Those Who Are Tied Down By Fate

Meanwhile, in the ExistForger HQ, Lucifer sneezed.

Elizabeth asked, "Captain, are you sick?"

Lucifer replied, "I don't usually get sick, and it's not the season either."

Elizabeth said, "Maybe someone is remembering you."

Lucifer said, "Nah. Who would think that much about me?"

Elizabeth replied sadly, "More people than you think."

Lucifer responded, "Maybe."

Meanwhile, in the capital, Astrea asked, "Umm, ma'am, do you all know each other from somewhere?"

Alysa said, "Yeah, we all went to the academy together. And, well, your vice-captain Elizabeth also went with us. Stuff happened... and we kinda got promoted."

Licht added, "You mean the Battle of Galahad? When we joined the knights, we were all promoted to 5th Class Knights of Fire. It was one of the greatest battles in world history—an incident many consider an act of mega-terrorism."

Hedin said, "Yeah, I remember. That was a crazy day—fifteen days of endless fighting, no communication. The soil smelled of blood. And a man fought harder than a monster, surrounded by hatred. Fists redder than blood. A demon deciding our fate. A devil in the body of a man... That's all I can say."

Licht added, "Not sure about all that, but I remember one thing: that dude smelled worse than anything I've ever smelled—blood, sweat, everything. And yet... for some reason, we couldn't help but smile."

Hedin said, "That day, we were just students, nearing graduation. Yet in our hearts, we were something more. We felt what it truly took for our predecessors to earn the titles they did."

Astrea asked, "Wait… but sir, doesn't Captain Licht—and our captain too—have the Grand Knight title?"

Licht answered, "Yup. We both do. And damn, it was amazing to be one of just 50 knights to earn that title."

Alysa said, "Yeah... well, that's kinda what happened."

Licht teased, "Don't lie. When you saw him after the battle, you cried like a five-year-old."

Alysa protested, "No, I didn't!"

Licht smirked, "Yeah, sure you didn't."

Hedin said, "Yet sadly, after the battle, nothing was left. Not even ashes."

Astrea said, "I know… Some things are just the basics."

Anew whispered to Astrea, "Something is wrong here. They were happy at the start of the conversation. But now… the tone is completely different. It's as if that battle was their greatest regret, not their greatest victory."

Licht said, "Yeah. You could say that. It was definitely a nightmare."