Alem's strike from above created a crater, and lightning could be seen across the island.
Hǫfuðbjǫrn said, "Looks like Alem isn't holding back."
Wrath said, "Looks like Pride was a bit too late."
The clash between Lilith, Hǫfuðbjǫrn, and Wrath was felt throughout the island as Liebe and everyone rushed to find the battle.
Licht said, "Where the goddamn hell is this battle? The magic power on the island has become so dense, we can't pinpoint it."
Alysa said, "Liebe, I am worried about you. With your wounds, you just faced one of the worst criminals in the world. Your mana reserves are low."
Liebe said, "Licht, give me a bottle."
As Licht tossed a vial, Liebe drank it. Liebe said, "This should help."
Licht said, "Even if we get there, I doubt there is much we can do."
Liebe said, "Even so, we have to go. Plus, my wounds are as good as they can get right now."
As Alem asked Pride, "Why? Why the hell are you after the Bouduin family and the sacred flame?"
Pride said, "I can see it now—more clear than ever. I can't attain the sacred flame from Black Rose. It's impossible. I will simply just have to burn their hands off rather than rip it off their hands. In a battle like this, this body is at its limit."
Alem said, "What the hell? You mumbling bastard! Goddamn, answer me! Why the hell did Lady Alice have to die? Goddamn, answer me!"
Pride said, "Is that all? You wasted 16 years for a question?"
Alem said, "No, I wasted 16 years hunting you down, training for the day I can claim your head. But before that, I wanted to know why the hell—why did she have to die by my hands?"
Pride said, "You innocent cat. You don't know anything. Her power was the catalyst I needed—one I have spent 1,000 years searching for. And I never did anything. You are the one who killed her, you monster—killing a saint."
Alem said, "Shut up!"
Pride said, "Unfortunately, this body of mine can't defeat you. I will kill you myself and take the sacred flame."
As Pride's body crumbled into pieces, revealing it wasn't the real Pride—just a clone made from barrier magic—Alem screamed, "Pride! Why the goddamn hell was that a clone?!"
Álfrinn said, "You done screaming, cat?"
As Liebe, Licht, and Alysa were going through the forest, Liebe said, "Wait, this isn't working. I have a plan."
Licht said, "What is it?"
Liebe said, "I will use my King's Roar, because that's the only way I can find the Captain and Gelda. Otherwise, mana resonance isn't working—the mana here is far too dense."
Licht said, "Do it, but if it goes wrong, your body might even be ripped apart by their roar."
Liebe said, "No choice left."
As he let out his King's Roar, he was able to pinpoint the exact location. Yet their power was so great, Liebe started to bleed from his nose, eyes, mouth, and ears. As he was on his knees, Alysa said, "Liebe, are you okay?"
Liebe said, "Barely. I found it, but we don't have time. It's two degrees north, 200 meters."
As they felt the mana clashing, it was strong. Licht said, "It has begun."
Alysa said, "The battle is about to end."
Meanwhile, in the northern end, Black Blade said, "I have what I want."
Eldrie said, "Leaving so soon?"
Black said, "Based on what I have, might as well consider this entire island useless."
Eldrie said, "Is that so?"
As Licht and Alysa helped heal Liebe, they were getting blown away from the shock wave of the mana clash. Liebe said, "Let's go."
As he began to charge his Vesta Grand Blades, they finally reached the site of the clash. It was Lilith vs. Wrath.
Hǫfuðbjǫrn said, "I'm ending this. Flame Magic: Grand Blaze Strike!"
Licht said, "If he hits, Wrath and Lilith are done for."
Liebe said, "Now—with all my might! King's Roar: Abyssal Vesta Grand Strike!"
As he clashed with Hǫfuðbjǫrn, in the end, as Lilith and Wrath were done, there was a huge slash on Lilith's shoulder.
Licht and Alysa said, "Captain!"
Liebe said, "Mother—no!"
As a huge slash appeared across Wrath's chest, it was obvious Lilith had won.
After Liebe's clash with Hǫfuðbjǫrn, Hǫfuðbjǫrn was pushed back. As he came back, he said, "Our strikes were evenly matched. No—based on the difference between our strength and mana, you came out on top."
As he walked away, it was visible Hǫfuðbjǫrn had taken a small scratch across his face from Liebe's attack.
Lilith said, "I won."
Liebe said, "Of course, Captain."
Licht said, "Let's celebrate!"
Wrath said, "I still wasn't good enough. But I got what I came here to get."
As he was forcefully teleported away by Pride, Liebe fell to the ground. Alysa said, "Liebe!" as she held him from the sides.
Líni said, "No way! He really did it—he scratched Hǫfuðbjǫrn."
Álfrinn said, "You did your job of separating them quite nicely, Líni."
Líni said, "Why did you lie to our lady? You really would have killed her champion, Liebe Faust, if he failed to live up to your expectations."
Álfrinn said, "I'm doing what's best for her, even if it meant finding a new champion. Now, let's go. We are withdrawing."
Líni said, "Hey, wait for me."
Álfrinn said, "You coming, cat?"
As Alem gripped his spear tighter, he couldn't help but feel the anger. Why the hell was it him? Why the goddamn is he her champion? And why the goddamn hell am I so weak? I couldn't even avenge her. Lady Alice, please forgive me.
As he punched an 8-meter-tall boulder, smashing it to pieces, he also joined Álfrinn.
After they left, Gelda said, "You done with your little challenge?"
Lilith said, "Yeah."
Gelda said, "Alysa, Licht—get Liebe to Lara. She will heal him and stitch together his insides and all."
Licht said, "Of course."
As Liebe said, "Was I able to do it? Was I able to help with my strength, Captain?"
Lilith said, "No. Even if you didn't come, I would have won, so you didn't make much of a difference. But at least you were there to witness my strength, so feel free to praise me."
Liebe smiled and said, "Not yet. You just showed me the finish line I have to cross. All my running finally paid off."
Gelda said, "That's all, Acting Captain. You need to be healed."
Liebe said, "Okay, Gelda."
As Alysa and Licht helped carry Liebe away, Gelda said, "Why did you lie to him?"
Lilith said, "Lie about what?"
Gelda said, "Your lie on how he didn't help. In the end, even though you ended up winning against Wrath, you would have perished in that clash if Hǫfuðbjǫrn was allowed to use that strike. You have already fallen far below your prime, and if Wrath was even 12% stronger, you would have lost the clash. Yet, perhaps survived. If it wasn't for Liebe, the outcome would have been very different."
Lilith said, "I guess I can't hide lies from you."
Gelda said, "No. But do you know what's the difference between you and Liebe?"
Lilith said, "That I don't like coffee because it's bitter, and Liebe actually likes it?"
Gelda said, "Even if you are mother and son, you are like life and death. Lilith, you are the beautiful lie, while he is the ugly truth. You try to hide and forget your sins, while he has accepted them."
Lilith said, "And that's why I have no right to be proud of him as a mother. All I can do is cheer as his senior and a captain."
Gelda said, "Good to see you know. But again, devils like us have no right to judge saints like him."