As Malcor put Liebe in solitary confinement, he said, "You will never see the light of day again, half-breed." As Liebe was strapped to a chain with his mouth also closed, the door closed. Liebe smiled.
Meanwhile, after Gelda closed the portal when Malcor came through again, Lilith went to the castle. As she was entering Markus's room, Markus was sleeping. Liebe stated, "Oh dear Mother, did you really put away the heinous criminal Liebe Faust? I was so scared. So, so scared. I was so scared for a moment I thought he might actually be me." As Liebe was sitting on the couch eating an apple.
Lilith said, "Liebe, what are you doing here?"
Liebe said, "Doing here? So many questions, such wonders. It felt as if mere moments ago you put me in solitary confinement. How can I possibly be here? Where would you prefer I start? Feel free to call for help. But it's rather hilarious, don't you think? You arrested me mere moments ago, and now if the people find out the strongest person in the nation arrested me mere moments ago and here I am free enjoying the view, imagine what will happen. Some might even laugh at your filthy, ugly, foolish face that doesn't deserve to be human, much less a failure of a mother. You should just die."
Lilith said, "I'm not interested. I can end you anytime."
Liebe said, "And I can do the same for this little ass." She noticed the Abyssal Gate above Markus.
Liebe said, "I see. Not interested in chit-chat. But I think you are aware of what this Abyssal Gate can do."
Lilith said, "It can turn whatever it touches to dust."
Liebe said, "Exactly."
Lilith said, "You are bluffing."
Liebe said, "Ask the corpses of Team Dread Saber if I'm bluffing."
Lilith said, "Alright then. What do you want?"
Liebe said, "Just talk. Nothing much. Now god damn answer me. Why the god damn hell are you obsessed with this corpse of a useless child?"
Lilith said, "Because he is my child."
Liebe said, "Interesting. And are you forgetting I'm your child as well? And in this current situation, you can't use your power. We both know how much destruction it can cause. Any wrong move and poor Markus may just see God."
Lilith said, "Then you won't have any hostages."
Liebe said, "Even so, even if you kill me, your mana will go berserk, killing half the capital, and more than enough opportunity to let my team get the devils. So it's a stalemate. But I'm quite curious, you know. I hear Heaven is quite a vacation spot for children this time of the year. How about we test my theory?"
Lilith said, "No, Liebe, stop!"
Liebe said, "What's wrong? Why not apply the lesson I learned from you? How about I just end him here and now and run away, and maybe in the next 100 years you can forgive me? I have nothing to lose, and time heals, am I correct? I'm sure it will heal—maybe 10, 20, or 50, or even a thousand years. I want to test it so bad. And thanks to your such gracious generosity, I have learned to live without it. It won't be an issue for me."
Lilith said, "Liebe, stop testing my patience."
Liebe said, "You are the one testing my patience. I know who you truly are, you goddamn failure of a human being. Your existence disgusts me."
Lilith said, "I'm asking once more. What do you want?"
Liebe said, "What do I want? What do I want? The unfortunate fact of the matter is that if you have the time to consider the feelings of every insect you step upon, you might as well be killing your own dreams. And right now, all of you are in my way, so I must end you all myself, no matter what."
Lilith said, "You can't possibly hope to take on the entire nation and hope to win in the end."
Liebe said, "I entered the heart of your territory all on my own, and I can bury all this filth on my own as well. I will offer you what you offered me: no mercy to flesh and blood."
As Gelda entered the room:
Gelda said, "Liebe, so you are here."
Liebe said, "Yes, I came. Now then, Mother, I won't make any exception, like you never did for me. Either you die here or Markus does. Your choice."
As Lilith put down her weapons and went to her knees, she said, "Fine. End me here and now. But please let Markus go."
As Liebe sensed no lies, he said, "No. I don't kill filth like you. I saw the animal you really are. You don't get off that easy, you filth. Because you are the hard truth that every mother cares for their children above all. A mother will be with her children in every stage of life. And it disgusts me to no end. And where the goddamn hell was that person in my life? Where was she when I was dying inside every moment? When I didn't even know the meaning of grief? Where the goddamn hell was she when you goddamn abandoned me without a second thought? All my life I thought it was my fault, but really I was wasting it away on filth like you. Mark my words, I hate you with every fiber of my being. And Mrs. Gelda, please make me a portal to CKH main branch."
Gelda said, "Captain—"
Lilith said, "Do it."
Liebe said, "I'm here to state one thing and one thing only: stay the hell out of my way, or we, Team Liebe, will crush every single one of your corpses." As he said, "Dark Magic: Flame Strike!" and burned the coalition flag, showing the worst declaration of war. He said, "If you knew what I did, you would be thanking me in tears for that filth. It is because of filth like you that I regret saving a child. Oh, and don't worry, I will be back to end you myself, even if it means shattering this cage myself."
Liebe went through the portal. Gelda closed it, and the Abyssal Gate vanished.
Lilith said, "He really is a monster."
Gelda said, "A monster you made. I tried to help many times. You just find new ways to make it worse. Don't blame me."
As Liebe was low on time, he read to Alysa one more time. He said, "From tomorrow, you can smile once more. You can finally let go. I promise. All this can end. Tomorrow at midnight, you will finally be free. I wish we had more time, but your smile means more to me." As Liebe hugged her one last time, crying.
Meanwhile, in the castle, as Lilith gathered the Black Rose members:
Lilith said, "Everyone, why? Why aren't you following me? Why are you so dead set on doing everything that Liebe says? Please tell me. What did I do wrong?"
Eldrie said, "Lilith, you are family, like a sister to me, and I know you want the best for us. But you let your emotions cloud your judgement. Your love for Markus led you to make a mistake. And none of us can take him as our leader. The Mask of Ifrit chose Liebe, even above you."
Lara said, "When my daughter was dying, I couldn't ask for your help because you were busy with Markus. But Liebe helped me unconditionally."
Nora said, "I haven't been here long. I saw how Liebe cares for everyone. But ma'am, you prioritized that child above all."
Gelda said, "The simple reason is you want the best for us, and we understand. But Liebe was the one chosen by Domr. You can't just declare Markus as the future captain and expect us to follow."
Eldrie said, "The main issue is you want the best for us, but Liebe—he knows the best for us. He did everything so you didn't have to bother." As they left.
Malcor entered the room.
As Liebe teleported back to the sewage:
Licht said, "Liebe, can we talk?"
Liebe said, "Alright."
Licht said, "What happened?"
Liebe said, "It was the plan to get me out of the capital by getting arrested. But I couldn't help myself. I had Horn get arrested in my stead, as I gave Mother a taste of my mind. Sorry, I couldn't help it."
Licht said, "It's alright. But taking children hostage isn't our thing. It's against our principles."
Liebe said, "I know. But whenever I know the truth—no, the truth I saw today—all my care for children vanishes. That child is one I hate above all else. I feel like every fiber in my body is telling me to kill him. Every gut feeling telling me my principles aren't worth it."
Licht said, "I get it."