After a few more classes, it was lunch break. As Alysa and Liebe went to the cafeteria and sat down, Alysa said, "Well, today sure has been hectic."
Liebe said, "Yeah. We just got more politics on our hands from what the Captain is doing."
Alysa said, "Guess so. You're happy, aren't you?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, I am."
Alysa said, "You should have fun. Plus, today I've seen you smile—like actually smile, like you used to, you know? Not the fake usual kind you show just because you have to show your strength, etc., etc."
Liebe said, "Guess so."
As Lilith said, "Mind if I join?"
Liebe said, "Captain."
Lilith said, "I want to apologize."
Liebe said, "For what?"
Lilith said, "For boundaries and for privacy. I had a talk with Gelda and, well, I realized I should have told you, and putting you on the spot and making lunch without asking—I was rushing in."
Liebe said, "Sure, Captain, it's okay."
Lilith said, "You don't have to eat it if you don't want to."
Liebe said, "Captain, please sit down with us."
As Lilith sat beside them, Liebe opened the box. Some items looked good, while some were burned to ashes.
Lilith said, "You don't have to eat the burned things. I made those."
Liebe took a bite of the cheesecake.
Lilith said, "That's the burnt cheesecake. I know it's burned to ash. Sorry, it tastes so bad."
Liebe said, "It's not bad."
Lilith said, "You really don't have to. And I'm sorry for pushing this onto you. I'll quit today since I've embarrassed you and all, and I know you're very busy—actually more busy than me, since you actually know what you need to work with."
Liebe said, "It's good. I don't mind."
Lilith said, "Stop lying, Liebe. And I'm sorry. It's just that after Asterous's death, I became the strongest person in Eldoria, and, well, I guess no one could refuse anything I said. I guess staying alive is always the highest priority, and it had gotten to my head that I could do whatever I want in this nation—actually more than half of the nations in the world. And I just assumed it would be the same with you. I mean, who wouldn't want to be close to one of the strongest people in the world?"
As Liebe continued to eat, he said, "I couldn't care less."
Lilith said, "I'm sorry for thinking family could be achieved with might. I didn't even get the chance or reason to think twice."
Liebe said, "I honestly doesn't matter to me. And damn, is this burnt cheesecake good. Of course, the texture of ash could use some more work, but it's good, that's for sure."
Lilith said, "My work here is done. Thanks for having me. Gelda was right—you really do still care about me, even after what I did."
Liebe said, "Leave if you want, but it would mean going back on your word."
Lilith said, "Huh? You still remembered?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, I do. And I couldn't care less who you are to me. You were always the loving mother I lost along with Dad. To everyone else—to others and half the world—you may be a god of endless power, but to me, you are not. Stay or leave, do whatever you want. Just remember, I'm still waiting."
Lilith said, "You sure you still want me around?"
Liebe said, "Sure. Not like I have anything better to do."
As Alysa and Lilith could sense that statement as a lie, Liebe said, "All I'm saying is, if my mother was here, it would make me happy. Of course, some boundaries should be maintained, like the fact you can't just fail everyone in my class and show favoritism. But I still want to be tucked in at night and train with my mother like the old days. Maybe destroy a few islands once in a while."
Obsidian, watching this, said, "Frick," as he dropped his mug.
Lilith said, "Okay then. I'll do what you want. And later, let's destroy a few islands. You don't know—I missed the thrill of fighting with my all."
Then Iris, Hedin, and Lumos came to them. Iris said, "Umm, Liebe, have a moment?"
Liebe said, "Of course."
Hedin said, "Mind if we join for lunch, Mrs. Faust?"
Lilith said, "Of course, you guys are always welcome."
Iris said, "Greetings, Professor."
Lilith said, "Greetings, dear. How is your mother?"
Iris said, "She's good, still trying to accept retirement and think it's not prison."
Lilith patted Iris on the back, laughed, and said, "That's Louise for ya. The old hag is kicking, huh?"
Iris said, "Umm, Liebe, who is this?"
Liebe said, "Well, Iris, this is the Captain of Black Rose—my mother."
Iris said, "Oh, Mrs. Faust—Professor—I'm sorry, I couldn't recognize you here since I never thought you would actually decide to be a professor."
Lilith said, "Trust me, I don't understand history in the slightest. But then I thought it's better than letting my beloved son be alone, so that was the best way—becoming a professor. And by the way, did your mother ever mention me?"
Iris said, "After retiring, sadly, you are the only thing she talks about. She says, 'Damn you, retirement! Now how the hell am I supposed to fight that dumbass Lilith Faust from sleeping all day?' And it's gotten to the point where she somehow mentions you more than Dad."
Lilith said, "Good to know she hasn't lost her spirit. Now I can bring that hag down a couple notches whenever I'm bored."
Iris said, "Good to know the feeling is mutual, I guess."
Lilith said, "And how is your father?"
Iris said, "Actually, he died a year ago from a heart attack."
Liebe said, "I'm so sorry to hear that."
Iris said, "It's okay."
As Iris whispered to Liebe's ear, "I don't know this, but is this actually how your mother is 24/7?"
Liebe said, "No. This is how she was 10 years ago. And now, I guess she's back, I suppose."
Iris said, "Okay. And by the way, I wanted to talk about something."
Liebe said, "Of course. I'm free now."
As Iris, Lumos, and Hedin also sat down, Iris said, "I'm proud to state I'm now also officially a knight—a knight of Arc Luatine. I even got my license."
Liebe said, "Can I see it?"
Iris said, "Sure."
As Liebe saw it, it stated "3rd Class Knight of Wind." Liebe said, "Pretty good. Not bad. I also got mine just yesterday, and, well, mine would have been better, but since I had a 1.5-year gap, you know."
Iris said, "Can I see it?"
Liebe said, "I'm a bit shy."
Iris said, "Okay, then. And Alysa, what is your ranking?"
Alysa said, "Well, mine is nothing special, but here."
Iris saw her name on the license, and as she looked below, it stated "5th Class Knight of Fire."
Iris said, "It shows 5th Class Knight of Fire?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, I know."
Iris said, "How? There has to be a mistake, right?"
Lilith said, "Nope. I personally checked, and there is no mistake."
Liebe said, "Don't worry—Licht is higher up."
Iris said, "Well, I wanted to ask you something about him."
Liebe said, "Sure."
Iris said, "I was walking by your class earlier, and dude was sleeping."
Liebe said, "Seems normal to me."
Iris said, "But he felt… depressed."
Liebe said, "Well, umm, the thing is…"
Iris said, "Did the attack on your sacred grounds really mess him up that badly?"
Liebe said, "You don't know how bad things were. We were attacked on all fronts, and if it weren't for him, then I don't know…"
Iris said, "What happened?"
Liebe said, "We were pinned down. There were hundreds of thousands of enemies. He alone killed so many, I lost count. His Afterglow and Rampage were on point."
Iris said, "Afterglow and Rampage?"
Liebe said, "Yeah."
Iris said, "What happened?"
Liebe said, "Please don't remind me. It was so traumatic, it scared me. Right, Alysa?"
Alysa, confused by Liebe's lies, said, "Yeah. Right, right."
Iris said, "Please tell me what happened."
Liebe said, "What Licht did on that island… unbelievable. He alone faced Sloth and beat the crap out of him. And after that, even with broken bones and no magic, he clashed head-on with Hǫfuðbjǫrn. Dude was a freak of nature on fire. I swear, if he was fighting for a few more minutes, Wrath and Pride would probably have peed their pants. He was out for blood, alright."
Iris said, "Is he really that strong?"
Liebe said, "You have no idea. Gelda, Eldrie, and Stal on the ground—he single-handedly saved all of us. I literally was defeated by a no-named grunt. And no, I'm disappointed—his ranking is above mine."
Iris said, "Wow."
Liebe said, "Just, sadly, his magic was used up. That's why Pride and Wrath got away. If he was awake a bit longer…"
Iris said, "I see. I should probably congratulate him."
Liebe said, "Congratulate him? What do you mean by congratulate him? You should say, 'Oh, great one, please show me your wisdom.'"
Iris said, "Oh god, is what Liebe said really true, Captain Lilith?"
Lilith used mana resonance to say, "Liebe used mana resonance to say, 'Tell her it's the truth, Captain.'"
Lilith used resonance to say, "I can't. If her mother finds out, my reputation…"
Liebe said, "Do it."
Lilith said, "But what am I going to say?"
Liebe said, "Say what I said was true."
Lilith said, "Do I have to?"
Liebe said, "Yes. You said you would dote on me and show favoritism. Then how can you do it if you can't even say yes to an idiot girl who can't even use Afterglow?"
Lilith said, "Iris, the sad truth is that, well, during the battle, even I was injured. If it weren't for Licht, I probably would have died. And his battle scars prove all of it.He was so strong we called him the one drenthed in golden liquid because he fought Hǫfuðbjǫrn and Hǫfuðbjǫrn ha glden mana exackly perfectly liquidy golden mana."
Iris said, "I should probably thank him."
Liebe said, "Hail him a hero. If it weren't for him, our nation would be invaded by now."
Iris said, "I guess I'll go do that."
As Iris ran off, Alysa said, "What now? Licht doesn't know. Your lie will be found out."
Liebe said, "Frick. What now? I can tell Licht what to do."
Alysa said, "Okay, but how the hell will you give him battle scars?"
Liebe said, "Frick. Frick. Well… my ideas died. Why did you have to say battle scars, Captain?"
Lilith said, "How was I supposed to know about how deep…? So, all my dignity just died. But it's okay."
Hedin said, "What just happened?"
Lumos said, "I'm confused."
Liebe said, "Same here."
Hedin said, "Huh?"
As Licht was sleeping peacefully in the classroom, Iris ran to him and said, "Licht! Licht!"
Licht said, "What is it?"
Iris said, "It's me, Iris."
Licht said, "A dream, huh? Well, lemme sleep. The alarm will start to ring any second now."
Iris said, "It isn't a dream."
As Licht stood up and said, "Sorry, I was a bit drowsy."
Iris said, "Licht, are you okay?"
Licht said, "Of course, I am. Why wouldn't I be?"
Iris said, "Liebe told me what happened during your promotion ceremony."
Licht said, "Everything?"
Iris said, "Of course, everything."
Licht said, "You mean every single detail?"
Iris said, "Of course.Even why they call you the one bathed in golden liquid."
Licht said, "Damn it, Liebe. Why did the dumbass…?"
Iris said, "Why are you nervous? You're a hero."
Licht said, "Sorry, what?"
Iris said, "Liebe told me how you saved everyone. You single-handedly saved the nation."
Licht said, "Huh? Me?"
Iris said, "Why are you being so humble? You did so much, and yet even now you're acting like you did nothing."
As Licht was sweating, he was thinking, What did the dumbass Liebe tell her? Now I'm confused. No choice but to say yes.
Iris said, "How was everything?"
Licht said, "Okay, I guess."
Iris said, "You're so brave. Can I see your license?"
Licht said, "Sure."
As she saw his license, she said, "You're a 1st Class Knight of Fire."
Licht said, "Guess so."
As Iris kissed him on the cheek, she said, "Thank you for saving everyone. You're my hero."
As she went away, Licht's face was bright red. He screamed, "LIEBE!"
As Liebe came through Gelda's portal, Liebe said, "I'm sorry."
Licht said, "What did you tell her?"
Liebe said, "How bad is it?"
Licht said, "Bad. She kissed me on the cheek."
Liebe told Licht everything.
Licht said, "So you told that stuff because you felt bad for me after what happened with Eldrie?"
Liebe said, "Yeah. Well, thought you could use it."
Licht said, "Just because a few ml of pee went into my mouth, I got a kiss from Iris?"
Liebe said, "Yeah."
Licht said, "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I would have drunk more than 10 liters years ago!"
Liebe said, "I'm sorry I asked. Please just go back to sleep. You need it right now."
As Licht went to sleep, saying, "Iris," his face was red.