Later, after eating dinner, Liebe went to check on Alysa and Licht.
Liebe said, "How are you doing?"Licht said, "Great."
Liebe said, "What happened? What was that attack?"Licht said, "I don't know. That girl—she started talking, and Alysa froze. When I joined the conversation, she just said… just talking to her made me go blank. I couldn't do anything. I could see and feel everything, but my body wouldn't listen to me, no matter what."
Liebe said, "Any chance it might be some sort of malice attack?"Licht said, "No, can't be. I couldn't sense any hostility or battle spirit. And unfortunately, Alysa still hasn't regained herself—you can say she's still stuck in the haze."
Liebe said, "Is it similar to back when we were children, when she didn't open up to anyone?"Licht said, "Yeah, thinking of those days when we were kids… it feels weird."Liebe said, "I just hope she doesn't seal her heart off like those days."Licht said, "Hear that, Alysa? Wake up, wakey wakey, the sun's up. Good morning!"Liebe said, "Yeah… she isn't responding."Licht said, "It's as if she had a factory reset or something."Liebe said, "Yeah, but if it's a factory reset, she must have a restore all data button, right?"Licht said, "Think anything weird, and I will shank you."Liebe said, "Fine then."
Gelda rushed through the door.Gelda said, "Lord, we have news."Liebe said, "What is it?"Gelda said, "Two things."Liebe said, "Go on."Gelda said, "Well, the child of the Grandmaster is born."Liebe said, "That's a surprise. Is it a boy or a girl?"Gelda said, "It's a boy."Liebe said, "Great, finally some competition."Gelda said, "And the second—Princess Aina Fione has summoned you."Liebe said, "Summoned me? I don't think the princess has the authority to summon a captain or acting captain. That authority is reserved for the King, Queen, or Grandmaster."Gelda said, "It is, but from what I was told, it wasn't an order but rather a request."Liebe said, "Okay, inform them I need a few days to settle things here at the Empire, then I'll head to the capital."Gelda said, "But sir, it's urgent."Liebe said, "Then tell them tomorrow. I can't leave Alysa like this."Gelda said, "Lord, please."Liebe said, "Fine. Make a portal. Licht, watch over Alysa—and Alysa, make sure Licht doesn't fall asleep while actually being on the job."
Yet Alysa didn't react.Licht said, "Don't worry, I'll make sure she makes sure I'm awake and watching her."Liebe said, "As much of a tongue twister as that was, I'm just going to ignore it."
As Gelda made it to the capital, Liebe entered the castle. The 5-year-old princess was waiting. Liebe kneeled before her and stated, "Princess Aina, you called for me?"Aina said, "Liebe, you promised me those special waffles and chicken!"Liebe said, "Huhhhhh?"
The woman standing behind her stated, "Princess, it isn't right for royalty such as yourself to be talking so casually with a half-breed such as Acting Captain Liebe Faust."Liebe said, "I do not mind."
The woman introduced herself, "I'm the Vice Captain of Golden Phoenix, the Royal Guard — Claire Fione Eustass."Liebe said, "I'm Liebe Faust, Acting Captain of Black Rose."Princess Aina said, "Teach me how to make them! I want to try them so much!"Liebe said, "Umm, Princess, it's already 9 PM, and I have work at the Empire…"Claire pointed her blade at Liebe and said, "How dare a half-breed refuse the princess!"
Gelda deflected Claire's sword with her lance and said, "How dare a mere Vice Captain draw a sword against an Acting Captain?"Claire said, "We, the members of Golden Phoenix, are the Royal Knights. Our ranks are not the same."Gelda said, "Of course not—you are actually lower. We are Black Rose Special Forces."
Liebe stood up and gestured for Gelda to stand down. Gelda put away her lance and said, "Sorry for the rudeness, Lord."Liebe said, "It's fine."
"Princess, as much as I would love to share my personal recipe, the chicken needs to be marinated for 12 hours to get the proper flavors. That's why it would be impossible."Aina said, "Actually, my father is the one who told me to call you. He wanted to speak to you, but it was a request, so he told me to say it."Liebe said, "What? The King called for me?"Aina said, "Father's health has been deteriorating for quite a while."Liebe said, "I understand."
As they went to the King's room, Aina knocked and said, "It's me, Father."The King of Eldoria, Bruce Dew Eldoria, said, "Come in."Aina said, "Father, I have brought the Captain of Black Rose."
As Liebe entered, he went on his knees and said, "Your Majesty."Bruce said, "Aina dear, thank you for bringing him here. Can we please get five minutes for adult talk before Mr. Liebe Faust makes the waffles for you?"Aina said, "Okay, Father."
As Aina left, Bruce said, "Stand up. Today I summoned you not as a King, but as a father."Liebe stood.Bruce said, "Please, take a seat."Liebe said, "But, Your Majesty, a half-breed such as myself sitting beside royalty—"Bruce said, "You actually believe in that stuff? It's just propaganda made by idiot nobles like Claire so they can make their own rules. Your words say you believe it, but your heart says you don't."
Liebe stood beside the King and said, "Yes, it's true, Your Majesty. I really don't believe it."Bruce said, "I know. Don't people have anything better to do than make such crap in the name of religion and purity? Like, how does it even make sense? And that Claire really is too much."Liebe said, "I know, right? She really is annoying. I swear, if the Princess wasn't there, I would've punched her in the face. What kind of idiot fills the head of a 5-year-old with that crap?"Bruce said, "I know right! She really is annoying, and if Aina wasn't there and I was, I would've told you to kick her in the face. She might just be the most annoying person I know."
Bruce said, "Liebe, I have a request."Liebe said, "Yes, Your Majesty?"Bruce said, "I don't have much time left. My body is paralyzed from the waist down, and I can no longer feel anything below my lips. Now, I can barely feel anything below my neck. I don't have much time left."Liebe said, "Please don't say that, sir."Bruce said, "I know a lot about you. Both my daughter and Astreous spoke highly of you. Neither myself nor Astreous has much time left, and my wife died long ago. Can you please look after my daughter? I don't need you to do it 24/7, but please make sure to guide her, and that she doesn't deviate from the right path."Liebe said, "But why me, sir? I'm barely an adult myself."Bruce said, "That's why — because you're a man who lacks age, not wisdom nor strength. From our conversation, I've realized it's true. Yet you are humble as well. So please."Liebe said, "I will try, Your Majesty."Bruce said, "Thank you, young Liebe. And if I'm not mistaken, you turned 16 a few weeks ago, is that correct?"Liebe said, "Yes, Your Majesty."Bruce said, "Would you be kind enough to get me a pen and paper?"Liebe said, "Of course."
As he got a pen and paper from the desk, Bruce said, "Consider this my birthday gift."Liebe said, "What is this?"After seeing it, Liebe's eyes went bright.He said, "Is this really for me?"Bruce said, "Yes."Liebe said, "Can I really use it?"Bruce said, "Of course."Liebe said, "How many uses do I get?"Bruce said, "Infinite."Liebe said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Your Majesty!"Bruce said, "If you use it, use it a few times for me as well. I don't want to die with regrets. And please make sure Guilford actually marries my daughter in the end."Liebe said, "Umm, Your Majesty, they're just five."Bruce said, "I can see that the future will be bright with them. Make sure they're both safe."
After leaving, Liebe joined Gelda, Claire, Princess Aina, and Guilford in the lobby.Liebe said, "Sorry I took so long."Claire said, "What took you so long? Are you plotting to assassinate the King?"Gelda said, "Watch your tongue. You may not be blessed to have it for much longer if you don't control it."Claire said, "Look who's talking — a mere commoner. At least you're above the half-breed."
Liebe said, "Is that so? Princess, look over there — a herd of unicorns!"Aina said, "Where?"Liebe said, "The window, look!"
As Aina looked, Liebe punched Claire on the right side of her face.Claire said, "What was that for!?"Liebe said, "I'm conducting an official mission assigned by His Majesty. That was for being annoying. Unfortunately, that looks asymmetrical — now the swelling makes it look ugly."He punched her on the other side."Now they're symmetrical, but still ugly."
Then he kicked her in the chin.Liebe said, "Feel much better now."Claire said, "What was that for!? Show me the documents for this mission of yours!"Liebe said, "Sure."
As she looked at the paper, she couldn't say anything.Gelda said, "What was that?"Liebe gave Gelda the paper and said, "Gelda, have fun — and make sure not to lose it, okay? Have fun."
Aina said, "Where are the herd of unicorns you mentioned?"Liebe said, "That's quite unfortunate, Princess — you just missed them."Aina said, "But what happened to Claire? Why is her face red and puffy?"Liebe said, "Mosquitos. There are lots of them."Aina said, "Okay then. And what did Father say?"Liebe said, "His Majesty said that from tomorrow, I'll come play with you and Guilford every now and then and help you train."Aina said, "Really?"Liebe said, "Yeah, pretty much, give or take."Aina said, "Will you tell us stories about your adventures with your friends?"Liebe said, "Okay, I guess."
Aina said, "It's 10 PM. Let's go to bed. Tell me the stories — like what do you do?"
As Guilford and Aina were in bed, Liebe said, "Well, meet my friend group — myself, Liebe; my best friend Licht; my other friend Alysa; and finally my little sister-like friend who the three of us baby and annoy — Elizabeth."
And as he told stories of his fun memories, later around 1 AM Liebe found Gelda.Liebe said, "Gelda, did that make you feel better?"Gelda said, "After the first one, not much. But after the 300th punch, I feel much better. I feel like I'm 17 again."Liebe said, "Great, let's go."
When they returned to the room where Licht and Alysa were, Licht said, "So what happened?"Liebe said, "I punched the Vice Captain of Golden Phoenix, and the King gave me a birthday gift."Licht said, "What? Really? Show me."Liebe said, "Yeah, look at this."
As he gave Licht the piece of paper, Licht said, "It's just paper — nothing a king would give."Liebe said, "Read it, and feel free to use it once a month, but return it after use."Licht said, "Fine."
The paper had written in it:
**"I, King Bruce Dew Eldoria, hereby declare in sound mind and body that Liebe Faust will be the new leader of the newly formed Facial Dignity Affairs Committee.As the leader of this committee, he has full authority to punch or kick nobles whose facial features may be declared 'not safe for public view,' including those deemed too annoying.If Mr. Liebe Faust decides so, he has my blessing to correct their facial features with brute force.If it requires, he is allowed to use more violence than necessary — a few more hits may be required for my sake as well.
He may take anyone he believes suitable into this committee, and I wholeheartedly believe that the knighthood will accept Liebe Faust and his duties seriously, as it is required to improve public morale and spirits.
So, young Liebe, you have my blessing — start punching or kicking whoever noble you dislike, dislike the facial features of, believe may be corrupt, or is just plain annoying.
As the first act of the Facial Dignity Affairs Committee, you must correct the Vice Captain of Golden Phoenix, Claire Fione Eustass. Please make sure to be thorough enough that afterwards, people can freely assume it was very, very, very expensive plastic surgery. I certainly hope the new look suits her.
— Signed, King Bruce Dew Eldoria, the 87th Sovereign Monarch of Eldoria."**
Licht said, "Now that's what I call a gift! Can I borrow it? I want to correct Gabriel's facial features so much."Gelda said, "Same here."Eldrie said, "Same here — let me first!"Lilith entered the room and said, "Is that so? In that case, allow me. I want the honor of the first punch and kick to his ugly face."