Soon after, it was settled. Liebe and everyone landed on the ship.
Lichee said, "That was cool as hell! Show me how to do that again! I want to do that! I want to do that again and again!"
Lilith said, "It isn't every day that I use a spell that bends the rules of reality itself. But it isn't time yet. One day you will learn that spell, but today is not that day."
Lichee said, "Come on, pretty please?"
Lilith said, "Don't worry."
Liebe said, "Alysa, is everyone okay?"
Alysa said, "Yeah, they're safe. Everyone is in the Shadow Realm."
Liebe said, "Good. Great job on managing."
Alysa said, "Easy. I just didn't give them a choice."
Liebe said, "Well, let's get them back. Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth said, "Sure, Brother. Shadow Magic: Shadow Gate!" As they were all pulled out of the shadow.
Iris said, "What was that? Why was it so dark inside?"
Olivia said, "I couldn't see anything! All that happened was that I kept hitting my head on furniture."
Liebe said, "Well, we wouldn't call it the Shadow Realm if we could see, now would we?"
Hedin said, "I see. But Liebe, what you guys did wasn't cool—sending us there while you all stayed to fight."
Liebe said, "The funny thing is, you guys weren't safe either."
Lunos said, "Sorry, what was that?"
Liebe said, "The Shadow Realm exists only because of Elizabeth and her unique magic. If she somehow died, there would have been a dimensional quake that would have ripped apart the Shadow Realm, killing you guys. Or, with no one to open the gate, you guys would be stuck there and starve to death. Because other than her, the only spatial magic user who can enter the Shadow Realm is Gelda. And because the tsunami would wash away the ships, she wouldn't know where to start."
Aoi said, "Cool."
Lunos said, "No, not cool."
Hedin said, "You are kidding, right?"
Licht said, "No, he isn't. When we were kids, Liebe and I were stuck in the Shadow Realm for 5 hours until Gelda figured out what was what and rescued the 3 of us."
Liebe said, "Hey, you guys wanted to see danger, so here we are."
Lunos said, "We didn't mean 'kill us slowly'!"
Liebe said, "Like I said, without Elizabeth to sustain the Shadow Realm, a dimensional quake could have ripped it apart with you in it. Now, everyone get ready to make landfall in Hazen. Mr. Zen Lizm is waiting."
Everyone said, "Understood."
Liebe said, "And Eosian, you and your little trouble—you did good. Keep it up. And you just moved from going to prison to actually being chained."
Eosian said, "Don't talk down to me, half-breed."
Lilith said, "Well then, I suppose I should get going. And I will take the corpse with me."
Liebe said, "I mean, Eosian is a bit of a handful, but he isn't worth killing."
Alysa said, "Yeah, yeah."
Lilith said, "If you say so. Well then, Gelda, let's go."
Gelda said, "Okay, then. And Elizabeth, after what you did today, I'm proud of you, daughter of mine. You certainly have grown."
Elizabeth said, "Of course, Mommy. I will try my best."
Gelda said, "Now that's like my little girl. See ya! Now, Spatial Magic: Astral Gate!" As Lilith and Gelda went away.
Liebe said, "Well, everyone, since we all survived—back to work!"
Everyone said, "Sir, yes, sir!"
As everyone was running, preparing for landfall in Hazen, Liebe and Licht were walking.
Liebe said, "Well, our welcome into Hazen sure was grand, huh?"
Licht said, "You can say that again. That little mission made my uniform covered in sea water. And when it dries and crystallizes, the salt will ruin the fabric."
Liebe said, "I will get someone to fetch you a second uniform."
Licht said, "Finally. Wet socks really are annoying. Now, what happened back there?"
Liebe said, "When Mother was about to launch her final attack and we were all scattering, something from the water grabbed my leg. I couldn't see it because, well, I didn't want to die from Mother's attack. I kicked it away. But it was a tentacle—yet it wasn't slimy, more like rocky. It felt like it caused the tsunami."
Licht said, "I doubt it's possible. Many monsters exist, but something to create such a tsunami? Not to mention with a tentacle long enough to grab your leg from within the water."
Liebe said, "Yeah. Maybe I'm overthinking it."
Licht said, "Well, we did witness a spell that shattered the laws of reality itself. Plus, even if there was something, I'm sure the attack finished it. I doubt any creature can survive that."
Liebe said, "Yeah. Let's get into fresh clothes."
Licht said, "Wow, such preparation, specially after we know Zen is Horn."
Liebe said, "Well, people will be watching."
Licht said, "Well, unfortunately, public perception is a thing."
Within an hour, they made landfall. Zen and the others were waiting at the docks. Zen extended his hand and said, "I'm Zen Moesby, the leader of Team White Eagles. It is an honor meeting you, Liebe Faust."
Liebe said, "The honor is all ours."
Zen said, "I apologize our forces weren't able to stop the tsunami. Unfortunately, it came out of nowhere, and we weren't prepared."
Liebe said, "It is understandable. Underwater quakes aren't as common, and I appreciate the concern."
Zen said, "I would request, if possible, everyone should see the medical staff. They are on standby as of right now."
Liebe said, "Of course."
Zen said, "In the meanwhile, our King wants to thank you for saving our nation. It was you who stopped it."
Liebe said, "Unfortunately, not. It was my mother who stopped it, not me."
Zen said, "Oh, a member of one of the 25? It is an honor having her here."
Liebe said, "Unfortunately, Mother had work, so she had to leave."
Zen said, "Oh, that's understandable. Now, if you and your team will please follow me this way."
Liebe said, "Of course. Licht and members of Team Liebe, with me. Everyone else, see a medical professional. Understood?"
As Liebe and his team went with Zen, soon through spatial magic they were at the castle. As they were in the throne room, the King said, "I am King Ainx the 5th. It is a pleasure to have you here."
Liebe said, "Of course, Your Majesty."
Ainx said, "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for saving my people. Here is a small thanks from our people." As Liebe was awarded a gold medal, and everyone else was given a silver medal.
Zen said, "Your Majesty, there is trouble."
Ainx said, "What happened?"
Zen said, "From the site of the tsunami, underwater ruins—the size of approximately a radius of 1 km—are missing from the site of the underwater quake. The ruins just vanished."
Ainx said, "Send one of the divisional commanders there and make sure it's safe for everyone."
Zen said, "Understood, Your Majesty."
Liebe said, "If you require, I will offer my assistance as well."
Zen said, "We appreciate it, but so far we don't require any help. We can deal with this."
Liebe said, "Of course."
Zen said, "Division 5, your commander is ordered to go to these coordinates to investigate. The quake area is only 5 km away, yet such magnitude..."