Then, as Álfrinn was walking away, a voice said, "What the hell are you doing, you damn elf?"
Álfrinn said, "I'm removing all the nuisances that are in the way of Lady Alysa."
Alem Alem said, "Our job is only to protect her, not interfere."
The other voice said, "May we be blessed by God. Yet our blessings don't permit such harsh acts."
Álfrinn said, "Shut it with that way of talking, Deinslief. Or do you prefer Líni?"
Líni said, "I'm sorry for interrupting. It's just that we were ordered to, you know—"
Álfrinn said, "God damn, come to the point."
Alem said, "The goddamn point is that we aren't supposed to interfere with my lady's affairs."
Líni said, "I'm the one blessed by the God of Darkness. I'm the one blessed by the God of Darkness. As I was stating beforehand, going against it is a mortal crime we can't repent for. It would be such blasphemy."
Álfrinn said, "I simply took the liberty to do what was needed."
Alem said, "Shut the hell up!" As he threw his spear at Álfrinn, and Álfrinn blocked it with his partisan and said, "You goddamn disobeyed orders. Admit it, elf."
Álfrinn said, "Unlike you two, who have done nothing to ease my lady's mind, I have ensured she will have to worry no longer. And it appears, stray cat, your attacks have lost their bite."
Alem said, "Say that again, Álfrinn. Why is the truth too much for you? You have been doing nothing but wasting time by ignoring the nuisance. You just came to watch over your sister, and now you have both lost your bite and forgotten the teachings of Lady Alice."
Alem said, "I will kill you!"
Álfrinn said, "You may be the fastest, but I'm the smartest and coolest."
Líni said, "A battle here will cause great discomfort to our Lady Alysa, and such is a mortal crime that can't be ignored."
Álfrinn said, "Hǫfuðbjǫrn has called us back to the empire, and I don't have time to waste."
Alem said, "You elf—"
Álfrinn said, "Learn to control your anger. Or is it just that you forgot to count, you stupid elf? Let's go, Líni."
Líni said, "If you desire it."
Alem said, "You still haven't answered my question, Álfrinn."
Álfrinn said, "The harebrained half-breed doesn't deserve to stand beside my lady. Yet since she is the one who chose him as her champion, I simply educated him. And that's it."
Alem said, "You may be the vice captain of Crimson Hearts, but I dislike you."
Líni sheepishly said, "Am I still the quietest?"
Álfrinn said, "Our work here is done, and now we must return to Folkvanger. And your lack of dedication to our lady disgusts me. How dare you abandon watching over our lady for your sister?"
Alem said, "I do as I please."
Álfrinn said, "And that is exactly why you disgust me. It's because of your reckless actions we lost Lady Alice Bouduin 16 years ago. The fact that I'm not killing you myself should be considered a mercy."
Alem said, "Shut the hell up, elf, or I will rip your throat out."
Álfrinn said, "First, because of you, we lose Lady Alice. Then you abandon your duty to our lady, Lady Alysa. And now you want to kill me? How far can you fall? Lady Alysa is our salvation. If you have forgotten it, then I suggest you leave Crimson Hearts. You have no place here."
Alem said, "I would, but the only goddamn reason I'm staying is because of the memory of Lady Alice."
Álfrinn said, "If you really goddamn care about her memory, then goddamn protect it, you street cat."
Líni said, "As I have stated beforehand, battling amongst ourselves will not resolve any disputes but rather harm Lady Alice's image further."
Álfrinn said, "As much as I hate to say it, the idiot has a point."
Alem said, "Fine, then. I will play along for now."
Meanwhile, in the land of Mikill, as Hǫfuðbjǫrn Magn is fighting Wrath, Wrath said, "Ohhh, why is the leader of the godkin suddenly interested in a criminal like me? Or should I say the great hero of Mikill, Hǫfuðbjǫrn?"
Hǫfuðbjǫrn said, "I couldn't care less about your status or title. Answer me. Why the hell was Pride in Eldoria? And how dare he conduct experiments near my lady? That is a sin that can't be taken back."
Wrath said, "Hm, is that what it's about?"
Hǫfuðbjǫrn said, "I will end your threat once and for all."
Wrath said, "Is that so? It isn't that I don't mind killing a brute like you, but it's just that killing the leader of the godkin is just bad publicity. So is making an enemy of the empire. May I suggest a deal?"
Hǫfuðbjǫrn said, "State the terms."
Wrath said, "You see, things aren't as bad as they seem. Now, you and the empire stay out of my way in Mikill as I ascend to the title of God of Darkness, and I promise neither me, Pride, nor Sloth will harm Eldoria."
Hǫfuðbjǫrn said, "I accept."
One day later, in the academy, as Liebe, Licht, and Alysa were in his office, Isurugi said, "Sir, the members of House Zenic are here. We need your signature to let them take the body. If you would please."
Liebe said, "How? How can I face them? Face his parents after I failed to save Abel?"
Licht said, "It's all goddamn my fault. If I didn't get sloppy, I would have goddamn actually thought it was too easy. How the hell was I so stupid?"
Alysa said, "It isn't just your fault. It's my fault, too."
M entered the dark office, seeing them down after what happened. She was angered and said, "What the hell are you all doing?" As she grabbed Liebe by the collar, she said, "Yeah, you fucked up. And now you are down? What the hell is wrong with you? Yeah, he is gone, and because of his death, we are a thousand years behind. What kind of a goddamn leader are you? You failed, and now you can't even face responsibility."
Liebe said, "What can I do?"
M said, "The only thing we can do is beg them for forgiveness. You lost Abel. Then goddamn get your act together and keep going. You think it will end just because he died? You think he can rest in peace knowing you are broken? Goddamn, stand up and face the world."
As Liebe's eyes widened, he stood up and said, "I can't look them in the eye, but what you said is true. We can't fall apart now."
As Liebe went to meet Albert Zenic, as Liebe came in, Albert stood up and grabbed Liebe by the collar. He said, "You! How could you let Abel die? How?" As his voice broke, he said, "Why? Why? What did he do to deserve this?"
Behind him, Zyne Zenic was sobbing.
Liebe, while crying, said, "I'm sorry. He didn't deserve to die. He was my friend. I tried to save him, but he had lost too much blood. And even though we were able to subdue the enemy, I tried, but my magic wasn't enough. He died saving another student from the assassin so that she could get me or someone else."
Albert, hearing this, his grip on Liebe's collar loosened as he said, "Is that so? Why? Why did he have to be a hero?"
Zyne said, "What were his last words?"
Liebe said, "He told me, as a friend, 'Thank you for being my friend. And please tell Dad that I'm sorry I couldn't become a knight like he is. And tell Mom I'm sorry that I couldn't come home like I promised. I'm sorry I can't join them for Christmas. And if you get the time, please visit my home, House Zenic, and try my mom's lasagna. It's my favorite; I'm sure you will like it. And I know seeing you again might keep them company. Visit them once in a while.' And after that, he was no more."
As Albert and Zyne were on their knees, as she cried and Albert was in despair.
A few days later, while Liebe was in his office, Licht said, "Liebe, it's time. They are loading Abel to the ship."
Liebe said, "I understand."
As Liebe went to say goodbye, Albert said, "Liebe Al Faust, I don't know what kind of a man you are, but take this." As he gave Liebe Abel's pair of daggers, he said, "My son was a good man who didn't deserve to die. If you truly were his friend, show me. Show me the world he was fighting for. Make his dream a reality—one where everyone could live in a loving house like ours, like he did, so that no parents have to go through what we did."
Liebe said, "I promise. I will make it a reality."
Albert said, "The knighthood teaches you to expect your friends may not come home, but it can never prepare a father for the fear of not being able to see their boy again."
Zyne said, "I'm sorry for being rude a few days ago. And please, if you get the chance, come over to our home anytime you want. I will make the lasagna. It's what Abel would have wanted."
As the ship left, Licht said, "Everyone, salute."
As everyone saluted, Liebe screamed, "Albert, you goddamn hear me! I will make it a reality! I promise! I will ensure a future where every child can grow up in a family like yours! Goddamn, mark my words! In Valhala, watch me from up there! No matter what, I will make it happen. And if you don't watch me succeed and make it a reality, I will... I will never be able to forgive you! You goddamn hear me? I will do it for your sake! The future you were goddamn fighting for—it will be reality. And then, when I see you in Valhala, let's get a drink. Just watch me, Abel."
Licht placed his hand on Liebe's shoulder and said, "The ship's gone now, with Abel."
Liebe said, "I know."