The next morning, as everyone was getting ready, Lichee said, "We can see it from the deck!"
Liebe said, "Tell the Captain to set port, and everyone to be on standby. We will be making landfall in a few hours."
Lichee said, "Got it! Who knew seeing land would be so exciting?"
Liebe said, "Well, it usually isn't, since we stay on it. But traveling on a ship where everything is just water and sky—and people with motion sickness—you start to appreciate it. And we left Haldonia just five days ago, yet you are so excited. People from the Black Lion Forces are on coast guard for months at a time."
Licht said, "Look who's talking. You literally terrorized those guys ten years ago."
Lichee said, "Why? What happened ten years ago?"
Licht said, "Well, that is an interesting story, but I doubt I should tell you, as it may only encourage you in the wrong direction."
Lichee said, "Come on, tell me! Tell me! Pretty please! Pretty, pretty please!"
Liebe said, "Well, it's a memory I loathe, and I prefer to forget all about it."
Alysa said, "Okay, I'll tell you. Well, Liebe and his family were on a little vacation in Celesport, and, well, he was just flying over the water and saw an Aquafin. He thought it looked tasty for some reason, despite the fact it was an endangered species—but what does a seven-year-old know about endangered? He chased it, trying to get it, and all, and in the process, he ended up destroying a whole underwater ecosystem by using lightning and flame-based attacks using his darkness."
Lichee said, "But how does it affect things?"
Alysa said, "Oh, yeah. Basically, water, especially saltwater, is a great conductor of electricity, so lightning or electricity means it passes more easily through it. So when he used it—forget what he was trying to get—everything in a specific radius was affected. I didn't see it, so I can't calculate the damage. And fishes live in waters in a specific temperature, so when Liebe used high-output black flames, it was basically boiled alive in seconds. And thus, ecosystems were damaged. And the funny thing is, when he got the fish, he had already caused the same destruction over 180 km. And when he was taking the fish, he was already in international waters. So, of course, he was questioned. But the thing is, young Liebe was naive—just like you, maybe a lot more. And the guy on the ship was Andre. At the time, he was perhaps a 2nd Class Knight of Water. Of course, now he is an S-Class Knight and even the Captain of Black Lion. Thea is a close friend of your grandma Lilith. And the thing is, Andre didn't treat Liebe like a criminal under investigation. Andre literally started with, 'Hey, kid, what are you doing?' And Liebe said, 'Heyyy.' And then he said, 'What are you doing?' And Liebe said he was hungry, so he got the fish. Then Andre asked the standard questions, like, 'Where is your ship?' and all. And amidst this, Liebe said, 'I don't know, but my grandpa is a knight.' And Andre asked for his name. He said, 'Liebe Faust, and my grandpa is Domr. I don't know the full name.' And well, Andre changed his approach a bit and then started sweet-talking and buttering Liebe up. He literally said, 'You are just seven, and you caught that fish all alone? You are a celebrity, kid!' And then he literally said, 'Hey, kid, can I make a video—an interview—that I met a celebrity? I want to show my friends.' And she took a selfie and a whole three-hour video interview of Liebe confessing he hunted the fish while destroying ecosystems over 180 km with pyro- and electro-based magic. He literally demonstrated what he did. Then he literally joined the ship crew for dinner with steaks. And then Liebe returned with fish, and they were grilling it. And then your grandma Lilith's friend, Thea, came, and she literally showed the fine for hunting endangered species, destroying ecosystems, and, well, medical bills."
Lichee said, "Why medical bills? He didn't hurt anyone."
Alysa said, "That's the funny part. You know how they made a three-hour video interview, or the confession? Well, the people who heard it and were noting stuff—well, three or four fainted just knowing a seven-year-old child caused so much damage. And thus, their medical bills were also included. And well, seeing the bill of 30,000 gold—let's just say it was the closest your grandma Lilith had ever gotten to death just by seeing the zeros."
Lichee said, "Wow. And exactly how much is that in current money?"
Alysa said, "Well, it's worth about 150,000 gold, which is about a 17.45%—"
Licht said, "That much?"
Lichee said, "I'm guessing it's a lot."
Alysa said, "Well, well, during that period, it can be considered Eldoria was the safest it has ever been in the past few centuries because four active members of the 25 Princes were present: Lilith, Domr Faust, Astreous, and Lady Mikhail. But in the same year, Domr Faust—or Liebe's grandfather—died, and Lady Mikhail vanished without a trace, and Eldoria's stock market crashed."
Lichee said, "Wow. Just wow. That is literally the most inspirational story I ever heard in my life! Show me, Liebe! Show me how did you do it? I want to learn!"
Liebe said, "No, I won't."
Lichee said, "But why? It sounds fun!"
Liebe said, "It was fun. I was so busy having fun, letting go of my magic, humming to the rhythm of my magic. It was the first time I actually let go and enjoyed letting it out. For two days, I did whatever I wanted. It was fun. And by the time I was done humming and I opened my eyes, I saw the monster that was me—the carnage that was me. That was the final time I remember being carried by Mother and Dad, and they hugged me so tight I couldn't breathe. I was so happy, yet my magic made sure I never got to see Dad and Grandpa ever again."
Lichee said, "How did it happen?"
Liebe said, "Mother had work in the middle of vacation, and I and Licht flew to the capital to deliver a box of grilled Aquafin. Yet, seeing Mom with someone else, I lost control of my magic power. I lost myself in hatred, and I ended up releasing my magic and my King's Roar. None died directly, yet seeing it, many killed themselves."
Lichee said, "Who was the man?"
Licht said, "Lilith's second husband, Gabriel Silver. The man is a bastard."
Lichee said, "Was Lilith having an affair?"
Liebe said, "God, no! Don't goddamn ever say that again!"
Licht said, "It was a political matter. She was with him as a date of sorts, as he was funding a big project, and he wanted Lilith. So it was a necessity that she needed to do. But I find it a regret Liebe didn't kill him that day. Aunt Tenebris and Grandpa Domr died later on because of the bastard, yet he is still alive."
Lichee said, "It must have been hard."
Liebe said, "Learning what happened—how my dad died in a landslide, but my grandpa… he died fighting."
Lichee said, "I'm sorry I asked."
Licht said, "That night at the capital, I saw Liebe's true power. If Astreous wasn't there to stop him, we can't imagine how many people would have met their end. I'm the only one from Team Liebe who witnessed it. It was such fear—I saw death itself. No—compared to death, even death itself is below me now."
M said, "You are wrong. I was also there that night. I saw the evil in Liebe, and I convinced myself Liebe was evil and a burden to Lilith, so I wanted to kill him. But later, I understood it wasn't his fault."
Liebe said, "Just forget it."
Lichee said, "People always say I have the magic with the highest offensive capabilities in the world. I never believed them. And every time I almost did something similar, Dad was there to stop me. But I see now—not everyone is so fortunate."
Liebe said, "It is comforting to know that I was able to stop such an atrocity in the future."
Lichee said, "Yes, it was done."
M said, "That night was the worst I have ever lived through."
Lichee said, "If you could do anything and go into the past, then what would you do?"
Liebe said, "Stop my child self. No matter what, I would stop my child self from going to the capital—no matter what, even if it meant chaining myself to the World Tree itself."
Lichee said, "I understand."
M said, "It's for the best if we go outside and train."
Lichee said, "Sure."
Liebe said, "Train outside the ship. It's for the best."
Lichee said, "Understood."
Licht said, "Still won't use it, huh?"
Liebe said, "No. The spells I used that day are my arcanum. I won't use them again."
Licht said, "Then… are you sure about sending Gaia against Zen? Even if Zen is just a false image of you?"
Liebe said, "I won't be facing Gaia. It will be Horn. I told her not to exceed 15% of her magic. I can't hurt Gaia, but it's a learning opportunity for her. And Horn will ensure Gaia isn't hurt too much."
Licht said, "Even so, shouldn't I, or M, or Alysa go? Or even Isurugi is good."
Liebe said, "Her magic is the most unknown."
Licht said, "Fine. I trust your plans."