Liebe said, "Warner, stop."
As Warner stopped, Liebe said, "Congrats, you have passed. Your soul has been cleansed."
Warner said, "But sir, I still haven't completed the task."
Liebe said, "It was a test of your resilience, and you passed. You went on for sixteen hours without stopping, and that itself is enough. You did well enough."
Warner said, "Thank you, God of Darkness, for your wisdom — and thank you for taking care of my little sister."
Liebe said, "Sure. And listen, dude, for serious — I'm not a god. I'm a mortal. I'm not as wise as you claim I am, okay? Trust me on that."
Warner said, "I will bear that in mind moving forward, Mr. Liebe Faust."
And as he carried Mey to their rooms, Alysa came out running, still drunk. Then Licht punched Liebe in the stomach and said, "That was for your stupid sense of humour."
Alysa said, "Licht, Licht!"
Licht said, "How did she turn into a cat?"
Liebe said, "Well, did you forget? This is what happens when she gets drunk."
Licht said, "Yeah."
As Alysa hugged Licht, he said, "Alysa, get off me. This is a bit much."
Alysa said, "You don't know, but I'm grateful to you. Thank you for always looking over me. You don't know how much it means to me… like a little sister."
Licht blushed a bit and said, "Sure," and patted her on the head.
Liebe said, "Well, let's get her to bed."
Licht said, "Yeah."
As Alysa began to cry, she said, "Licht, thanks for doing all the hard work and giving me the easy thing in Black Rose."
Licht said, "It's nothing."
Liebe said, "I have to record this."
Licht said, "Please don't."
Then they got Alysa in bed.
Licht said, "Well, I'm going to sleep myself in the next room."
Liebe said, "I have some paperwork left, so I'll hop to it then."
Licht said, "Okay then."
After a few hours passed — around 1 p.m. — Alysa woke up and went to Gelda.
Gelda said, "Good morning, even though it's 1 p.m."
Alysa said, "What happened?"
Gelda said, "In simple terms, you had a slice of Guinness cake, and then, well… you got drunk from a single slice."
Alysa said, "Gelda, is it okay if I return to HQ instead of going to the Empire?"
Gelda said, "That would be a problem. Even though I can create a portal and send you there, since you came here as part of Liebe's personal escort team, it's a matter of formality."
Alysa said, "I understand. But if it's okay, can I talk to Captain Lilith about something personal?"
Gelda said, "If you want, you can talk to me about it."
Alysa said, "It's something that's best if Liebe doesn't know about — and by extension, you too."
Gelda said, "Fine then. But I call dibs on being the maid of honour at your wedding."
Alysa said, "Maybe."
Gelda said, "Okay then, one portal coming up. And heads up — it's 9 a.m. in Eldoria, so the captain might still be sleeping."
Alysa said, "I understand."
Then Liebe said, "Alysa, good morning, even though it's afternoon. By the way, if you're free tomorrow, want to go to the Angel's Church with me?"
Alysa said, "But it's a holy place — for lovers."
Liebe said, "Yeah. Till now, I could only observe the architecture up close."
Alysa said, "But the holiness — won't it hurt you?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, so what? I don't mind getting burned a bit. Or I can use a drug to decrease my magic a little."
Alysa said, "I would love that. Let's go tomorrow at 4 a.m."
Liebe said, "Sounds great. The sunrise would seem especially beautiful."
Liebe said, "Okay then, but where are you going at this time?"
Alysa said, "I had some work left at HQ before we left, so I might as well finish that."
Liebe said, "Same. Then get my paperwork too — not like I have anything better to do. I'm bored out of my mind."
Alysa said, "I guess when we're not fighting, buried in paperwork, or running patrols, it makes sense. Okay, Liebe, see you."
Liebe said, "Sure, see you later then."
Then Gelda created a portal, and Alysa left.
Gelda said, "Well, there she goes."
Liebe said, "I was wondering — if she had paperwork, why did she go to the Faust estate?"
Gelda said, "Actually, she had something personal to say to your mother. And it's something private."
Liebe said, "Oh, well. Nothing to do about that."
Gelda said, "Since you have the rare opportunity to be on vacation, why not simply go to the beach? Enjoy the view, the sands, and have fun."
Liebe said, "You know why I hate the beach. But I'll visit the ruins — they sound more interesting."
Gelda said, "Okay then, Lord, Eldrie and I are coming with you."
Liebe said, "Okay then."
As Alysa entered the Faust estate, she smiled and thought, My home. My true home.
As she entered, the servants greeted her. She asked Makio if Lady Lilith was home.
Makio said, "Yes. Please sit down and wait in the living room — or you can enter her personal room since you've known her since childhood."
Alysa said, "I'll just wait in the living room."
Makio said, "Understood. I will inform my lady."
Alysa said, "Thank you."
After a few minutes, Lilith came down.
Lilith said, "Alysa! What a pleasant surprise. How may I help you? I missed you far too much. How is my favourite daughter doing?"
Alysa said, "I'm doing good, but I wanted to discuss something personal. Is it okay if we sit down in your bedroom, Aunty?"
Lilith said, "Sure."
As they sat down, baby Marks was crying in his crib.
Lilith said, "I heard about your little discussions — Gelda told me. So when are you two getting married? I mean, I know you two have a good seven years before it happens, but preparing beforehand helps. There are certain venues that need to be reserved decades before the actual wedding — like Saint Marie's Church or Heaven's Dawn in the Grand Empire. And of course, I insist on paying. Is fifteen thousand guests enough, or should I expect more? And remember, family finances are a huge load — it's a lot to deal with."
Alysa said, "It all sounds so tempting. After hearing your description, I can just imagine it… but unfortunately, never."
Lilith said, "Did Liebe do something to upset you?"
Alysa said, "No. It couldn't be further from the truth."
Then Alysa told Lilith her secret. After hearing Alysa's words, Lilith was shocked.
Lilith said, "What you just said — it sounds impossible, but it's the truth."
Alysa said, "Yeah, it is."
Lilith said, "I understand. After having two sons, I sometimes wonder how it would feel to have a daughter. But then I realized I already have one — you. You are my daughter, even if not by blood. When you were a child, I always thought whoever married you would be very fortunate. When I heard you and Liebe were together, I was over the moon. And even now, if your burden feels too heavy, you can ask for my help anytime — like your mother."
Alysa teared up and hugged Lilith.
Lilith said, "Live on, and maybe down the road, you'll realize where you truly belong."
Alysa thought to herself, I wish it were beside him for eternity.