As Licht went down, Mia and Mavia were waiting. Licht came and sat down.
Mavia said, "So how long has it been since you left?"
Licht said, "About one day."
Mavia said, "And you already look fat. Is that what retirement does to you?"
Licht said, "I haven't grown that fat."
Mia said, "Umm, sir, you gained 3kg from the lemonade, the steak, and other snacks you have been eating all day. And since you aren't on duty burning it, you have grown thicker, slightly."
Licht said, "I guess so. But why are you standing?"
Mia said, "Since my superiors are having a conversation, it would be rude for me to be sitting, sir."
Licht said, "Just sit down."
Mia said, "But—"
Licht said, "It's a casual talk, not work."
As Mia sat down, Mavia said, "Trust me, what I'm about to say will shock you quite a bit."
Licht said, "I have no reason to go back after our argument."
Mavia said, "Yeah, it did seem bad. But the sad reality is that Liebe is doing what is necessary."
Licht said, "How? What in the world can possibly justify sending her away? We have all the time in the world, all the resources we could need to do something. Yeah, maybe the body—maybe that's the only way to heal her arm. But we can help her heal mentally. It may take months, years, but we can do it."
Mavia said, "Alysa Bouduin—that's the harsh reality. Alysa Bouduin only has 27 days to live."
Licht said, "What? How?"
Mavia said, "On the night of the 27th, she shall perish."
Licht said, "What the hell are you saying? The hospital is secured. Liebe and I are always there. How?"
Mavia said, "It won't be an assassin, but rather herself. In her self-loathing, tainted, she shall claim her own life."
Licht said, "So if we know what and who and how, why not tell Liebe? He can prevent it."
Mavia said, "It shall not occur as he is also aware of the dire circumstance. Yet on the fateful night, the World Championships ends. A flame of blazing hatred shall engulf the capital, a flame that shall last for 3 days and nights, burning all in its path. As in its core is a battle of blood surrounding the life of a devil. The final clash shall decide the winner. A clash between a dark prince burned by hatred and a hero as the full moon shares its glissining light. Greedy will set the world ablaze. The darkness shall calm the flames and be engulfed in ice. As in mere moments, the battle shall end—a battle that scars the soul. As in the end, it was an attempt of a mother simply trying to save her child. As afterwards, a hero's descent to traitorhood and a devil's ascent to godhood, the blazing dawn shall change the nation, giving half-breeds the chance to rise and fall. As in the end, every ember, song, storm, moon, love, light shall be sealed in ice behind a door that can never be opened again. As the death of a hero can bring dawn."
Mia said, "Wait, the final round of the World Championships—it's supposed to be in Eldoria, the capital. And if Mrs. Alysa has 27 days to live—"
Licht said, "OK, so here is the plan. Mavia, the room upstairs is empty and clean. You go there and sleep. And remember to take a nice long sleep, OK? Make sure it's no less than 36 hours, since you are drunk. My dad also gets like that when he is drunk. We have pineapple juice in the fridge, OK? I think you need a drum of those first. Calm down, OK then, say—"
Mavia said, "I'm sober, and I'm not insane. What I'm saying is the truth."
Licht said, "Yeah, and I have a brother-in-law and nieces and nephews?"
Mia said, "You actually do, sir."
Licht said, "What?"
Mia said, "The little child that's been salivating on your pants and vomits in your boots is indeed your niece and nephew. And your sister and her husband are at work right now."
Licht said, "Mommmmmmmm!"
Elodie rushed over and said, "What happened?"
Licht said, "Is Sis really married?"
Elodie said, "Yeah, you were there. Huh?"
Mia said, "Sir, it was 12 months ago before the World Championships. Everyone was at the wedding, including myself. And you were on a mission. You arrived at 9 PM, got drunk, and slept. The Fleet Admiral had to take care of you, and we embarrassingly left."
Elodie said, "Want to see the video of you vomiting on Rosa in her wedding dress? Or the picture of you trying to kiss Ross? Then the next day you ran off on another mission."
Mavia said, "Now, any questions?"
Licht said, "Umm, I'm sorry."
Elodie said, "Sorry? Sorry? The poor guy is scared to face you. He literally hides whenever he sees you."
Licht said, "Ohhhhh, no wonder I don't see him whenever I'm home for Christmas for a few hours."
Mavia said, "We felt bad, so we decided not to show you the video. You were too tired and drunk to remember the incident."
Licht said, "I'm sorry."
Mavia said, "Well, I should be getting going by now. But mark my words—I didn't come to get you today. But once you start to see the truth, you yourself shall drag your ass back." As Mavia left.
Elodie said, "Now, tomorrow night I have set you up with a date. And if it goes OK, you shall be engaged in a week."
Licht said, "No, Mom. I thought about something. I'm not getting married. Not now."