During the week of the festival, everyone got a chance to meet the children who admired them, and the children got the chance to meet their heroes. Yet, for some reason, Liebe had more fans than anyone else in Black Rose.
On day three, as the competition was getting heated between the knights, Lilith said, "Gelda, looks like it's time for us to play."
Gelda said, "Want to go with the classical move?"
Lilith said, "Yeah, and that's why we have been winning for the past 15 years."
That morning, as everyone was ready to watch Lilith's show, Lilith said, "Gelda, do it."
Gelda said, "Ok, then." As she flew high in the air, "Now, Spatial Magic: White Nova!"
Lilith said, "Now for my turn. Void Magic: Abyssal Gate!" As the abyssal gate was summoned.
Gelda said, "You ready?"
Lilith said, "Like always."
As Gelda threw the giant white orb at the ground, Lilith said, "Now, Void Magic: Abyssal Gate Strike!" As in an instant, the attack was neutralized, and it created small black and white particles.
M said, "Quite the show. But why is she not as warm as before?"
Alysa said, "That kind of magic power is terrifying."
Licht said, "That's the captain for you."
Liebe said, "Yeah. Compared to that, we aren't even close. Or more like, I'm not even close."
Alysa said, "Cheer up. It's a beautiful sight. And you are just 17. At the rate you are going as the leader of Team Liebe, you will be one of the 25 Princes in like 10 years. And then we can start our own knighthood."
Liebe said, "Guess so."
Licht said, "You make it sound more depressing than it actually is. And plus, we will make it. And in 10 years, Alysa and I will probably be on the list too, somehow."
Liebe said, "You guys really are something, if not stupid."
Licht said, "Yeah. Not to mention, what the captain just did, our entire three days of work went down the drain."
Liebe said, "Don't worry, I have a plan."
Licht said, "Good to see you do. But most of what we do here, we can do at night. That's when my light shines the best."
Liebe said, "Let's change the strategy."
Meanwhile, far away, at the heart of the world's strongest thunderstorm, Pride said, "Fascinating. It still isn't bending to your will, I see."
Wrath said, "No, it isn't."
Pride said, "Even after 20 years, it hasn't fully submitted or chosen you as the heir to its great power."
Wrath said, "No option left. I have to do it. I will use my darkness. We only have two days till Black Blade, Sloth, and Conquista meet at Mímisbrunnr Island. And that day, I will end it all. In three days, I will become Hvíldarráð."
Pride said, "Even if you use your full power, you can't exceed the combat time of more than 3600 seconds. It won't work at that."
Wrath said, "That's plenty. By then, I will have wiped out Lilith Faust and Black Rose."
Pride said, "Then we are fortunate that Mímisbrunnr Island is in international waters and not in Eldoria."
Wrath said, "I couldn't care less."
Meanwhile, at the festival, Liebe said, "Time to demonstrate our magic."
Alysa said, "Ok, then."
Licht said, "Got it."
M said, "I can't say I'm a fan."
As Licht and M flew into the sky, they said, "Combo Spell: Heaven's Divine Lance!"
Liebe said, "Alysa, you ready?"
Alysa said, "Yeah."
As Licht and M launched their giant lance attack, Liebe said, "Dark Bow."
Alysa said, "Here is the arrow."
Liebe and Alysa said, "Combo Magic: Cupid's Devilish Arrow!" As the particles scattered, and this time, the golden, black, and pink sparkles left the children in shock.
Liebe said, "Well, it wasn't as refined as Mother's, but it was ours."
Alysa said, "Yeah."
Liebe said, "Gelda, by the way, why is Mother so excited today? Usually, she doesn't start till day five."
Gelda said, "No reason. Since we are getting old, thought might as well enjoy the festivals to the fullest before retiring."
Liebe said, "You guys aren't that old. Plus, Gelda, when I make my own knighthood, I will definitely ask you to join."
Gelda, tearing up, said, "You want an old deadbody like me in your knighthood?"
Liebe said, "Well, yeah."
Elizabeth said, "Mother, you cry too much."
Gelda said, "I'm just so happy. You really are the lord I raised. I'm so proud. I'm glad."
Liebe said, "You done with the tearworks?"
Gelda said, "Not yet."
As it was approaching 6 PM, Gelda said, "Lord, maybe you would like to retire for the night."
Liebe said, "Why? It's just 6 PM."
Gelda said, "Well, because, you know, Eldrie made it all snow and all, so you might catch a cold."
Liebe said, "That's ok. I brought my medicine just in case for that."
Gelda said, "Of course, Lord."
Liebe said, "Gelda, please make me a portal to the academy."
Gelda said, "Sure, Lord. But why?"
Liebe said, "It's a surprise."
As Gelda made the portal, Liebe went in. As he came out, he brought Hedin, Lumos, Aoi, Eosian, Aile, Nior, and Mey. As they all came through, Alysa said, "You all came!"
Hedin said, "Guess so."
Lumos said, "Thank you for having us."
Aoi said, "Say it, Aoi."
Aoi said, "Thank you for having us."
Eosian said, "Hello, sis."
Alysa said, "Good to see you and your team made it. Now, lemme show you around," as she was holding Liebe's hand.
Liebe said, "Hey, kid, how you doing?"
Mey said, "Thank you for having me."
Liebe said, "Of course. Thought you might be missing home, so maybe the festival might help."
Mey said, "Thanks."
Liebe said, "Let me show you guys around."
Lumos said, "Do you remember, Aoi, when Father used to take us to the festival before he died?"
Aoi said, "No, I don't. I was just 3 when he died."
Lumos said, "Yeah."
Hedin said, "I don't even remember my father's face. So, first time for me."
Liebe said, "Well, then, have fun."
Mey said, "I'm usually not a fan of festivals since I don't like the sounds and all, but every year Warner would just drag me out to enjoy. Still don't get what it meant."
Liebe said, "It was his way of showing he cared for his little sister. And maybe it was a family ritual."
Mey said, "Maybe he was right."
Liebe said, "Now, this year, we will celebrate like no other."
Lumos said, "Let's do it."
As they all were enjoying the festival, Liebe and Alysa sat down in the snowy festival ground and just looked around.
Liebe said, "This year's festival was a bit much."
Alysa said, "But that's why I like it. Everyone smiling, holding hands, children playing, and seeing our friends and family being there."
Liebe said, "Yeah. Reminds me of when we were kids. We easily got so much candy because, literally, I grew up in HQ, so I already knew everyone."
Alysa said, "Yeah. While we couldn't finish our buckets of candy, you were on top of a mountain. But I miss those too, sometimes."
As Liebe could see in the distance, saying, "Mama!" As Liebe saw in the distance, it was Lilith who picked up the child and said, "There's my big boy, Marks. Let's enjoy the festival together."
Seeing this, Liebe couldn't feel anything but hatred.
Alysa said, "Liebe, is everything ok?"
Liebe just softly said, "Yeah," as he clenched his left fist to the point he was bleeding.
Alysa said, "Liebe, if it hurts to see, we can go somewhere else."
Liebe said, "That's why the captain was so excited. Of course she would be. No wonder Gelda wanted me to head back early."
Alysa said, "Liebe, if you want to talk about it—"
Liebe said, "No, Alysa. We can't talk about it. Just seeing this sight, we should go. It's best if I don't express this hideous side of mine."
Alysa said, "Liebe, please calm down. Why? Why do you hate him so much?"
Liebe said, "That child disgusts me because he represents the child that I once was—and the child who is receiving all of the captain's love when I was left alone. I was basically dead to her since I was 7, tossed out like the trash I was. She missed all my moments for that filthy—"
Alysa said, "I can understand. I was there to see all of it, how you suffered. Even if he doesn't have the signature attribute of your family, I mean, the kid is still your half-brother."
Liebe said, "Don't disgust me. I will never call that parasite my brother. Do you know the real reason why that parasite disgusts me? It isn't because he didn't inherit our signature magic and yet Mother made him heir. It is simply because of the fact he was never a Faust by blood to begin with."
Alysa said, "What are you saying, Liebe?"
Liebe said, "It's true. That day at the hospital, the real Marks was killed. But Gelda and I swapped the babies to save Mother from dealing with the truth. Weren't you even the slightest suspicious to see an assassin came to murder the child of Lilith Faust and ended up murdering another child by mistake?"
Alysa said, "Is that what happened?"
Liebe said, "He is everything I loathe in society because he is a child who was never supposed to be in our family or take my place as the son. Yet now he is at the top, simply because I didn't want Mother to suffer knowing the truth. That is why that child and the relationship he has with my mother disgusts me to no end."
Alysa said, "Is that why you have been carrying so much pain inside? If you want, I can tell the captain."
Liebe said, "No, please. I'm sorry for being angry. There's no point in Mother knowing; it will just hurt her in the long run."
Alysa said, "You really are kind. But that's why I fell for you."
Liebe said, "Thanks, I guess," as he was still clenching his left hand so hard that he was bleeding.
Alysa said, "If it makes you feel any better, want to know something that you can have but Marks will never have?"
Liebe said, "At this point, sure."
Alysa said, "My boobs."
As Liebe started to laugh and said, "At least somehow that's true.You really do know how to make me laugh now don't you."