Liebe said, "Actually, it's complicated. The thing is… well, I never had a proper conversation with the Captain for the past decade, at least after my dad died. I tried, but the Captain was too far gone. It was hard. But seeing Mother start a new family felt worse, so I just threw myself into being a knight… and here I am."
Lumos said, "Healing is hard. But you… you are beyond it."
Liebe said, "Thanks."
Lumos said, "That wasn't a compliment."
Hedin said, "Answer me honestly—why are you stuck?"
Liebe said, "Let's sit down before I can answer that."
As they sat down, Liebe said, "The sad truth is, the day I lost my dad, I became an orphan. That day, my dad didn't just die—my mother's heart also died. And that day, I swore an oath: I will grow stronger, and stronger, a thousand times, a million times, a billion times stronger, so that no child would have to lose their parents like I did. Now that I'm here, I'm at a crossroads. If I am Mother's favorite child, then the two-year-old Marks will be alone, and that would be going against my oath to ensure no child has to lose a loved one. That's why I'm hesitating. I can't think clearly. It's either I can get what I want the most and forget my goals, or forget my heart and ensure the world gets what it needs."
Alysa said, "Liebe actually tried for eight years to be looked at by the Captain, but recently—just two years ago when Marks was born—Liebe finally gave up."
As they looked, Hedin was crying.
Liebe said, "Dude, why are you crying?"
Hedin said, "It's just so sad."
Lumos said, "I see. It makes sense now. That you have two ways—either fulfill your oath, or get what you have been craving for more than a decade."
Liebe said, "It's never been a decision. I know what I have to do. It's just… I don't have the strength to do it."
Lumos said, "If you ask me, you are being torn between being a hero and having what you so selfishly crave."
Liebe said, "That's the gist of it."
Lumos said, "Honestly, knowing you… you are far too kind."
Alysa said, "That's our Liebe. Even when you can have what you've been chasing for a decade, you are willing to throw it all away for someone else—even though that someone else is someone you hate above all."
Lumos said, "If you ask me… why not accept it? You deserve it. It's okay to be selfish about some things."
Alysa said, "And even if you go easy now, Licht and I will always be there to do the rest of the work."
Licht said, "Fine, I'll work a little."
Hedin said, "You don't have to give up your heart. Be happy for once."
Alysa said, "Even though I also call dibs on the doting… I think it's for the best. Finally take what you wanted, Liebe."
As Liebe shed tears, he said, "Can I please be selfish for once?"
Everyone said, "Of course."
Children who have never known peace, and children who have never known war, have different values. Yet the child who has seen both has the hero's will. They become the ones who change the course of history.
The world is yearning for a final hero—one who will end it all. Yet in his current state, Vanadis Eilífa Áin has stopped. Liebe Faust can't grow anymore. Heroes aren't born; it is tragedy that forms them into the titans that they are.
Now, the world is craving a hero, and the hero will rise—even if it means stripping away the hero's heart. It will be done. The world will have the one it wants, no matter what.
The question is… will Liebe give it up willingly, or will I require another tragedy?