As he was alone with his thoughts for a while, he finally got a chance to process everything—everything he has done, everything that has happened to him. For the first time in a while, he was feeling everything.
Liebe thought, I really do hate my thoughts when I have to think. So far, I used pain and missions to keep my mind off of things. But the truth is, why does it hurt to think about it? Even 2 months ago, the most boring thing in my life would be probably visiting some bookstore for an erotic novel with Alysa, or trying to wake up Licht for our mission—or at least our attendance—probably preventing Elizabeth from doing dumb teenage stuff, most probably making sure she doesn't meet any dumbass guy, or I guess playing the guitar for Fate, helping Isurugi train, or maybe telling Gaia and Lichee bedtime stories, or even fighting Mavia. Such trivial things. Yet right now, I would give up anything for that—for those trivial moments. But right now, prison sure is boring. Guess now that my body is back to normal, I should wait a bit. Only 8 days left for my trial, I guess.
Meanwhile, in Black Rose HQ, as Licht was still stuck under paperwork:
Licht called Lichee.
Lichee said, "Yeah?"
Licht said, "Do you know how to play chess?"
Lichee said, "Yeah, Dad taught me a while ago."
Licht said, "Great. Let's play a round."
After 10 rounds, Licht won all of them.
Lichee said, "This stupid game—"
Licht said, "Chess is a game of tactics. The better you are at chess, the better of a tactician you are."
Lichee said, "So are you saying you are the best tactician here?"
Licht said, "No. Liebe is. Always has been. But Liebe has only won against me in chess on 5 occasions. Do you know why?"
Lichee said, "Because he let you win?"
Licht said, "No. OK, let me help you out. How many pieces are on the board?"
Lichee said, "One, two—32 pieces."
Licht said, "Good. Now how many pawns are there on each side?"
Lichee said, "8 on each side."
Licht said, "Good. Now tell me how many rooks, bishops, knights, kings, and queens are on each side?"
Lichee said, "2, 2, 2, 1, and 1."
Licht said, "Excellent. Now notice something."
Lichee said, "Nope."
Licht said, "They are equal. Both sides are the same. And that is the reason why I always win, yet Liebe is a better tactician."
Lichee said, "I don't get it."
Licht said, "Chess is a game of sorts, but it's quite similar to our knighthood entrance exam. Like how you may be strong enough to be a part of our team, but you can't join the academy. Why? Because you are strong, but you don't know the rules, etc., etc. So it's limiting you. Or like how the rules allow you to grow, but certain people are only chained down by the rules. Similar to education: the tests can measure IQ up to a certain limit; above that, the student actually starts to fail. Chess is like that. It's equality. Because if you are chained down by rules, you can't grow stronger."
Lichee said, "Still don't get it."
Licht said, "Basically, in a real battle, the enemy won't be so kind as to make the battle equal. The forces and numbers will be different. Like our battle at the capital—we were severely outnumbered, but again we had quality, like my dad, Warner, Alex, etc., etc. That's how the tides changed. So basically, the battle will never be equal. Fight by keeping that in mind. Not to mention, in chess, both sides start with the same formation."
Lichee said, "I see it now. We aren't supposed to start with the same pieces and in the same places."
Licht said, "Exactly."
Mavia entered and said, "Wow, look at you becoming quite the leader."
Licht said, "It's only temporary till Liebe gets back. Then I will go back to my 18-hour sleep and 5-hour game routine."
Mavia said, "What if Liebe doesn't return?"
Licht said, "Then I will drag his ass back."
Licht said, "And Lichee, keep this lesson to heart."
Lichee said, "Sure."
Licht said, "Mia, what time is it now?"
Mia said, "Currently it's 1:05 PM, sir. So it's time for us to stalk the boy Elizabeth has a crush on and make a decision on whether we should kill him or transfer him to a far away location where she will never see him again."
Licht said, "Why bother? The first option is so much better."
As Elizabeth said, "What is that? Why every boy I liked since 3rd grade has been mysteriously disappearing?"
Licht said, "Frick." As Elizabeth began to chase him.
Licht said, "Please let me live. I have work."
Elizabeth said, "As if I will murder you."
Licht said, "Listen, it was Liebe's idea, OK? We killed them because each one of them tried to take advantage of you, OK?"
Elizabeth said, "I liked them."
Licht said, "Yeah, but they didn't. But if it makes you feel any better, except No. 4417, 2215—all wanted to take advantage of you. Some wanted money, some wanted to kidnap you to threaten Gelda, some just wanted to drug you, some actually put drugs in your drinks at parties. Not to mention No. 2215 actually made a plan to turn you into an addict and push you into prostitution. And well, No. 112, 117, 198 were good, so we just transferred them far away. We only killed the evil ones—the ones who tried to fool you, OK?"
Isurugi said, "We only did what was necessary to protect you."
8 days later, it was time for Liebe's trial. Licht and Mia went to Arcame Prison.
Licht knocked. The voice said, "Name, ID, rank, and purpose, please."
Licht said, "Licht Vaude, ID 0010142, rank 1st Class Knight of Fire. Reason: to escort the criminal Liebe Faust to the capital for his trial."
The voice said, "Please enter, sir. The warden is waiting."
As the doors opened, Licht noticed the place was empty and that they weren't assigned an escort this time.
As they entered the warden's office, only to see Arzoks was the new warden.
Arzoks said, "Welcome, sir. What can I do? Tea, coffee, 100-year-old wine, Lazli, anything to eat?"
Licht said, "Why so friendly? And what happened to the guards and the prisoners?"
As Arzoks was sweating, he said, "Sir, you were right to tell us to burn down all newspapers that were about Liebe and Lilith Faust. That night, the warden, the guards, and the prisoners ganged up on Liebe Faust—all 27,000 of them. And barely 20 or 30 people survived. Currently, Mr. Liebe Faust is in a newly built location of solitary confinement. This prison can't hold him. We have been using our entire budget to make sure he doesn't end us all. And recently, he seems angry. Angrier."
Licht said, "Huh? Liebe angry? Why the hell did you show him the newspaper?" As now Licht was sweating.
Mia said, "Sir, why are you sweating? He is your best friend."
Licht said, "And that's why I'm sweating. None of us have ever seen Liebe this mad before. And no wonder—I can feel this malice. Liebe sure seems mad."
As they went towards Liebe's cell:
Licht said, "This magic power—no doubt about it, it's Liebe's."
As they were in the hallway, able to see the bulk doors, suddenly the bulk doors were sent flying towards them.
Arzoks said, "Duck!"
Licht said, "No need." As Licht grabbed the flying door, Licht said, "Come on, you were scared of a damn door?" And Licht threw it away.
Arzoks said, "That door weighed over 3 tons. How did he—even vice captains will have a hard time blocking a Z-Titanium bulk door."
Licht said, "It's just a greeting."
As they entered Liebe's room, only to see Liebe was drunk and sleeping, and he had been drinking 100-year-old wines.
Mia said, "Sir—"
Licht said, "So this is what Arzoks meant by 'using their entire budget to keep Liebe Faust here'?"
Licht said, "Yo, Liebe, get up."
Liebe said, "5 more minutes."
As they waited 5 minutes:
Licht said, "Yo, Liebe, 5 minutes are up. Wake up."
Liebe said, "20 minutes."
Licht said, "Wake up, damn it. You have a trial."
Liebe said, "Come on, don't disturb me. Let me sleep."
Licht said, "This guy—"
Mia said, "Not so funny, sir, when you are on the receiving end."
Licht said, "Am I really that obnoxious?"
Mia said, "Yes, sir. For waking up, at least."
Licht said, "In that case—" He took Liebe's blanket and ran away.
Licht said, "Ha! Take that! Now you have to get up." Only to see Liebe made another one using his magic.
After 5 hours of failed attempts, Liebe finally woke up and was sober enough to say, "Good morning."
Liebe said, "Licht, I want to tell you something."
Licht said, "Can't this wait? We are already late."
Liebe said, "No." As he grabbed Licht's face.
Liebe said, "I wanted to tell you this for so, so long."
As Mia thought, It can't be... can it be... boys' love? As she was red from embarrassment.
Licht said, "Fine. Just say it. Make it quick."
Liebe said, "Hey, Licht, you know you are a dumbass. No, you are my favourite dumbass. But you are my best friend, dumbass. But you have to admit, your ass is very dumb."
Licht said, "Huh? What?"
Liebe said, "Wait, wait, let me prove it to you. Hey, Licht's ass, answer me: what's 2 + 2 equal to? You see? The ass can't answer it. Why? Because it is dumb."
Licht said, "God, for once I'm asking—please help me."
As Mia was trying her best to hold back her laughter.
Liebe said, "Hey, Licht, I have one more. Do you want to know why you are such a big asshole to everyone?"
Licht said, "There, there, Liebe, that's enough explanation for today. Time to get up."
Liebe said, "You guys don't get it. I missed all of you. But it's better. I can't be with you, but being with your tax gold—it feels great. I know you guys couldn't keep me company here, but don't worry, your taxes did it for you. The wine, the steak made sure I didn't feel—"
Licht said, "You see? I leave him alone for a week, and this happens. First, he enjoys vacation in prison like it's a 5-star hotel, and now he is rubbing it in our faces."
After another 4 hours, Liebe finally sobered up.
Liebe said, "Yo, Licht, let's go."
Licht punched him.
Licht said, "That was for the explanations. I really hated it. But good to have you back, Captain. In a few hours, all this will be over."
Liebe said, "Come on, did you guys really miss me this much? I was only in prison for 2 weeks."
Licht said, "Yeah. Without you, my life gets boring."