Soon they made landfall as the doors were opening, with Liebe and Licht at the front.
As Liebe looked, Licht said, "What a sight, isn't it? A battle that can't be avoided."
Liebe said, "Yeah."
As they walked down, the Baladian team wasn't there to greet them.
Licht said, "Wow, talk about hospitality, am I right?"
Liebe said, "Yeah. Something is wrong. I have a gut feeling about it."
Licht said, "OK then, Captain."
Liebe said, "There are 2 weeks left before the semi-finals, but before that in 1 week, the first round of Aldina vs the Empire will take place."
Licht said, "I mean, that isn't much of a match. Of course the Empire will win, since every year it's Crimson Hearts who represent the Empire. And from what we saw at our holy grounds, I doubt they will lose to Warner and his team."
Liebe said, "That's the issue. This time, the team representing the Empire isn't Crimson Hearts. This time it's Silver Lightning."
Licht said, "Wow, look how low the Empire has fallen. Ava is OK, I guess, but they can't compare to Crimson Hearts. Isn't it usually Crimson Hearts with Ava as the sub or something? But now she is leading."
Liebe said, "Yeah."
Licht said, "It's hilarious. Well, looks like we will be facing Aldina in the finals."
As Alysa joined them, Alysa said, "So what are you talking about?"
Liebe said, "Nothing much."
Alysa said, "I wanted to talk to you about something later on."
Liebe said, "Sure. I'm going to head inside and train for a bit more."
Alysa said, "Sure. Want us to join?"
Liebe said, "Sure."
As Liebe, M, Licht, and Alysa assembled on the deck, M said, "Liebe, will you go against all 3 of us alone?"
Liebe said, "It's sparring, but yes, I will. It's been a few months since I faced anyone decently strong besides you guys, so I have been working on something. A new power."
Licht said, "Ohh, let's see."
As Liebe let out his darkness, his pupils went black.
Licht said, "Liebe, are you attempting to use bloodlust again?"
Liebe said, "No, don't worry. I'm in control."
As they fought, Liebe had won.
Licht said, "Well, that's something."
Liebe said, "This is my absolute spell. I need it before I can use Grand Black. And I can't exactly use Grand Black on you guys since, you know, it only works on who the user considers their enemy."
Licht said, "Yeah. But want to go far into the mountains and fight a bit with our all?"
Liebe said, "Now that's the spirit."
As they went about 30 km from the shores, Licht said, "Let's start."
Liebe said, "Same. Let's see how much destruction I can cause with this spell." As his pupils went black, they clashed.
Licht said, "Now that's more like it! How many decades has it been since we could fight like this?"
Yet Liebe wasn't responding. Liebe said, "Dark Magic: Grand Black—Algjör Svarthol!" As he was surrounded by rings of darkness, Licht got sucked in.
Licht said, "That's more like it!"
As Licht charged in, the battle ended with Liebe winning.
Licht said, "Well, I lost. That Grand Black thing was something. I doubt anything in the water around 500 m survived."
Liebe said, "Yeah."
As they returned to the ship, Alysa said, "You guys are back. Did you two have fun?"
Liebe said, "I guess so."
Alysa said, "We need to talk for a bit."
Liebe said, "Sure."
As the three of them went down, everyone was waiting.
Liebe said, "Umm, did I miss something?"
Elizabeth said, "No, you didn't."
Liebe said, "So, umm, what is this?"
Iris said, "An intervention."
Licht said, "For what?"
Alysa said, "All of us want to go on a shopping trip in Baledia before our match."
Liebe said, "No. It is far too dangerous. This place isn't safe. It's far too dangerous for anyone to leave the hotel alone, much less go shopping. Plus, you already did that plenty in Caldina and other nations. Hazen practically gave you their shopping mall as a diplomatic gift. Wasn't a week of free shopping in a nation's largest mall enough for you guys?"
Elizabeth, Iris, and Olivia said, "No!"
Liebe just sighed and said, "Fine then. But it's after the semi-finals round one."
Everyone agreed and screamed, "Yeahhhhh!"
Liebe said, "Also, take Licht, Isurugi, and I will be going with you since I need some new undies, Licht needs some coffee, and Isurugi needs some actual clothes that aren't his uniform."
A week later, round 1 of the semi-finals concluded with Aldina moving to the finals.
Liebe said, "Wow, Warner really did do it."
May said, "Yeah, he did. My brother is called the Crimson Phoenix for a reason."
Liebe said, "Yeah, it's quite fortunate he gave us tickets to see the match."
May said, "Yeah."
As Warner came rushing, he said, "Lord Liebe, I hope this match was satisfactory."
Liebe said, "Sure, I guess."
Warner said, "I'm glad I could live up to your expectations, God of Darkness."
May said, "Brother, that was so cool!"
Warner said, "Thank you. I'm so glad you could make it."
May said, "Brother, tomorrow we are all going shopping tomorrow."
Warner said, "Is that so?"
Liebe said, "Hey, why don't you join us? The more, the merrier."
Warner said, "Oh, great lord, are you actually inviting me?"
Liebe said, "Yeah. Maybe when all the girls are busy shopping, we guys can slip off to the side for a drink or two."
Warner said, "I will be there no matter what. I will not allow such generosity to be ignored."
Liebe said, "Great. See you around like 10 AM or something."
Warner said, "I will be there. If it means being there for my sister and the great Lord of Darkness, I will not hesitate."
Liebe said, "Great."
Later that night, as Licht and Liebe were ready for bed, Horn teleported to their room.
As she teleported, Horn said, "Greetings, Lord, and Mr. Tiny Testicles."
Licht said, "What is wrong with you? There is a word for privacy and knocking, you know."
Horn said, "Those factors do not require my attention."
Liebe said, "So, Horn, what's the thing? Any news?"
Horn said, "Yes. Tomorrow, some of the biggest names in the nation—including the king and Zeto the general—will be in a meeting tomorrow around 9 PM. And Leo Conquista will also be present. Regardless of what our objectives may be, we will have the element of surprise. We will attain more than sufficient info at the meeting. And if we play our cards right, we can kill everyone there. With that, this nation will basically be ours."
Liebe said, "I see. I wish I could be there, but I have to go shopping."
Licht said, "It's going to be fine. I will be there, same as Isurugi and Warner. As if anything will happen here, and I will be careful. Don't worry, everyone will be safe. You can do your important thing."
Liebe said, "Are you sure? Since staying awake isn't your thing."
Licht said, "It's fine. And if anything goes wrong, I will call and you can just warp here and do your thing."
Liebe said, "Yeah, fine."
The next morning, as everyone was leaving:
Alysa said, "Liebe, you aren't coming?"
Liebe said, "Sadly, no. I have work."
Alysa said, "OK, I get it."
Liebe said, "Yeah."
Alysa said, "I will miss you."
Liebe said, "I will miss you more."
Licht said, "Come on, you two, get a room. We are going shopping. It's not like you won't see each other ever again."