As Liebe kept training, smashing his 23rd boulder, he was covered in sweat. Gelda said, "Need a warm towel, Lord?" as she threw one to him.
Liebe said, "Thanks. How do you always know what to do for me?"
Gelda said, "It's my job as your guard—and it hasn't ended just because you relinquished your claim to the throne of Faust."
Liebe said, "Good to know."
Gelda said, "Of course. Want to know about tomorrow's promotion ceremony?"
Liebe said, "Honestly, no. I couldn't care less. I'm just happy I'm getting my knighthood license. And based on the fact I'm a half-breed, the best I can do is reach 1st Knight of Wind."
Gelda said, "Well, good news. Based on your strength and knowledge, you're more than qualified to be a 1st Class Knight of Fire. But we know the Noble Faction would be against it and all. Again, you were the one who cleaned them from the face of the world."
Liebe said, "Please, just get to the point."
Gelda said, "Oh, of course. You will be becoming a 1st Class Knight of Earth."
Liebe said, "Good to know, but like I said, couldn't care less."
Gelda said, "And the funny thing is… well, Lilith was the one pushing to make you a 1st Class Knight of Fire."
Liebe froze for a second. "Mother did that for me?"
Gelda said, "Of course she did. She believed it would be far too unjustifiable to let someone who clashed with Hǫfuðbjǫrn head-on and killed one of the Seven Great Sins be anything less than that."
Liebe said, "Okay. But I doubt she was able to succeed."
Gelda said, "Well, you sure know how to differentiate between fantasy and reality. But again, if Domr were here, he would have promoted you to Vice-Captain in front of the nation, and I doubt anyone would be able to go against him."
Liebe said, "Sounds like Grandpa."
Gelda said, "How else do you think Lilith made it to Vice-Captain? Most of the missions she was deployed to ended up causing more harm than good."
Liebe said, "Makes sense."
Gelda said, "Now, answer my question—why so serious?"
Liebe said, "It's my job, and that's the least I can do to ensure I more than make up for some of the idealistic ideas the Captain comes up with."
Gelda said, "Makes sense. You would definitely make a better Vice-Captain than me."
Liebe said, "Please, come to the point."
Gelda said, "Want to take my spot? If it's you, I don't mind retiring. But again, I doubt you'll just take the rank just because I'm handing it out."
Liebe said, "If you knew, why bother asking?"
Gelda said, "Good point. But what I really want to know is—why are you working yourself to death?"
Liebe said, "You know that, too."
Gelda said, "Honestly, I don't know."
Liebe said, "Easy. Because the more I work, the less Mother has to. And the less Mother has to, she can be with her beloved son—not with the bloodthirsty one."
Gelda said, "Interesting. Who is better—the blood and bloodthirsty son, or the blissful, bloodless one?"
Liebe said, "I don't know who deserves it more. I just know which one I am. Plus, who in their right mind would want to bother being in the same room with a bloodthirsty assassin?"
Gelda just laughed and said, "Like mother, like son, as they say. But the sad truth is, a hero's life is a trail of blood. Most just see them from above and try to comfort themselves, saying, 'He probably bribed someone,' 'He is here because of family connections,' 'He is here because he killed someone.' Yet they don't know the blood heroes carry."
Liebe said, "Tell me about it."
Gelda said, "Like I was saying—Lilith really did try to apologize to you."
Liebe said, "I saw the failed attempt."
Gelda said, "Same. At certain points, it was even laughable how you used the mask."
Liebe said, "Honestly, it wasn't funny."
Gelda said, "Is that so?"
Liebe said, "As unfortunate as it might have been, I was quite invested in the conversation."
Gelda said, "I could see that. And I know if Lilith just told how she felt, you would have listened and ignored your own dream of becoming Captain."
Liebe said, "I don't know how or when I got the dream. All I remember is Grandpa telling me, 'Don't just become a hero—become the hero you want to be, one who rises above the will of the godly stands that come before you. And maybe then, I can rest in peace, knowing my throne is in good hands.' I don't remember when he said it, but I just know."
Gelda said, "He said it when you were barely walking—at nine months old."
Liebe said, "Okay."
Gelda said, "Now tell me, Lord—why? Why aren't you doing anything about Marks? I can smell your bloodlust."
Liebe said, "The day I lost my dad, I took an oath to ensure no child would have to lose someone they loved, no matter what—even if it meant suppressing my own bloodlust."
Gelda said, "Is Lilith the child here?"
Liebe said, "I was going to say Marks."
Gelda said, "You sure? Because Lilith sent me to the Empire just yesterday because she wanted some candy."
Liebe said, "Makes sense."
Gelda said, "So why not reunite Marks with his parents by just killing him? I think you've entertained Lilith's motherly fantasies for long enough."
Liebe said, "Don't make me laugh. The day we made that decision was the day we decided we would die knowing the truth."
Gelda said, "I almost forgot." She paused. "What do you want?"
Liebe said, "The title of Captain, like I deserve."
Gelda said, "Someone here might just be lying."
Liebe said, "What are you talking about?"
Gelda said, "You are forgetting—I raised you. I can tell."
Liebe said, "Well, what I actually want is… going home. Going back to the days from when I was seven, in a loving home, being pampered all day by Mom and Dad. Hug Mom every day before work and come back to a hug. Laugh at work, joke about what I did. Marry Alysa in the end."
Gelda said, "Two impossible tasks in a dream."
Liebe said, "Seems like it."
Gelda said, "I know it's not my place, but if you can, why not try talking to Lilith? I don't mean forgiveness by any means—I mean a conversation."
Liebe said, "It's hard. I asked the Captain just to see what she would say. I didn't want to kill my own heart, and her answer cleared my eyes. I saw trying to talk is just preparing my heart to be shattered again."
As Fang was seen flying above, Liebe said, "Come here, boy."
The dragon landed beside them. Gelda said, "He sure is getting big."
Liebe said, "Yeah. Right now, he's 36 meters, isn't that right, boy?" as he stroked Fang's chin.
As Lilith walked up and said, "What an adorable dragon."
Liebe said, "Can I help you, Captain?"
Lilith said, "Not actually, but in our battle a few days ago, I realized your King's Roar isn't that refined. Want me to help?"
Liebe said, "I must refuse."
Lilith said, "I'm bored. Might as well."
Gelda said, "Well then, you two please continue your lovely training session. I have paperwork to return to. See you. And have fun."
Lilith said, "Now then, let me show you how to use it." As she gently tapped a 30-foot boulder, Liebe said, "Was that it?"
Lilith said, "It was more than enough." In a second, the boulder shattered to pieces. Lilith said, "Cool, right?"
Liebe said, "Super cool. Teach me how to do that."
Lilith said, "See this first." As she looked at a boulder, gave it a mean look, and in a second, it crumbled to pieces. Lilith said, "Like my little party trick?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, it's cool. Show me how to do it. Show me already!"
Lilith said, "The trick is—either you have to reach tranquility with your mind, or let your emotions loose for the world. Tranquility never existed in my… hat? Word of big words? What was it called again? Damn it. Gelda would have actually made it sound cool."
Liebe said, "You mean dictionary?"
Lilith said, "Exactly. That thing. I always did hate that book."
Liebe said, "Well, it has been quite apparent."
Lilith said, "Now you try. Either let it loose or calm."
As Liebe tried to channel the power, Lilith said, "Remember, no extra magic—it ruins the kick."
As Liebe punched the boulder, it was broken. Lilith said, "Congrats. You're a natural at this. Now that you know how to float, time to throw you in the water."
She let loose her own monstrous King's Roar, sending shockwaves across the ocean.
Meanwhile, in the camp, Alysa said, "Why is everything shaking?"
Licht said, "No doubt about it—it's the Captain's roar."
Alysa said, "Frick."
As Lilith and Liebe actually began to train, the entire island was shaking.
Isurugi said, "Sir, it's a 9.8 magnitude earthquake!"
Licht said, "It's not."
Alysa said, "Sadly, not."
Isurugi said, "What is it?"
Gelda said, "It's a glorious moment. Watch—it's a clash of two monsters with their own King's Roar."
M said, "Why the goddamn island shaking for it? They are only training Afterglow."
Gelda said, "Because Liebe is actually learning how to use it, and Lilith is a different breed who knows how to teach by putting Liebe in the dirt."
After a while, when the sun was setting, Lilith said, "That should be enough for today."
Liebe said, "I can keep going."
Lilith said, "Maybe a while more."
After the training, as they were planning to return, Lilith said, "I sure am hungry."
Liebe said, "You can say that again. Let's hope Gelda made something good. Nothing beats dinner after a hard training session."
Lilith said, "Liebe… I'm sorry. I know I don't deserve forgiveness, and I won't ask for it."
Liebe said, "If you know, why bother asking?"
Lilith said, "I'm letting you know. But now, no matter what, I will be there for you—even if it means being a professor at the Academy as well as being a Captain. I will be there for you. I will be doting on you, and I will show favoritism as a mother just towards you. I will be there for dinner, and I will be there whenever you go to bed, just to tuck you in. I won't let you be alone again."
Liebe said, "Do whatever you want, Captain."
As they came back to the camp, they said, "Gelda, where's dinner?"
Gelda said, "There is no dinner."
Lilith said, "No dinner? Why? What happened?"
Gelda said, "There were 9.8 magnitude earthquakes all day."
Lilith said, "9.8? That's terrible… that's terrible, right, Liebe?"
Liebe said, "It is."
Lilith said, "Okay, so why didn't you tell me? And did you take the safety things you're supposed to? And why no dinner?"
Gelda said, "You have some nerves causing the earthquakes by using your King's Roar! Out here, we couldn't even boil water—it kept falling off the kettle. And here you are, asking for dinner? For dinner, it's fruits and nothing else. And you two aren't getting any."
Liebe said, "Hey, Licht, where is Isurugi?"
Licht said, "You spooked the poor kid. Dude is hiding and screaming, 'I'm not scared!'"
Liebe said, "How was the earthquake my fault? And Gelda—some dinner, please."
Gelda said, "Of course, Lord. It would be a pleasure."
Lilith said, "How come he gets dinner, but I don't?"
Gelda said, "Because he is the Lord I serve, and it's my duty. If you want food, go get some, dumbass. Now, shoo! Shoo! Shoo!"
Lilith said, "I'm not some animal that you can shoo around!"
Gelda said, "Right now, you better hope you are. Otherwise, you won't be able to find any in the dark."
As Lilith ran off into the forest, Licht said, "What happened today?"
M said, "The Fausts sure are freaks of nature. No wonder the witch actually told me never to cross their paths unless I was sure."
Alysa said, "Is it just me, or did Liebe lose all his brain cells in a day?"
Licht said, "I don't know what happened."
Alysa said, "I'm scared to ask. Those two destroyed basically the island on their own."
Licht said, "I have a theory. We know Liebe has been detached from the Captain for the past decade, but just today he was training with her, meaning she activated the Faust genes and destroyed what was left. Because he was detached, he actually grew a few brain cells—and now they're all gone."
Alysa said, "So you're saying all his brain cells are gone?"
Licht said, "Sadly, yeah."
Alysa said, "So he's stupid now?"
Licht said, "Guess so."
Alysa said, "So he'll be easier to trick." As she grinned, she said, "I don't know why, but it sounds perfect."
Licht said, "Alysa, don't give me that look. What are you planning?"
Alysa said, "Nothing much. Just take him to my room and let him eat me for the whole night."
Licht said, "Oh god. Oh god. I will shank you. I will put you in horny jail."
Alysa said, "Wait, it exists?"
Licht said, "If it doesn't, I will make it for you. Control your urges."
Alysa said, "I have been doing that for years. Time to enjoy it."
Licht said, "God, please save Liebe. I doubt he can survive whatever she is planning. God please return whatever braincells liebe lost , He already had every few to begin with ."