After Licht left:
Horn said, "So then, Liebe, why didn't you tell him about Alysa?"
Liebe said, "It was a slip of the tongue. That's it. It's for the best if he doesn't remember. He doesn't need to. He did his best, but I failed as the leader."
Horn said, "Alright."
Liebe said, "Kinda sad. It's all going according to plan."
Horn said, "It has been. You knew every outcome from the start—even what Lilith would say. So why did you do it? Why did you save the child despite knowing what would come next?"
Liebe said, "I don't know. I planned it all. I wanted to let him die. But despite knowing what would happen, my body didn't listen to me. And yeah, I knew what Mother was going to do, but seeing it hurt. No matter how many times I saw that future, I could never prepare for the actual pain. That slap wasn't a scold. It was the last link to my humanity."
Horn said, "Good. Then it appears the next phase will be easier."
Liebe said, "It will."
Meanwhile, in Black Rose HQ:
Gelda said, "Licht, tell me. How is Liebe?"
Licht said, "Bad, actually. But he ate the tarts, so you know—a bit good, a bit bad."
Gelda sighed in relief and said, "I'm so glad. I was so worried."
Licht said, "Yeah. But I could feel he was messed up. Something felt different. It was as if he was broken on the inside."
Gelda said, "I wish we could talk to him right now, but seeing us will make it worse."
Licht said, "So what about Markus and the captain?"
Gelda said, "Lilith is in despair at the Faust Estate. She is refusing to leave her room, and the servants are looking after Markus. I guess seeing the truth was a shock. And Licht, we are going to the capital."
Licht said, "Why? I'm already pissed off at everyone already."
Gelda said, "Well, Liebe messed them good enough. They need a second meeting."
Licht said, "Fine."
Gelda said, "Good. It's mostly for the captains, but you know, since Lilith is unable, I'm going instead."
Licht said, "Sure."
As they went to the capital and Gelda took a seat with Licht and Mia standing behind her:
Thea said, "What is this meeting about, Grandmaster?"
Asten said, "About last night's battle. We finally have info."
Thea said, "But all the devils were killed off or captured. So what is the issue?"
Asten said, "Not a single devil was harmed or killed."
Malcor said, "How? We were there. We saw the whole thing."
Asten said, "It was all illusion magic. Liebe tricked us. He made distraction monsters we beat easily and exposed his own location on purpose and put the whole knighthood on himself. And while our separate force was killing the devils, the real devils escaped right under our noses through Tunnel 5. We were tricked. All of it was a trick."
Malcor said, "How can such a powerful individual exist to make such realistic illusions? And why does Liebe Faust know them?"
Asten said, "Either way, it was done. Who or what did it, we don't know. We just know it happened."
Licht and Gelda tried their best to hold in their laughs.
Mia whispered to Licht, "Sir, I don't think you should be laughing. It doesn't really seem funny."
Licht now started laughing aloud, saying, "Yeah, you are right. It isn't funny. It's hilarious."
Asten said, "Gelda, why are you laughing?"
Gelda said, "You are right. I shouldn't be laughing. I should be crying tears of joy."
Malcor said, "What is the meaning of this?"
Gelda said, "Pride. I'm proud that my son was able to best me as a tactician. I'm so, so proud."
Asten just sighed and said, "You Black Rose are something else. But either way, 450 devils escaped. All captains, remain vigilant and try to find them."
Gelda said, "Sure, sure. We will."
Meanwhile, in the prison:
Horn said, "Liebe, you seem broken."
Liebe said, "Yeah. I lost so much so quickly. It hurts."
Horn said, "If that is the case, why not go see her?"
Liebe said, "What?"
Horn said, "Of course we can. And you did promise to watch over her from afar."
Liebe said, "You are right."