As Liebe fought with every ounce of his strength against Yuna, blood dripping from his arms and staining the ground, he knew this battle was more than a test of power—it was his reason to return home. Each clash of their blades rang with purpose, each strike carrying the weight of everything he stood for.
This was, without question, one of the hardest fights of his life.
Watching from afar, Jewel whispered, "We all know why he deserves it. It's just her who needs to admit it. And no matter what he says, he'll be here today—dead or alive."
Back at the Faust estate, laughter and music filled the air as everyone celebrated Lilith's return. But amidst the joy, Lilith sat quietly at the table, her expression soft and distant, simply eating in silence.
The sound of the front doors bursting open startled everyone. Liebe stood there, blood soaking through his shoulder, breathing heavily.
"Sorry I'm late," he said weakly.
"Lord, you're heavily bleeding!" Gelda exclaimed, rushing forward.
"It's fine," Liebe muttered with a faint smile. "Also, grab me a slice of that cake. I worked hard on it—make sure it tastes good."
Lilith looked up, teary-eyed. "It tastes good… Acting Captain Liebe."
Liebe smiled softly. "Thank you, ma'am." Then, his knees gave out, and he collapsed from exhaustion and blood loss.
Once he was healed and steady again, Liebe slowly stood, raising a glass. "Everyone… let me make a toast."
He looked around the room—the faces of those he loved most illuminated by warm candlelight. "Being born into the Faust family has been my greatest blessing. And it has only gotten better with time."
Jewel smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "We know that, kid. Say something we don't know."
Liebe chuckled faintly. "Every day here felt like a dream. Even now, as Acting Captain, the name Faust means more to me than anyone can imagine. But…" His voice faltered. "It's time."
Everyone fell silent.
"It's time for me to live my own life—and stop being a burden on House Faust."
He took a deep breath, his eyes steady. "I, Liebe Faust, hereby relinquish my claim to the throne of House Faust."
Gasps filled the hall. "What!?" voices cried out.
Liebe smiled faintly. "It's time for this house to be cleansed of the sins of the past."
He turned to leave.
Jewel grabbed his arm. "Do you even know what you're saying, Liebe?"
"Yeah," Liebe said quietly. "I've thought about it. So… see you around, I guess."
Gelda dropped to her knees. "Lord, please don't leave us! We can't survive without you!
As Liebe was leaving, Elizabeth screamed, "Brother, please don't leave! I can't live without you—I'm not strong enough to be without you!"
Liebe didn't stop for a moment, nor did he turn around. "It's okay," he said softly. "You'll be fine on your own. I'll always be your brother."
He turned slightly toward his mother. "Mother… thank you for everything. I'm truely blessed to have been born to such a strong woman."
And with that, Liebe walked away.
He never looked back—perhaps because he didn't want anyone to see the tears that had already begun to fall.
As he stepped out , tears began to fall. The hall that had moments ago been filled with laughter now echoed with quiet sobs. Even Jewel—strong, proud Jewel—wiped her eyes as Lilith silently cried.
Even Licht, Elizabth, Isurugi and Alysa, usually so composed, stood frozen with tears streaming down their faces.
Gelda turned toward Lilith, her voice trembling. "The decision you called a sin a few moments ago… it's no longer a sin. He removed that burden for you. And yet, you once thought of him as a mistake? What a cruel joke."
Jewel whispered, "This day should be remembered as a day of mourning."
Lilith's voice broke as she whispered, "Why, Liebe… why? You carried everything alone."
That night, Lilith sat by her window, staring up at the stars. Her tears shimmered in the moonlight. Why was he like this? Why couldn't I protect him from this pain?
Meanwhile, at the Black Rose headquarters, the atmosphere was heavy.
"Why, Lord Liebe?" someone muttered through tears.
Liebe looked up from his desk, smiling faintly. "Don't worry. I may not be a Faust anymore, but I'll always be part of Black Rose. Even after graduation, I'll return here. This place is too warm and cozy for me not to."
As he sat in silence, the door opened. Alysa and Licht stepped in.
"Liebe," Alysa said softly. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Liebe replied, his voice cracking. ".I'm Free— I'm Free— I'm Free— I'm Free..... I'm finally free from the debt to my family. I can live in peace now."
He laughed weakly, eyes glistening. "I'm free…"
But as the words left his lips, tears followed.
Alysa gently placed his head against her chest. "It's okay to cry, Liebe. Let yourself fall apart—just for tonight. We understand. We'll follow you through hell itself if we have to."
Liebe broke down, clutching her arm. "Thanks… it's hard letting go of something I loved so much."
Licht looked away, hiding his own tears, as the moonlight fell across the three of them— in arms, bound not by blood, but by the weight of loyalty, love, and pain.
"Sometimes freedom doesn't always come with peace. Sometimes it comes with the sound of everything you've ever loved breaking behind you."