Liebe said, "As you expect, far too much from a simple public servant such as myself."
Hwang said, "Strong as well as humble. You are quite the man. It really is no wonder you are one of the Commanders and the representative of one of the 25 Princes of Hell."
Liebe said, "That may be a bit much, now."
Hwang said, "You must understand—being one of the 25 Princes of Hell is a matter of great importance. And based on your current status, many assume you will become one yourself, with your might and skill, and live up to the wisdom of your mother, Lilith Faust."
While Liebe and Hwang were talking, Licht whispered to Alysa, "Is this dude freaked in the head or something?"
Alysa said, "I know. What does he mean by the 'wisdom' of Lilith Faust? Since when is Aunt Lilith wise?"
Licht said, "I know. Maybe the world really is stupider than I thought. Elizabeth, is it just me, or does this guy seem weird?"
Elizabeth said, "Yeah, but it's best not to whisper right now, since we are the commanders of the future member of the 25 Princes of Hell, Liebe Faust."
Alysa said, "Yeah, yeah, that. We should show dignity and all."
Isurugi said, "Of course, sir."
Licht said, "Let's keep quiet for now and laugh about it later at the hotel."
Alysa said, "I call dibs."
Licht said, "Fine by me."
Hwang said, "But I must ask—being a man of strength and character—how, no, why is it you plan to become a member of the 25 Princes of Hell?"
Liebe said, "That is quite a personal question, but I have my reasons. And if you really want to know, please ask me later."
Hwang said, "I will keep that in mind."
Liebe said, "Great. I'm not a fan of discussing private matters in public."
Hwang said, "I must agree. Please, follow me. Allow me to show you around the city and your hotel."
Liebe said, "You don't have to do that."
Hwang said, "It's actually a form of hospitality here in Haldonia. And please consider yourselves my guests."
As they were all going, Licht whispered, "Mia, Alysa, keep your guard up. This dude—he is being far too friendly. Even though I'm not sensing any deceit, it's best to be on guard."
Alysa and Mia said, "Understood."
Licht said, "Maintain Formation C as per the briefing."
Elizabeth said, "Okay."
As they went to the hotel and after refreshing for a bit, Licht said, "Something felt a bit off."
Liebe said, "Yeah, he was being a bit too friendly. But again, maybe it's just us."
Licht said, "Yeah, but it's best to be on guard."
There was a knock at the door. It was Hwang. Hwang said, "Sorry to disturb you, but I'm still curious."
Liebe said, "Come in. Let's talk."
As they sat down, Hwang said, "Now, tell me. Why? Why is it that you want to grow stronger and become one of the 25 Princes of Hell?"
Liebe said, "Well, it's a long story. But it's to ensure one thing: no child has to suffer like I once did."
Hwang said, "Why is it? I doubt you had to suffer at all, being the son and grandson of one of the 25 Princes of Hell. Why?"
Liebe said, "I must agree, your point of view is valid. But I have a question for you, too. Do you find it ridiculous that a mighty noble—no, a warrior god such as Lilith Faust—would fall for a thief?"
Hwang said, "I doubt it's impossible, but it's out of the ordinary."
Liebe said, "Exactly. Yet it occurred, and I was born a half-breed. Yet throughout my life, there were whispers and gossips about what a sin my existence is. Yet the loving voices of my mother, father, grandfather, Licht, Alysa, Elizabeth, and Gelda made sure those whispers never reached my ears or made me feel different. And unlike most half-breeds, people couldn't ridicule or hate me outright like others because who would be stupid enough—or desperate enough—to say something against the son of one of the 25 Princes of Hell? And I wish those loving voices never stopped. Yet sadly, they did. When I was seven, there was a civil war."
Hwang said, "Yes, I read about it. The incident is known as the Rebellion of Two Captains."
Liebe said, "Yes. And amidst the chaos, I lost my grandfather and father. My mother lost her strength and fell into despair. We never had a normal conversation ever since. And I trained day in and day out so that I can ensure no child will have to feel how I felt that day. And even now, I'm running so that one day I can stand beside my mother as one of the 25 Princes of Hell and ask, 'Why, Mother? Why did we drift apart?' Yet sadly, that option is off the table."
Hwang said, "Why is that?"
Liebe said, "After the incident, my mother was all alone for the first time in her life, and she was far too naive. And so, the extended family forced her to remarry to cleanse the sin that is me. Now, even though she is separated from her new husband, she has a new family now: a son she can love wholeheartedly, a home to return to. And me? I'm just a servant of the people. A machine created by love to kill. Now, I just want to grow stronger to protect others. Now whenever I'm with my mother, I feel like I'm depriving a child of their parent. I wish there was a reality where I could go home and not just watch from a window and say, 'Mom, I'm home,' or 'Mom, what's for dinner?' But again, the Captain's cooking isn't as refined as mine, so I do most of the cooking."
Hwang said, "I'm sorry I asked. It must have been so lonely."
Liebe said, "It was, at first. Then I realized I still have my friends, Gelda, and also Father and Grandfather are watching over me always. And no matter what, Mother believes in me."
Licht said, "Even though Liebe claims to hate his half-brother, Liebe doesn't. And the thing is, I personally hate the Captain for what she did to Liebe. And Liebe may claim to not hate her despite the fact she lied to everyone about Liebe and declared someone unfit as the next Captain—but I do."
Liebe said, "Licht."
Licht said, "I still follow this idiot mostly because we are bros."
Liebe said, "Yup. And mostly because without me, you can't wake up on time."
Licht said, "That exists."
Liebe said, "Now, my question is, why do you want to join one of the 25 Princes of Hell?"
Hwang said, "Simple: for my family. My team is my family, and we are all kids who grew up on the streets because there weren't any orphanages. Our nation lacks the strength necessary to protect ourselves when the devils break out. So, we pay tribute to the 25th Chair, Albert, so that he would protect our nation as well. But I want to become one of them so that I can protect my home myself. I want to protect the home my parents loved us in. I want to protect my current family."
Liebe said, "Great. Then let's see who reaches the top first."
Hwang said, "It's a deal."
Liebe said, "But I will win."
As Hwang said, "Let's meet again in the Festival of Warriors,"
Later other members of the team arrived.
Liebe said, "Umm, did something happen?"
Alysa said, "Actually, yeah. Since we are all booked in for the tournament and Lichee here joined in last minute, the hotel doesn't have any room left. So, well, you know, where will she stay?"
Liebe said, "One second." As he snapped his fingers, Gelda came and said, "You asked for me, Lord?"
Liebe said, "We are going to HQ."
Gelda said, "Of course."
As they went through the portal, Lia said, "Liebe, you're back. Isn't your match tomorrow?"
Liebe said, "Yeah. The thing is, I needed to have a word with Mother."
Lia said, "Sure."
As Lilith came out, she said, "Oh, Liebe, what a surprise. What can I do for you? Need anything?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, actually. The thing is, I need a favor."
Lilith said, "Anything. Anything you want, just ask it."
Liebe said, "Well, this is Lichee. And she has her memories locked, and she kinda can't stay with us in the hotel since the rooms were booked. So, you know, she will just stay here for the night—honestly, not even the night, just 6 to 8 hours a day because, you know, time zones to Haldonia. And you already met her last night, of course. You didn't talk to her because, you know, what happened."
Lilith said, "Of course, of course. A friend of yours is always welcome here. Why 8 hours a day? I'm more than happy to house her more than 300 hours a day. I don't mind."
Liebe said, "Great. This is Lichee."
As Lilith actually took a good look at Lichee, Lilith said, "Umm, so you are Lichee?"
Lichee said, "Yes."
Lilith said, "By any chance, do you have Void Magic?"
Lichee said, "How did you know?"
Lilith said, "Oh, hell no. We are not keeping her here."
Gelda said, "You must understand, Lord, we have our reasons."
Liebe said, "Please."
Lilith said, "No, we can't. It's impossible. She is far beyond it, and she is far too dangerous."
Liebe said, "We are Black Rose, the strongest group in the Southern Continent, and you are one of the 25 Princes of Hell, the pinnacle of humanity. Why can't we?"
Lilith said, "We can't."
Liebe said, "Please. Pretty, pretty please."
Lilith said, "Fine, then. But just 6 hours a day, and that's for sleeping."
Liebe said, "Thanks, then. Gelda, a portal, please."
As Liebe went through the portal, after Liebe went through, Lichee said, "For a grandma, you sure are annoying."
Lilith said, "For the sake of God, I'm not your grandma, you turd."
Lichee said, "Wait, is Liebe adopted, then?"
Lilith said, "For the sake of God, no."
Lichee said, "Then what's the issue, Grandma?"
Lilith said, "Don't call me Grandma, dumbass! Ohh, now I remember. Gelda, remove the memory lock on her."
Gelda said, "Okay, then. Spatial Magic: Forbidden Light." As Gelda placed her thumb on Lichee's forehead, in an instant, Lichee remembered everything.
Lichee said, "I remember everything now. You—you are Lilith Faust, and you are not my grandma, and Liebe really isn't my dad. Wow, I'm really not from the future."
Lilith said, "Yeah, God. Now that's for the stuff I already know. Now get out of here. You are already an annoyance."
Lichee said, "Wow, you really are an asshole. Why the hell are you such an asshole? What a lame excuse of a hero."
Lilith said, "You done yet?"
Lichee said, "Not yet. I want to punch your idiotic face for being such an asshole."
30 minutes later in Haldonia, as Liebe and the others were eating, Gelda made a portal and came through. Gelda said, "Lord, there is trouble."
Liebe said, "What happened? We were at HQ just a minute ago."
As they went through, they saw that Lilith and Lichee were caught in a fist fight. As Lichee screamed, "You are an asshole! Why in God damn hell are you like this? Just shut up and die already!"
Lilith said, "Shut the God damn hell up! I will no longer suffer the fantasies of a child who knows nothing about the real world!"
Lichee said, "Yeah, yeah, call it reality, life, or whatever you want to say, but the truth is you are a God damn failure of a human being, much less family!"
As Vexus joined the fray and stopped them by blocking both their fists, he said, "Shut it, both of you! Lilith, you are supposed to be our so-called Captain. You should know better than to pick on a kid."
Liebe said, "What the hell is wrong with you? You two are supposed to be adults—mature adults—not five-year-olds."
Lichee said, "Yeah, I can see I'm not welcome in my own home."
Lilith said, "As long as I'm alive, this isn't your home. Get this turd out of my HQ."
Lichee said, "Now I'm starting to see why I was sent to this time. I was sent to learn the lesson so that I do not end up an asshole like you."
Lilith said, "You dare?"
Liebe said, "Stop it, both of you. And I see, Mother, friends of mine aren't welcome here."
Lilith said, "All your friends are welcome here except that thing."
Liebe said, "I have seen enough now. Dark Magic: Dark Castling!" As Liebe and the others teleported.
Liebe said, "Well, Lichee, sorry about that. But why were you two fighting?"
Lichee said, "Well, she said stuff I didn't like."
Liebe said, "Listen, just because you don't like each other doesn't mean you should do that. Okay? You can fight with words, too. And about your stay, you are staying here, okay? The Vale Estate, 10 hours a day." As he clapped, Mai came in and said, "May I help you, Lord?"
Liebe said, "This is Lichee. She will be staying here 10 hours a day. Get her room ready. Also, if she feels hungry or anything, get her something to eat. Got it?"
Mai said, "Understood. I will ensure your guest doesn't experience any discomfort while in the Vale Estate."
Liebe said, "Good. And Lichee, if you need anything, ask Mai—except for fighting. And if you get bored, play with the Ulsarius outside. They love people, especially people with my smell."
Lichee said, "Okay, then."
As Liebe snapped his fingers, Gelda came through and said, "I apologize, Lord, for the inconvenience."
Liebe said, "Sure, no problem. Get me a portal to Haldonia. We have work."
Gelda said, "Understood. And please bear in mind, Lia will join you tonight for your first round of the competition the day after tomorrow, as she wanted to see the various bakeries around Haldonia."
Lichee said, "No fair! I also want to go."
Liebe said, "Don't worry, I'll get you before Lia leaves. Okay, then, you can join her."
Lichee said, "Thanks."