Liebe said, "Gelda, that's an order." Gelda said, "Please, Lord." Liebe said, "That's an order." Gelda said, "Of course."
As they went through, Licht said, "By the way, Liebe, why exactly did you give away our trophy to the dumbass kid?" Liebe said, "I dislike it quite a bit when someone looks at what belongs to me. And that trophy was worth nothing to me." Licht said, "How many do you have so far?" Liebe said, "1209 gold trophies, 2334 gold medals, 233 silver trophies and medals total, etc., etc." "But why?" Licht asked. "Where do you keep them? I doubt it would be easy to hide so many."
Alysa said, "I mean, that should be obvious. It's the Faust estate, right?" Gelda said, "No, it's not possible. I'm always in and out of the Faust estate, including the Ulsarius, and nothing of Liebe's is there. He had it moved after he relinquished his claim to the throne of Faust."
Licht said, "Huh? Then where is it?" Liebe said, "Easy, my place." Licht said, "Bro, Gelda just told us it isn't in the Faust estate." Liebe said, "That's what I just said. It's back in my place." Elizabeth said, "Brother, I think you are not getting it."
Liebe said, "You guys do know that I have my own place, right?" Everyone screamed, "What?!" Liebe said, "Yeah, I do." "What? What? Where?" they asked. Liebe said, "Lemme show you. Dark Magic: Dark Castling!"
They teleported into Liebe's place. It was a mansion. Liebe said, "Allow me to welcome you to my home: the Vale Estate. It's about three acres total." It was a full mansion with a staff of 300. Licht said, "What the hell? I thought the forest was haunted." Liebe said, "Yeah, I spread the haunted rumors." Licht said, "I hate you." Liebe said, "Allow me to show you around after the tour." Licht said, "Great. Just great. You have a mansion. How the hell?" Liebe said, "You know what kind of person I am, and I hate limiting myself. So, here we are." Licht said, "I forget you have connections to the black market." Liebe said, "Yeah."
While Licht and Liebe were alone, Licht said, "Tell me, Liebe, why?" Liebe said, "Why what?" Licht said, "Why this place?" Liebe said, "Easy. For Horn. When I initially made my plan, I needed a place where Horn could be herself and rest when needed." Licht said, "You planned this from the start, didn't you?" Liebe said, "No. I needed it to be functional, but I really did leave the Faust estate as a plan. In fact, I never wanted it, but it was a necessity." Licht said, "Okay, then."
As they were leaving, Gelda said, "Lord, today, along with Lia and Mistral, Vexus Raime Faust is also returning." Liebe said, "Oh, big bro is also returning." Lichee said, "Wait, who is that?" Liebe said, "Oh, him? How do I put it?" Licht said, "Dude looks like he has a reserved room in a prison, but he never went to a prison." Liebe said, "He, like big sis Lia, is also a Faust by choice rather than birth. They were adopted by Grandpa and live on the exact opposite ends of the spectrum. And ten years ago, after Grandfather's passing, they changed."
Lichee said, "What is he like?" Liebe said, "He is a big brother to me. A bit harsh, but he was a good person." Lichee said, "What do you mean by 'was'?" Alysa said, "Well, before, he would always mess around, even though he was 13 when we were 7. It was fun. But afterwards, he is almost never at HQ. He is always on some kind of mission abroad or something." Lichee said, "What's he like otherwise?" Liebe said, "Well, when we were like six, big sis Lia and I were on a scouting mission and were caught. But he swooped in, saved us from the bandit camp of, like, ten, and saved us. Even at that age, just ten bandits were a bit much for all of us. And, of course, he laughed at us for a month about what happened. But he was a good dude. Of course, he would get in trouble more than anything."
Gelda said, "Yes, he was. He can even stand his ground against myself." Gelda then said, "We should go and thank you, Lord, for your hospitality." Liebe said, "Sure, feel free to visit whenever you want." Lichee said, "Wait, I have one more question. Who is Mistral?" Liebe said, "I don't know. I know I have seen him but never his face or looks."
As they returned to HQ, Liebe said, "Well, guess big sis will be back here any time now." Lichee said, "Wait, what kind of magic does Vexus have?" Liebe said, "Lightning."
Meanwhile, in a pub for criminals, a man in a shirt with the Black Rose emblem, jeans, and a fur coat entered. He sat down and said, "Rum, please."
Someone looked at him and said, "Hey, you don't know what you're doing." The man said, "Tell me about the rumors on Skullhaven Island." A drunk man laughed and said, "What's it to ya, huh? Apparently, the rumors say a dude alone killed every criminal there. It is said that man was even wearing a Black Rose emblem." Someone else laughed and said, "What a joke. 'Black Rose'? What a name. They used to be a big deal, but now that Domr has kicked the bucket for more than a decade, it's just a name. And who the hell would believe such crap? One person would kill every criminal there? There were more than 13,000 there. I doubt even a group of 10,000 knights would be enough."
The man said, "What can you tell me about the one known as 'Black Blade'?" The person said, "What the hell? The world's strongest swordsman?" The man said, "I have a bone to pick with the bastard for attacking my family when I wasn't around." Everyone in the bar laughed. "Yeah, sure. A man like you fighting him? What a joke."
As he stood up, finished his drink, and began to walk away, someone stopped him and said, "You think you are better than me with your fancy coat and all? You... ohhh, you have a Black Rose emblem. What the hell? Are you some kind of wise guy?"
The man said, "I'm the one who will become the next Alföðr." Everyone laughed at him and said, "Sure, sure, pal." As they said, "Black Rose? You really are a part of those wimps, those little weaklings. They are nothing without their so-called captain. And you want to overthrow one of the 25 Princes of Hell? What a joke." As he walked straight and bumped shoulders with the man, the man said, "You picking a fight with me, huh, so-called Black Rose?" The man said, "Your funeral," as he punched him and left the pub. Another checked and said, "He isn't breathing. He's dead."
A huge thunderbolt struck and burned the pub. Amidst the chaos and burning wood, someone said, "Please, help us! It's Black Blade you wanted to know about, right? He was last spotted in the southern oceans of Zenia! Please, save me!" The man turned around and said, "Okay, then. I would have let you live, but you had the gall to make fun of the Black Rose knighthood. Remember the name: Vexus Raime Faust, the next Alföðr. It's the last name you will ever hear. Now, rot in hell!" As he walked away, another bolt of thunder, about five times as strong as the first, struck the pub and burned it to the ground. Everyone was burned to a crisp.
Meanwhile, in Black Rose HQ, as Lia entered, she said, "I'm back, guys!" Gelda said, "What took you so long? You were supposed to get here three months ago." Lia said, "Well, there was this place in Symphoics with such delicious cake, I couldn't resist." Gelda said, "You do know Symphoics is on the other corner of the world compared to Mikill?" Lia said, "Yeah, I wanted to visit. And when I did reach it, turns out they were actually located in Baledial. So, here we are." Gelda said, "How did you miss by that much?" Lia said, "The guide lied to me, so I spent a week in between punching the crap out of him."
She hugged Liebe, Alysa, and Licht and said, "You three have grown! Also, Captain, are you taking your antidepressants?" Lilith said sadly, "Yeah." As Lia looked around, she said, "Who are these people?" Liebe said, "Oh, that's my team. This is M, Fate, Gaia, and Isurugi. And you already know Licht and Alysa." Lia said, "Good to see you are growing up." As she looked at Nora, Lia said, "Who is she?" Eldrie said, "Ohhh, the thing is, Nora and I are in a relationship." Nora said, "Engaged, actually."
Lia said, "Who? What? How? Since when? Is she real, or illusion magic? And why didn't anyone tell me? Come on, Liebe, you write to me so often. Why didn't you tell me?" Licht said, "Well, Lia, the thing is—" As Licht tried to explain, she knocked him out cold with a single punch. Lia said, "I asked Liebe, not you, dumbass." Licht said, "Sorry, ma'am." Liebe said, "We directly wanted to tell you ourselves. I wanted it to be a surprise. And also, Alysa and I are also in a relationship." Lia said, "Congrats! Also, why the hell didn't you tell me?" As she also knocked out Liebe with a single punch, Lia said, "And that's for not telling me!" Liebe said, "Sorry, ma'am." Lia said, "Also, you four are adorable," looking at Elizabeth, Gaia, Fate, and Lichee as she hugged them to death. "They are mine!" Lia declared.
Liebe said, "Sis, that might be a bit much." Lia said, "You are supposed to be a 1st Class, S-Tier knight, same as me, yet you are down with a single punch?"
As everyone fell asleep except Lia, Lilith, Gelda, Eldrie, and Liebe, someone entered. Lilith said, "Good to see you are back, Mistral." Mistral said, "I won't stay long. I came to get my next mission." Liebe said, "Come on, don't be like that." Mistral said, "Oh, you can now resist my magic." Liebe said, "Yeah, guess so." Mistral said, "Oh, a Demi-human, a forbidden magic user, a musician, and a devil. Quite an interesting lineup." Liebe said, "Thanks." Mistral said, "You sure have grown, but it's obvious you did it just to sleep around." Liebe said, "Guess my secret is out." As Mistral took his new mission and left, everyone woke up. Licht said, "What happened?" Liebe said, "Mistral showed up." Licht said, "Damn it, missed him again!" Lia said, "Keep trying; you will see him eventually."
Alysa said, "Did anyone ever see him besides you guys?" As Vexus entered the room, he said, "I have seen him plenty of times. The dude likes his privacy." Liebe said, "Fight me!" As Vexus put him down in a single punch, he said, "Far too weak, little man." Liebe said, "I will beat you one day!" Lilith said, "Good to have you back." Vexus said, "And you are running this place into the ground now, aren't you?" Lilith said, "Says the punk who is out around the world killing people." Vexus said, "I do what's necessary." Gelda said, "You aren't wrong." Eldrie said, "You just came back from Skullhaven and the Abyssal Zone. So, how was the past few years?" Vexus said, "Okay." As he looked around, he said, pointing at M, "You. You are the reason Gramps is dead. Now, you pay." As he looked at her, she was struck by lightning. Vexus said, "You are lucky. If you were anywhere in a 100 km radius, I would have killed you, along with every member of Sacred Freedom. What's wrong? Can't fight without your people, huh? I killed all of your freakshow. How dare you kill Gramps?" Liebe said, "Stop, bro!" Lilith said, "That's enough!" Licht said, "Bro, this isn't right!" As they tried to stop him, Vexus said, "Stay the hell out of my way!" As both Liebe and Licht were struck by lightning, Gelda said, "That's enough!" Gelda said, "Spatial Magic: Partial!" As he was frozen in place, Vexus ripped through the spell like it was nothing. Vexus said, "Is that the strongest, Valkyrie? You have fallen." Lia said, "Gaia, Alysa, Elizabeth, Fate, stand back!" Vexus said, "Have you all gone nuts? She is the enemy, the one who killed Gramps! And you all are welcoming her with open arms like it's no big deal? And Lia, you just met her, and you are all buddy-buddy with her? Has the fact you were also taken in by Gramps led you astray? Or are you that much of a fool? Gramps was a fool to take you in. At least one of us actually cared about him!"
Lia said, "Say that again!" As Vexus turned around and was leaving, he said, "You are all running this place into the ground while Lilith you stand back and watch. When I become captain, I will make sure this place lives up to Gramps's expectations." As he left, Liebe said, "Well, that was a bit much from bro." Lilith said, "Guess he still hasn't let go." Gelda said, "He is as fired up as always." Licht said, "That hurt like crap." Lara said, "My apologies. Let me heal you three." M said, "Don't bother. I see I'm not welcome here." Lia said, "Nonsense! If Liebe trusts you, that means we all trust you. He is just a muscle brain, so don't mind him. He just misses Gramps." Liebe said, "M, he may seem like that, but he is just letting out his bottled-up emotions." Licht said, "Yeah." Fate said, "Maestro, he seemed very intense." Gaia said, "Yeah, I was scared." Isurugi said, "He is a freak of nature, alright. He took down all of you at once." Licht said, "Didn't think he would actually fight us." Liebe said, "That wasn't a fight; more like a beat down." Licht said, "Yeah."
Later that night, as Vexus was by the river, he remembered the past. Ten years ago, whenever he would get into trouble, Domr was there to bail him out. Yet, it was Domr who was killed. As he remembered the moment, he clenched his fist and thought, Why the hell am I remembering this now? And why? Why, Gramps? Did you have to go and die like that? You said you loved me, right? Then why the hell did you leave me? Forget it. I'm a criminal after all. I'm the one who killed the hero, Gramps. I miss you. As he opened his journal to write, page 76 had the words, "Vexus, I love you too."
As he was writing, Liebe came by and said, "Yo, big bro, you here?" Vexus said, "You still here?" Liebe said, "Yeah. What is it?" Vexus said, "Why does it matter?" Liebe said, "Well, you are my big bro. By the way, have you eaten? I brought dinner." Vexus said, "I'm good. So, how is Lana?" Liebe said, "Died seven years ago." Vexus said, "I'm sorry. What happened?" Liebe said, "She died saving us." Vexus said, "Okay, then."
Liebe said, "So, how is your progress going on beating Mother and, like, becoming the next Alföðir and all that?" Vexus said, "Almost there. I can see the end, and I will do it. I won't allow a no-name, noble spoiled brat to become the next Alföðir, no matter what—especially not the child of that son of that bastard, Gabriel. I will do it, no matter what."
Liebe said, "Good luck, because I'm also in the race to become the next Alföðir." Vexus said, "Good to see. But answer me this, Liebe." Liebe said, "Sure." Vexus said, "Why the hell are you harboring a devil and that girl? Gramps loved you most and wanted you to be the next Alföðir. So, why?"
Liebe said, "I don't know. Gaia is a devil, but I never thought of her as any different from us. And she is pretty cool, not going to lie, but mostly stupid. And Mavia? Well, I know it's hard to believe and all, but I know she doesn't want to hurt us. Whatever happened, she always did look up to Mother and wanted to be like her. I never saw someone who hated us, just someone who needed a friend. And she lost two of her three younger sisters because of her parents, so I'm sure even she must hate them to a point."
Vexus said, "I still don't trust her. But it seems Gramps was right to put his faith in you as the next Alföðir. But don't let it get to your head, dumbass weakling child. Next time, I will kick your brains in."
Liebe said, "Good luck. By that time, I will probably be stronger than you." Vexus said, "Yeah, I heard what happened at our sacred grounds. You did good, kid. And as much as I hate Lilith for who she has become, I will not stand this BS any longer. I won't allow our home to be run into the ground."