(Follows a slightly different version of Ruche's max affection ending. Also slightly AU in a couple other ways.)
It's been three years since Ruche, Faust, and Zeabolos departed on a journey to find a different solution to achieving Faust's goal, and nothing of use has been found. Zeabolos' soul is used to revive Faust's father and homeland, and Ruche is left with one less person she can call a friend, one step closer to being alone.
Faust has reservations about that.
--However, even...