Lilith said, "Just let the kid go."
Lichee said, "Fine." As she put him down, she said, "Why the hell are you looking after this crap?"
Lilith said, "I have been far too busy with this."
Lichee said, "And when was the last time you slept?"
Lilith said, "Two days ago. I was changing diapers and worrying about his future since he doesn't have our signature attribute and all."
Lichee said, "Ok. And I really don't care."
Lilith said, "Oh, sorry, sorry. Please, sit down. Do you need to shower? Or like, anything to eat?"
Lichee said, "I goddamn do not! I came to talk. Now sit down and talk before I start solving problems the Empire way."
Lilith said, "By basically doing nothing and just watching?"
Lichee said, "No. By buying a gun and decreasing the population here."
Gelda said, "I vote for Lichee. Make her the president."
Lilith said, "You do remember we follow a monarchy, right?"
Gelda said, "And that's my greatest regret. If Liebe could become our Captain like this... but again, why would Liebe need a monarchy for that? He can challenge you and get it. And, of course, oh well, how unfortunate our great, benevolent Lord has left us."
Lilith said, "You done calling his greatness yet?"
Gelda said, "Of course not. What's simply so wrong about a mother praising her child?"
Lichee said, "I agree with Gelda."
Lilith said, "Ok, ok. Now, what do you need?"
Lichee said, "Here are the tickets for tomorrow's match in Hazen. It starts at 2 PM Hazen time, so like what? 11 AM here and 1 PM Empire time."
Lilith said, "I appreciate it. I really do. And the thing is, Liebe already asked me. He sent 25 tickets, one for each member of Black Rose, and some are going."
Gelda said, "Of course, I'm going. And Lia is, well, you know, hunting the best seats. Eldrie and Nora are going as a date, and well, Stal, he is excited, and Eldrie is crying tears of joy. And Lara, she is making snacks for the match. The first round was far too quick for our taste since Liebe ended it far too quickly. But of course, what else can you expect from someone such as our Lord?"
Lilith said, "The fact of the matter is, Liebe already sent me an invite, and if I wanted to go—no, if I could go—I doubt it would be an issue. Most nations would be honored. But tomorrow, I have an appointment."
Lichee said, "Yeah, yeah, I heard already. Stop repeating the same BS. Just tell someone to do it. Liebe already pays enough."
Lilith said, "Barely. The 7 spatial magic users cost 3,500 gold monthly because the daycare is 7,000 gold, and everything else for whatever Marks needs..."
Lichee said, "Are you insane? You are a Captain and a member of the 25 Princes of Hell! You can easily receive tribute for protecting them. Easy! Then you can do whatever you want."
Lilith said, "No. My priority lies with protecting Marks. He is all that matters."
Lichee said, "I don't know much, and I'm stupid, but basically, you are okay with sending Liebe to the frontlines despite the fact he makes sure all your needs are met, yet you let this little asshole of a brat walk all over you?"
Lilith said, "As a mother, I must protect my weakest child."
Lichee said, "I'm no scientist, but I'm pretty sure a lioness is supposed to care for its strongest cubs first. And even there, a lioness always throws her cubs in a gorge until their roars can echo throughout the heavens."
Lilith said, "Good metaphor, but reality is different. Marks needs me. Liebe doesn't need my help."
Gelda said, "You couldn't be more wrong. He always needed you."
Lilith said, "Despite that, I can't go tomorrow."
Lichee said, "But why not?"
Lilith said, "Marks doesn't like crowds, and well, he doesn't like to eat food made by outside chefs."
Lichee said, "Ok, then. Gelda, you are coming with me. We are solving this problem now."
Gelda said, "But where?"
Lichee said, "Just follow me."
And 30 minutes later, Lichee came back.
Lilith said, "Well, that didn't take long. So, how are you planning to solve this?"
Lichee said, "This." As she gave her a leash.
Lilith said, "This is a leash for a chihuahua."
Lichee said, "Exactly! That damn thing screams like a chihuahua, so might as well."
Lilith said, "But what if he vomits?"
Lichee said, "I knew you would ask. There. Here, this fish bowl. Just put it over his head."
Gelda said, "Somehow, this is the smartest thing she's done so far."
Lilith said, "But why is this leash like this?"
Lichee said, "So glad you asked. It's the best, most inhumane leash they had. It's for training knighthood dogs or service dogs. And with a click of the button, the little chihuahua will be dragged right back in seconds."
Lilith said, "I see your effort and what you are attempting to do, but this isn't going to work. I really can't make it."
Lichee said, "Listen, I know life is hard without Dad, but please don't abandon Liebe. I saw how much he needs you. And here are the tickets. If you show up, I will appreciate it. And well, if you can't... I know this era has failed and my life has been pointless. So please, join the others and be there for Liebe. You are a professor, right? A teacher should be there for her students." As she placed the tickets on the table and left.
As Lichee, Gelda, and the others returned to the ship, Liebe and the others had their mouths wide open as Lichee's face, hair, and uniform were covered in saliva, carrots, lobster, and vomit.
Liebe whispered to Alysa, "I know you told me whenever a lady changes her style, I should always—and always—compliment her. But this is a bit..."
Alysa said, "I'm wondering the same thing."
Licht said, "How did she turn homeless in 45 minutes?"
Fate said, "I doubt such financial ruin is possible."
Gaia said, "She stinks."
Liebe said, "Well, honey, you look... I love the new style. It's certainly something. And the smell... it's very unique."
Alysa said, "Yeah, yeah, it's so good it's making my eyes water." (Licht had passed out from the smell.)
Liebe said, "You see? Licht thought you looked so beautiful, he passed out."
Alysa said, "Yeah, exactly."
Lichee said, "Liebe, I don't know how you feel about the kid, but I hate it. That spoiled brat pinched me, bit my leg thrice, covered me in snot, threw carrots and lobster at me, and vomited on my face. He is just horrible! Just horrible! Whatever you pay, stop. Please stop! You are getting scammed sending him to the Empire just for classes. The money is not worth it. He is rotten and beyond redemption. You should goddamn throw that thing in a military boarding school where they cut off your balls for waking up late!"
Liebe and Alysa just looked at each other in confusion. Liebe whispered, "I'm confused. Is this teenage hormones or something?"
Alysa said, "I don't think so. At least, not for me."
Liebe said, "Umm, M, what exactly happened?"
M said, "I don't know."
Liebe said, "Umm, Gelda, did anything interesting occur?" Gelda told what happened, and Liebe and Alysa just listened and then looked at each other and laughed.
Lichee said, "This isn't funny!"
Liebe said, "It's hilarious."
Alysa said, "Yeah, it is."
Liebe said, "I have never been prouder of the fact I left the Faust estate. So glad I left."
Alysa said, "I know, I know. This is hilarious."
Lichee said, "I swear to god, I will kill that brat one of these days."
Liebe said, "Congrats. You have my blessing on that. And Alysa, get her cleaned up. Yup, best story I heard all day."
Lichee said, "It's sad, ok? It was traumatic."
Liebe said, "I don't deny that."
As Alysa and Lichee went to the pool, Liebe said, "Well, that was interesting."
M said, "Indeed."
Liebe said, "Well then, let's get Licht awake."
As Isurugi rushed in, Liebe said, "Isurugi, what's wrong?"
Isurugi said, "There is an underwater earthquake. It's a 7.1 magnitude. We are experiencing it due to the fact we are in a ship, but a tsunami is on its way here, and it's 1 km tall, sir. Distance: 120 km. Time till impact: 9 minutes."
Liebe said, "M, wake up Licht in 30 seconds. We will confront it. Gelda, get Mother. We will need help. You have 300 seconds. And Isurugi, get Lichee. We will need her. We will meet up on deck in 120 seconds. And order Code Red. Every person on standby!" As everyone rushed around...
Iris said, "Fate, what is happening?"
Fate said, "We do not have time. We are under the effects of a tsunami. We have 8 minutes and 50 seconds."