Gelda said, "So, why do we get cat food?"
Eldrie said, "Yeah, cat food really does taste bad."
Liebe said, "Then let go of my legs and come eat at the table."
Gelda said, "Never."
Eldrie said, "We can't lose you again."
Liebe said, "Get up and man your posts."
They stood up and said, "Sir, yes sir!"
Liebe said, "Now sit down."
Then Alysa said, "I also made these dino chicken nuggets."
Gelda said, "Alysa, we are elegant, graceful adults."
Eldrie said, "Yes," as she took a bite of the chicken nugget.
Meanwhile, in the capital of Eldoria, someone entered Astreous's office.
Astreous said, "Oh, Mr. Geno, what an unexpected pleasure."
Geno said, "I wanted to ask about Sverð keisaraynju Faustar."
Astreous said, "Interesting. You mean young Liebe? What could the Knight of One possibly need to know about a mere 16-year-old?"
Geno said, "The fact that a 16-year-old managed to torment a supreme devil at 100% is reason enough for me to be concerned."
Astreous said, "With the fall of the Clock, the balance will be shattered as the One will awaken."
Geno said, "Who is he?"
Astreous said, "The biological son of Lilith Faust, and the one destined to be the last hero. Yet a catalyst is needed to set that fate in stone — and I am that catalyst."
Geno said, "So you're willing to give your life to set a child on that path?"
Astreous said, "My life alone won't be enough. It will cost the lives of me, my wife, your emperor Grice, and your empress Hellen."
Geno said, "Killing yourselves for a child is one thing, but expecting us to kill them is quite extreme."
Astreous said, "When the pieces have fallen in place — the King, the Last Hero will appear. He will be the one to end the false existence. I have seen everything from the beginning to the end."
Geno said, "And this Liebe Faust will be the Last Hero the world needs? My successor, and the one who will smash the gears of reality?"
Astreous said, "That depends on you. But I can promise his determination is the key."
Geno said, "For a 16-year-old, you place a lot on him."
Astreous said, "The abyss will shape him. Even the 25 Princes of Hell won't be able to compete."
Geno said, "And Licht?"
Astreous said, "He will be the greatest Grand Knight."
Geno said, "Okay then. When it comes to me, I'll make sure the abyss makes him a billion times stronger than us — the Knights of the Round."
Then there was a knock on the door.
Astreous said, "Come in."
Lilith said, "Thank you, sir."
Geno said, "Hello Lilith, how have you been?"
Lilith said, "Okay, I guess."
Geno said, "For someone on maternal leave, you sure seem active."
Lilith said, "I've been training a bit."
Geno said, "That doesn't seem quite motherly."
Astreous said, "I can see that."
Geno said, "Iconic, isn't it? The child you love the most is on the frontlines, and the child who is just a figurehead is enjoying luxury."
Astreous said, "I wanted to let you know about the future. You have a right to it."
Lilith said, "I know I don't have much time left — 15 years at max."
Astreous said, "Your son will be the final and greatest hero. The world is waiting for him."
Lilith said, "A few weeks ago, I would have been thrilled… but now I'm not so sure. When I heard he was no more, I felt the world shatter in front of me. And now, the thought of him rushing into danger — it scares me."
Astreous said, "I have exactly 4 months, 2 weeks, 1 day, 7 hours, 2 minutes, 9 seconds, and 0.56 milliseconds left."
Lilith said, "I can't fight destiny, not anymore. I just wish the bright light of dawn would bless me."
Astreous said, "The one blessed by the beauty of the glimmering moon."
Geno said, "Both the light of the blazing sun and the glimmering moon shine equally on everyone — except you were born with the highest honour in the world: to be the mother of the greatest warrior."
Lilith said, "Yes… if only it meant seeing him achieve it."
Astreous said, "That's a future I can't promise."
Geno said, "Let's look at the bright side."
Meanwhile, in a hotel in Valtia—
Alysa said, "Liebe, if it's alright with you, want to have a sparring session?"
Liebe said, "Sure, but only if it's just with knives."
Gelda said, "Brings back memories seeing them practice."
Vanessa said, "Huh, that match was an amazing display of close-quarters combat. I was quite shocked to see your skills with a knife, Alysa."
Alysa said, "Well, if I can cook with it, I can easily fight with it."
Vanessa said, "For someone who looks as fragile as you, Alysa, you're quite strong."
Mey said, "Big sis, teach me how to use a knife like that!"
Liebe said, "Yeah."
Alysa said, "Well, my magic attribute isn't quite designed for combat, so might as well. And Gelda's the one who taught me."
Liebe said, "Well, Alysa, now that I think about it… let's do that."
Alysa said, "Do what?"
Liebe said, "Let's get married. But maybe after I'm 25 or 30."
Alysa said, "That's a bit much."
Vanessa said, "Confessing your love already?"
Later that night, Liebe was sitting on a couch in the room where only the moonlight fell on his face.
He thought, The full moon sure does look amazing.
Alysa stood beside him, placing her hands on his face and said, "This face… your skin… it's just so beautiful. I can't describe it, yet I feel like it was created only to be adorned."
Liebe said, "Once upon a time, I hated it. But now I realize I love it more than anything."
Alysa said, "Being with you… seeing you shirtless at 3 a.m., your radiant skin reflecting the moonlight, talking about trivial things — it sure does change my perspective. Being with you feels like being adorned by the glistening moon itself."
Then she kissed him.
Mey woke up and said, "Guys, it's 3 a.m. and you're kissing! Go to bed!"
Liebe said, "Yeah."
As Liebe looked at the moon, he thought, I hope we can share this beauty every night. Sharing the moonlight with you means the world to me. I wish I never have to look at it alone.
Meanwhile, in the capital, Astreous said, "The true nature of Liebe's magic is that it's deep. It makes him transcend limits and grow stronger the more he wants to win. That's how he won — to the point his body evolves mid-battle. If his mind can want it enough, his body will deliver."