As everyone returned to Black Rose HQ, as they opened the door, everyone screamed, "Surprise! Welcome back, Acting Captain!"
Liebe said, "Huh? What is this?"
Lara said, "It's a welcome back party! The Vice Captain is the one who planned it."
Eldrie said, "And the theme is ice and glass, mostly because I can make the ice."
Nora said, "And I made the mirrors."
Liebe said, "Must say, I really do like the theme. The base looks elegant."
Eldrie said, "Thank you."
Nora said, "We got everything from chocolate tarts that Lara made to beef ribs. We even got a chocolate cake, and I brought in a brisket."
Liebe said, "Yeah, it smells amazing."
Stal said, "Well, we did work on it."
Liebe said, "You guys shouldn't have. Seems like it was a lot of trouble."
Lara said, "It was nothing. I made all the sweet stuff."
Nora said, "And I made all the BBQ and the mashed potatoes."
Eldrie said, "I helped blast freeze the desserts."
Licht said, "Well, that's our Eldrie, the perfect blast freezer."
Stal said, "And I helped with the brisket."
Liebe said, "And that's our Stal, the almost functional clay furnace."
Stal said, "My clay is more stable than that!"
Liebe said, "Stable and functional aren't the same."
Gelda said, "Can't argue with that."
Eldrie said, "And not to mention, we have a little star here."
Stal said, "Introducing our newest member, little Riruru!"
Liebe said, "Looks like you have grown."
Riruru said, "I'm 7 now! Now let me join your knighthood, Liebe!"
Liebe said, "Nope, you are still too tiny."
Riruru said, "But you said you will let me join when I was older."
Liebe said, "You aren't there yet. The future still needs you, and I promise, when you join us, you will be the one who drives the future."
Riruru said, "Really?"
Liebe said, "Really. You have both the red thread of fate and the blue thread of hate, and when you decide to join us, your power will bloom just like Lara's. Joining now will only strip you of your potential."
Riruru said, "You promise?"
Liebe said, "It's a promise. Continue to take your meds and grow big and strong like your mother, and then you can join us."
Riruru said, "Mama, I'm going to get well and then become a cool knight like you!"
Lara said, "I will be waiting."
And after eating and drinking, the party got wild as people were throwing each other.
Eldrie said, "Lord, why are those three crying?"
Liebe said, "Well, Gelda, Alysa, and Licht are crying because we lost the treasure."
Eldrie said, "What was the treasure again?"
Liebe said, "Something worth 50 million gold."
Eldrie said, "How much is 50 million again?"
Liebe said, "About 5000 craploads."
Eldrie said, "That is a lot."
Liebe said, "Guess so."
And after eating like there was no tomorrow, Liebe decided to go out for some fresh air. As Gelda was outside, Liebe said, "Not in the party, Vice Captain?"
Gelda said, "Got too drunk for my own good, so here I am, enjoying some fresh air."
Liebe said, "Same. They sure got a lot of stuff."
Gelda said, "Right now, I'm more wine than water."
Liebe said, "Same here. I really should think before drinking."
Gelda said, "What's the point? Live a little."
Liebe said, "I feel far too old for this. By the way, Gelda, you spent 5 years on world history, correct?"
Gelda said, "Yeah, why?"
Liebe said, "Any idea who is the god of darkness, Hvíldarráð, or his relation with Mikill?"
Gelda said, "The god of darkness, Hvíldarráð? It is stated he existed over 1050 years ago, and he is someone who the suffering people prayed to, as he is said to be the one who takes the sufferings of others and brings dawn."
Liebe said, "Any idea his relationship with Freya or Mikill?"
Gelda said, "Honestly, 1000 years ago, when the great abyssal break occurred, for 50 years it almost destroyed all of humanity, so most of the records of this Hvíldarráð were lost. And whatever was left was passed down through stories. So regarding his relationship to the nation of Mikill or Freya, it's speculation at best, since all that are left are stories. Yet there are parts of the globe that worship him, mostly in Aldina and Mikill. But again, Mikill is the nation that claims the god of darkness died in their lands, or that they don't have day because they are the ones blessed by the god of darkness. So, right, regarding those, I have no idea."
Liebe said, "I see. And do you know anything about the nations of Akishima and Sakuragi?"
Gelda said, "No, I don't. I haven't heard of that name."
Liebe said, "Ok. And any idea who might the virgin goddess of the hearth may be?"
Gelda said, "That refers to Goddess Hestia, the goddess of the hearth."
Liebe said, "Exactly how much do you know about Hvíldarráð?"
Gelda said, "Not much, but I find him quite interesting. Based on the descriptions of him that were passed down, yet none of them match. Some claim he was kind, some claim he was cruel to the strong. Some claim he used a sword, some claim he used a broad sword, some claim he used dual swords. Some claim his wings had beauty, some claim his wings were cold, while some also claim his wings were warm. Some claim he stood for justice, while others claim he was a free soul."
Liebe said, "Now that is a bit much."
Gelda said, "Thanks. But all the official records left... claim him to be a monster to the ones dearest to him."