Later, as everyone was in front of the dorms, Iris said, "So, we are basically ready. Where is Liebe?"
Licht said, "Liebe said other priorities. He's busy."
Hedin said, "Liebe missing training? Now that's new."
Licht said, "Alysa has a fever."
Lumos said, "Is that so? Can I take a look?"
Licht said, "No need. Dr. Dover is on it."
Lumos said, "Sure."
Iris said, "I understand, but why are you so heavily geared?"
Licht said, "I have my reasons, but for the most part, I'll see how deep I can go. And M, today the training is simple: you all need to team up—including Isurugi, Fate, and all—against M. Your goal: bring her down. And Gaia, you are with me."
Gaia said, "Yeahhhhhh."
M said, "Why Gaia specifically?"
Licht said, "Liebe asked me to see if Gaia can survive in the Abyssal Zone or something."
M said, "Okay, then."
As they stepped into the Abyssal Zone, Licht said, "Good luck, everyone."
Meanwhile, in the dorms, as Liebe was reading a book around 11 AM, Alysa woke up and said, "Liebe, what are you doing here?"
Liebe said, "You were sick, so I'm here to take care of you. Dr. Dover said you overworked yourself a bit, and due to changing seasons, it's a common fever."
Alysa said, "So why did you stay?"
Liebe said, "Someone needed to change the sponge."
As Alysa tried to get up, Liebe said, "Don't try to push yourself."
Alysa said, "Please, Liebe… they need you."
As Liebe stood up and went toward the door, as he touched the handle of the door, Alysa said, "Where are you going? Where are you going?"
As Liebe stopped and turned back, he said, "I think what you are trying to say is 'Don't go.' And I don't intend to. But since you are up, I was going to get a glass of water for you. And I will stay here as long as you need me."
And when Liebe went away, Alysa fell asleep. Liebe came back and waited, reading a book. As he said, "I wish I could talk to you about everything. My heart is screaming at me to tell you how much I love you. I want to spend every day with you. I want to wake up every day beside you and end every day talking about the day. I wish I could say it as easily as you can—the words 'I love you.' But it's impossible for me to say it. I'm helplessly in love with you, too. No matter what I do or what I say, you are always in my heart."
He paused, the weight of his feelings heavy in the quiet room. "And I'm the one who took Gaia under my wing, and now that's a decision that has consequences. I can't let the world find out she is a devil. I would be dragged down to hell, and I can't allow you to take it with me. I know how you would insist to stay even through hell. That's why we can never be together unless humans or devils learn to coexist. But again, history won't allow it that easily."
As Liebe's communicator began to ring, Liebe said, "Go for Liebe."
Licht said, "Liebe, we are officially over 1,400 km deep, and it appears that the dense mana of the Abyssal Zone really doesn't affect Gaia."
Liebe said, "I'm coming."
As he snapped his fingers, Gelda made a portal and came through and said, "Lord, you asked for me?"
Liebe said, "Abyssal Zone, 1,400 km deep."
Gelda said, "Of course, Lord."
As Liebe was about to go through, he looked back at Alysa's sleeping form, a silent vow in his eyes. After Liebe went through, Alysa suddenly jolted awake. She sat up, clutching the sheets, her face flushed and her heart racing.
"Wha… what?" she whispered to herself. "What does he mean by 'finding Gaia a new home'?"
Her mind replayed his quiet confession, his pained yet tender words. I'm helplessly in love with you, too.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. She buried her face in her hands, a giddy, flustered smile breaking through her feverish haze. He said… he said he loves me. He wants to wake up beside me every day.
But then the rest of his words settled in—the danger, the secrecy, the sacrifice. Her smile faltered, replaced by a fierce, protective resolve.
"You're not doing this alone, Liebe Faust," she murmured, pushing herself up despite her trembling limbs. "Not if I have anything to say about it."
Back in the Abyssal Zone, Liebe emerged from Gelda's portal. Licht was waiting, arms crossed.
Licht said, "Took you long enough."
Liebe said, "I was busy."
Gelda said, "Please call if you need me."
Liebe said, "Check on Alysa every 10 minutes."
Gelda said, "Of course."
As Liebe and Licht continued ahead, the oppressive mana of the deep Abyssal Zone pressing in around them, Liebe's thoughts were split—half on the mission, half on the girl he'd left behind, sleeping and unaware of the storm he was walking into.
Meanwhile, with M, the rest of the team struggled. No matter how they coordinated, how they attacked, they couldn't even get close to her.