Liebe said, "Make Eldrie and Stal make sure the terradons are led."
Then someone from behind came rushing in, shouting, "Lord! Lord! Lord!"
Liebe said, "What is it?"
The soldier said, "Sorry, sir—"
Gelda interrupted, "Not to be rude or anything, soldier, but you are kind of interrupting an important conversation during a mission."
The soldier caught his breath.
Liebe said, "No need to hurry, just tell me."
Gelda added dryly, "It's totally fine, take your time. It's definitely not like we are about to wipe out the largest terrorist organization in the nation."
The soldier finally managed to say, "Sir, it's the Captain…" before catching his breath again.
Liebe grabbed him by the collar and screamed, "Say it, dumbass! What the hell is it? Is the hospital under attack? Is everything—?!"
Gelda shouted, "What the hell happened? Answer us!"
The soldier blurted out, "The Captain is in labor right now!"
Liebe froze for a second, then calmly said, "Oh, okay then. Understood. You may leave now. And Gelda, cancel all my appointments for today. I have personal affairs to attend to. After this, inform Professor Obsidian of my reasons for being absent from class, and make sure Licht and Alysa get to class in time."
Gelda said, "Understood. And how will you get to the hospital?"
Liebe replied, "After the mission, I will go there myself."
Gelda said, "Understood."
Liebe added, "And make sure every divisional commander is aware of explosives."
Gelda said, "Understood."
After the clean-up was over, Liebe went to the hospital and sat quietly outside the delivery room. Soon Lara, Stal, and Eldrie arrived, having made sure the terradons were transported. Then Gelda emerged.
"Lord, it's been hours. You should eat something."
Liebe said softly, "Please… be quiet for now."
Gelda nodded. "Understood."
As they waited and waited, Eldrie spoke. "Lord, it has been five hours, please—"
Liebe interrupted, "Please, not right now."
Finally, after ten hours, the child was born. The doctors came out and announced, "The true heir is born! It's a healthy baby boy!"
Eldrie, Stal, Gelda, and Lara all turned sharply toward the doctor and said in unison, "You are mistaken. The true heir is sitting here. Be careful—your next words could possibly be your last."
The doctor frowned. "Don't you understand? What kind of knights are you? Now the House Faust can have nobility as a child instead of a half-breed!"
Eldrie drew his blade and held it to the doctor's neck. "Demon Alfo, Third-Class Knight of Fire and a member of the House of Alfo… maybe I should kill you."
The doctor said, "Kill me if you will, but I'm only thinking about the best for all of us!"
Lara added coldly, "Maybe I'll kill you just to set an example."
Liebe commanded, "Let him go."
Gelda said, "Lord—"
Everyone else echoed, "Understood."
Liebe entered the room.
"Mother, I'm here."
Lilith opened her eyes and said, "Liebe… how did the mission go?"
Liebe said, "No complaints."
As Lilith tried to get up, Liebe said, "Mother, please, no need to get up." Everyone was standing behind him.
Liebe said, "Mother, I made waffles and chicken, since you might be hungry."
Lilith raised a brow. "Now are you sure they are safe for consumption?"
Liebe replied, "I had Gelda triple taste-test them for poison, sugar levels, and nutritional value. They should be safe."
Lilith chuckled. "Since when did you get so serious?" She took a bite and her eyes widened. "It is exquisite! How did you get the chicken and waffles just right—the crunch on the outside while keeping the insides so tender?"
Liebe explained, "I made the chicken separately, then put it in the waffle maker."
Lilith said, "Wait… don't you just put raw chicken with the batter?"
Gelda whispered, "No wonder her cooking is bad and tastes like dog poo."
Lilith snapped, "I heard that."
Gelda panicked. "Sorry, former donut—I mean current donut—I mean ma'am!"
Liebe clarified, "No, ma'am. The chicken has to be fried beforehand. Otherwise the waffles will burn and the chicken will stay raw, since waffles don't require much heat but frying does."
Lilith sighed. "No wonder mine kept failing."
Liebe said, "Yes, ma'am."
Lilith asked, "If you are ever free, mind teaching me how to make these?"
Liebe answered, "Of course, ma'am. As of right now, I have duties to attend to. I will be back for dinner. Thank you for your time."
And then he left.
Gelda said, "We should also get going."
Lilith nodded. "Okay then, I understand."
And they left.
As they were going home around 5 p.m., Gelda said, "Lord, mind if I have a word?"
Liebe said, "Okay."
As Gelda sat in Liebe's office, he said, "I will get us some tea."
Liebe said, "Thank you."
As they drank, Gelda asked, "Lord, mind if I ask what's wrong?"
Liebe said, "About…?"
Gelda clarified, "About your conversation with your mother. Usually you seem excited, but today it felt like you were forcing it. Almost as if you wanted to cry."
Liebe said simply, "Hatred."