At 7 AM in the dorm, Alysa was in her room. At 6 AM, she was recording herself on a recording crystal. After turning on the crystal, Alysa stated:
"Hey, kids. It's Mom, I guess. And well, if you are seeing this message, it means the dream we have been working towards is a reality, and that we are hopefully married. And well, I got bored, so I thought I would record another one for the future. I don't know what time or year you will see it, and there isn't a particular reason I'm recording. But we all are making progress. Since after the recent attacks, we were grieving, and after we captured the assassin, everyone can rest easy now. And of course, I helped Licht take down the assassin, and right now we are celebrating. And I mean, not right now, but there are celebrations. And well, somehow everyone is together—like nobles, commoners, and even half-breeds. It appears it united everyone. Wish your dad could be here today, but he is deployed somewhere else, and somehow his deployment is far worse. And I'm recording this because I was a bit bored and all. Well, he is returning now. Also, I'm working towards improving my communication issues. I mean, everyone on Team Liebe can understand me, like, you know, talk to people in general. Even though I have been working on that for the past 14 years, this is my coping mechanism, maybe. And well, it gives me hope, just like Liebe, but in a way, it's comforting. That's another thing. Right now, many consider us heroes; many consider us to be the problem. But all we want to do is ensure a future where you can grow up in warmth. And right now, guess I'm getting late for the festival. I will save this recording with a few pictures, and I wish this moment could last forever, just with Liebe, too. And I want to ask you something in the future: is Liebe really like how he is now? Always laughing, flirting in the kitchen, spending weekends at the beach, sending days with smiles, telling stories? But it's all pointless since our goal isn't to ensure you don't need to know the darkness in our stories. Have a good day, and Mommy loved you. And I hope I'm still the same enough to at least give you 300 hugs a day. Bye. See you another time. Well, love you plenty. Gotta go. Bye."
At 9:30, as Liebe was ready to leave, Liebe said, "I will take your leave, ma'am."
Lilith said, "Sure. And give the rest of your team my greetings."
Liebe said, "Of course."
Warner said, "I will join you, Liebe, after escorting the princess to the capital."
Liebe said, "Well, see you there, I guess."
Warner said, "Of course. I'm quite anxious, and I can't wait to see my Mey again."
Liebe said, "But you literally have Harner make a portal, and you come to her room every morning just to help her get ready. And dude, you even make her lunch."
Warner said, "My apologies if the lunches I make are far too Aldian. Currently, I'm learning to cook Eldorian foods so that her classmates won't be bothered by the smell and would be able to share lunches. And I would like to express my gratitude once again for being her friends and having your friends be friends with her as well. I can't express enough."
Liebe said, "Sure."
Andre said, "Sir, when I met you 10 years ago, I was shocked that how could a 7-year-old child have such magic. Yet I couldn't ignore the evidence. And seeing you now, I realize my faiths were well placed. I still have the picture from back then."
Liebe said, "Thanks."
Andre said, "I will save it till I die, so that when you become a Grand Knight, I can be the first knight to boldly claim I was the one who found a Grand Knight."
Liebe said, "Now that's a bit much."
Gelda said, "Lord, your portal is ready."
Liebe said, "Well, see you guys. Gotta go."
Lilith said, "And Liebe."
Liebe said, "Yes, ma'am?"
Lilith said, "Don't overwork yourself."
Liebe said, "Of course."
As Liebe left, Andre sighed.
Eldrie said, "Well, we know why he is the favorite child."
Lilith said, "Well, Eldrie, as the All-Father, I consider many of you the same: you, Stal, Lara, and everyone else in Black Rose."
Andre said, "Well, Liebe didn't make it in the list, huh?"
Lilith said, "Of course not. They are considered my children because it's my job to protect them as the captain. But Liebe? I have no qualms about him. He is just the most adorable little child. And as a mother, it is my job to ensure he is raised in the warmest environment. Isn't he just the most precious little angel?"
Andre said, "Angel of death is more like it."
Lilith said, "Sorry, Andre, what was that?"
Andre said, "I meant just the most precious children. It's a miracle why people haven't made churches of such a fine and adorable angel. I find it quite depressing."
Warner said, "I must agree, but I'm working on that in Aldina. And you can visit for the grand opening."
Andre saw this and thought, Great, another one with meat for brains.
Gelda said, "Lilith, he is 17. How does he look like a child to you? You two literally shared a beer just this morning."
That morning at 10 AM, Liebe returned to the academy. As Liebe stepped out of the portal, everyone was waiting.
Alysa said, "You are back!"
Liebe said, "Yeah, it was fun. But what can I say?"
Alysa said, "You seem happy."
Liebe said, "Well, it has been a while since I called the captain 'Mom,' so yeah, I'm happy."
Licht said, "Sorry, what did you say?"
Liebe said, "I know. We even shared a drink—some cheap beer."
Licht said, "Dude, are you lying?"
Liebe said, "No, I'm not."
Isurugi said, "Good to have you back, sir."
Liebe said, "Good to be back."
Fate said, "Your absence was quite easily noticeable."
Liebe said, "Thanks."
Fate said, "It was not a compliment, as we are now behind in your work schedule."
Liebe said, "Frick."
M said, "Wow, you are alive. What a miracle."
Liebe said, "Yeah, yeah, I missed you too."
Elizabeth said, "Brother, I missed you."
Liebe said, "When will you grow up?"
Elizabeth said, "Why would I, since I have you, Licht, and Alysa to dote on me?"
Liebe said, "I might just throw you in the sky."
Elizabeth said, "Please don't."
Gaia said, "I want head pats."
Liebe said, "Fine, fine," as he gave head pats.
Fate said, "I would also like some as a thank you for managing your schedule."
Liebe said, "Fine."
Alysa watched with jealousy.
Licht said, "Yooo, Alysa, you should join in too."
Alysa said, "How did you know?"
Licht said, "You have a pretty bad poker face."
Liebe said, "Fine, join in."
Alysa said, "Thanks."
Licht said, "What is this? At this point, I don't even wanna know."
M said, "Oh, it seems you do indeed have common sense."
Licht said, "Unfortunately, I find it quite the miracle that I haven't lost it yet."
Gaia said, "Liebe, can I ask you something?"
Liebe said, "Sure."
Gaia said, "It's about the captain."
Liebe said, "Go on."
Gaia said, "Why do we all stay at the base, and others leave at 9 PM, but the captain leaves at 5 PM?"
Licht said, "Frick that question."
Liebe said, "Well, that is indeed a tough question. But like, everyone stays for work, and well, that's what we do. But the captain has a baby, a 2-year-old child. That's why she leaves early."
Licht said, "Frick, I can sense the anger from here."
Gaia said, "But we are family with the captain, right? So why does she leave us?"
Licht said, "Fuck. Alysa, do something. Stop the kid."
Alysa said, "What do I do?"
Licht said, "Liebe is gonna murder someone."
Liebe bent over to Gaia's level and said, "Well, the thing is, the captain is the All-Father, and we are all family in a bond that is stronger than blood. And we are family because we help each other. That's why we all help each other. The captain has a baby boy at home, and that's why she needs to go home early. And in order to help her, we all stay late so that she can do that. That's why we are a family."
Gaia said, "But you are her child, aren't you? Why does she love the baby more than you? And why do you call the captain 'ma'am' and not 'Mommy'? Shouldn't we call our parents 'Mommy' and 'Daddy'?"
Licht said, "Umm, Gaia, listen, we should talk about these things, ok? You will know when you are a bit older."
Liebe said, "Yeah. It is true. We all make mistakes, and some small mistakes create distance. But we never forget family."
Licht said, "Alysa, how did she find out?"
Liebe said, "Who gets more time isn't true. The truth is who needs it more. And a child needs it more. And the truth is, I never was her child. I was just taking up the wrong place, and I'm just a knight of Black Rose. Ok? It isn't anyone's fault. It's just it was never meant to be."
Gaia cried and said, "Really?"
Liebe said, "Don't worry. We are a family, aren't we?"
Gaia said, "We are all family."
Later, as Alysa and Liebe were talking, Alysa said, "Liebe, it must have been hard."
Liebe said, "Yeah, it was at first, but now I couldn't care less."
Alysa said, "Don't lie to me. You visit the Faust estate every night and see through the window just to see Lilith playing with a child—the one dream you couldn't attain, no matter what."
Liebe said, "Yeah. The dream I can no longer have because, no matter what I do, time can't be reversed. And even if it all changed, I can't change the past and forget how my mother has a favorite child, and it's not me. I'm just another member of Einherjar."
Alysa said, "Yeah, but if it helps, you will always be my favorite."
Liebe said, "Thanks. Does that mean I get your boobs too?"
Alysa said, "Of course. Do you want them now or later?"
Liebe said, "You really do beat me when it comes to degeneracy sometimes."
Alysa said, "I know, and that's my pride and joy."
Meanwhile, at 1 PM in Dorm 7, as Hedin and Lumos were eating, Abel came out of the room to the table. As Abel sat down, Lumos said, "You look terrible."
Hedin said, "Dude, take a shower."
Abel said, "Yeah, I should. But what is that smell?"
Hedin said, "That? It's something Liebe's girlfriend sent for us to eat. Must say, it's delicious. Want me to get you a plate?"
Abel said, "Sure."
As Hedin gave Abel a plate, Lumos said, "What happened?"
After taking a bite, Abel was tearing up. He said, "It tastes good."
Lumos said, "I know. But what happened? Did Liebe hurt you or something?"
Abel said, "Yeah, he did."
Hedin said, "Yeah, we understand. And I'm sure he also apologized for it, didn't he?"
Abel said, "He did, but it's something I can't unsee."
Hedin said, "Yeah, that's sad. And whether you forgive him or not is up to you. But think about it, won't you?"
Lumos said, "Yeah. Liebe might just be the only person who isn't our parent that cares for us. Of course, the argument can be made he is also a half-breed. But the truth is, he is a Black Rose elite. And if we see why would someone in the sky even see us as anything more than insects? Yet he is our friend. So I think in this friendship, one forgiveness is in order."
Abel said, "Liebe cares about us?"
Hedin said, "Of course he does. Didn't you know? Just because of what happened between you two, but again, what happened between you two? Well, Licht has been coming here three times a day just to drop off food for you since Liebe thought a home-cooked meal might help."
Abel said, "He really did?"
Hedin said, "Of course he did."
Lumos said, "I don't know what happened between you two, but I doubt it's friendship if you don't mess up once in a while, won't you agree? And plus, friends protect secrets, now don't they? Of course, you should know this better than anyone else since you are the one who said it."
Abel said, "Of course they do."
As he was done eating, he placed his spoon on the table and said, "Hedin, can you take care of the dishes?"
Hedin said, "Sure."
As Abel rushed out of Dorm 7 and ran towards the Admiral's dorms.