After 2 hours, Liebe was ready.
Lara said, "We healed you to the best of our abilities."
Lumos said, "Your body can hold up for about 2 hours total. But if you push too hard and attempt to go all out, all your bones will reopen and fracture again."
Lara said, "Currently, your body is only around 55% maximum."
Liebe said, "Can I use Endless Executions?"
Lara said, "Since it enhances your reaction speed, yes, you can. Right now, it's your best option."
Liebe said, "Can I use my Vesta Grand Blades?"
Lara said, "Unfortunately, only once."
Liebe said, "Guess I have to make it count."
Lara said, "Even though you can, I don't suggest it since it is far too strong. Your body can't take that much power."
Licht said, "Unfortunate. If Liebe was at 100%, this would be easy."
Lara said, "Yes, it would be. But again, the Acting Captain was on the receiving end of the Captain's attacks for more than an hour, so it's understandable. Most people don't survive that long."
Lumos said, "Liebe, if this is your final sortie, then make sure to win."
Liebe said, "I will. Am I ready for sortie?"
Lumos said, "Yes. We did the best we could."
Lara said, "With the three of us, you could have reached 100% in about 32 hours."
Liebe said, "It's alright."
Licht said, "Hey, Captain. I'm done messing around."
Liebe said, "Same here."
Licht said, "From now on, I will crush them. I will crush everyone who stands in our way. Just say it, Captain."
Liebe said, "We will win."
Licht said, "That is more than enough for me. And one more thing—"
Liebe said, "What is it now?"
Licht said, "Since you have such a great habit of sleeping around, after this, maybe it's time—"
Liebe said, "Time for what?"
Licht said, "Time for you to actually get serious about someone."
Liebe said, "No. Love is like light to me. No matter how much I want it, my darkness can't be one with it."
Licht said, "Boring. And you are forgetting your favourite torch light is standing right here."
Liebe said, "Frick. But you know what? I will think about it. Maybe 6 months later."
Licht said, "The most handsome guy here wants 6 months?"
Liebe said, "I need to come to terms with something."
Licht said, "Alright then."
As Liebe went to the briefing room:
King David said, "Liebe, Envy is located here: international waters, Rum Island—a frozen wasteland 300 km from the coast of Celes Port."
Liebe said, "Alright."
David said, "And Liebe, come back alive."
Liebe said, "I will. I need to watch the future I have been fighting for."
Asten said, "You don't need to win. Just save Aina and Guilford, and I will come instantly to help with Held. Then it's over."
Liebe said, "No. I will fight, win, and save my student myself."
Asten said, "Alright. Just keep the communicator with you."
Liebe said, "Alright then."
As it was time for leaving, Liebe tore off all his bandages.
Lumos said, "Huh? What are you doing, Liebe?"
Liebe said, "I'm going for a battle. I don't need my enemies seeing these decorations. Now, Liebe Faust, ready for sortie!"
As he went through Gelda's portal.
Meanwhile, in the Empire:
Helios signed to Alysa: I need to use the toilet. I may need a while.
Alysa signed: OK.
Helios signed: Might be a really long while, OK? I have explosive diarrhea.
Alysa signed: OK.
As Helios took a hall pass and left, Alysa thought, Wait, didn't she say she was on her period? Oh well.
As Helios was leaving, he thought, Liebe, you have some nerve.
Liebe communicated: I know our contract lets us communicate, remember?
Helios said, "Why are you asking for my help?"
Liebe said, "I need an hour. And that's it."
Helios said, "Fine then."
Meanwhile, on Rum Island:
Envy said, "Come on, kids. Isn't your saviour supposed to be a former hero or something?"
Aina said, "He will be here soon. When he arrives, he will kick your butt. He will make you cry."
Envy said, "You know what? Let's make this interesting."
As he set up a video and broadcasted it to the whole of Eldoria, everyone was watching. David teared up seeing his little sister in such a state, hung to a pole by chains.
Envy said, "See, everyone here—all are victims of your so-called hero, Liebe Faust. And your father, the late King Bruce, was the one who believed the hero Liebe Faust will help create a new future for this nation. But sadly, he is dead and 6 feet under now. Of course, we are all human after all. We all make mistakes." As Envy held a katana to Aina's throat, he said, "Simply admit you aren't the child of King Bruce and that the former king was a fool to place his trust on Liebe Faust. Admit it—Liebe Faust is the traitor of humanity."
As the nation watched:
Asten thought, Please, Your Majesty, say it. I'm sure the late king won't mind. I'm sure Liebe Faust will forgive you.
David looked in fear as he said, "Please, Aina, say it. Don't be stubborn. I'm sure Father will forgive you. No one will blame you for it."
Every citizen in the nation watched in fear of the beloved 7-year-old princess at her end, hesitating enough to not say anything.
Envy said, "Come on, say it, Princess. If you admit it, I will let you go. Heck, in fact, I will even bow my head and apologize for my mistake, thinking the beloved princess of the people could side with the traitor of humanity."
Licht thought, What is this? Princess, please say it. Liebe won't care enough for it to matter.
Elizabeth thought, Will he really execute the princess in front of the nation?
Eldrie said, "We have to do something to stop this."
Stal said, "Like what?"
Lara said, "Stal is right. We can't do anything. Even if we could go 10% of the speed, we still wouldn't make it."
Eldrie said, "We can't just watch and let this continue and admit she thinks Lord Liebe is a traitor."
Gelda said, "Lara is right. There is no point. There is no chance in hell we will make it in time. Even if we went there right above them using my portal, it would still be too late."
As Eldrie slammed his fist on the table, he said, "What is this crap?"
Far away, the crowd screamed, "Come on, kid, say it! Your dead daddy won't mind it since he is dead!"
Liebe watched.
Liebe thought, Come on, Princess. Just say it. It will make my job a whole lot easier. At least sorry, Your Majesty. Princess Aina takes priority.
Guilford said, "Aina, please say it. I'm sure Liebe won't mind. He is our teacher. He will forgive us. And I'm sure the King will forgive you as well."
As Aina was on the verge of tears, she opened her mouth. She said, "No. My father was right to place his faith on Liebe Faust!" As she screamed, "Liebe is the greatest hero! My teacher, the great Liebe Faust, will be the one who beats you, kicks you off the borders of our nation! He will be the one who will bring a brighter future! He will change the borders of our nation!"
Envy said, "And here I thought I would let you go." As he was ready to end her:
"Dark Magic: Endless Black Slash!" As Envy's katana fell apart to pieces.
Liebe said, "Good job, kiddo. You really did a good job as my student. Time for your master to give a nice crack at it."
Envy said, "Liebe, you are here."
From the frozen waters to the south of the island, a devil broke out of the ice as he flew at high speeds.
Liebe said, "Envy, this is between you and me. Keep the idiots away from this BS. Now, Dark Magic: Demonic Devil Spear!" As the attacks made Envy dodge to the side, creating distance between him and Aina and Guilford.
As the devil flew at high speeds, he grabbed the 5-foot-long poles with Aina and Guilford attached as he made his escape. Everyone watched a devil taking the princess. Everyone was in awe.
Envy said, "What now, Faust? Will you face me, or allow that devil to run away with the princess? Or was it just your plan?"
Liebe said, "No, you are right. That was my plan."
Envy said, "Finally. So you, Liebe Faust, are truly guilty of being a traitor to humanity. You chose the devils over us."
As the nation was watching:
David said, "No, Liebe. What have you gone and done?"
Asten said, "The situation just went from bad to worse."
Licht said, "Come on, Liebe. Just say it. That devil was Horn. You don't need to answer him."
Gelda said, "Someone cut the broadcast now!"
Eldrie said, "Lord Liebe, please deny it!"
Liebe said, "Shut your trap. Devils are a billion times better than filthy criminals like you. I will choose innocent devils over trash people like you in every life. I trust that devil more than anything, specially when it comes to filth like you."
As the nation watched Liebe confess that devil was his ally, Licht watched and smiled. He said, "Liebe, you may have done it now. But I will follow you. You really do show me why you are the only man in the world I call my captain."
As Eldrie was in tears, he said, "The Lord is right. Not every devil is evil."
Gelda said, "We always had Gaia."
As all of Black Rose cheered Liebe on.
Envy said, "String Magic: Bird Cage!" As string magic closed the ground, closing any escape.
Envy said, "Thank you for confessing. But your story ends now, Liebe Faust. Specially with no escape left."