The next day, Liebe went to the Empire again as Helios Soul. As he sat beside Alysa:
He signed: Good morning.
Alysa said, "Good morning."
Helios signed: Let me guess. Another weird dream?
Alysa signed: Yeah. This time I was young—3 years old—in a playground crying inside for being alone. Yet a boy came to me. He said, 'Hi.' I was scared of being judged, of being looked down upon, so I ran away. I wish I could stay, but the boy persisted. The second day, I ran away from fear of rejection, yet the boy persisted and said 'Hi' every day. Maybe the boy was overly social. Perhaps he didn't know what he was doing. But he kept saying 'Hi' every day at the playground, and eventually he broke the ice surrounding me.
Helios signed: Then perhaps this person may be important to you.
Alysa said, "From what I see, he was my hero. My Odr. The only one for me."
Helios nodded in a no.
Helios signed: Maybe not your hero or Odr. But perhaps there is a reality out there where he may be your knight—one who is willing to endure any hardship just to watch over you.
As he contacted Liebe and said, "Liebe, I have some info."
Liebe said, "What?"
Horn said, "I met someone."
Liebe said, "Yeah, good for you. Congrats in advance for your wedding."
Horn said, "This isn't funny. It's someone who can shake the board itself."
Liebe said, "Tell me now."
Horn said, "I can't. We have to wait till tomorrow. Gather your team at the Vale Estate. This is important. I will be there tomorrow."
Liebe as Helios signed: Hey, Alysa, maybe tomorrow I may be a bit late to class. Is that alright?
Alysa signed: Alright.
The next day, as everyone except Gaia was present in the Vale Estate:
Mavia said, "So what happened?"
Liebe said, "I don't know, but a friend of mine will explain soon enough."
Licht said, "Alright. But exactly what about Gaia? Where is she? She kinda, you know, vanished after the capital battle."
Liebe said, "Pride and I made a deal. Gaia will remain with them with the newly formed XENIZ village in the Abyssal Zone for 1 year. During this period, Pride will teach her everything about being a doctor and being a healer. She needs to learn."
Licht said, "Alright then."
Elizabeth said, "I'm bored. I want to do something fun."
Lichee said, "Same here. I want ice cream."
Liebe said, "Mai, get them some ice cream."
Mia whispered to Licht, "Sir, this seems important. Is it really OK for me to be here?"
Isurugi said, "I mean, if it's a friend who is telling, then might not be as important."
Fate said, "I would assume so, given they have time to wait 24 hours before telling."
Licht said, "Hey, Liebe, in like 3 or 4 days, there is supposed to be a party in Dorm 8, and it's going to be huge."
Liebe said, "What's so special about the party?"
Licht said, "It's Eosian Bouduin who is throwing the party. A godkin. The little dumbass is loaded. The party will be big."
Liebe said, "Thanks, but no thanks. That kid is just ass, and an annoying one at that. Way too much BS to deal with."
Licht said, "Come on, it's going to be a party, and that's what academy life is all about."
Liebe said, "Fine. I will consider it. But if it gets too annoying to deal with a drunk godkin, I'm taking out my badge and kicking the dumbass in the nuts."
Licht said, "Alright then."
As Horn entered:
Horn said, "A new player just entered the game."
Liebe said, "Interesting. Someone strong? This might just be fun."
Horn said, "No, Liebe. She sent a gift. And from what I see, she is one of the best thieves in the black market. But it appears she has her sights set on Liebe for now."
Liebe said, "Interesting."
Horn said, "From my impression of her, she is a threat that can be ignored as she can't directly defeat us or has any strong connections. But look here—bounties."
Licht said, "Bounties? But why us?"
Horn said, "Look. She might be the only person Liebe can't defeat. She is the one Liebe can't win against—Silvia Vale. But her clients know her as the True Vale."
Liebe said, "A Vale thief, huh?"
Horn said, "Look at these bounties on Team Liebe."
It stated: "The Worst Monster: Isurugi Cami — 3000 gold." "The Machine of Destruction: Fate — 1200 gold." "The Really Troubled Teen: Elizabeth Briar — 2100 gold." "The Golden Horse of Destruction: Mavia Grinberryal — 6000 gold." "The Golden Blade: Licht Vaude — 9000 gold." And finally: "The Black Knight, the Worst Hero of Them All: Liebe Faust — 45000 gold."
Licht said, "Great. We just solved every financial crisis we could ever have. We will just hand Mavia over and get the gold and free her. Easy money."
Horn said, "It appears you are failing to see the issue. These aren't regular knighthood bounties where dead or alive is needed. These are black market bounties. All are for death, and payment is only made after someone makes sure they are dead."
Licht said, "Great. So we can't profit from this."
Liebe said, "Hey, Elizabeth, look. They think you are just a dumbass teenager. It's hilarious. Well then, Horn, the gift was nice. She must really love me."
Horn said, "It appears so. And it appears quite intimate as well."
Liebe said, "Sorry, what?"
Licht said, "See, Liebe? I told you—your sleeping around will get us in the back."
Horn said, "No. She just delivered the bounties as a favour. It might have been from the nobles after the new laws set forth by Liebe here. And most nobles aren't exactly happy about it."
Liebe said, "What dumbasses, am I right?"
Horn said, "But Liebe, please pay attention. She was able to know it was me and not Liebe. She somehow knows. But she sent a message for Liebe. She said: 'It has been far too long, Liebe Faust. I'm the Golden Vale—the daughter of Tenebris Vale.'"
As in anger, Liebe smashed the glass table.
Liebe screamed, "What the hell is this BS? Horn, why the hell are you back? You should have dragged her back here and interrogated her. How dare she falsely claim the memory of my father?"
Horn said, "That is why I required your attention now. She sent a message: 'I will be waiting for Liebe Faust in Rum Island. And I will show myself a month from now. Face me, Liebe, as a man and come alone. Keep the extras out of it.'"
Liebe said, "A challenge? I see how it is. I will burn her to ashes. I will—"
Isurugi said, "Please calm down, sir."
Licht said, "He is right. No point in being mad."