After classes, Licht said, "So, what are we doing?"
Liebe said, "We should help Fate get settled in her dorm."
Licht said, "Yeah, I forgot she will be in the same dorms as Isurugi."
Liebe said, "Yeah, good thing she doesn't have much."
Licht said, "Guess so. Shouldn't be much work."
Liebe said, "Let's head back to HQ and finish it."
Liebe used his communicator to call Gelda. As Gelda came from her portal, Gelda said, "What do we do today?"
Liebe said, "First, I still have some work at HQ. Then I need your help getting Fate settled here."
Gelda said, "Understood."
As Licht and Liebe returned to HQ, Liebe said, "Fate, how is everything? I hope the Black Rose dorms weren't too uncomfortable."
Fate said, "No, they were quite spacious."
Liebe said, "Well, that's good to hear. And let's get your stuff later today to the dorms, and you will be starting class in a few days."
Fate said, "Understood, Maestro."
Liebe said, "Ok then, let's see your stuff."
Fate said, "Here."
Liebe said, "Ok, the teddy bear is cute, but where is the rest of it?"
Fate said, "This is all my belongings."
Liebe said, "Ok then. Gelda, take her shopping for clothes and stuff. And Lara, you and Riruru go with her."
Lara said, "Ok."
Liebe said, "And here is the money. Have fun. And Licht, paperwork for us."
Licht said, "Ok then. Good luck. I will take a nap."
Liebe said, "You will be helping me."
Gelda said, "Lord, there is a very important file on your desk that requires your signature. It's for a new recruit, a possible candidate."
Liebe said, "I didn't know Mother recruited someone."
Gelda said, "That's the thing. Lilith didn't, but she applied."
Liebe said, "Any merits?"
Gelda said, "For the past three years, she got accepted into Black Lion and once even Golden Phoenix, but didn't accept any of them, and stated only that she wanted to join Black Rose."
Liebe said, "Interesting. But why does it require my attention?"
Gelda said, "She has Eldrie's recommendation."
Liebe said, "A no-named individual with a recommendation from a Black Rose elite? I will just have to see this. And you three have fun. And Lara, get me a chocolate tart from your bakery."
Lara said, "Got it, Captain."
Licht and Liebe entered as Liebe sat down. Licht said, "Let's see who this mystery person is." As he opened the file, the name was Nora Aliez.
Licht said, "A woman, and quite the interesting name."
Liebe said, "32, with Glass Magic."
Licht said, "Sounds interesting. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Liebe said, "Yeah. Firstly, call her for an interview tomorrow. But before that, call in Eldrie."
Licht said, "Looks like it's about to get juicy."
As Eldrie entered, Liebe said, "Eldrie, have a seat."
Eldrie said, "Lord, how may I serve you?"
Liebe said, "Mind telling me who this Nora Aliez is, to whom you, a Black Rose elite, have extended your such gracious recommendation to?"
Eldrie said, "Just a friend."
Liebe said, "Are you forgetting the fact I can detect lies?"
Eldrie said, "I mean, she is a friend."
Liebe said, "Please move on. I heard that. And should I remind you how dead your social life is? You literally forget people's names."
Eldrie said, "Well, Lord..."
After hearing Eldrie's explanation, Liebe said, "Ok then. Tomorrow, I will decide."
Eldrie said, "Thank you for your consideration, Lord."
The next day, as Nora entered and sat in the lobby, Lara said, "Mrs. Aliez, please come this way."
Nora said, "Of course," as she followed Lara to Liebe's office.
Lara knocked on the door. Liebe said, "Come in."
As they entered, Liebe said, "Lara, you may leave now."
Liebe said, "Now, Mrs. Nora, please sit down." As Fate was standing beside Liebe and Licht was sitting on the couch. "Now, Mrs. Nora, why did you decide to decline the chance to join Black Lion and Golden Phoenix in hopes of joining Black Rose?"
Nora said, "Isn't it basic human nature to choose the strong?"
Liebe said, "True, but is that the only reason?"
Nora said, "Sorry, sir."
Liebe said, "Nora Aliez, what are you currently doing?"
Nora said, "Currently, I own a small restaurant in the capital. It is known as Black Forest."
Liebe said, "But if you join us, what do you plan to do about that?"
Nora said, "Currently, me and my siblings are running it, and well, the oldest after me is 19. So if I join, I will be a knight, but when I'm free, including weekends, I will still be there."
Liebe said, "Ok then. If you join, will we get discounts?"
Nora said, "Sorry, sir?"
Liebe said, "That was my attempt at a joke."
Nora said, "Oh, ok, sir."
Liebe said, "Now, it states here that your hobbies include mountain climbing. Why is that?"
Nora said, "I used to do it with my father in the past, and now that he isn't around, I continue the tradition. And the air up there feels refreshing."
Liebe said, "Ok then, Mrs. Nora. Now for my final question, and please answer truthfully: is it true that you are the oldest child of the former Black Rose member Demond Aliez, who died in the line of duty?"
Nora said, "It is."
Liebe said, "Good to know. So how is everything? Since my grandfather and I were at the opening of your restaurant—but of course, then I was a toddler."
Nora said, "Everything is going amazingly, of course. Most nights we are busy, but the customers are really friendly. But again, Father only opened the restaurant when your grandfather commented it would be nice to have more family-owned restaurants in the capital rather than these fancy stuff."
Liebe said, "I didn't know. I remember trying your BBQed ribs as a kid. Do you still use the same recipe?"
Nora said, "Of course we do."
Liebe said, "I have to try them again."
And from the outside, laughter was heard.
Gelda said, "Hearing laughter during an interview? That's interesting."
As Eldrie was sweating, Gelda said, "What got your balls so tensed?"
Eldrie said, "Nothing, it's nothing."
After Nora left, Licht said, "Could you be any louder?"
Liebe said, "Sorry."
Fate said, "Maestro, you were making more than 5000 Hz while talking."
Liebe said, "Sorry, I got a bit carried away."
Fate said, "It's alright. Yet this time, your words had a certain melody to it."
Liebe said, "Thanks, I guess. And from tomorrow, if you want, I don't mind playing the piano."
Fate said, "Maestro, you have my gratitude."
Licht said, "So, looks like she really was telling the truth."
Liebe said, "Guess so." Liebe said, "Gelda and Eldrie, here."
Fate said, "Understood."
As Eldrie and Gelda entered and sat down, Liebe said, "Eldrie, you haven't been very truthful now, have you, with everyone here?"
Eldrie said, "Sorry, Lord."
Gelda said, "Spit it out, Eldrie, or I will kick you in the nuts."