Licht said, "Great, my life is ruined."
Liebe said, "Why? What happened?"
Licht said, "Do I need to remind you?"
Liebe said, "Ohhhhhhhh, those? Yeah, congrats."
Meanwhile, far away, someone said, "You are still alive, Horn?"
Horn said, "I am, and I will put you gods of Celestial Island—"
The voice said, "Die!"
Horn said, "Not today," as she vanished.
Meanwhile, after Liebe and Licht's training session, Licht said, "You still haven't told me who or what or how Horn is."
Liebe said, "Okay, then."
After Liebe told everything about Horn and their contract, as well as her identity, Licht said, "I need to sit down. What the hell is wrong with you, dumbass? And didn't you tell me that Celestial Island is—"
Liebe said, "Long story, but mostly because next year is the Gathering of the Strongest—once in a decade."
Licht said, "Yeah, the strongest warriors are granted entrance there—the Realm of God, in the presence of God."
Liebe said, "Yeah, even though no one gets to meet him, lol."
Licht said, "Frick, it's beyond me."
Liebe said, "Lol, I know."
Later, when they returned, Alyssa said, "You guys are back?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, I'm beat."
While Liebe and others were talking, Mia said, "Umm, sir, something isn't right."
Licht said, "What?"
Mia said, "The Fleet Admiral seems different. It's as if he's a different person."
Licht said, "Is that so?"
M said, "I must agree. This morning—no, I've noticed something. Right now, I can relax around Liebe, but during brief periods—about 1% of the time—just his existence and presence are enough to terrify me. It seems as if behind that smile, someone or something exists."
Mia said, "I must agree. Did you switch the Fleet Admiral to test us or something?"
Licht said, "No, it isn't like that. M, I can sense it—your lies."
Licht said, "Whatever is going on, I don't know the details, but it's Liebe's business, not ours. He's stressed. That's why, now that he feels relaxed after a bit of training, he seems different. That's it."
Mia said, "I understand, sir. That makes sense."
M said, "Okay, then. I won't ask any further."
Licht said, "Okay, then."
Mia said, "Umm, sir, is something the matter, Liebe?"
Liebe said, "Ummm, about what exactly?"
Mia said, "I can't exactly put my finger on it exactly, but you seem different. No, more like a different person. It's as if you were someone yesterday, then someone else today, and the first person again after your training session."
Liebe said, "Is that so?"
Mia said, "Umm, sir, is something the matter?"
Licht whispered, "Your secret might be out."
Liebe said, "Wellllll, that's because I… I was on my period."
Licht just heard and turned pale. He was thinking, Dude, why the hell would you say something so stupid? Forget detecting the lie—it's obvious!
M said, "Makes sense."
Mia said, "I understand. Thank you for the answer, sir."
Liebe said, "Sure."
Licht saw and thought, Wow, the lie was so bad they actually accepted it. Why is life like this? At this point, I just give up.
Liebe said, "Well, I'm starving. Let's grab something to eat."
Alyssa said, "Let's go back, and I'll whip something up."
Liebe said, "Sounds like a plan."
Later that night, as Liebe was heading out, Licht said, "Where are you going?"
Liebe said, "You know me—couldn't sleep, so thought I might as well go for a walk."
Licht said, "You really have a bad habit of forgetting I know when you're lying."
Liebe said, "What can I say? I'm a bad liar."
Licht said, "Fine. Also, don't sleep around."
Liebe said, "Says the one who goes to sleep in a bed and wakes up in the toilet or the pool or something."
Licht said, "Fine, fine. Same words, different meaning. Just don't make me regret it."
Liebe said, "Sure."
As Liebe went out a few hours ago and came back and went to sleep… later at 10 a.m., as Liebe was sleeping, Licht said, "Wake up."
Liebe said, "Five more minutes."
M said, "Wake up, dumbass leader!"
Liebe fell off the bed and said, as he looked up, Alyssa, Licht, and M were there, hands crossed.
Liebe said, "Umm, what happened, guys?"
M said, "You have some nerve."
Liebe said, "Did I do something?"
Licht said, "What do you think you did?"
Alyssa said, "Basically, you are in trouble."
Liebe said, "Me? Why? How me?"
Licht said, "What did you do?"
Liebe said, "Umm, so what happened, guys?"
Licht said, "Literal ships of 12,000 protesters are coming here, and we are under orders to follow riot protocol."
Liebe said, "So how is this my fault?"
M said, "Because the people on the ships are screaming your name."
Liebe said, "Umm, could it be possible they perhaps got the wrong Liebe? Or perhaps a spelling mistake?"
Licht said, "They are literally screaming your name, and the signs say 'Liebe Faust.' And I checked—the spelling is correct."
Liebe said, "Then props to them, I guess."
Licht said, "We don't have time. Get dressed, Fleet Admiral."
Alyssa said, "Things are serious. What did you do?"
Liebe said, "Great. The best way to start the day. How long till landfall?"
Alyssa said, "30 minutes."
Liebe said, "Great. Just great. Let's discuss this at 5."
Alyssa said, "Got it."
As Alyssa went out, soon they assembled in the command center. As Professor Obsidian arrived, Obsidian said, "Good morning, students. What's happening?"
Licht said, "Trouble, sir."
Obsidian said, "Yeah, I saw that. What else?"
Licht said, "Yeah, that's about it."
Obsidian said, "I vote we give the people what they want. And Liebe, if you die, just know that you did for a good cause."
M said, "I agree."
Licht said, "Same here."
Alyssa said, "I disagree."
Licht said, "Why?"
Obsidian said, "And it was the most—and I mean the most—perfect plan I could think of. He did kinda start it."
Alyssa said, "If he does, then what do I do when I'm bored?"
Licht said, "Yeah, I forgot. Otherwise, you might kill me."
Alyssa said, "Good to see you know."
Obsidian said, "So what do we do?"
Liebe said, "So they are protesters, right?"
Obsidian said, "Yeah."
Liebe said, "Harmless protesters, right?"
Licht said, "We aren't sure."
Liebe said, "Dang it. My plan failed before it started."
Licht said, "What were you planning?"
Liebe said, "Easy. I would go there, ask them to retreat. If they didn't, then I will sink the ships, and whenever someone fell in the water, we will rush them to an island."
Licht said, "That may just be the most stupid thing I've heard."
Liebe said, "How? We have Elizabeth and Gelda—spatial magic, remember?"
Licht said, "No. If that plan goes wrong, someone can die. Not to mention, among 12,000, mass panic can't be avoided."
Liebe said, "Yeah. How about I just go and ask them what's wrong? Plus, what happened last night? They have no reason to be mad. They should be praising me."
Licht said, "Fine."
As Liebe flew to the ships, Alyssa, M, and Licht watched from 500 feet high above, in case it got violent.
Liebe said, "General people, I have no idea what happened, but what do you want? I'm a bit sleepy."
The people cheered. "It's Lord Liebe! The people under Black Rose were right—he really is a saint and savior! A hero in the making!"
Liebe said, "Sorry, what now?"
Liebe said, "What now, again?"
The man said, "You don't remember, sir? What you did? It's because of you we are all happy."
Liebe said, "Who did what now?"
Licht, Alyssa, and M looked down, and Licht said, "Of course. I stop watching him for one night—just god damn one night—and the dude is basically a hero."
As they all came down, Licht said, "Sorry, people, what happened here?"
The man said, "It's the hero's friend."
Another said, "It's the hero's associate."
Another said, "It's someone who knows the hero."
Licht said, "Great. Just great. Just because I decide to sleep on time like a normal person, I become the hero's lackey? I'm the dumbass's best friend and his second-in-command."
Alyssa said, "It's hilarious."
Licht said, "Yeah. From now on, I'm not going to bed without putting a leash on him."
M just laughed and said, "Sure, sure. Now get us a drink, you lowly servant."
Licht said, "Say that again, and your blood will be the drink."
Alyssa said, "Stop it, M. If you continue, the poor dude might just explode like a tomato."
Licht took a deep breath and sighed and said, "Listen, people. Whatever Liebe did, just tell us, and I won't drink your blood."
The man said, "Last night, almost all of our daughters or sisters were getting trafficked at the docks. There were about 600 girls in 10 containers. He saved them all and took down the entire trafficking ring."
Licht said, "Liebe?"
Liebe said, "Yeah. Last night, I was bored. I went to some random bar outside since we don't have any here to hit it with a few hot girls. Saw a group of suspicious people, and as a knight, I was like, 'You guys doing illegal stuff?' They said, 'Nope.' I sensed a lie, so I said, 'Okay, have fun. Don't drink too much.' And while drinking, one got too drunk and started saying stuff, and they said stuff about shipping the cargo, etc., etc. So later, I followed them, found a container, thought it was weapons or drugs, but nope—girls. Then I got the idea: maybe if I did something, I'd easily get a harem. And then I did stuff, fought a bit, and saved them. Sadly, no harem. I told the girls the way to the nearest knighthood HQ and showed the path with my darkness. And I was about to leave, but then one of the traffickers said, 'No, you wait. We will take everything from you.' And me being tired, sleepy, hungry, and still no harem even after all that work, said, 'Crap it. You got 10 minutes. Get your buds, and if you can't, I will eat them. Me hungry.' And somehow, through spatial magic, they got everyone, which is about—I don't know—500 people. And since they were weak, I just helped solve world hunger. So, like, the leader was left. Got intel—he was a wimp, didn't take more than 5 seconds to answer. Gave the info to Gelda, and then came back. Was too tired to think, fell asleep, and I swear to God, it was probably the best sleep of my life. And then you guys rushed me awake, and I was confused."
Licht said, "Okay, I get it. But how exactly did you solve world hunger again?Basically this is the story of how your will to get a harem made you a hero."
Liebe said, "Yes exackly .You say stupid stuff sometimes, you know, right? By killing them—500 dead means 500 less mouths to feed. Thus, we can feed the corpses to animals, and then we eat the animals. Easy."
Licht said, "Great his will to get a harem made him a hero , why cant my will to sleep make me one . Do you hear yourself, idiot? Alyssa, do you hear what he is saying?" As he looked, he saw Alyssa and M were diligently taking notes. Licht said, "Great. Am I the only one sane here? Now that, Mr.—Mr., what now?"
The man said, "Zyn, sir."
Licht said, "Yeah, Mr. Zyn. So why are you here?"
Zyn said, "The people Lord Liebe saved—we are all poor commoners. We can't do anything to repay him. Even if we had coins, we could never give him enough. Everyone here—all of us—can have loving families: mothers united with children, fathers reunited with their daughters, and brothers finally able to see their sisters. We all lost hope; many planned to take their lives. Yet the hope existed because of Lord Liebe. We can't thank him enough, so we all came to give whatever we could—from food to vegetables to home dishes—since we heard Lord Liebe liked foods."
Liebe said, "Thanks, everyone. I did it because I felt like it. That's it. And all I like to say is, live and let live. So I'm grateful you came, but please leave."
The people said, "What about the gifts?"
Licht said, "I will have a—or a few—ships take them. Sorry, we can't take all 12,000 of you here."
The people said, "Sure," as they cheered. They stated, "Long live the grand hero, Liebe Faust!"
Liebe said, "Uhhhh, thanks. This is a bit much."
The people said, "All hail Liebe Faust!"
Licht grabbed his communicator and said, "Roy, Iris, Olivia, and Mia—get a ship here. And not a battleship, just a cargo ship."
Iris said, "Sorry, what?"
Olivia said, "Did you lose it or something?"
Licht said, "Just do it."
Later, while Liebe sat at the ship and ate, Liebe said, "Damn, this stuff is great."
Licht, while also eating, said, "Shut up, Liebe."
Liebe said, "What happened? Why so salty?"
Licht said, "Shut up."
M said, "Well, someone had their ego shattered."
Licht said, "Just because I let him go out alone once, this happened."
Liebe said, "Damn. Is it good? Can I get more?"
Someone said, "Of course."
As Alyssa and M's stomachs also started to growl, Alyssa said, "Guess we didn't get a chance to grab breakfast since all this happened."
M said, "Guess so."
As they also started eating, while Liebe took a bite, someone said, "Try this! Try this! Try this!"
Liebe said, "Sure."
After eating for three hours straight and all of them looking like they were eight months along, Iris and the others came.
Isurugi said, "Are you alright, sir?"
Liebe said, "I ate too much."
Licht said, "Just grab the gifts and take them to the ship."
Iris said, "What?"
Licht said, "And also, eat whatever you guys want."
Iris said, "What? What happened? Licht, I thought you were a guy. How did you—did your pregnancy for so long?"
Licht said, "Stop asking and start eating."
Olivia said, "Why is he salty?"
M said, "Had his ego shattered."
Licht said, "Everyone, start eating, or else!"
Everyone said, "Okay, sir," and ate.
By the time they were done eating, Liebe said, "Well, I'm stuffed."
The people were happy, and whatever was left was put on the other ship.
Liebe said, "Today was great."
Licht said, "Yeah, free food is always great. But now I want to take a nap. A nice, long 48-hour nap."
Alyssa said, "Guess it wasn't the ego; it was more like hunger and sleep."
M said, "Yeah, we did have to forcefully wake him up to check it out while Liebe slept, so guess it was that."
Alyssa said, "I should have known—food solves their problems."
Liebe and Licht said, "You guys say something?"
Alyssa said, "No, no."
Liebe said, "Well, let's take a nap."
Mia said, "What happened today? Why did people feed us?"
Alyssa said, "I have no idea, for the most part."
As someone came in running, stating, "Fleet Admiral, it's urgent!"
Liebe said, "What?"
The guy said, "The international paper, sir. Your name is on the headline." The headline stated, "The Grand Hero Who Saved Girls," and it stated Liebe's info had connected the trafficking ring's other slaves, and also, using it, people from Baledia, Eldoria, Empire, and 13 other nations are being found who were illegally sold as slaves. And as of right now, only 1,500 are saved, but soon they will save more.
Liebe said, "Okay, so what?"
Isurugi said, "We are world famous, sir! We are world famous before even starting the World Championships next month!"
Liebe said, "Frick."
Obsidian came running and said, "Congrats, young Liebe, on a job well done. Even though, somehow, you all seem pregnant. Either way, the Grandmaster told me to let you and your friends have some fun today and ignore it if you go overboard."
Lilith said, "Sorry I took so long." As she saw what happened, Lilith said, "How did all of you get pregnant so easily?"
Liebe said, "I don't know. Please let me sleep or roll away to my room. I need a salad."
Otiz said, "We can't do that now, can we? We are going to celebrate our new rising star hero, Liebe!"
Lilith said, "Yeahhhhhhhh! Let's get eating and then drinking!"
Liebe and Licht said, "Frick," as they both vomited from overeating.