After 7 days of partying, everyone finally attempted their best to sober up.
Liebe said, "Well, that was fun as hell."
Licht said, "Yeah, just might have broken my record."
As Mia was embarrassed after what she said drunk, she tried to apologize and said, "Fleet Admiral, I'm sorry."
Liebe said, "But for what?"
Mia said, "I was drunk and I tried to talk to you as an equal despite everything. I'm sorry, sir."
Liebe said, "It's OK. Listen here, when we party, we party as equals. So no ifs or buts, OK?"
Mia said, "But sir, you are someone above me. How can I—I'm sorry for being disrespectful."
Liebe said, "Like I said, it's alright."
Licht said, "When he said it's OK, he means it. Now then, Liebe, what's the plan? What's our next mission?"
Liebe said, "Well, there is this thing in the Arctic I wanted to see. Or we can go to a sky island above Aldina. Or maybe Mikill. But no, perhaps something around monster killing."
As Liebe remembered Horn's words, he said, "You know what? For now, it's for the best if we take it easy for a while. But let me know if there is a mission that sounds interesting to you."
Licht said, "Come on, let's go on a mission soon. Even I'm bored."
Liebe said, "You wanting to go on a mission instead of sleeping in? That's new. For now, I will take it easy. And today we are doing nothing. And tomorrow it's back to class. Not to mention, I should talk to Hedin and Lumos after all I said to them."
Licht said, "Guess so."
Liebe said, "You should probably start talking to Iris again, I guess."
Licht said, "Yeah, that—it's awkward. But I had Horn keep our attendance in the academy, so you were present this week, and so were all of us."
Liebe said, "Wow, you finally let go of your pride and asked Horn for help?"
Licht said, "Yeah."
Liebe said, "Or could it possibly be that you started to like the name 'Mr. Tiny Testicles'?"
Licht said, "Never in hell."
Liebe said, "Well guys, have fun. I have work at home."
Licht said, "But we are here already."
Liebe said, "I meant at my house—the Vale Estate, you know."
Licht said, "Alright then."
As Liebe was leaving, he saw Lichee. Liebe said, "Hey kid, I'm going home. Want to come with me? Since, you know, might as well freshen up and take a nap."
Lichee said, "Hey, Liebe, tell me something. How long have you known?"
Liebe said, "From the start."
Lichee said, "If you did, why? Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you hate me? You hate the present me, right? You hate Lilith Faust. Even after all that has happened, how can you still care so much about me?"
Liebe said, "Yes, you are Lilith Faust from the past. That was your secret. That was your choice. And as a leader, I knew, and it was my job to keep it safe. And yes, you are right—I hate Lilith Faust. But the thing is, you aren't her. Not yet, at least. You have a choice. When you joined our team, we accepted you with all your secrets. Your past doesn't matter. And that's it. I knew from the start. I know my blood above all else. The thing is, I hate my mother. That is true. But the reason is, I hate the present. But I—no, I have always been rather fond of the past. Always have been."
As Liebe walked past Lichee and said, "When you are ready to let go of such trivial matters, you are always free to come back. And no matter what, a part of me always wanted to be loved. Even now, I wish she could always be there for me. So no matter what I say or how much I hate on her, for me, she was—is—the best mom I could have asked for." As he flew away.
Meanwhile, in the Vale Estate, as Liebe reached home:
Liebe said, "Mai, is everything I asked for ready? I was supposed to get some stuff a few weeks ago."
Mai said, "Yes, the items have arrived. From the packaging, it appears to be awards, item frames, and such items. And I have emptied the bedroom on the 4th floor, 2nd hall, as you asked. It should be more than 30 sq m, large enough for everything. And none of the packages has been opened. And the room is completely secured with fingerprint and retina scanner."
Liebe said, "Thank you."
Mai said, "Everything is in there. Organize it as you will."
Liebe said, "OK, thank you. I will get to it. And please don't disturb me."
Mai said, "Understood. Mind if I ask a question?"
Liebe said, "OK."
Mai said, "If these items are so valuable, then why just a retina and fingerprint scanner? I mean, the walls can't even stand one of your weaker punches. Will this security be enough?"
Liebe said, "The room isn't made for everyone. It's done so that the person who is supposed to stay out doesn't wander in by mistake."
Mai said, "Pardon, sir?"
Liebe said, "Only Licht and my team aren't allowed in there. And Licht can easily break it. The security is to just let him know he can't go in there."
Mai said, "I understand."
Liebe said, "Well then, I should be going."
As he entered the room, he closed the door and began to unpack all of Alysa's items.
Liebe said, "Sorry, Alysa. I didn't mean to forget you. I just needed to make it not suspicious, you know them—how nosy they can be, am I right? And it's for the best if they don't remember you. It will be best for everyone. And now that Baledia is no more, the memory spell can't be lifted. You will be happy forever. And I will watch over that happiness, no matter what. Ironic, don't you think? I failed to earn the happiness of a shared life, so my punishment is to watch over it for eternity, knowing I can't be a part of it."
As tears were streaming down Liebe's face:
Liebe said, "I'm lucky in a way I got this punishment, don't you think? I already know what it's like to watch over happiness I can't be a part of. Just ask Markus and Mom. Oh yeah, you don't, but I guess you don't know them anymore. Why am I tearing up? I should be happy."
As there was a knock:
Liebe opened the door.
Mai said, "Extremely sorry, sir. You have a visitor. It's Miss Horn."
Liebe said, "Alright, I will be there shortly."
As Liebe closed the door and went down:
Liebe said, "What is it, Horn?"
Horn said, "It has been a week since the trial. Why aren't you on a mission? You are only delaying our contract."
Liebe said, "I'm doing what's best for everyone."
Horn said, "I see how it is. Just because I said you are too flashy on stage for Alysa means you decided to leave the stage entirely?"
Liebe said, "The memory spell needs to hold. Now that Baledia is gone and I'm off the spotlight for a bit—off the international news for a bit—for the time being, that may be for the best."
Horn said, "Alright. But look at this article."
As Liebe looked at the news, it showed a picture.
Liebe said, "What is this?"
Horn said, "A longitudinal section of what appears to be a giant snake. The radius of the piece alone is 100m, not to mention length hasn't been calculated. Many say it proves the existence of Níðhöggr."
Liebe said, "If Níðhöggr was there, then—"
Horn said, "Of course it can't be confirmed it's Níðhöggr. But if it truly was what it states, then it means the roots of the World Tree are close by. It's her job—or my job—to gnaw at the roots of the World Tree."
Liebe said, "Yeah. Now the real question is: is Níðhöggr a giant snake or a giant western dragon?"
Horn said, "Simply neither. Or both."
Liebe said, "Alright then. It really is true what you said—the worst beings are finding their way to me. First Loki, then you, then Fenrir. Not to mention Licht and Mavia."
Horn said, "Yes. I miss being my giant self with my wings."
Liebe said, "Interesting to see part of Níðhöggr's body encased upon layer upon layer of ice."
Horn said, "Either way, I have something more important to say. If you want, I can tell you why Níðhöggr is always seen gnawing at the roots of the World Tree. It's just a part of her. Yet this piece is 300m long. The real body is a lot longer. She isn't gnawing at the World Tree's roots because of what she represents as chaos, decay, and destruction. She is looking for something."
Liebe said, "Then what might it be?"
Horn said, "She is looking for her master. Gathering her strength till she can gnaw the roots of the World Tree, desperately trying to find her master. She is trying to find where the roots of the World Tree are—where Loki's prison is located. She is desperately trying to find him for the past thousand years."
Liebe said, "What might she be doing right now?"
Horn said, "Gnawing at the roots of the World Tree in her own way, in such a way that may be invisible to the outside world who have forgotten her existence. Or perhaps, by chance, enjoying a conversation."
Liebe said, "Alright then. I will leave it up to you. But what do you want from me, Horn?"
Horn said, "Oh me? Simple. I want you to get me a piece of Níðhöggr's flesh, at least weighing 104 kg."
Liebe said, "But it has just been discovered. It's buried 72m below ice. And not to mention, you can easily get it yourself, disguising yourself as me and going there."
Horn said, "No. It has to be you. Only you can do it. You have to get it for me."
Liebe said, "OK then. Maybe in the future. But not right now.