The next morning, as it was time for Liebe to leave, just while he was waiting for the portal, Liebe said, "Guess it's time to go. And I did what I could for Abel, even though it isn't much."
Licht said, "Don't worry. I will keep everyone safe till you get back. And don't keep us waiting too long, or else we might have already taken care of the assassin."
Liebe said, "Counting on you, partner."
M said, "Good luck. Save everyone. Wise... something something, leader."
Alysa said, "Save everyone, Liebe. We are counting on you. And don't take too long to come back, or else I might just start to cry myself." As she adjusted his uniform and said, "Perfect to sleep."
Liebe said, "Don't worry. I'll finish this soon."
Alysa said, "I will understand if you are late this time, but I will be waiting. But here, one for the road," as she kissed him on the cheek.
Licht said, "I swear, dude is just going on a mission; he isn't dying."
M said, "I know. It really is cringe."
Liebe said, "Why are you two like that? We all were separated for a year and a half."
Licht said, "I know, I know. And that's why I'm bearing this loviness of yours."
As the portal opened, Liebe said, "See you guys in a few days," as Liebe went through.
The soldier said, "Sir Liebe Faust, I'm Andre Deldron, S-class knight from Black Lion forces. Mr. Eldrie and Captain Lilith Faust have been waiting for you."
Liebe said, "Let's go."
As Liebe entered the room, Gelda and Eldrie went to their knees and said, "Thank you, Lord, for coming."
Liebe said, "Let's begin."
Meanwhile, on campus, Licht said, "Time for us to get to business."
As they all sat down, Licht said, "Since Liebe is gone, we have to protect everyone from this threat of an assassin. That takes priority. While Abel is second priority, we can't ignore him, not anymore."
M said, "What do we do? Do I just kill him now and state to Liebe the assassin took care of him?"
Isurugi said, "Unfortunately, it is logical."
Fate said, "I must agree."
Gaia said, "Sis Alysa, what are they saying?"
Alysa said, "It's best if you don't understand."
Licht said, "No. We will not kill him behind Liebe's back, even if it means it's for the greater good. For now, the plan is simple. M, close down the campus, suspend classes, close students in their dorms, and shut down communicators for those below the rank of Vice Admiral."
M said, "Shut communicators? Are you stupid? Then the assassin can pick off anyone, and we won't know."
Licht said, "That's why up to Vice Admiral and closed dorms. So that if the assassin attacks, he will have to attack the whole dorm building, and by then we can go to hunt him down. And because of this lack of communications, it means information flow will be controlled so that Abel can't say anything about Gaia."
Alysa said, "I must agree."
M said, "Give me three hours. It will be done."
Licht said, "Good. And I will patrol all the dorms myself. M, continue to monitor security. Isurugi and everyone, stay prepared. I will call for backup if I confront him anytime. Stay on guard; the foe is tricky."
Meanwhile, in Professor Obsidian's office, Mrs. Serena entered. Serena said, "Looks like the Admiral closed the campus."
Obsidian said, "It's for the best. That's why I authorized it."
Serena said, "So, what did young Liebe say?"
Obsidian said, "What happened this morning at 8 AM? At 8 AM, Liebe knocked on Obsidian's door."
Obsidian said, "Come in."
Liebe said, "Sir, I must confess something."
Obsidian said, "Come in."
Liebe placed his student ID, his badge of Fleet Admiral, and the Mask of Ifrit, model Chameleon, on his desk.
Obsidian said, "And this is?"
Liebe said, "Sir, I must confess something."
Obsidian said, "Ok."
Liebe said, "I have committed a crime. A member of our team, Gaia Morningstar, is a devil, and we have let her stay in our midst despite it all. And for that, I'm sorry. You may punish me in any way possible. If you require, you can kill me and use my head as a display, but please don't kill her. She deserves to live more than a sinner like me."
Obsidian said, "Ok. And what crime did you do?"
Liebe said, "Team Liebe harbored a devil, sir."
Obsidian said, "Ok. And I'm failing to see the point."
Liebe said, "We are keeping a devil on campus, sir."
Obsidian said, "Listen, Liebe. I knew she was a devil. I saw what that girl is like firsthand several times. She may be a devil, but she has shown more humanity than most nobles here. And when I found out, I wanted to see what would be so special for someone like you to go so far. And that's why, the more I saw, the more I understood. So no, I will not punish you. But as a teacher and a man, I'm ordering you: this is your job to look after her and make sure she doesn't harm the innocent."
Liebe said, "Sir."
Obsidian said, "If you can do that, then you will rise as the hero the world has been waiting for."
Liebe said, "I understand, sir."
Obsidian said, "Leave now. I need to get back to my hot chocolate."
Liebe said, "Thank you, sir," as he left.
Serena said, "So, he finally confessed, even though we knew. Ahhh, you big softie. You really are just a big softie deep down, aren't you?"
Obsidian said, "Please don't say that, Serena. 'Softie, softie, softie.'"
As Licht went to Dorm 7, he entered. Hedin said, "Licht? Fancy seeing you here."
Lumos said, "Good morning. Want some breakfast?"
Licht said, "Sure."
And after breakfast, Licht said, "Is Abel here?"
Hedin said, "Yeah, but what happened last night? He has been locked up all night in his room."
Licht said, "Nothing much, don't worry about it. Just make sure the dude eats. If not, force him to."
As Licht goes to Abel's room and knocks, Licht said, "Abel, you in there? It's Licht."
As no sound was heard, Licht said, "I'm coming in."
As Licht entered, Abel was sitting on his bed, dark circles under his eyes. It was obvious he had been crying.
Abel said, "You came to execute me, did you? I know something I shouldn't about Gaia."
Licht said, "I would prefer that. But the truth is, there is no point."
Abel said, "Where is Liebe?"
Licht said, "He is deployed. There is a mission, and he is required on the front lines."
Abel said, "Why not kill me?"
Licht said, "What would be the point?"
Abel said, "What if I told someone?"
Licht said, "If you did, let me tell you exactly what will happen. You will be declared a hero, and Liebe and all of us will be declared monsters for harboring a devil, and we will be executed. But since a half-breed is the one who found the devil, racism towards half-breeds like you will vanish, and humanity will unite to face this threat of the devils. But the new victims for racism will be the devils."
Abel said, "Then why shouldn't I just do it? I can end the suffering of hundreds."
Licht said, "Because you are all bark and no bite. If you wanted, or should I say if you had the strength, you would have done it."
Abel said, "What makes you so sure?"
Licht said, "Because I saw what you feel for Gaia. You love her like a little sister. You even keep sweet snacks in your room for her so that you can spoil her whenever she comes around. If that's not brotherly love, I don't know what the hell is."
Abel said, "Why are you doing this?"
Licht said, "I'm not. I'm trying to prevent your death if at all possible. And Liebe is a softie, and he still believes in the good man that you are. Don't let him die. I told you the truth, man to man. If you are ready to accept what exists in your heart, then we all are waiting. Otherwise, save me the trouble and die yourself—better than wasting my time. You decide. Just because you are not acknowledging your feelings doesn't mean you don't feel them. Or, be a hero by killing an innocent girl and the man who considers you a friend."
Abel said, "How can I choose?"
Licht said, "That's up to you," as he left Abel's room.