Earlier that morning, Licht was in Liebe's office sitting in Liebe's chair, thinking, Damn, Liebe, how do you sleep at night with so much work? Guess I should help out more than just waste my life fighting.
As Isurugi rushed in saying, "Sir, there is trouble."
Licht said, "What is it?"
As Isurugi showed today's newspaper with the headline: "The Traitor to Humanity Liebe Faust Finally Arrested." Another stated: "The Man Who Bested Lilith Faust" with the image of Liebe standing and Lilith on the ground collapsing after knowing the truth. Another said: "Liebe Faust: Hero or Traitor?"
As Isurugi showed the newspaper of the day before with the headlines: "Assassination Attempt on the Heir to the Throne of a Prince." Another said: "Devil's Attack on the Capital." Another said: "Liebe Faust: Hero or Traitor?" Another said: "Liebe Faust's Attempted Murder of Markus Faust." Another said: "Liebe Faust: The 26th Prince." Another said: "The New Strongest in Eldoria." Another said: "The Worst Human in Existence: Liebe Faust." Another said: "The Mastermind Who Devastated Eldoria." "The Evil Liebe Faust." "The Worst Human Liebe Faust." "Traitor of Humanity Liebe Faust." Another said: "The Guilty Man Liebe Faust." Another said: "The Man Who Set Out to Kill His Own Brother: Liebe Faust." "The Forgotten Faust: Liebe Faust." "The Sin of House Faust: Liebe Faust."
As Licht in anger tore the newspaper to pieces as he said, "Isurugi, we can't allow Liebe to see this. If Liebe sees this, every prisoner in Arcame Prison might as well be dead. Contact Arcame Prison right now. Isurugi, tell the warden right now to burn down every single newspaper right now."
Isurugi said, "Sorry, sir, what?"
Licht said, "Isurugi, right now Liebe is not in the right state of mind. And if the thought ever crosses his mind that every prisoner in that place is more trouble than it's worth, there won't be a prison left. And contact the academy. Tell Hedin, Lumos, and Iris to do the same and declare the info false. And who is the goddamn bastard who wrote this crap?"
Isurugi said, "Big News Noah, sir."
Licht said, "Revoke their license right now. We are going to Arcame Prison right now. Tell Mia to be ready at Mom's house."
As Licht went to Gelda's office:
Licht said, "Gelda, what is this crap?"
As Gelda read the headlines, Gelda said, "Till Liebe and Lilith are in the right state of mind, we are revoking their license. How dumb can they be? Do these idiots actually want to die?"
Licht said, "Good. I'm going to Arcame Prison. But first, make me a portal home and tell Lara to get me a box of chocolate tarts from their bakery."
Gelda said, "OK."
As Licht went to Lichita's house:
As Licht entered, he said, "Mia, we need to go."
Lichita said, "But you just got here."
Licht said, "Got to go, Mommy. We have work at Arcame Prison. Bye, Mom."
As they went to HQ:
Licht said, "Gelda, make a portal to Arcame Prison."
Gelda said, "No."
Licht said, "What do you mean, no?"
Gelda said, "Idiot, did you even look at Mia?" As Licht realized she was in a bath towel.
Gelda said, "What is wrong with you? Taking a girl on a mission to prison of all places in a bath towel?"
Licht was now embarrassed and red.
Licht said, "Mia, 25 seconds. We need to leave soon."
Gelda said, "Sorry, dear. Licht can be a well, a huge idiot. Take these. This is a Black Rose spare uniform."
Mia said, "I can't wear this. I'm not a member. It's for the most greatest knights in the nation, sir. I'm not that good or skilled."
Licht said, "Wear it. We need to leave for the prison."
As Mia put on the uniform:
Gelda said, "Welcome, rookie."
Mia said, "I'm not a member yet."
Gelda said, "You are officially part of Team Liebe's subdivision—Team Licht—as Licht's right hand."
Mia said, "Huh? Me? I can't possibly. I'm not even qualified. I haven't even finished—"
Licht said, "I think you are qualified. 'Means you are qualified.' And Gelda, we are leaving."
Gelda gave the box of chocolate tarts and said, "OK."
As Gelda made a portal and they went through:
Licht said, "Isurugi, Gelda, Mia, with me. Let me see if the situation is bad or worse."
As they knocked on the door, a voice said, "Name, ID, rank, and purpose of visit, please."
Licht said, "Licht Vaude, badge ID 001042, rank 1st Class Knight of Fire. Reason of visit: to talk to the warden regarding the 1st Class S-Knight Liebe Faust."
As the voice said, "Licht Vaude, you are clear to enter. Guard No. 97 will escort you. The warden will be with you shortly."
As they entered the prison, the doors behind them closed and Mia said, "Sir, this is a bit intimidating."
Licht said, "Trust me, the warden is worse."
As they were in the lobby:
Mia said, "Sir, why are we in such a rush?"
Licht said, "This race isn't just about making sure Liebe doesn't see the newspaper. It's also about making sure no prisoners see this. If anyone idiot mentions this crap to Liebe, they will be 6 feet under. And we can't let most prisoners know Liebe is Lilith's son. After what happened with the captain, Liebe is already mad enough as is. If some idiot mentions Captain Lilith, there won't be a prison."
Mia said, "Sorry, sir, but how? The ratio of prisoners to guards in this prison are 2:5. There are more guards than actual prisoners. They can't possibly hurt the Fleet Admiral. And not to mention, you know how the Fleet Admiral is always being silly and making inappropriate jokes. He isn't evil."
Licht said, "I know Liebe. That's why I'm worried. Right now Liebe is angry—more angry than I have ever seen him before. There is no saying what he will do if that thought crosses his mind. Even right now, I can feel Liebe's mana. It's full of hatred. It's suffocating. It's monstrous. Liebe is the worst kind of evil. He just always chooses to ignore it. But that isn't the case now."
As someone said, "Sir, the warden is waiting."
Licht said, "Good."
As Licht entered the warden's office and sat down with Mia and Isurugi standing behind him:
Warden Harzen said, "I'm Harzen, the warden. And this is Arzoks, the deputy warden. So what brings a 1st Class Knight of Fire to our prison?"
Licht said, "I will get to the point. This prison currently holds Liebe Faust. Burn down every newspaper. Brief every prisoner to stay away from him. And make sure the name 'Lilith Faust' isn't mentioned once while Liebe is here."
Harzen said, "You can't be serious. And here we thought the Vice Captain of Black Rose Special Ops would be fearless."
Licht said, "I couldn't care less of what you thought. I'm trying to save the lives of you, your men, and every idiot prisoner here. Don't throw away their lives for nothing, Warden. Trust me, you will regret it."
Harzen said, "Please come with me then, Mr. Licht Vaude."
Licht said, "Alright then."
As the warden went around:
Harzen said, "Look around. This prison can hold up to 8000 prisoners with more than 40 acres of land. And we have more than 20,000 guards on standby, among which at least 500 are active knights. And for reinforcements, the Black Rose, Rising Sun, and Arc Luatine branches are within 20km radius."
As they reached the solitary confinement block and were walking down the hallway:
Mia said, "Sir, what is this monstrous magic power? It's frightening. I'm scared."
Licht said, "He knows we are here. That's just his way of welcoming us."
Mia said, "Huhhh? What? Why does he want to kill us?"
Licht said, "Shut up. He doesn't. That's just how mad he is right now. The fact this prison survived the night itself should be considered a miracle."
They reached Liebe's cell. Liebe was tied down and gagged.
Licht signaled them to leave. As they left the room:
Licht said, "Liebe."
Liebe said, "So you came."
Licht said, "Well, yeah. And I brought gifts. Chocolate tarts."
Liebe said, "Thanks. But like, you know, can you feed me since I'm all tied up and stuff?"
Licht said, "Oh yeah, yeah, that. But why? You know you can escape."
Liebe said, "Well, I thought that, but well, solitude felt better somehow. For the first time, I was able to think about my thoughts—the ones I was intentionally ignoring. But now I'm just thinking."
Licht said, "That's great and all, but you know, I can't understand you when you have your mouth stuffed with chocolate tarts. Either talk or eat."
As Liebe swallowed:
Liebe said, "Basically, I'm thinking."
Licht said, "OK."
Liebe said, "That's about it, really. The noise I was trying so hard to tune out is now ringing. Like, till now, I just kept saying: if I kept working harder, if I reached high enough, maybe Mother would make me the favourite son again. And even if that didn't happen, I would still have you and Alysa. But now that's not the case anymore either."
Licht said, "Well, who is this Alysa?"
Liebe said, "No one. That's it."
Licht said, "OK."
Liebe said, "Well, I won't be holding you anymore. You must be busy with work and stuff. I guess you should get going."
Licht said, "Yeah, about that. How did you do it?"
Liebe said, "Oh, doggy first, then reverse cowgirl. That's how I always did them."
Licht said, "Dumbass. I meant so much work, not your sex life, dumbass."
Liebe said, "I don't know. Just worked, I guess. Now for the first time in a long time, I have nothing to do, so I feel like taking it easy for a while. Engage in something else. Maybe sleep in for a while."
Licht said, "Alright then. I guess I should get going."
Liebe said, "Yeah. See you soon."
As Licht left, when he left the room:
Mia said, "So, sir, how was it?"
Licht said, "Worse. The worst I have ever seen him. He is far beyond how I thought. He literally said he wanted to sleep in. A punctuality freak like him? Sleep? Not to mention he mentioned someone named Alysa. You guys know anyone like that?"
Mia said, "Nope."
Isurugi said, "First time I'm hearing that name."
Licht said, "Yeah, same. He really must be losing it."
As Licht was leaving, Licht said, "Arzoks, watch the prison. It might get rough."
Arzoks said, "Understood."
As they left:
Mia said, "So what happened, sir?"
Licht said, "I got what I wanted."
Mia said, "Umm, sir, that might be—"
Licht said, "An impression. It is said Harzen is a great warrior who faced Elaar and Herald in the Rebellion of the Two Captains incident 10 years ago. But I know the truth. The one who ended them was Aunt Lilith, and my dad was there to witness it. And based on his first impression and overconfidence, it appears to me that he is more of a celebrity than a working warden."
Mia said, "How does that affect us, sir?"
Licht said, "He will be the first to die by Liebe's hand."
Mia said, "Wait, if that's the case, then we should warn him."
Licht said, "There really is no point. He is far too overconfident to let it go or pay heed to my warning. And here I thought there were people worth saving in the prison."