Meanwhile, in HQ:
Isurugi said, "Sir, I have more bad news."
Licht said, "What is it now?"
As Isurugi showed the new newspaper, the headlines stated: "Liebe Faust Hero Status Revoked." "The Former Light."
Licht said, "What the hell is this crap? We need to control this BS. Isurugi, we need to work on damage control. And why the hell is this a newspaper? I thought we revoked their license."
Isurugi said, "We did, but it's a separate branch."
Licht said, "Frick. Revoke this one as well. I swear to God, when I find this 'Big News Noah,' it will be 'Big Dead Noah.'"
Later that day:
Liebe said, "Horn, I need a favour."
Horn said, "Go on."
Liebe said, "Leo Conquista is no longer needed since Baledia might as well be gone. I need someone else's help. I need Helios Soul."
Horn said, "I understand. I will be at the Grand Empire then."
Liebe said, "Thank you, my friend."
As the bulk doors opened, it was Harzen and Gelda.
Gelda said, "Harzen, remove the restraints."
As Harzen removed them, Gelda said, "Now, Warden, leave."
Harzen said, "Alright." As he left.
Liebe said, "What is it, Gelda?"
Gelda said, "I came to see how you were doing."
Liebe said, "Not bad, honestly. And the dinner was great, by the way—oh sorry, I wasn't supposed to say that."
Gelda said, "I see. Is that all you want to say?"
Liebe said, "Honestly, yeah. I get to sleep all day and not worry at all."
Gelda said, "And for that, I thank you. Even when you are suffering so much, you continue to lie. I know how you truly feel. You should cry. Let yourself fall apart just this once. And I am here to give you something you desperately crave."
Liebe said, "Come on, Gelda, you know this is what I'm like—always happy. What could you possibly mean?"
As Gelda hugged Liebe:
Gelda said, "It's alright. What you did was enough. You don't have to worry anymore."
As every wall Liebe had been keeping up broke, his body finally gave in. Tears started streaming down his face.
Liebe said, "Why? I practiced a thousand times that I wouldn't cry. So why?"
Gelda said, "It will be OK. You are hurting so much."
Liebe said, "Gelda, it hurts so much. Every moment hurts. I want to know what did I do to deserve this? Why couldn't I be the beloved son for once? I'm the blood son. Why? Why was I treated as the bloodthirsty son for so long? I ignored the world, but why? I hate it. I hate every moment of it. For just once, I wish I could be accepted."
Gelda said, "It's alright. I'm here for you."
Liebe said, "Why? Why am I being exiled when I did a good thing? Why am I being punished for saving someone I hate? What did I do? I regret every moment of it. I wanted Mom to be proud of me for saving him, but I was punished. Why? I tried so desperately for the past decade. So why? Why is it that I'm left alone to die?"
Gelda said, "It's alright, Lord. Let your tears flow just this once."
Liebe said, "I know you told me: if you can't live without something, then you probably don't deserve it. And I get it. But I spent 10 years without it, thinking maybe one day. And all I got was the harsh reality. Why is it so painful? Why does my heart cause me so much pain? For once, I just don't want to go on living. Why do I need to live on? Why do I need to be the one to take it all?"
Gelda said, "I know living on must be hard. But if you keep living on, perhaps in the far away future you will find what you are looking for. The time isn't right. The present can't offer you what you are looking for. I know living on is the hardest thing. But for me, just this once, keep on living to see that far away future."
Liebe said, "Can I try?"
Gelda said, "Yes. Trying to live on is the hardest."
Finally, after a while, Liebe stopped crying.
Gelda said, "It's OK to cry once in a while. You don't have to put on a front for everyone."
Liebe said, "I'm the leader. I have to be unwavering. But now I'm nothing without my dreams and my title as the hero."
Gelda said, "You are you. The power, the status didn't give you that. It only changed how people looked at you. And your friends—they will be the same. The world is a big place, Liebe. I'm sure there are people who will want to be with you no matter what."
Liebe said, "But Gelda, it's hard to move on."
Gelda said, "I know moving forward is hard. But it isn't the end goal that makes you. It's you that makes the journey true. Now then, think on that for a bit. And when you are finally ready to accept the present and ready to move on, I have a new mission for you."
Liebe said, "OK. But how exactly did you make Harzen bark like a good dog?"
Gelda said, "Oh that? I have my ways. Now he serves us. The prison that tormented us for so long now serves us."
Liebe said, "Still not getting it. But sure, I will think about it."
Gelda said, "Good." As she left and the bulk door closed behind her.
Liebe smiled and said, "That Gelda... but she is right. I still have my friends. So I guess I should think about it."
As he removed his restraints and smashed open the bulkhead doors and went to Dale's room:
Dale said, "So why are you here, Faust?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, well, solitary confinement was boring, and I thought a roommate might do me good. So, you know."
Dale said, "Yeah. You seemed dead not too long ago. So why are you smiling today?"
Liebe said, "Because I just had a glimpse of the bright future that has just begun."
Dale said, "I see. But you should have stayed in solitary confinement. The guards are helpful? The prisoners do whatever they want here."
Liebe said, "OK."
Later that night, as Liebe was working out in their joined cell, the door to their cells was opened by a guard.
The guard said, "Liebe Faust, you are being called."
Liebe said, "Well, Dale, guess my room service is here. You want some dinner too?"
Dale said, "I don't think they are here for dinner."
As Liebe went out, he was in the center of the prison and was surrounded by prisoners as well as guards.
Liebe said, "I see what's going on here. You are throwing a surprise party. But I humbly must decline since I'm supposed to be here on exile or something, you know."
As everyone started to laugh:
Harzen said, "See, everyone here—most of them are victims of Lilith Faust. And these are the ones lucky enough to be here. The rest are 6 feet under."
Liebe said, "OK. And I'm kinda failing to understand since, you know, it's kinda irrelevant since we aren't related or anything."
A prisoner said, "You are the son of Lilith Faust."
Liebe said, "No, I was. Sorry about that."
Harzen said, "Liebe Faust, this is what the world thinks of you." As he held the headlines of the newspaper in his hands.
Harzen read: "Liebe Faust, the Enemy of Humanity." "Liebe Faust, the Traitor to Humanity." "Liebe Faust, the One Who Attempted to Murder the Child of a Prince." "Liebe Faust, the Cursed Child." "Liebe Faust Deserves to Die." "Former Hero Liebe Faust." "Assassination Attempt on Markus Faust by Liebe Faust." "The Tainted Blood of Faust." And finally: "Liebe Faust Hero Status Revoked. It appears Lilith Faust now cares too little to let you live."
Liebe said, "I see. Did Mother send you all?"
Harzen said, "What?"
Liebe said, "I'm asking why are you attempting to kill me?"
Harzen said, "As the child of Lilith Faust, you must face judgement for her existence."
Arzoks said, "Warden, I don't think you should provoke him like that."
Liebe said, "I see. You are all here to kill me. But if you are here to kill me, are you ready to be killed as well?"
Harzen said, "You are the one who will die first, the forgotten child of Lilith Faust. Lilith doesn't care if you live or die here. So what do you think will happen if the world hears you died in prison? Currently, there are 7000 prisoners and 20000 guards who are after you."
Liebe said, "So not only the prisoners but the guards are helping them? Fun."
Harzen said, "You look so much like Lilith Faust. Killing you might be the closest we can get to our revenge."
As Liebe coldly said, "You shouldn't have said that. The flames of hatred that everyone has been trying to water for so long—you just threw petrol on it."
What followed was a bloodbath.
Later, Liebe returned to his and Dale's room and said, "Hey, Dale. From tomorrow, I think we can get seconds and thirds on food."
Dale said, "But what about Harzen?"
Liebe said, "He won't be bothering us anymore. For good."
Dale said, "But there were more than 27,000 people out there."
Liebe said, "Don't worry. I dealt with it. Well then, goodnight. See you tomorrow."
Dale said, "Good night."
Later, Dale went outside and saw that everyone besides Arzoks, 5 prisoners, and 25 guards was dead.