supreme demon. Any more and your life would've been at risk. Even as of right now, your mother can only command 90%. The truth is, what happened 10 days ago… it nearly cost everything."
While Liebe was still preparing to leave, Gelda knocked on his door.
"Come in," Liebe said.
Gelda stepped inside.
"It's been five years and I still fail to understand… why did you let yourself be tricked into taking this room? It's meant for servants."
Liebe smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. It has character."
"I think the word you're looking for is 'cold'," Gelda said flatly.
"Is it because your mother told you to take this room instead of all the more fitting ones?"
Liebe responded seriously,
"The orders of Captain Lilith Faust take priority above all else."
Gelda sighed.
"As unfortunate as that is… I understand. The Captain has asked for you. She's waiting at the Forbidden Cathedral."
Liebe stood.
"Then let's go."
As they reached the cathedral under the full moon, Lilith stood at its entrance.
"Good to see you're here," she said.
Liebe stepped forward.
"Mother. You called me."
"I did," Lilith replied.
"It's time for you to learn the secret—why our family is the strongest. Why the Black Rose outranked every other knighthood in the nation. Why, while every other territory famished, our people thrived. You must be curious, aren't you?"
Liebe nodded slowly.
"Not directly… but the thought definitely followed me."
Lilith spoke with gravity.
"Forbidden magic. For generations, we—the House of Faust—have practiced forbidden magic. It has allowed us to display true might, and reign supreme. Now… let us enter."
Hearing the truth, Liebe's eyes widened.
"What?! So all the strength I possess… everything I have… is a lie?"
Lilith shook her head.
"No. So far, your gift is what's allowed you to go far. But your true magic isn't 'dark magic.' Its true name is Perfect Dark Magic—and it hasn't awakened to its true power yet. We don't know when it will.
"But if you had also accessed forbidden magic… then I can assure you, that demon who had you on the edge—things would've been different. You alone could have taken it down."
She paused.
"My second attribute is known as Attribute Metal Magic. It allows me to use any type of metal magic in the world. But since I can only access 90%, there are some metals—like gold—that I still can't use."
Lilith raised her hand.
"Now let's enter. Oculus Cordis Obscuri."
The locks shattered, and the gates creaked open.
Liebe stepped forward.
"Understood, ma'am."
Lilith continued,
"This secret can only be accessed by a member of the House of Faust… and only under the full moon can it be revealed."
She cast her spell:
"Void Magic: Drop of Black."
A single black droplet fell onto the crystal that contained the sword. The entire ground turned black—and they were both sucked into it.
"Do not fear," Lilith said calmly, as they were completely submerged in the darkness.
Lilith's voice echoed in the void.
"Forbidden magic is the kind that bends the laws of the world and goes against the nature of reality itself. But even forbidden magic has limits. For example—
the dead can never be brought back.
"There are two types:
The first is similar to alchemy. A devil grants what you want—in exchange for something of equal value.
The second is through combat. And we, the members of the House of Faust, bow to none."
They entered a chamber, ancient and forgotten, built of bricks that had survived for centuries.
Liebe looked around.
"Mother… what is this place?"
Lilith smiled.
"Our ancestral home. This is where you will truly grow stronger. In a single day… you will become a hundred times more.
This is the birthplace of the Devil Binding Ritual—and the place where you will be reborn."