I was only able to sleep late at night because I kept thinking about Sherubiel's confession regarding High Heaven. Honestly, I began to sympathize with Sherubiel and Mendicore.
Both in the game's lore and in this reality of mine they could not be tolerated, and for their current situation it was even worse than merely exploiting the people of Grivendal.
A seed of hatred toward High Heaven began to grow within me, especially to that one archangel named Geriel.
In the game, he was indeed a very arrogant character. He was the one who granted power equal to divinity to Hellraider and ordered him to kneel before High Heaven. But at the end of the game, Geriel was also killed by Hellraider. I felt very satisfied watching Hellraider brutally beat Geriel with his hands.
Why did I want so badly to witness that scene with my own eyes? I thought it was only justified if the reality was like this.
Mendicore and Sherubiel should have been the ones leading High Heaven in my view.
The next morning, I prepared breakfast for myself and Sherubiel using the ingredients available in the refrigerator. Mendicore and Sherubiel seemed enthusiastic watching how I cooked.
"When you were interrogated by Commander Gruzhnil yesterday, did you tell him the same background story as you told me?" I asked while cooking.
"Of course not, Johann. Commander Gruzhnil is a native of Grivendal. I know very well that Grivendal has had a close relationship with High Heaven for thousands of years. I only answered that I was suddenly deactivated in that fortress without any clear reason..." said Mendicore.
"As for me, I said that I used to be their servant but I made up a story that when the monster invasion entered the fortress, I hid myself in that chamber for a very long time until I lost consciousness." said Sherubiel.
"Sherubiel's explanation does sound reasonable and easy to accept without any doubt. But your explanation would still raise suspicion for Commander Gruzhnil about why such an advanced entity like you was simply abandoned." I said while glancing at Mendicore.
"You are right, Johann, there is still that possibility. However, based on my analysis of Commander Gruzhnil's personality, he is not someone who easily becomes suspicious of others. So I believe the chances of this becoming a serious issue in Grivendal are very small." said Mendicore.
I only smiled and nodded at Mendicore. Its analysis of Gruzhnil was quite accurate based on my interactions with him.
After finishing breakfast, I went outside to the yard to breathe the fresh air at the foot of the hill. When I glanced toward Hellraider's residence, I saw him standing there looking toward the city ahead.
Oh... I really wanted to approach him. I thought it would be fine if I met him alone this time. I wanted Hellraider to feel that I still cared about him. I informed Mendicore and Sherubiel that I would go to Hellraider's house for a while. I walked along the hillside for about ten minutes.
When I arrived, I saw Hellraider still standing there. Suddenly he turned his head and looked toward me. I paused for a moment and gave him a smile. I was actually still a bit afraid that he would drive me away again.
Unexpectedly, he turned his head away again and continued looking at the city view.
I approached him and stood rather close beside him, also enjoying the view.
"This Planet Grivendal is truly beautiful. I feel like living in a fantasy world. Honestly, I would really like to stay here, without wanting to return to my home planet..." I said while looking at Hellraider.
He remained silent.
"... Do you also want to stay here after all the missions are over?"
He then glanced at me again, looked at me with a face showing no expression, then turned his face away again.
"I'll see later..." Hellraider finally spoke in a flat tone.
I only smiled faintly. I felt that Hellraider actually wanted everything to end and live like a normal person even though he had lost everything due to his life of constant battle in hell. Even if in the future he did not want to stay with me, that was already enough.
I looked again at Hellraider as a whole. He used to be my greatest idol that I could only see on a screen, comics, posters, or figurines. Then he came into my life for real, even though at first he always wanted to eliminate my existence. I kept following him until he slowly began to change his view of me.
Now he seemed like a father figure to me. When I was young, I never received attention and affection from my biological father. Even now that I am an adult, there is still a desire to know what it feels like to have a father figure beside me. Hellraider felt the closest to that, because he always inspired me to keep living even when he was once only fiction.
I saw Hellraider's hand hanging beside his body.
Why did I feel an urge to hold his hand?
Previously we only clapped hands as a sign of making a promise. Now I wanted to feel that grip longer, even if Hellraider would not say anything, at least he would not reject me harshly.
Even though his hands had committed countless acts of violence, he was not a monster, but mere a victim forced to survive.
However, I had to restrain myself from reaching for his hand. Hellraider's perception of me still felt like it was at a crossroads. What I was waiting for was the moment when he truly acknowledged my existence.
Hellraider then turned around and walked into his house, leaving me alone in the yard.
I respected his privacy and left his residence immediately.
When I returned to my residence, I was surprised to see a gokart parked in the yard. I immediately ran inside. Could it be that the one who came was...
In the living room, Gruzhnil, Grelmure, Sherubiel, and Mendicore were already gathered.
"Ahh... finally the one we were waiting for has arrived. We all saw you interacting with Sir Hellraider through the hologram produced by Mendicore. Honestly, I'm very happy that he can accept your presence beside him." said Gruzhnil smiling at me.
Well... if seen at a glance it might look like that. But for me it still could not be called true acceptance from Hellraider.
"I have already heard Miss Sherubiel's story. Truly a tragic fate for such a sweet angel trapped in that realm of terror. Fortunately our troops and Johann were able to save her." said Grelmure while glancing flirtatiously toward Sherubiel.
Sherubiel immediately covered her face again out of embarrassment. Grelmure and I laughed softly.
"So the purpose of our visit here besides wanting to see the three of you is that I want to inform you that all of you along with Sir Hellraider are personally invited by Emperor Gregustus to the palace to celebrate the success of this mission. He also wants to interact directly with Mendicore and Sherubiel. The event will be held toward the evening so you can prepare yourselves first." said Gruzhnil.
I then glanced toward Sherubiel and Mendicore. Sherubiel looked slightly surprised but also amazed. Mendicore's emotion could not be described since it was only an artificial intelligence.
"Thank you Commander Gruzhnil, we are very happy to be accepted here. I also wish to meet the Emperor directly." said Mendicore.
After chatting for a while, Gruzhnil and Grelmure left our residence to return to headquarters. For almost the entire day, I spent time playing with Sherubiel and Mendicore.
That evening, I prepared myself to attend the Emperor's invitation at the palace. I wore the formal attire that had been provided. This was the first time I wore clothing suitable for such an important event, as previously I only wore very simple clothes which made me quite embarrassed.
"We could actually go directly to the palace using Mendicore's portal." I said while we were waiting for them to pick us up.
"Yes that is true. Last night while you were asleep, I scanned the entire planet. So if we want to go anywhere we can use my portal. But for now we must respect the existing rules, Johann..."
I only nodded. Perhaps Mendicore's portal could be used for urgent needs later.
Suddenly we heard a horn sound. It seemed they had arrived. We immediately hurried outside. It turned out only Grelmure came to pick us up.
"Is Commander Gruzhnil going together with Sir Hellraider?" I asked as we got onto the gokart.
"That's correct Johann. They have already gone ahead to the palace..." answered Grelmure.
"I see Miss Sherubiel seems able to fly faster using her wings in the air, right???" Grelmure teased Sherubiel again from the back seat.
"Aaahhhh... Sir Grelmure why do you enjoy teasing me so much...?!" complained Sherubiel while lowering her head.
I only laughed softly. Grelmure immediately apologized and promised not to tease her too often again.
Our journey took about thirty minutes to the palace. When we arrived, many imperial authorities, high-ranking military officials, and nobles were already present. As we walked in, almost all eyes were directed toward us, especially toward Mendicore and Sherubiel. I saw them looking excited and whispering among themselves. When I glanced at Sherubiel, she lowered her head, perhaps embarrassed at being the center of attention.
Grelmure led us into the grand palace hall. In the front row, Gruzhnil and Hellraider were already seated at one of the large round tables. I noticed Hellraider was wearing the elite armor of The Graendall.
Gruzhnil welcomed us warmly and invited us to sit. I sat beside Hellraider. He only glanced at me briefly again. I gave him a smile without saying anything.
Soon afterward, the procession of palace guards entered and behind them came Emperor Gregustus, Princess Glynpatra, and one person I had never seen before who looked dressed like a Pope from my world. They then sat on the front stage seats.
"Sir Grelmure, who is that person with Emperor Gregustus and Princess Glynpatra?" I asked.
"Ohhh... you have not met him yet, right? He is the High Priest named Grishal, the highest spiritual leader of the Grivendal empire. If I am not mistaken I mentioned yesterday that the Priests reside in a temple tasked with communicating with the angels of High Heaven. He is likely here because of the presence of Miss Sherubiel and Mendicore." said Grelmure.
Emperor Gregustus then delivered his speech about the great success of the recent military operation on Planet Grohn. He also announced that two individuals who once came from High Heaven and now became part of Grivendal were present, namely Mendicore and Sherubiel. The Emperor also stated that the military strength of The Graendall was currently at its peak.
All the guests applauded enthusiastically and focused their attention on our table.
After that, High Priest Grishal delivered his speech. He said that these rare and consecutive extraordinary events were a good sign for the empire.
"I will give an announcement that The Angels from High Heaven authority will descend to Planet Grivendal in the near future after such a long time..."
Everyone there looked very happy, except for me, Sherubiel, and Mendicore.
Why did I instead feel that this was not a good sign after knowing what had actually happened to them?