Meanwhile, in the Faust mansion, Gelda received a call.
Gelda said, "Go for Gelda."
Sujibur cried, "Ma'am… it's Sujibur."
Gelda said, "What's wrong? And why the hell are you crying like a baby? Give me a status report!"
Sujibur said, "Ma'am… today is a tragedy. The traitor among us turned out to be Tenebris… and unfortunately… he didn't survive."
Gelda said, "What the hell are you saying? If Lilith heard what you just stated, she would execute you!"
Sujibur said, "Tenebris is no more… it has been confirmed by both Jewel and the Captain herself."
Gelda said, "What?! How the hell did he die? And why didn't any of you do anything?"
Sujibur said, "There was nothing we could have done."
Gelda snapped, "Are you all so incompetent that you couldn't save one person?"
Sujibur's voice broke, "It was… the Captain… Lilith… who killed him."
Hearing this, Gelda froze. "No…" she whispered, dropping her communicator. Tears welled in her eyes as she began to cry.
"Why… why did it end like this? It isn't right that Lilith had to kill Tenebris…"
While sobbing, Gelda picked up her communicator. "How… how did this happen?"
Sujibur explained, "After discovering Tenebris was the traitor, the Captain couldn't control herself… and she killed him. But in his final breaths, Tenebris confessed he only did it because the Sacred Freedom forces kidnapped his loved ones and blackmailed him. Hearing the truth, and unable to forgive herself, the Captain lost control of her magic and created a black hole. Fortunately, the Vice‑Captain managed to stop it from killing us all… but it was too strong. The Vice‑Captain lost his left arm. Later, the collapse created a crater with a radius of about 75 meters. Even though the Captain is physically okay, Tenebris's body could not be recovered… whatever was left of him was turned to dust in the black hole. The Captain still hasn't woken up, and we don't know what to do."
Gelda said, "Gather everyone there and divide them between the eastern and northern borders. And someone help the Captain and Vice‑Captain return here. I will try my best to explain the situation to the Young Lord."
Sujibur said, "Understood."
Gelda saw the kids playing with the Ulsarius in the stables. She walked over.
"Young Lord," Gelda said softly, "may I have a word?"
Liebe said, "Sure… but please stop calling me that. It's weird."
Gelda crouched down, struggling to speak. "Young Lord… I have something to say."
Liebe asked, "What is it?"
Gelda hesitated. "Well… I don't know how to say this… it's about your father and mother."
Liebe's eyes lit up. "What is it? Are they coming home soon?"
Gelda's voice shook. "Yes… but… I don't know what to say next."
Liebe smiled faintly. "Are we going to surprise them?"
"Not exactly…" Gelda said quietly.
Liebe frowned. "Then what is it?"
Gelda took a breath. "It's about your father… he is no more."
Liebe froze. "No… that can't be. Daddy said he would be back to play with me."
Gelda's eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry… but that's what has been reported."
Liebe's voice trembled, "What?! That's what's been reported… so you're saying something even you aren't sure of?"
"Young Lord… it's certain," Gelda said gently.
Liebe shook his head. "Why… why was it him? If only… if only it was me instead…"
"Please don't say that," Gelda said, tears streaming down her face. "He loved you more than himself. There was nothing to be done."
Hearing this, even Licht, Alysa, and Elizabeth began to cry.
Licht whispered, "I'm… I'm sorry…"
Liebe just stood silently, his face blank. Then he said softly, "Okay… please… leave me alone for a bit. I'll be in my room."
Gelda watched him go, whispering, "Young Lord…"
Just then, Gelda's communicator rang.
"What is it?" she answered sharply.
Sujibur said, "The formation you ordered is complete. Everyone is cleared out… but it's the Captain…"
Gelda's heart sank. "What about Lilith?"
Sujibur replied, "We checked… the Captain is alive, but she isn't moving. She's in a state of shock… she isn't responding to anything we say. It seems she isn't in the right state of mind."
Gelda said, "I'll be there shortly."
She turned back to the children. "Kids… can you do me a favor?"
Elizabeth asked, "What is it, Mommy?"
Licht said, "What can we do, Gelda?"
Gelda knelt down. "Liebe isn't in the right state of mind. Please… look after him for me. I have work to do, but I'll be back soon."
Licht hesitated. "Gelda… are you going to work like Uncle Tenebris… and not return?"
Gelda forced a smile through her tears. "No… I will return, regardless of whatever happens."