After the strike, as the dust settled, Liebe had used a huge portion of his mana—even with Gaia recovering it. As a devil stood up, it rushed toward Gaia. Liebe got in the way and was hurt badly in the shoulder.
Liebe said, "Dark Magic: Vesta Grand Blades!" as he struck and sent the devil flying.
Licht said, "You okay?"
Liebe said, "Yeah," as he healed the wound in a few seconds.
The devil just laughed and said, "You really are good."
Licht said, "Great. The thing isn't dead yet."
As more devils surrounded them, Licht said, "How many more are there?"
Gaia said, "I'm scared."
Licht said, "Don't worry. Guess we were right about the ambush."
The devil just laughed and said, "You guys really are good."
Liebe said, "Sorry, what?"
The devil said, "Hello, I'm Ard. Nice to meet you. See, Grot? They really are good people."
Grot, from beside them, said, "Yes, I see. But I still don't trust them."
Licht said, "Sorry, what now?"
Ard said, "Sorry about that. We were checking if you were good people or not. We are the Xeniz."
Liebe said, "What?!"
Ard said, "I'm the leader of the Xeniz. Nice to meet you. Care to join us for a drink?"
Liebe said, "Licht?"
Licht said, "Why are you asking me?"
Liebe said, "Sure."
Ard said, "Thanks," as he extended his hand. Liebe hesitantly accepted it as they shook hands.
Ard said, "Let's do that at our home here."
Liebe said, "Here? Where?"
Ard said, "Cloak off."
As a whole village appeared right there, Ard said, "What are you looking at? Let's go in."
Liebe said, "Okay, then."
As they entered, they could see it—a village full of devils living in the center of Purgatory Palace, over 1,650 km away from the Empire's walls.
Liebe said, "Licht, are our eyes okay, or am I dreaming?"
Licht said, "Looks like we both should get our eyes checked out."
Liebe said, "Now I'm confused."
Ard said, "Why are you so confused? I know our village is small, but please make yourselves at home. And let's celebrate."
Liebe said, "Umm, okay, then."
Licht said, "Is it just me, or does this place seem weird? Also, this village—it's deep into Purgatory Palace, yet the conditions are the same as everywhere outside the Abyssal Zone. On top of that, no monsters are spawning here."
Liebe said, "Somehow, I see it. It's weird. It's as if the Abyssal Zone itself created Purgatory Palace to protect these devils."
As they walked around, Ard said, "Why don't you two take a bath in the hot springs?"
Liebe said, "Okay."
As Liebe and Licht went to the hot springs, behind the door they saw Pride and another man talking.
Liebe said, "Pride? What the hell are you doing here?"
Pride said, "What? I'm enjoying a drink in the hot springs. Feels good."
The man said, "I like warm water."
Licht whispered to Liebe, "I know we've seen a lot of weird things while we were here, but seeing Pride and this random human here might just be the weirdest."
Liebe said, "I know."
Licht said, "Now I know how Iris and the others feel when we create earthquakes by clashing."
Liebe said, "Guess so."
Pride said, "Join us, won't you? And also, I'm far too lazy to fight you here."
Licht said, "Sounds great to me."
As they awkwardly joined them, Pride said, "Feels great, doesn't it?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, it does."
Pride said, "You have to try some of this stuff. It doesn't have a name, but the Xeniz produce it here. The only one of its kind."
Liebe said, "Okay, then."
Just taking a smell, Liebe said, "It's strong stuff, alright."
As Licht took a drink, Licht said, "Damn, it's something alright."
Pride said, "I know."
Liebe said, "Why are you here, Pride? What do you plan to do with the Xeniz? And why are you here?"
Pride said, "Can't a man take a vacation?"
Ard said, "Mr. Pride here actually has been looking after us for the past few centuries."
Pride said, "This is the only place where I can be myself."
Liebe said, "What now?"
Pride said, "The reason why I can only be myself here is because I hate every human in existence."
Liebe said, "But you are human too, aren't you?"
Pride said, "I was one. What you are looking at isn't me."
Liebe said, "Now, again?"
Pride said, "Vanish."
As his flesh and skin vanished, all that was left was a skeleton with golden engravings.
Pride said, "This is what is left after my flesh rotted away. My immortality is not like the Knights of the Round—my flesh never stopped decaying."
Licht said, "Monster! Monster!" as he tried to run away.
Liebe grabbed him by the leg and said, "Sit down, dumbass."
Licht said, "In hell, I'm not waiting for this ghost to eat me."
Pride said, "Ghost, huh? I can assure you, I'm not a ghost. Now, appear."
As his skin appeared, Pride said, "I use illusion magic to show my previous looks."
Liebe said, "Why all of this?"
Pride said, "Simple. I saw the true nature of humanity—killing the one who saved them. And for the past 100 years, I have been searching for a human who was no different. Till I met Wrath. He is the only human in the world with a heart. Yet look at him now—regarded as one of the worst criminals in the world, alongside me."
Liebe said, "Now I'm getting confused."
Pride said, "I once had a friend. He valued all lives equally—human, devil, angel, all of them. But he was killed by humans, and only these creatures valued him. That's why I trust them—as the precious creations and followers of my dear, long-gone friend."
Liebe said, "Is that so?"
Pride said, "You must have seen it firsthand several times. Your devil, Gaia, isn't a monster. Yet how many people know?"
Liebe said, "Everyone in Black Rose."
Pride said, "They know, but how many have accepted her?"
Liebe said, "..."
Pride said, "A handful at most. Is it three or four, or at utmost five?"
Liebe couldn't respond.
The man beside Pride said, "Humans truly are disgusting and the worst creatures in existence."
Liebe said, "But you are a human, aren't you?"
The man said, "Don't consider me as one of you lowly humans."
Licht said, "Is this dude hit on the head or something?"
Pride said, "Show them, Ze."
As Ze turned around, he had what appeared to be cut-down, white angelic wings.
Liebe said, "Wait, don't tell me—"
Ze said, "I'm Zerno—a former angel and a fool who believed in unity. And now I see the pride of my decision. The one who entrusted the future of the Xeniz to me is no more. Yet because of him, there is a home for the Xeniz—no, a home for all here inside the Abyssal Zone."
Liebe said, "What? Someone created this place?"
Pride said, "Obviously. What did you think?"
Licht said, "I feel like we should be taking notes."
Liebe said, "Same. Wait—where is Gaia?"
Ard said, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't… you humans sure are strange. I didn't know you had the same bath for males and females."
Liebe said, "Of course we don't."
Ard said, "Oh, then it's okay. She is in the bath over there with the females."
Liebe said, "Is that so?"
As Gaia screamed, "Liebe!" while trying to fly over the wall, Gaia said, "Liebe, save me! The girls are trying to rip my skin out!"
The other voice said, "Sit down and let us clean your back."
Licht said, "Should we do something?"
Liebe said, "I'm as confused as you are right now."
Pride said, "This world is just red, waiting to be spilled by humanity. And the only human in the world who cares is hated by all."