As in the cage, Liebe smiled and said, "I'm not here to escape. I accepted this battle to be my last for a long while."
As everyone watched:
Mia said, "Sir, why isn't the Fleet Admiral trying to escape? He is just fighting him."
Licht said, "This was Liebe's plan all along."
Mia said, "What, sir?"
Licht said, "A plan made a year and a half ago. The only way to change the people, to change the nation at its core."
Mia said, "How?"
Licht said, "Liebe needed the status of a hero. As he fought for devils, he would lose it all. While in the process, eliminating every noble house in the nation that stands against devils. And finally, a national level threat was needed from a human which needed to be solved by a devil. And in our case, it happened to be Princess Aina's kidnapping, and the devil saving her in this way—humanity of Eldoria was forced to evolve."
Mia said, "But in this way, does it mean the Fleet Admiral will—"
Licht said, "I don't know. We made this plan in case we wanted to create a future where Gaia can live amongst as herself. But eventually we scrapped it, as it required far too much sacrifice. But Liebe started it. Now the final stage is at hand. All that is left is for Princess Aina to reach the capital safe and sound, and Liebe being the one to end Envy. The nation will be changed by force. If Liebe dies, it will be better. But that is the sole reason why we all were against it, and it was scrapped—because it required a dead hero."
Mia said, "Why, sir? Why does it have to be so cold?"
Licht said, "No matter how much sympathy a living hero can get, a dead hero will always receive more."
Mia said, "Does this mean—"
Licht said, "Damn it, Liebe. Why did you have to be so stubborn?"
Mia said, "What happens now, sir?"
Licht said, "If Liebe really dies, there will be only one thing left for me to do—that is eliminate the heads of every noble family that stand against devils in order for the people to change."
As amidst tears, Mia said, "I can't watch."
Far away, 400 km from the battle, Horn put down the poles as she broke the chains.
Horn said, "I'm Zenisha, a friend of your teacher."
Aina said, "Thank you."
Guilford said, "Do you really know Liebe?"
Horn said, "That's what I just said, little idiot."
Aina said, "Miss Devil, please go back."
Horn said, "And why?"
Aina said, "Well, Liebe looked injured, so please help him. He is our teacher, but he is like an older brother to us."
Horn said, "I can't do that. In order for Liebe's wish to come true, I would need to make sure you reach the capital safely. Now grab my wings—we are going to the capital. It will only take a few minutes. And grab on tight, dumbasses." As Horn went away.
As the world watched the fight between Liebe and Envy:
Envy said, "String Magic: String Bullets!" As Liebe dodged with his Endless Execution spell.
Liebe said, "Dark Magic: Devil Spear!" As he was using his speed and distance to attack as he was flying in the cage. Envy set strings in Liebe's way. Liebe was forced to close his eyes and fly using mana resonance to find the strings, as the thin strings had a diameter that was one tenth the radius of hair, yet still sharp enough to cut through flesh.
As Liebe was dodging:
Liebe said, "Dark Magic: Summon Abyssal Gates—times two!" As 2 Abyssal Gates appeared beside him, both trying to restrain Envy, yet all the Abyssal chains kept being cut by the strings.
Liebe said, "If long range won't work, then close range it is." As he used 2 Abyssal chains and 2 black wings to gain speed to charge straight towards Envy with high speed. His reaction speed wasn't able to keep up, and with the strings, parts of his skin were being cut as he clashed with Envy and his strings.
As he was up close:
Envy smiled. "String Magic: Bloody Whip!" As the strings accumulated at his arm, they formed a red whip. With Liebe at such high speed and right up close, Liebe fell right into his trap. With a strike right across his chest, Liebe's uniform was torn as he finally screamed in pain and was knocked back, bleeding heavily from his chest.
Envy said, "See, world? This is the so-called hero. The man is down."
As Liebe barely managed to crawl and sit along the strings of the cage, it appeared the battle was already over. As Liebe saw the snow on the ground, he thought, It's snowing, huh? Guess I finally realized. So cold, yet feels nice. Guess my battle is near its end. Sorry, Alysa. As he was being covered in snow. It's about time, anyways. I'm sure Aina had reached the capital by now. All my ideals can become reality. Gaia, I'm sure now a future exists where you can live under the sun as who you are.
With Envy walking towards him.
Meanwhile, in the capital, Horn reached the castle as she dropped Aina. She was in the castle, surrounded by guards, as she disappeared.
David hugged Aina.
Aina said, "Brother—"
David said, "Don't say anything. It's alright. I was so scared. I was so goddamn scared."
Aina said, "Brother, what about Liebe?"
As David teared up, he couldn't say anything. He covered her so she wouldn't have to see the broadcast. As he took her inside:
David said, "Aina, please don't look."
Meanwhile, in Black Rose HQ, Elizabeth and Lichee grabbed Licht by the collar.
Elizabeth said, "Licht, why? If you knew, why didn't you do anything?"
Lichee said, "Licht, Mavia, Isurugi, please do something! You have to do something! You can't just—"
Licht said, "This was the plan all along."
Mavia said, "No one wanted this, but Liebe started it."
Isurugi said, "Now no matter what we do, we can't stop it. All we can do is help Liebe."
Elizabeth said, "Please, someone help him! Please, just don't let him die! How can you all be so cold-hearted?"
For the first time, tears flowed down Licht's face.
Licht said, "You think we wanted this? You think any of us wanted Liebe to die like this? It was his plan, and we couldn't stop him. You think I'm cold-hearted? I'm having to see my best friend die, and you call me cold-hearted? Please, just stop."
In the Empire, as Helios returned to class, it was dead silent as Liebe's battle was being broadcasted. As Helios sat down, he asked Mrs. Alysa, "What is happening?"
Alysa signed: Currently we are watching a live broadcast of a battle in Eldoria. Apparently, it is supposed to be the last battle of the hero of our generation.
As Alysa was watching with tears.
Helios said, "Why are you crying? He is no one to you."
As she signed: I don't know him. I don't even know his name. But why am I crying? I feel like I have known him my whole life. Why am I crying seeing someone I don't know bleed?
Helios asked, "Does it hurt?"
As Alysa screamed, "Please, just stop it!"
Meanwhile, in the battle:
"Void Magic: Abyssal Slash!" As the slash cut Envy from behind. He was on the ground.
Envy said, "Shit. Void magic can turn all to dust." Yet Envy was still standing. It was Lilith and all of Black Rose members.
Lilith said, "Liebe, we are here to save you."
As Liebe got up and went towards Envy and healed him:
Lilith said, "Liebe—"
Liebe screamed, "Shut up! I'm done taking your pity. I will win this battle of my own strength. Get the hell away from me. I'm done with you. I would rather die fighting with my own strength than get help from a backstabber. Don't goddamn ever stab a man in the back. Scars on the back are a man's shame."
As Liebe healed Envy, all Lilith could say was, "Liebe, I'm sorry."
He said, "Come on, bastard. I will end you myself. There is no honour in fighting a wounded enemy. I would die than win an unfair fight."
Envy said, "Alright then."
As now the battle continued, with all of Black Rose surrounding them, so even if Envy won, he wouldn't escape.
Nora said, "If we are here, why wouldn't the Acting Captain take our help?"
Eldrie said, "He is a man. A real man. That's not how we do things."
Stal said, "A man would rather die than take help from someone they hate in their own fight."