As Gelda went on her expedition, Liebe said, "Everyone, we have exactly 24 hours until we take action. Let's prepare. We will divide into two teams: Andre, Eldrie, and Warner with me. Gelda will be with Mother. If they really do control the Leviathan, let's give them a taste of their own medicine."
Andre said, "But what makes you think that wasn't a bluff?"
Liebe said, "When it last awakened 12 years ago, it went into hibernation again after its battle with the previous Aldaföðr—or my grandfather. It took quite a lot of damage, and well, it went into hibernation to heal itself. And from what we saw, it isn't fully healed. In fact, it shouldn't have awakened for another five years."
Eldrie said, "Yeah, I remember that mission. Even though it wasn't a mission, more like, well, a one-on-one for 10 hours till the captain ended it."
Lilith said, "I know, I know. I'm still salty about it."
Eldrie said, "Don't mind the captain. She is still salty because back then, we all had to tie her off so that she doesn't run off and, well, start fighting like the battle freak she is. So now she wants to fight it."
Liebe said, "Then good news, Captain. You might just fulfill your wish."
Lilith said, "Really? Great! Time to store mana. This will be fun. What weapon should I use? What spell should I use? What to do? What to do? Now I'm excited."
Eldrie said, "Calm down, Captain. He said 'might.'"
Lilith said, "Liebe, please, please, pretty please, can I fight it? I want to fight the big thing."
Liebe said, "I will see what I can do."
Lilith said, "Please, please, let me fight it. It always looked so much fun whenever Father did it. Please let me."
Liebe said, "Ok, then. After my plan is finished, you can fight it if it doesn't get away."
Lilith said, "Ok! So now I will make preparations. Even if it goes underwater, I will still fight it. I will fight it! I will fight it! I will fight it!"
Liebe said, "Please calm down, ma'am. We still have 24 hours. And till then, Warner, prepare. And Andre, give me tonight's weather reports. I want precise readings."
Andre said, "Understood."
Eldrie said, "What do I do?"
Liebe said, "You will help me make sure to seal their escape."
Eldrie said, "Short and simple. Just the way I like it."
Later, as everyone started to prepare, Liebe called the others. Licht picked up.
Liebe said, "Yoo, how you doing? Celebrating? Heard what happened yesterday and, well, congrats. Don't celebrate too much without me. I should be back in like 48 hours."
Licht replied, "Liebeeeeeeee, my friend—" in between sobs.
Liebe said, "Umm, dude, why are you crying? I thought you are supposed to be celebrating."
Licht said, "We are. This is the fifth party of the day."
Liebe said, "So why are you crying?"
Licht said, "Iris came to talk to me."
Liebe said, "Dude, laugh louder. You should be happy. What happened?"
Licht said, "A lot. And Liebe, I really do hate you."
Liebe said, "Why? You should be happy. And just give the communicator to Alysa."
Licht gave the communicator to Alysa. Alysa said, "Go for Alysa."
Liebe said, "Hello. So, how have things been?"
Alysa said, "Great. We are in the fifth party of the day, and it's just 11 AM."
Liebe said, "I can see that. And, well, you got cake?"
Alysa said, "No, what are we, five?"
Liebe said, "Makes sense."
Alysa said, "We got ten cakes."
Liebe said, "Sounds like quite the feast."
Alysa said, "It is. Even though I'm not a fan of it, but it's nice. We even threw Licht over the cake as our hero."
Liebe said, "So dude is a hero and all, but why the hell is a robot like him crying like a two-year-old who lost his candy?"
Alysa said, "There is a very, very, very good reason for that."
Liebe said, "When exactly did, well, Iris happen to Licht?"
Alysa said, "Sadly, you are exactly 10 minutes and 12 seconds late. Till then, Licht was all sunshine and rainbows. And then Iris was at the party, and she walked up to him."
Liebe said, "So far, all I see is rainbow. What got his nerves?"
Alysa said, "Literally, what happened is she walked up to him, all good, but the first words she said were... 'Where is Liebe?'"
Liebe said, "Sorry, what?"
Alysa said, "Yeah. Licht replied, 'He is deployed,' and she just replied with a, 'Oh, must be. So did he just take care of the assassin and let you guys take care of the rest?'"
Liebe said, "Sorry, what?"
Alysa said, "Yeah. That's what happened."
Liebe said, "At this point, I doubt even if she called him 'brother,' it could get any worse."
Alysa said, "That one word is what is saving everyone at the party. If it was used, I'm pretty sure a few dozen other people would be in a better place."
Liebe said, "I don't doubt it. And what is he doing right now? Sitting in a random corner with a whisky bottle and hugging it like it's the love of his life?"
Alysa said, "Sorry, I asked. And well, give him the communicator."
As Licht got the communicator, Licht said, "Go for Licht."
Liebe said, "Did she really say it?"
Licht said, "Yeahhhhhhhh. Why? Why? Why? Liebe, answer me."
Liebe said, "I don't know. Also, stop hugging the glass bottle. You will end up breaking it and hurting yourself."
Licht said, "Please, let me hug it. It's the only sense of warmth I have left."
Liebe said, "Dude, calm down. After I get back, let's work on that. And in one week, you two will be married with ten kids."
Alysa took the communicator and said, "Don't give the poor dude false hope."
Liebe said, "Sorry about that. Not like there are any other options."
As the alarm started to sound on Liebe's end, Liebe said, "Sorry to say, but we—I have to go."
Alysa said, "Go. Save everyone. The people need you."