As Licht and Mia were leaving:
Mia said, "Sir, what is that book you have on you?"
Licht said, "Oh this? It's Moby Dick."
Mia said, "I heard it's quite popular."
Licht said, "It's quite important in case of literature."
Mia said, "I didn't know you were so fond of literature."
Licht said, "I'm not. From what I know, it's about seamen, and that's about it."
Mia said, "Then why do you have it?"
Licht said, "It was a gift from Liebe and Alysa."
Mia said, "They are interested in this book? They did seem to enjoy reading."
Licht said, "Liebe reads fact books or books that help improve productivity, while Alysa enjoys erotic novels."
Mia said, "Then this book—"
Licht said, "Sadly, it's a very inside joke. But when they got me the book—"
Mia said, "I do not understand."
Licht said, "After getting this book, they said: 'Oh Licht, congrats on having an extra dick. I hope this dick is bigger than your one. What do you do when you leave your dick at home? Are your dicks connected by Bluetooth? What happens if it's at home and you need to pee? Here, this book will help you learn about seamen. Sorry, I meant seamen. Sorry, I meant seamen. Damn it, why can't I pronounce it right? Hope you like your new dick. Two dicks are better than one. How often do you use each dick? I'm a huge Dick Greyson fan. Heard you met Dick twice. So how are your seamen tales? Has the book improved your seamen skills? Did you learn something? Remember to keep it dry and rub it with lube.'"
Mia, now embarrassed and red, said, "That's really inappropriate."
Licht said, "Good to know there is one person in existence who actually knows that."
Mia said, "It appears you enjoyed that period."
Licht said, "I particularly did not. But now seeing them broken, I think it was better off than this."
Mia said, "I understand."
Licht said, "You should have seen the movie nights. It's just any movie, and Liebe and Alysa just judging female boobs and grading them."
Mia said, "Still inappropriate."
Licht said, "I know. And they did that to even Disney movies."
Lichee said, "I miss those."
Licht said, "They even corrupted this poor child." As they walked away.
Later that day, M, Elizabeth, and everyone moved to CKH in Eldoria, Black Rose branch, as they were well enough to be transferred. And for Alysa's room, the nurses were removed, and the Vale Estate maids did most of the work except for checkups, mostly because of the lack of tact by the nurses.
Around 7 PM, Liebe got up from the door.
Liebe said, "This should be enough reading for today."
Isurugi said, "Sir, the doctor wanted to have a word."
Liebe said, "Sure." As he went to the doctor's office.
The doctor said, "Mr. Liebe Faust, welcome."
Liebe said, "Hello, Doctor. So how is her condition?"
The doctor said, "So far from what I'm seeing, she is responding. It is good. But so far in order to heal her, I don't see a way. The response is a good sign, but please don't take it as hope. How she can talk or when—we don't know. And not to mention, now she can't even use sign to talk. So all her eating and water are dependent on schedule. She can't even tell us if she is hungry or thirsty. She isn't even nodding to whatever we say. It is a bad case. And if you can, try to keep the reading at least thrice a week since at least she is responding. And since you are her primary contact, it would be best if you keep this page. It's her daily routine of eating, drinking, and washroom visits, as well as her primary diets. You can change certain items for her preferences."
Liebe said, "Items she liked? Yeah, ice cream."
The doctor said, "Perhaps once a day, no more than 5 times a week, should be OK."
Liebe said, "Of course, Doctor."
As he was leaving, the doctor said, "Please, sir, please kindly remember: it's good to have hope, but the truth is always greater. Please bear that in mind, sir."
Liebe said, "Of course, Doctor."
As he left, he went to M's room. As he entered:
Liebe said, "M, how are you? How does it feel to finally leave the ICU?"
M said, "Not bad. I feel good to finally take off the oxygen mask. But how is Fate, Isurugi, Gaia, and Lichee? And the baby bird too. You didn't eat that thing, now did you?"
Liebe said, "Sadly, not yet. But more importantly, we haven't found Gaia yet or have any leads. Licht is still searching high and low, killing whatever criminal he can in Baledia. Meanwhile, Gelda has locked Baledia's capital in spatial magic. No one is getting in or out yet. But I doubt Gaia is still there. And by now, our ships are on international waters surrounding Baledia from the south-west. While from Warner's review of the incident, Aldinian ships have also started to gather at the international waters at the north-west of Baledia waters. Soon the borders of Baledia will be closed off. And Lara and I are working to close off Baledia—the whole nation. And soon Gelda's spatial magic domination will cover all of Baledia, not just the capital. It appears Aldina, Eldoria, Symphonics and Hazen are now against Baledia, as we saved Hazen not too long ago. And many other nations are deciding to help."
M said, "I see. And I need a favour."
Liebe said, "I know. I will tell Isurugi and Fate to stop working so hard and take a break. And don't worry, the news of the attack reached—or will reach—Oiseau Orphanage. I made sure of that. All information flow has been blocked. They won't know you were shot. All such information is being filtered, and it is still under my protection. Everyone will be safe."
M said, "Thank you for keeping my request." As she tried to get up.
Liebe said, "Don't bother. Rest up."
M said, "I can't. Gaia is still missing. I need to find her. I can't stay here while she is still missing. I need to help turn every stone. I'm better now, all healed up."
Liebe said, "Sit down."
M said, "I can't sit here while—"
Liebe said, "Calm down, idiot. Licht was quite mad at you, but he was calmed down. I want to know something."
M said, "What do you want?"
Liebe said, "I want the Eyes of Sin and the Eyes of Purity. I need to see the future and the past."
M said, "I have that, yet I dislike using it above all."
Liebe said, "That's why I'm not forcing you. But tell me, how can I attain those myself?"
M said, "It's virtually impossible for someone like you to attain the Eyes of Purity. You can attain the Eyes of Sin, but the other one is impossible."
Liebe said, "Tell me."
As M told him the process, Liebe said, "Where is the relic?"
M said, "Here it is. Someone in the Abyssal Zone. 3m deep. Abyssal Zone 12, 5, 13 coordinates."
Liebe said, "I can get it. But tell me, what future do you see?"
M said, "Give me a second." As M stared into Liebe's eyes for a second, M said, "I saw the future."
Liebe said, "Tell me the truth."
M said, "It's complicated. Based on your action, if you can find the 2 bangles, it's possible. Here is mine. The other is in the Abyssal Zone. It's about 3km from the walls."
Liebe said, "I want to know the future, Mavia. Tell me."
M said, "Alright then, if you insist so badly. The harsh reality is that you and Alysa aren't meant to exist in the same plane of existence. She has exactly 43 days, 21 hours, 5 minutes, and 7 seconds left."
Liebe said, "What the hell are you saying? Tell me what the hell did you see?"
M said, "If I say anymore, the only 2 decent futures won't occur, and it will result in the deaths of many more—including you, myself, Licht, Gaia, and many. The only way to ensure that future actually occurs is if you saw it by attaining the Eyes yourself."
Liebe said, "OK. I don't care what happens. If it means she will be whole again mentally and physically, I will do whatever it takes."
As his communicator began to ring, Liebe said, "Well, it's my alarm. Guess it's time to read again."
As he went to read the novel, sitting tilted towards the door, he started reading, and she also came sitting on the other side.
After reading the book once more, he started to talk to her. He said, "I really miss you. But I love being with you. I don't know how to say this, but I'm in love with you. Have been for a long time. Seeing you every day, making bad jokes, the awkward silence, annoying Licht, cooking, laughing at my bad jokes—you mean the world to me. Even now, you are worth more to me than you can know. But seeing you now, I realize there is something worth more. It's seeing you happy. Smiling, with or without me. Whenever I look upon the night sky, the future I always see you, with or without me. Even if you can't get me now, just know I'm helplessly in love with you. Have been for a while now. Despite the fact we are in a relationship. And I will heal you soon. Just wait a bit longer."
On the other side, Alysa teared up but said, "Liebe... I... I... I... I..."
Liebe said, "You don't need to finish that. I know what you want to say. I know what's inside your heart, despite how clueless I may act. Let's finish this talk later when you are all better. Tomorrow, let's read this book again. And maybe in the near future, we can look at the night sky together."
As Liebe got up in tears, knowing what he has to do, he said, "Arteos, help me find the bangles."
Arteos said, "No, Faust. That devil is evil. And no, do not choose that path. If you do that, I won't be able to hear Freyja's heartbeat anymore. Same as yours. The melody of the glistening moon will cease to exist. The awakening of the blazing dawn will never occur."
Liebe said, "No. I need it."
Arteos said, "Faust, you do not understand the scale of your mistake."
Liebe said, "I don't need to."
Arteos said, "Faust, you will regret this till eternity."
Liebe said, "I know. I have many regrets. But I have no fear. I have seen the worst. Now help me, or I will dive into the Underworld itself to find Hel."
Arteos said, "Lilith will not approve of this."
Liebe said, "I don't care."