Later, Iris came down and said, "Sorry to make you wait."
Licht said, "Sure, no problem."
Iris said, "Does this look okay?"
Licht said, "Yeah."
Olivia said, "So, where are we going?"
Licht said, "Mainly to our dorms. Liebe said he and the Captain ate and had some leftovers and are bringing it over. And asked if you guys—as well as Hedin, Lumos, M, Gaia, Fate, Isurugi, and others—would like to join us for BBQ."
Olivia said, "Seriously? So they're bringing leftovers, and you called, what, 8 people for that?"
Licht said, "Yeah."
Olivia said, "So, we all get like one bite each or something?"
Licht said, "I see you still fail to see what a freak of nature the leader of our team is."
Olivia said, "Educate me."
Licht said, "You still want more? Wasn't having your ass handed to you today enough already?"
Olivia said, "Don't remind me."
Licht said, "Then learn the first time."
Iris said, "Is that really the difference?"
Licht said, "Actually, it's different. Well, how do I put it? To put it simply, the difference is the question: how many times did you almost die?"
Olivia said, "Easy—three times. Once almost drowned, once got bitten by a poisonous snake, and finally, once that was today because of you."
Licht just laughed and said, "Okay. Iris, now you."
Iris said, "Once, and that was today from your presence."
Licht said, "That's the thing. Well, it's like… we fought to the brink of death for years—nah, that's not right. While all of us trained day in and day out since we were seven, Liebe—he is a different breed of monster. He fought to the brink so many times in those days, I lost count."
Iris said, "Was Gelda really that brutal?"
Licht said, "Have you heard the name Lady Mikhail?"
Iris said, "Of course we have. Who hasn't? She is the world's greatest sniper and assassin, and the former 25th chair of the 25 Princes of Hell. But she disappeared 25 years ago without a trace. No one knows where she is, or even if she's alive or not."
Licht said, "That's the thing. She never vanished. Liebe knows where she is. For our training… the thing is, Gelda is a hard teacher, no matter what, and her training was hard, but she could never go all out against us kids. Either way, we grew. But Liebe wasn't satisfied, and Gelda would never hurt him since she was Liebe's official guard—she was far too kind and lenient. So he asked her for help. Lady Mikhail—a bloodthirsty assassin—has no problem going all out. And that's how Liebe trained for the next eight years. Mikhail taught him many things: from battle, to survival, to even recovery. And in those years, Liebe died, bled dry, skewered—all of it. And that's how his instincts were developed. Of course, Gelda pointed out his mistakes and healed him, but Mikhail—she is ruthless. In order to heal Liebe, her only way was sending him to the brink, and his way back? Easy—heal himself. That's why he has the perfect assassin build while still being a perfect commander."
Iris said, "I see."
Licht said, "Of course. From then, Liebe just did his thing, and his power just grew in the Abyssal Zone. But again, Vanadis Eilífa Áin is part of the reason how he can break every mold the world sets for him."
Iris said, "Is it really that strong?"
Licht said, "Of course not—not in the slightest. The only reason Vanadis Eilífa Áin is even considered strong is because of Liebe. In almost anyone else's hands, it would be nothing—including myself. If a sociopath like myself ever had it, it would be wasted."
Iris said, "I see. And what's your power?"
Licht said, "For myself, nothing suits me better than Baldrs Reiðarsverð—my magical ability."
Iris said, "What does it do?"
Licht said, "That's a secret."
Olivia said, "Tough words for people inviting us to get leftovers."
Licht said, "Good luck eating the leftovers, then."
As they reached the dorms, Licht said, "Sorry we're late. I was taking a nap."
Alysa said, "Just in time—the grill is ready."
Olivia said, "Isn't this a bit much?"
Licht said, "Nah, it's less, actually."
As Licht's communicator began to ring, Licht picked up and said, "Go for Licht."
Liebe said, "Hey, is everyone ready? We're kinda on the way right now from Valhala Island, and we'll arrive in about five minutes. And clear the ground."
Licht said, "Do you need Titan?"
Liebe said, "Nah, Fang is enough."
Licht said, "Sure. The ground is ready."
Liebe cut the call.
Olivia said, "Well, that was weird."
Iris said, "Which part? The part where he said they left Valhala Island, or the part where they said 'clear the ground'?"
Olivia said, "That's a bit much for pizza or wings, right?"
Iris said, "Guess so. Maybe they thought a few too many, and the boxes are heavy or something."
Olivia said, "Makes sense. How many boxes are you guessing?"
Iris said, "Maybe 20, since they are rumored to have quite the appetite."
Olivia said, "Makes sense."
Isurugi said, "Ma'am, I think you may be mistaken."
Olivia said, "I know, right? Why would there be so many boxes? Am I right?"
Isurugi said, "Yes, ma'am."
Iris said, "Okay, then."
As they could hear a growling sound, Iris said, "What was that?"
Olivia said, "You heard that, too?"
Licht said, "That was Fang."
Iris said, "What is Fang?"
M said, "Liebe's familia."
Olivia said, "Must be all bark, or a sound type, or likes to growl or something."
As Hedin and Lumos also came to their side and said, "Are we the only ones who think something is a bit off?"
Iris said, "You two think so, too?"
Lumos said, "I mean, coming from Valhala Island, and food, and that roar… I'm a bit confused."
Olivia said, "Are they trying to scare us or something?"
Iris said, "Olivia, what is that in the sky?"
Olivia said, "Now the prank is getting out of hand, with the darkness and shadows and all."
As the ground turned dark, and strong winds were strong enough to knock them back, the giant dragon gently placed three Ignisaurous Rexes on the ground.
Olivia said, "It's illusion magic—that's it."
After Liebe and Lilith came down, Olivia and the others were staring.
Lilith nervously laughed and said, "Sorry—we could only get three. The rest ate up, and Gelda didn't let us get any more. But if there's a shortage, we'll get a few more."
Iris said, "Is that… is that a… a… a… a… a…"
Liebe said, "These are Ignisaurous Rex meat."
Olivia said, "It can't be."
Liebe said, "Can't be what?"
Olivia said, "To Licht—is this what you meant?"
Licht said, "Sadly, yes. If you stay with us, get used to differences in measurement scales."
Hedin said, "What the hell is that giant dragon?"
Liebe said, "Oh, this? This is my little buddy and familia, Fang. Don't worry, you can pet him. He doesn't bite, and he likes being scratched under the chin and on the belly. But he doesn't like moving much after eating, that's why it took us so long to get here. Little Mr. Grumpy here wanted to take a nap."
Iris whispered to Olivia, "Olivia."
Olivia said, "Yes, Iris?"
Iris said, "It doesn't look much like illusion magic."
Olivia said, "I can see that, but just to be sure, can you check if he bites or not?"
Iris said, "Seeing how this thing is over 150 meters tall, I doubt he needs to bite to finish us."
Olivia said, "Good point."
Iris said, "I think you should start apologizing."
Olivia said, "Yeah."
Iris said, "Otherwise, you may be on the menu next."
Olivia said, "I can, unfortunately, see that."
As Iris and Olivia groveled before Liebe and said, "Oh, great darkness, please forgive us for our rudeness!"
Iris said, "We didn't know!"
Olivia said, "Yeah, trust us, we really didn't!"
Iris said, "And it's all her fault. If you want, we are going to sacrifice her. Please let me leave! And that roaw beforehand was"
Liebe said, "Huh? What are you guys saying? Any idea what they are saying, Captain? And that was fang after a meal, he has a tendency to burp after eating."
Lilith said, "You really do have strange friends, Liebe. But maybe they think it's too little. I'll go get us another one since I'm pretty sure the Ignisaurous don't mind sacrificing another one of them for me."
Gelda said, "I doubt that is what they are saying at all."
As Hedin and Lumos hid behind Licht, Hedin said, "Save us, Licht!"
Lumos said, "If we get eaten, it's your fault!"
Licht said, "What? Are you guys scared of the Ignisaurous? They're dead."
Lumos said, "We're not scared of that."
Hedin said, "We're scared of the things that killed them."
Licht said, "Soooo… other Ignisaurous?"
Hedin said, "Nooo! We're scared of that big black dragon monster thing!"
Licht said, "I would, but you aren't helping your case. He really doesn't like being called a monster."
As Fang walked up to them while Lumos and Hedin were behind Licht, and breathed down in front of Licht, Licht said, "I'm not playing fetch right now. Now, get."
As Fang depressingly went away, while in front of Alysa, Alysa gave him scratches below the chin and said, "Don't mind Licht, okay?"
As Fang growled, Alysa whistled. Her death gripper, Stella, came out. Alysa said, "Stella, play with your little brother, why don't you?"
As Stella growled, Fang followed her.
Hedin said, "What is going on? And why on hell is the giant 150-meter-tall dragon following orders of a tiny 22-meter dragon?"
Licht said, "Long story."
Iris said, "Liebe, please save us from the giant dragon!"
Liebe said, "Why? He just wants to play."
Olivia said, "Great. He wants to play with his prey before eating us. Looks like, Iris, we won't be getting our wish of a quick swallow after all."
Iris said, "Looks like it."
Lilith said, "What are you saying?"
Gelda said, "Lord, I don't mean to be rude, but it really would appear your friends are quite strange."
Liebe said, "Even I'm a bit confused. Usually, they are some of the most normal people I know, and Olivia is usually the boss who bosses everyone around."
Gelda said, "What happened?"
Lilith said, "I know what happened."
Liebe said, "Tell us, Captain."
Gelda said, "Now I'm interested to know."
Lilith said, "Simple—they probably hit their head a bit too hard, and now their brains aren't working properly."
Gelda said, "It's logical."
Lilith said, "Simple. So, I just gotta hit them in the head once hard enough, and the brain will be in the right place."
Gelda said, "I see."
Liebe said, "Can I do it, Captain?"
Lilith said, "Of course. Just make sure the impact is above 76,105,108,105,116,104 N, and it should be back in place."
Gelda said, "Now you're saying dumb stuff. Of course, the impact has to be over 7,110,110,810,097 N, otherwise the brain won't be put back in the right place and reset."
Liebe said, "Makes sense."
Olivia whispered, "What are they talking about?"
Iris said, "Sadly, our execution. They plan to crush our skulls—at least they plan to make it quick."
Olivia said, "I don't want to die. How the hell are you so calm? We are about to die."
Iris said, "Just accept it. There really is no point in trying to escape. Think about it—three destroyers are right here. And even if we managed to escape, the dragon will finish us in an instant. He doesn't even have to bite us—he'll just swallow us whole, and we won't even be an after-meal snack. And then, of course, Gelda exists—the greatest spatial magic user in the nation. Even if we escape all that, Licht is still here, and he is basically as fast as light. Escape is not an option. Just look at the mountain pile of Ignisaurous—those were the apex predators of Valhala Island, the most dangerous place in the nation. And they were backed into a corner so bad they had evolved to sacrifice one of their own just to avoid extinction. And even if he had a spatial magic portal here to the end of the world, I doubt we can survive."
Olivia said, "I don't wanna die."
Iris said, "I don't want to either, but there is no choice. You just had to open your mouth and call them fakes."
Iris said, "Wait, what is that smell?"
As she looked at the ground, Olivia had wet the ground.
Iris said, "Great. Now, because of you, I will die without any dignity."
Liebe said, "Guys, do you smell that?"
Iris said, "Smell what? Roses, flowers, the air?"
Liebe said, "I mean, there is a weird smell."
Lilith said, "Now that you mention it, I smell it, too. Do you smell that, too, Gelda?"
Iris said, "Great. Now we are dead. So, so, so dead."
Gelda said, "Yes, I do."
Lilith said, "Do you two have any idea where the smell is coming from?"
As they looked, Iris and Olivia weren't there—as they were running off.
Gelda said, "That's strange, and not to mention a bit rude."
Lilith said, "Of course not. They take their training so seriously. Look, it's 10 PM, so they ran off to their running training. Stamina is important, too."
Gelda said, "It's logical. Running in the cold is great for stamina and endurance. Lord, I would suggest you take your training seriously as well because, based on their current dedication, it might not be long till they overthrow you as the Fleet Admiral."
Liebe said, "I see how it is."
As Liebe screamed, "Where the hell are you guys going?!"
Iris and Olivia screamed, "To the hills! We don't want to die!"
Liebe said, "What?"
Lilith said, "Damn that Louise. I heard she took training her kids seriously, but this is a bit much. I'd even call it child abuse."
Liebe said, "Now that seems scary. I should join them; otherwise, I might just start to lose."
As Liebe ran off, Lilith said, "I'll join you."
As Liebe was running, Licht yelled, "Where the hell are you running off to?!"
Liebe yelled back, "Nowhere! I'm joining Iris and Olivia for stamina training!"
Licht said, "Training with Iris, huh?"
As Liebe quickly caught up with Iris and Olivia by just running, he said, "So, where are we going?"
Iris said, "Nowhere."
As Licht also caught up and said, "I sure do like a good training session before BBQ, don't you, Iris?"
Iris said, "What?"
Licht said, "I sure am getting sweaty. Want some water, juice, food, warm towels?"
As Lilith joined them in running and said, "This really is fun. Your mother did teach you well."
After two hours of Iris and Olivia trying to run for their lives—which Licht, Liebe, and Lilith considered stamina training—Gelda made a portal and appeared before them and said, "The food is ready. I don't suggest letting it get cold. Please resume your training after dinner."
While everyone ate, Hedin and Lumos realized they weren't in any real danger, while Iris and Olivia spent dinner eating to their hearts' content, thinking it was their final meals. Between tears, they were traumatized and realized escape really was not an option. And all they mumbled while eating was, "We are going to die. We are going to die. At least we got to eat good before dying."
Seeing their tears, Liebe said, "Alysa, look how much they liked your BBQ—they are crying over it."
Licht said, "You guys want some more?"
Between sobs, Iris said, "Yes, please."
Olivia said, "A few more pieces would be nice before it ends."
And seeing this, Liebe said, "Elizabeth, look—look how much they are appreciating their food after a hard training session. You see why you are falling behind. And as my sister, I suggest you learn. Look at them—that's the dedication of a warrior. Why don't you join us for our after-meal run?"
Elizabeth said, "Sure, brother."
Gelda said, "Then here are your running shoes. And make me proud."
Elizabeth said, "Of course, Mommy."
Liebe said, "The food really is good, huh?"
Iris and Olivia, between sobs, said, "Yeah, it is."
Liebe said, "Can't wait for the after-dinner run."
Iris and Olivia screamed, "Hell no!"
As Iris said to Olivia, "They plan to play with us even more before killing us."
Olivia said, "Yeah, I heard."
Licht said, "After-dinner run."
Licht said, "Iris, do you need anything? Cold water, juice, anything?"
Iris said, "If you plan to kill us, just please do it quick."
In the end, that night, Iris and Olivia ended up running for more than 300 km in their attempts to run for their lives—which was considered nothing more than a fun training session by Liebe, Licht, and Lilith. And finally, those two couldn't walk for a month after the incident.