A few days later, it was time. Liebe said, "Guys, tomorrow is the day."
Licht said, "Yeah, tonight we go home, and tomorrow it's time for the Knightly Festival."
Alysa said, "I'm so excited. Any idea if this year could be—"
Licht said, "No way. That's mostly for captains and elite knights."
Alysa said, "Maybe, since we are the Black Rose Special Forces, Liebe, we can hope so."
Liebe said, "And M, will you be joining us?"
M said, "No, I will be training."
Liebe said, "Don't be like that. Join us. And don't forget to bring your candy."
M said, "What makes you think I would be interested in children?"
Liebe said, "The fact that you are basically our group's unofficial babysitter. I mean, you do single-handedly take care of Fate, Isurugi, and Gaia. So please, pretty, pretty, muscle brain, pretty please?"
M said, "Ok, then. Just this once."
Liebe said, "Now that's the spirit. And also, don't forget to bring tons and tons of candy. And this year, in the annual competition, we will beat the captain, no matter what."
Licht said, "Sure, will try."
Alysa said, "We can do it."
Liebe said, "And Isurugi, if we fail, you are our plan B. Get ready to get your tail out."
Isurugi said, "Sorry, sir?"
Liebe said, "Trust me. And Fate, you are in charge of music."
Fate said, "Understood, Maestro."
Liebe said, "And Gaia, if you want, you can walk around the festival, but make sure you don't get lost or lose your mask."
Gaia said, "Understood."
Liebe said, "Let's make tomorrow a victory."
That night at 8 PM, Gelda came through a portal and said, "You all ready?"
Liebe said, "Hell yeah."
As they went through the portal, Gelda said, "Let's celebrate."
Lilith said, "Well, everyone, you all ready for this year's Knightly Festival?"
As everyone screamed, "Yeah!"
Lilith said, "Let's see who comes out on top. Tomorrow is only day one."
After their celebrations, as everyone was going—the guys to the male barracks and the females to the female barracks—as they were all done, Alysa said, "Liebe, are you free tomorrow besides our usual patrol?"
Liebe said, "Yeah."
Alysa said, "Then, want to continue our date from before?"
Liebe said, "Let's do it. Also, you got the expensive stuff, right?"
Alysa said, "Yeah, I did."
The next morning, as everyone woke up, it was 9 AM.
Liebe said, "M, Licht, you two do whatever you want. And Isurugi, get your tail out, and Fate, you are on the piano."
Fate said, "Understood, Maestro."
Isurugi said, "Sure."
As they got ready and left, a group of children came by and said, "Candy! Candy!"
Liebe said, "Uhh, uhh, uhhh. Guess the names first."
One child said, "You are Liebe Faust."
Liebe said, "Correct. Here is the candy. Keep going."
The other child said, "Ummm, ummm, umm... is Isurugi there?"
Isurugi said, "Yes."
The kid said, "Candy! Candy!"
Isurugi said, "Sorry?"
Liebe said, "Give the kid a candy."
Isurugi said, "Here, fruit candy."
Liebe said, "Keep trying, kiddos."
Another said, "Ummm, uumm... is Fate ok?"
Fate said, "Correct. And here is your candy."
Liebe said, "One more left."
The child said, "Alysa! It's Alysa, right?"
Alysa gave them candy.
Liebe said, "Sorry, she is a bit shy."
As they went a bit further, they saw Eldrie went beyond. He literally created a winter wonderland, with Nora making BBQ.
Liebe said, "Umm, Eldrie, this is a bit much."
Eldrie said, "Of course not. I value my place as the reigning champion very much."
Liebe said, "Ok, then. Alysa, we are setting up a food stall."
Alysa said, "That might be a bit much."
As they helped Fate settle the piano, and as Fate started to play, the children started to gather to see. And Liebe used his darkness to make various toys for the kids—like swings, slides, etc. Some even played with Isurugi's fluffy tail.
Later, as the sun was setting, Liebe said, "Licht, M, do it."
Licht said, "Fine."
As they flew in the sky, creating various structures and designs and illustrations of light that the children watched.
Isurugi said, "Sir, I don't understand."
Liebe said, "This? Licht and M used their light magic to make cool things. Children love those."
Isurugi said, "It's not that. It's that—why are we working so hard to entertain children, sir?"
Fate said, "Maestro, I also wish to know."
Liebe said, "So, Fate, how does it feel to play the piano for a whole day? Did you have fun?"
Fate said, "Yes, Maestro. I enjoyed it."
Liebe said, "Great. And to answer your questions, we are doing this because by doing so, we get to meet the people we are defending, and the children can see their heroes—the ones who are working for their future. It's something that helps connect us to the civilians, and children get the chance to see what kind of knights they want to become."
Isurugi said, "I see. Then I suppose I will go ahead and allow the children to play with my tail and maybe my ears, too."
Liebe said, "That's more like it."
Alysa said, "Well, Licht and M are sure at it."
Liebe said, "Yeah. And more than anything, right now, I feel like M is doing this for the children."
Alysa said, "She certainly does have her way with them."
As M came down, M said, "Gimme some water."
As Liebe gave her a glass, M said, "Well, gotta go."
Liebe said, "Already? But you just got here."
M said, "Yeah, the show's not over."
Liebe said, "Have fun."
M said, "Sure."
Liebe said, "Well, then, my lady, let's continue our date. I doubt we will get a better moment than this. May I ask for a dance?"
Alysa said, "Of course, my good gentleman. It would be a pleasure."
As they danced in the moonlight.
From afar, Líni said, "My mortal comrade, is this what you were hoping for?"
Álfrinn said, "No, but I must say it certainly isn't bad."
Líni said, "Looks like our work here is concluded."
Álfrinn said, "Yours might be. Mine isn't over, not until I get a strawberry-flavored snow cone from that Eldrie man."
Líni said, "Hey, wait for me!"