Liebe said, "Alysa, Licht—who was that?"They weren't responding.
Liebe said, "Gelda, get them to the infirmary."Gelda said, "Understood."
Eldrie touched them and said, "Their skin is cold... what kind of magic did she even have?"Gelda said, "How did it even happen? Licht just talked to her!"Liebe said, "A magic that can freeze people internally."
As they were taken to the infirmary, Lilith arrived and said, "What happened here?"Liebe said, "A new foe."Lilith said, "Okay then. Eldrie, stand guard. Make sure every word is monitored."Eldrie said, "Understood."
After a few minutes, the meeting resumed. As everyone was seated, Geno said, "Now, about Valtia—I would like to ask the representatives of various nations for their opinions, and whether what they saw might actually be Nerthalis. And if so, should we make an exception in the Concord Treaty for Valtia?"
The representative from Baledia said, "Based on what we saw, the monsters there seem to be from the underworld. So I believe, for the sake of humanity, we should make an exception for Valtia."
Many of the other representatives gave their opinions, agreeing that it would be best if an exception was indeed made for Valtia. Some even suggested stationing their own forces to prepare for when the gates of the underworld opened.
Geno said, "These are all fine suggestions indeed."
Liebe raised his hand.Geno said, "Yes, Mr. Liebe Faust?"Liebe said, "Of course all the evidence suggests that Nerthalis really is in Hallelujah Island—but what if I stated that all the evidence collected so far is a lie, and the entire investigation was staged?"
Geno said, "What you are stating are serious allegations, young man. But if what you say is true, action will be taken against Valtia."
Albert said, "Are you seriously entertaining the fantasies of a child?"Geno said, "As of right now, he is the official representative of Eldoria, and I'm doing my duty by listening to his statement and valuing it. His age is irrelevant."
Aira said, "Young man, please make sure your statement is true before you say anything further."
Liebe said, "Of course. The truth is, Valtia is involved in the practice of third-tier forbidden magic—the Devil Binding Ritual. They have been conducting research on it, going so far as to make deals with the supreme devils, offering them hosts so that the gates of the underworld could be unsealed. All those monsters we saw so far were just the first stage."
Deinslief said, "What you just stated—if proven false—could lead to the death penalty. If proven true…"Aldo, the chief warrior of Valtia, interrupted, "Mr. Liebe, you must be mistaken."
Liebe said, "Mr. Aldo, do the bells below the Archers' Church ring any bells? Or does the name Project Ara remind you of anything else?"
Aldo, sweating, hesitantly said, "Whatever could you be talking about?"Geno said, "Please, stay on point, Mr. Liebe Faust."
Liebe said, "I'd like to state that the central church on Hallelujah Island—Archers' Church—had a secret passageway leading to a forbidden library. One filled with books upon books of forbidden magic. And in the center was an altar for the Devil Binding Ritual, as well as a vial of Saint Louis's tears and multiple vials of blood from Saint Marie and Louis. From my investigation, it appears the people there were no strangers to forbidden magic.
"To become the exception in the Concord Treaty, they made a pact with the supreme devil of the 25th floor, Avaran. The pact was quite simple, actually: in exchange for scaring the investigators and being granted exception status in the treaty, the devil would be given a host body to do as he pleased.
"Afterward, they planned to ask the Knights of the Round for help to 'slay' it. Their mistake was simple—they didn't consider the possibility that the devil Avaran would find a way to start breaking the seal on the 25th floor. Unfortunately, by now, that seal would already be broken.
"I collaborated with the representatives of Aldoria and effectively dealt with the matter. For evidence—here are the documents for Project Ara, signed directly by Mr. Aldo over here. The remaining vials of blood, and for my witness, I'd like to call Mrs. Mey Scarlet Makido—sibling of Mr. Warner Crimson Makido."
Geno clapped and said, "Before checking the documents, none of us can be sure—but after seeing a diplomat such as yourself, I must say, you really are a monster when it comes to efficiency. I can even say it's scaring me."
Lilith whispered to Liebe, "Want to see how I can scare him more?"Liebe whispered back, "Sure, Mother."
Lilith said aloud, "Before checking the documents, Geno—spar with me."Geno began to sweat, and in an instant, he vanished.
Liebe whispered, "I heard you traumatized him, Mother. I just didn't know it was to such an extent."Lilith said, "I know, right?"
Deinslief said, "It appears the Knight of One, Geno, isn't feeling all that well. As of right now, the session is over. The witness, Mrs. Mey Scarlet Makido, will be questioned today, and of course, Mr. Warner will be allowed to be present."Warner said, "Thank you, Knight of Three."Deinslief said, "And the evidence will be examined in the presence of Mr. Liebe Faust. The verdict on what to do about Valtia will be delivered tomorrow at 11 a.m. Thank you, everyone, for joining. You may now proceed to lunch."
At lunch, everyone was eating like there was no tomorrow. Liebe began with a small plate of ribs and sat down beside Lilith, who was eating a mountain of steak.
Liebe said, "Mother, please calm down. The food isn't going anywhere."Geno sat beside them and said, "That's where you're wrong, young Liebe."
As Geno stuffed his face with beef, he continued, "You're standing among the strongest right now. Based on your magic power, I'd rank your strength at about 5,076th in the world as of now. So the fate of your nation rests on you. You must eat—this might be your last meal.
"There will be people after your life because your strength is a threat to them. And we, the 25 Princes, are no exception. That's why a military man such as yourself should always eat his meal—never leave it. Because if you die, you'll die regretting leaving that last bite."
Liebe said, "I understand."He also began stuffing his face.
Geno said, "Good."Liebe said, "Can I have a sparring match with you after our meal?"
And in an instant, Geno vanished.Liebe said, "How does he teleport so easily?"Lilith said, "Actually, he doesn't teleport."