It was time to leave. As everyone was ready to depart for Haldonia, Liebe said, "You guys ready?"
Everyone said, "Yeahhh!"
Liebe said, "We leave in about five hours, so get ready."
Everyone's parents came to say goodbye.
Jewel said, "Licht, take care. And, like, don't fall off the boat."
Licht said, "Of course, Dad."
Elodie said, "Also, make sure to eat properly. You don't even eat properly."
Licht said, "Sorry, Mom. You know my skills—all work and no food."
Elodie said, "That was a bit much."
Lilith said, "Liebe, good luck. I know you will do great. And if you ever feel like Hwang is too much, just kick him in the nuts."
Gelda said, "Lord, please don't listen to this idiot's advice. Just enjoy the fights. You will win."
Lilith said, "And M, take care, okay? I know you go a bit overboard, but don't do it too much. Slacking off once in a while isn't bad, okay?"
As Louise came to say goodbye to Iris, Louise said, "Well, have fun, and also bring us victory."
Jewel said, "Oh, that's Iris. So you fell for Louise's kid? Well, that must be sad."
Licht said, "Sorry, what?"
Jewel said, "Her mom hates us—more like everyone in Black Rose, and Lilith specifically."
Licht said, "Why?"
Jewel said, "Oh, they used to be friends and fell in love with commoners. While Lilith chose her heart, and Louise chose her heart, and on the night of her engagement, the guy decided to kill himself. She wanted to die too, but, like, we convinced her not to do that, and she lived, but she became very bitter about it."
Licht said, "Is that so?"
Jewel said, "Yes. And sadly, the fact that you and Liebe are stronger than Iris and her sister clearly didn't help. You are stronger than Iris and her sister, right?"
Licht said, "Sadly, yeah."
Elodie said, "No point in losing hope. Here's the plan: Jewel, you kill her mother, and we make sure her sister becomes the family heir, and then we bribe her corrupt family. You two get married, and problem solved."
Licht said, "That's it? No love story?"
Elodie said, "Nope."
Jewel said, "But why do I have to kill her mom?"
Elodie said, "Because you were the head of investigation. You know how to hide evidence or create fake ones."
Jewel said, "Okay, then. When do I kill her?"
Licht said, "Dad, you are actually considering this?"
Jewel said, "Considering? I'm doing it."
Licht said, "What? Why?"
Jewel said, "Listen, son. The first rule of marriage: whatever the wife says, it's the law. And I actually prefer to live, not die."
Licht said, "Oh god, oh god."
While everyone was talking, Lilith said, "Louise, you are here."
Louise said, "Of course I am. Today, the students depart for the World Championship."
Lilith said, "I know. And when they win, my son will be leading the charge."
Louise said, "We'll see. Sadly, my daughter isn't far behind. She may already be ahead."
As Liebe and Iris were watching, Liebe said, "Should we do something?"
Iris said, "I don't know."
Jewel said, "Look at that—old acquaintances at a battle. What are you planning?"
As Louise and Lilith screamed, "Your funeral!"
Louise said, "Obviously, we are seeing who is stronger and whose kid is stronger."
Jewel said, "In that case, if you two plan to continue your cycle of unending battle, then I will throw my hat in the ring as well."
Gelda said, "We are supposed to be mature for this. What are you, five-year-olds?"
Elizabeth said, "Mommy, please join and win."
Gelda said, "I will join too."
Obsidian said, "A battle? Exciting! May I join as well?"
As everyone screamed, "Shut up, nerd! Hero wannabe!"
Obsidian said, "I just wanted to join the battle."
As the five of them were ready, Jewel said, "The rules are simple: last one standing wins. And we aren't allowed to use more than 50% power, as damaging the campus will do no good. Otherwise, we can use any weapon we want, but we aren't allowed to use our Holy Relics."
Lilith said, "Seems fair. And don't lose too quickly, Louise."
Louise said, "Over my dead body!"
As the others were ready to watch, Gaia said, "Lemme see! Lemme see!"
Lumos said, "Who do you think will win?"
Hedin said, "Either way, it won't be pretty."
Iris said, "Now I'm scared."
Licht said, "Don't worry. If it gets too bad, I will just deflect the attack."
Liebe said, "Easy. Mother will win."
Olivia said, "Now that's overconfident."
Licht said, "No, the only one here who would even be competition is Dad, yet he has lost his edge over the past decade."
As the match began, the tension was palpable. And the first one on the ground was Obsidian. After Obsidian was Louise, which was followed by Jewel, and the last to fall was Gelda.
Liebe said, "Well, I told you Mother would win."
After the match, Jewel stood up and said, "Well, I definitely have gotten rusty in the past decade."
Lilith said, "You aren't as bad. I thought you would be."
Gelda said, "True. I thought we would need to get a stretcher for him."
Jewel said, "I'm rusty, not dead."
Gelda said, "Same thing."
Jewel said, "Well, that was fun but depressing that Gelda crossed me in a mere decade."
Lilith said, "Yeah, Grandpa, we understand."
Jewel said, "We used to be colleagues."
Gelda said, "Of course, Grandpa."
Louise said, "That doesn't count."
Lilith said, "Sure, then. But how about we let the kids handle this one?"
Louise said, "Fine by me. Iris, Olivia, you two are fighting."
Iris said, "Understood, Mother."
Jewel said, "Licht, make me proud."
Licht said, "Sure, Dad."
Gelda said, "Elizabeth, want to join?"
Elizabeth said, "But I'm scared."
Gelda said, "And that's what makes it fun. I'm sure you will do great."
Elizabeth said, "Okay, Mommy, but I want head pats after this."
Gelda said, "Got it, kiddo."
Obsidian said, "From my side, can I send Liebe?"
Lilith screamed, "No!"
Obsidian said, "Isurugi, Lumos, and Hedin."
Hedin said, "Us?"
Obsidian said, "Yeah, you three."
Gelda said, "Fine."
Lilith said, "Umm, Liebe, make me—"
Liebe said, "No, I refuse."
Lilith said, "But who am I supposed to send from my side? Come on, pretty please? Pretty, pretty, pretty please?"
Liebe said, "I refuse."
Gelda said, "And somehow, that's the most mature thing I've heard all day."
Louise said, "Well, that's sad. Guess your son chickened out, Lilith."
Lilith said, "He didn't chicken out; he was just being lazy."
Louise said, "All bark and no bite from the great House Faust. Even a House Faust reject has more authority than you, idiot."
Lilith said, "Can I just send M or Alyssa from my side?"
Louise said, "Sure, sure. Not all of us can have children who care about us. Look how far House Faust has fallen."
Liebe said, "That's a bit much, Captain."
Louise said, "Sure, sure, Lilith. I guess you can send in your favorite Godkin or the reject M or maybe your new toy—what was it, Marks? Maybe the two-year-old will do better than your failed reject experiment. The new one will do better. What's wrong? Missing your favorite toy already? Or is it just that your failure as a human is starting to show?"
Gelda said, "Louise—"
Liebe said, "Gelda, stop. Captain, mock my mother all you want, but an insult to my captain will not be taken lightly. I have decided to throw my hat in the ring as well. And Captain, you can join too if you want to help Iris and Olivia. I will take you all on at once if I must."
Louise said, "Okay, then. I will gladly accept your offer."
As everyone was getting ready to battle, Gelda said, "Lord, you do know she said all those things just to provoke you."
Liebe said, "Doesn't matter. I will still win."
Gelda said, "Of course, Lord. I don't doubt it."
Liebe said, "Good. Then let it begin."
Gelda said, "Of course."
As the battle began, Liebe was calm. Lilith said, "Well, Louise is in for it now."
As the battle began, as Liebe and Licht were clashing, Licht said, "This is fun."
Liebe said, "Yeah, but don't waste too much time. Save yours for the World Tournament."
Licht said, "Got a budget? I'm planning to use a week for this battle and have saved about three hours so far. I doubt it will be more than a year in the World Championship."
As their blades were clashing, Licht said, "Well, you certainly are strong, Liebe. But you know what I can do."
Liebe said, "With that hunk of metal? Good luck."
Licht said, "I don't need it," as Licht used his light to heat his sword, causing it to be able to cut through Liebe's dual swords. Amidst Liebe and Licht's clash, Liebe's left-hand sword was—
While they were clashing in the sky, Iris said, "What the hell are they doing? They are fighting up there, and I feel like I'm going to melt."
Isurugi said, "Sorry, ma'am, but I can't allow Liebe to bow. I will be your opponent."
As Isurugi, Hedin, and Lumos alone almost beat Louise, Iris, and Olivia, Louise said, "That kid—he was strong. Maybe a Knight of Fire?"
After their clash, Licht was sent crashing into the stands.
Gelda said, "You okay?"
Licht said, "Yeah, but guess I lost."
Gelda said, "You think?"
Licht said, "Yeah. Shouldn't have fought so close to the ground."
Then it was just Liebe, Louise, Iris, and Olivia. Liebe said, "Even with just one sword, I will still win."
The battle ended with Liebe as the victor.
Lilith said, "Well, Louise? Any words?"
Louise said, "Well, Liebe, you certainly are strong. Even as strong as a former captain such as myself."
Liebe said, "Of course."
Louise said, "Try not to hold back next time."
Liebe said, "If I didn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."
As Liebe went up to the stands, Lilith said, "Good."
Liebe said, "Of course."
Later, as it was time for them to leave, Liebe said, "Frick, I forgot I had something to do at the capital, but it's daytime."
Licht said, "What happened? What did you forget?"
Liebe said, "Long story. But Alyssa, Licht, Gaia, Olivia, and Hedin, Lumos, and Isurugi—with me. We are going to the capital."
Iris said, "Huh? Now? The ship leaves in an hour."
Liebe said, "No worries. I will be done by then. But again, it's daytime, so you know."
Iris said, "What?"
Liebe said, "No time to explain."
Iris said, "Sure."
Liebe said, "Dark Magic: Dark Castling."
As they were teleported to the capital, Gelda said, "Great. Now I'm useless to the Lord."
As they reached the capital walls, the guard said, "Name and ID, please."
Liebe said, "Liebe Faust, Tier 1 First-Class Knight," as he showed his ID.
The guard said, "My apologies. Please enter."
Liebe said, "Okay."
As they entered town, the people began throwing confetti, saying, "The great hero Liebe has returned!"
Liebe said, "Guys, remember to wave to the people."
Iris said, "Why are we here?"
Liebe said, "You guys have fun. Look around town. I just have some work at the castle."
Iris said, "You are going to the royal castle?"
Liebe said, "Yup," as he ran off to the castle.
At the entrance, Golden Phoenix members asked for ID and reason.
Liebe said, "Liebe Faust. Here to meet the princess."
The guards let him through. As he entered, the princess said, "Liebe, you came!"
Liebe said, "Yeah. And hey, Guilford."
The princess said, "I'm a young lady now."
Guilford said, "And father—and let us go to town once in a while."
Liebe said, "Great kid. And 'young lady' is a bit much for a seven-year-old."
Aina said, "Next month, I will be eight."
Liebe said, "Congrats."
Aina said, "Will you make waffles and chicken for us again?"
Liebe said, "Sure. That's what I'm here to do."
After making chicken and waffles, Aina said, "Really, Liebe?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, but in a bit of a rush right now, so can't make them as usual."
As Liebe made chicken and waffles in 30 minutes, the princess said, "Delicious. Come by every week."
Liebe said, "Will try."
As the princess and Guilford were eating, Liebe went to the courtyard and said, "Master, you hear? I'm sorry for being late."
Lady Mikhail came down and said, "Why the hell are you yelling, Liebe? Can—yeah, sorry about that. In a bit of a rush. Got 20 minutes before the ship leaves for the World Championships."
Mikhail said, "What do you want?"
Liebe said, "A rematch. Assassin to assassin."
Mikhail said, "Fine, but I quit years ago."
Liebe said, "Sure. I don't mind, then. Teach your student."
Mikhail said, "Sure. Don't disappoint me."
Liebe said, "Sure."
As they clashed, Mikhail said, "You have grown."
Liebe said, "What can I say? I had the best to kill me over and over again."
Mikhail said, "Now that's the spirit."
By the end of their 20-minute training session, Liebe was able to scratch Mikhail on her cheek.
Mikhail said, "Well, you are ready. And make me proud, kid."
Liebe said, "Of course, Master."
Mikhail said, "When did that damn kid grow so much?"
As Liebe gathered everyone and teleported back, they missed the ship.
Liebe said, "Gelda, help!"
Gelda said, "Of course, Lord," as she made a portal, and everyone made it to the ship.
As Lilith said, "Liebe, show them hell in Haldonia."
Liebe said, "I will, Captain."
Lilith said, "And remember to eat properly, with eight hours of sleep, and don't catch a cold."
As Liebe's eyes were teary, he said, "Of course, Mom."