Licht said, "Good to see you. Also, Mom and Dad came to see you before your big fight."
Lucifer said, "That was unnecessary."
Elodie replied, "Nonsense. We're here for the same reason you are."
Lucifer said, "Thanks."
Alysa arrived, carrying a bouquet. "Sorry I'm late—it was a bit difficult finding black roses."
They all walked to the Faust graveyard.
Lucifer stood before a grave, laid the black roses down, and said,
"Mother... today, I will bear the flag of our nation once again in the arena.
I know I never could—or can—make you proud,
but please watch over this battle.
It's one I won't lose."
Elodie said,
"I'm sure your mother is watching.
And if she were here, she'd be just as proud as we are."
Suddenly, a man threw a rock that hit Lucifer's forehead, drawing blood.
The stranger sneered, "Good to see you again, brother."
Durendal and Licht instantly stepped forward, furious.
Lucifer said, "Marks. Get lost."
Marks spat, "Look at a commoner talking up to a noble.
Are you done playing with your little Exist Forger toys?"
Lucifer said, "They're not toys. They're my family.
And that's why Mother hated you—because you, a noble, had the audacity to see commoners as beneath you."
Marks: "That just proves my point.
Remember who's the blood son, and who's the bloodthirsty son.
Mom said it herself before passing."
Durendal growled, "Sir, please allow me to kill this vermin before he taints the House of Faust any further."
Lucifer said, "Let's go. I have better things to do than waste time with the bratty head of House Faust."
As they left his mother's grave, a tear escaped Lucifer's eye.
Elodie asked, "Lucifer, why didn't you do anything to your step-brother?"
Lucifer replied,
"Because, Aunty—Mother made it clear who's the blood son and who's the bloodthirsty one.
Going against him would mean going against everything she stood for and loved."
Elodie smiled, "You've really matured, both as a knight and as a person.
I just wish things hadn't ended the way they did."
Alysa suddenly said, "I forgot something—one moment."
Lucifer said, "Sure."
Alysa returned to Aria's grave and laid down another bouquet.
She whispered,
"Ma'am... you were the greatest knight I've ever known.
I know what happened, but please—be my future mother-in-law.
I promise with all my heart: Exist Forger is everything Black Rose could have hoped for.
Your goals, your love, your passion—they all live on in us."
Elodie said, "By the way, Lucifer... when exactly are you introducing Alysa's parents to us?"
Lucifer: "Why?"
Elodie smirked, "Because you two are getting married."
Lucifer panicked, "Wait—what?! When?!"
In the background, Licht couldn't stop laughing.
Lucifer said, "What's so funny?"
Licht replied, "It's just that... the name Lucifer Al Faust and the word marriage should never be in the same sentence."
Elodie said, "Well, I've seen how much that girl truly loves you.
She'll make a great wife.
And for God's sake, you're in your mid-thirties.
You two aren't getting any younger."
Lucifer said, "After Licht's wedding."
Elodie sighed, "He's hopeless. Every time we try to introduce someone to him, he runs off on another mission."
Alysa came running back, and Lucifer slightly blushed.
Alysa asked, "Were you guys... talking about me?"
Lucifer muttered, "Kinda. Anyway, let's get going—we're running late."
Meanwhile, in the Gladiator's Finale arena, at 10:45 AM—
Just before the match, a huge meteor crashed down, leaving a crater.
From it emerged Draince.
Draince roared,
"Where is your champion?!
Will Lucifer not show himself out of fear?!"
His heat was so intense that even those in the farthest seats began sweating.
Then, the arena went pitch black—
As if the entire ground had been swallowed by a massive shadow.
From the darkness, Lucifer rose.
Wearing his captain's uniform, with the Eldoria flag on his right shoulder and the Exist Forger flag on his left—
Lucifer said,
"Today…
I'm done playing."