After a few days, it was Christmas. As everyone assembled in the Knighthood HQ, Gelda said, "Well, everyone ready to celebrate tonight's Christmas party?"
Liebe said, "Hell yeah! Let's drink!"
Gelda said, "And not to mention, this year, Santa is going to be… drum roll, please… Eldrie!"
Everyone screamed, "Eldrie!"
As Eldrie came out wearing the beard and hat, Liebe said, "Umm, Santa, you are skinny. What is wrong with you?"
Gelda said, "Well, he didn't want to put in the pillow."
Eldrie said, "Why not make a new tradition of skinny Santa?"
Everyone screamed, "No! We want fat Santa to get fatter with milk and cookies!"
Eldrie said, "Fine," as he came in again with the pillow inside.
Everyone said, "Now that's the spirit!"
After the party started, Liebe went to Gelda and said, "Gelda, where is Mother? You know the tradition is the Captain gets to be Santa."
Gelda said, "Lilith ran into some trouble at home. Since Marks has a stomach ache and all, she said she will be a bit late. She should get here in about 30 minutes."
Liebe said, "I guess, I guess that's okay since it's just 6:30 p.m., and the party is just starting and all."
Gelda said, "Don't worry; she promised me she will make it."
As Jewel entered and said, "What kind of a dead Christmas party is this? I may be retired, but even I know how to party."
Eldrie said, "Thank you for volunteering to be Santa!"
Jewel said, "Oh, hell no! But I brought presents."
Gelda said, "Good to see you are alive."
Jewel said, "Never died in the first place. Well then, let's get this party started!"
As everyone was celebrating, Jewel and Licht sat down to talk.
Jewel said, "By the way, congrats on making it to First Class Knight of Fire. You sure made it high."
Licht said, "Thanks, Dad."
Jewel said, "A nation of 10 million, there are about 40 First Class Knights of Fire and 200 in the fire ranking. Good job. Proud of you, since it's your first official ranking with your license and all."
Licht said, "Thanks, Dad."
Jewel said, "But I doubt your strength is comparable to the First Class Knight of Fire. You might be in the S-Class. Heard what you did back in Mímisbrunnr Island. More like, I saw it."
Licht said, "Huh? What? Where? How?"
Jewel said, "So, how many did you take down?"
Licht said, "About 8,000. Yet not a single big name—all were just small fry. The best one was one of the commanders of Sloth."
Jewel said, "Is that so? Well, well, check this. If you count all their bounties, those 8,000 and that one made 500,000 gold coins in total. And in most cases, people don't usually battle, much less survive to tell the tale of seeing a commander of the Sins."
Licht said, "It wasn't enough. I wasn't strong enough. And Liebe beat Sloth and clashed head-to-head with the leader of the Godkin. It's shameful."
Jewel said, "Yeah, I saw. But those Godkin sure have gotten stronger in the past decade. I was enjoying retirement, but like I said, who was it that—ohh yeah, that emo wannabe Lini, right? Yeah, Lini. And that Hildr dude's blood magic sure was something."
Licht said, "Dad, you were there?"
Jewel said, "Yup, watching from the hill. And I was the one who saved you and M. But again, that wasn't necessary since I doubt Lini was there to kill you. It was more along the line he was there to separate and stall you. Either way, listen—that island was filled to the brim with strong fighters. What you did was great. So be proud. And since we got the chance, let's have a drink."
Licht said, "Sure."
Later, at 10 p.m., Liebe said, "Gelda, where is Mom?"
Gelda said, "I'm sorry, Lord, but the Captain can't make it. She said Marks had a high fever and can't make it."
Liebe said, "Sure," as Liebe went away. Liebe said, "Dark Magic: Dark Castling," as he teleported to the Faust estate.
Liebe thought, Why? Why not just heal the fever? There are plenty of people out there. Even an average healer can cure a stomach ache or even fever in minutes. So why…
As he saw the truth—no one was sick. It's just Mark and Lilith playing in the snow, and then they went inside. Liebe couldn't help but think, Why, Mom? Why did you lie to me? Just why? No, it's not a lie. Redemption is just crap. Or family is a card not in the fate for me. No, it's just… family and redemption are the biggest BS I could know of now.
As Liebe was walking away, Lilith said, "Liebe, wait."
Liebe said, "I'm sorry to intrude, Captain, on you and your family, but please stop lying. Now then, I should go. Dark Magic: Dark Castling."
From behind her, Marks said, "Mommy, who was that man?"
Lilith said, "Yeah, who was he? Guess you have forgotten."
Marks said, "Let's think together. Oh, I saw him once somewhere. He is a nice man."
Lilith said, "I guess he is."
Later, as Liebe teleported, Gelda said, "Lord, want another drink?"
Liebe said, "No thanks, I already had plenty. And Nora, the brisket was amazing."
Gelda said, "Lord, is something the matter?"
Liebe said, "Well, I don't know who lied, but no one was sick."
Gelda said, "Is that so? I'm sorry."
Liebe said, "Yeah," as he went to his office.
As Alyssa was in his office, Liebe said, "What are you doing? Shouldn't you also be celebrating?"
Alyssa said, "Well, you know me."
Liebe said, "I know why you are here. You are in self-imposed suspension because you said Eosian was suspended in his dorm and can't celebrate, so as his sister, you're doing the same."
Alyssa said, "How did you know?"
Liebe said, "Guess. Mind if I join the exile?"
Alyssa said, "Okay."
Licht said, "Yoo, got bored, so here I am at the private party."
Elizabeth said, "Same, plus you guys are more fun."
Liebe said, "Sure."
Licht said, "Nothing beats a private party."
As Gelda also entered and said, "Good to see all my kids in one place."
Licht said, "Yup."
Liebe said, "We are bored."
Elizabeth said, "Mommy, pamper me."
Liebe said, "I don't mind being pampered once in a while, too."
Alyssa said, "Same here."
Licht said, "I guess I don't mind."
Gelda said, "Okay, then. Wait your turn. The tiniest comes first."
Elizabeth said, "Okay, then. And don't disturb me while I'm being pampered."
Liebe said, "Thanks, Gelda. You are more of a mother to me than you know. And around you, I can be myself and relax."
Gelda said, "Is that so? Why not around Lilith? You know she is trying."
Liebe said, "I gave up on that. Lies and family can't be together. And as much as I hate saying it, the mother has more important family to attend to than me. Why me?"
Gelda said, "Well, it's Liebe's turn now."
Licht said, "But I'm younger!"
Alyssa pulled Licht's ear, and Licht said, "Sure, he gets pampering first."
Gelda said, "Why, Liebe?"
As Liebe was getting patted, Liebe said, "Just… I just don't know why, but all my life, I never found being a half-breed a disability, thanks to you. I was never treated differently. You still look out for me, despite the fact I relinquished my claim to the throne of Faust. But I don't know why. Why? Just why? But whenever I hear Mother's lies, to see that child and forgetting me… it hurts. It's the only time I was a pure-blooded noble or a commoner. It's the only time I realize the truth."
As Liebe started to tear up, he said, "It reminds me how I'm forgotten just because I'm a half-breed, and he is loved because he is a pure-blood. It hurts. It makes me disgusted. I feel disgusted in myself, in this filthy blood. I just god damn don't want false hope. I just wish Mother kept her promise once."
Gelda said, "There, there, Liebe. I know Lilith. She made a mistake and tried to cover it with a lie, then lies for that one lie, and now she can't climb out. But I know she still cares. And I'm still your mother."
Liebe, crying, said, "Thanks, Mom, for everything."