On the return journey in the aircraft, I only enjoyed again the natural scenery of Grivendal that never boring to look at repeatedly. I tried to divert my thoughts after experiencing two very strange incidents in one day. What frightened me was that only I truly experienced it myself. After I arrived at the aircraft base, Grelmure escorted me back home.
"Are you feeling unwell, Johann?? I'm a bit worried seeing what you experienced at the ancient portal and those facility. I think you should rest for a few days and try to have some fun first..." Grelmure slightly worried.
"It seems you are right, Sir. Because I'm so curious about this world, I forgot to rest and entertain myself..."
"Don't worry! After this the commander will not ask you to accompany him again. Oh yes... I forgot to tell you! The day after tomorrow is the 2500th anniversary celebration of the Grivendal empire. This will be a more special celebration than previous years. I suggest you use this moment as best as possible to refresh your mind." said Grelmure with a wide smile.
"Whoooaaa... is that so, Sir Grelmure??? No wonder when I saw the city view that was so crowded from the aircraft earlier! Thank you, sir!" I said cheerfully.
"You should invite Miss Sherubiel as well and also your other housemate... ohh, I forgot the name again, to attend the celebration later. As for Sir Hellraider, it's up to you whether you want to invite him or not. Commander Gruzhnil seems to respect his privacy more." Grelmure continued.
I reminded him that the name was Mendicore. Grelmure just laughed and apologized. I actually could not imagine Hellraider in the middle of such a large celebration party. Loud music, people laughing together and dancing, all of that would surely be a very unfamiliar sight for him. I remembered something like this was not even written in The Mayhem lore. I thought whatever the situation, as long as it was not something that could destroy the empire, Hellraider would probably choose to be alone at his house.
I arrived home in the afternoon. When I got off the go-kart, Sherubiel came out to greet me followed by Mendicore.
"Let Johann rest first, okay! Poor him, he was dazed several times during the tour earlier..." said Grelmure jokingly. I gave him a sulky look in response and he just laughed bit. When I entered the house, I immediately smelled delicious cooking.
"Ehh... who is cooking???" I confused. Suddenly I became worried that they had allowed someone else into our house.
"Sherubiel just cooked for the first time, Johann. You saw how she always seriously watched you cooking these past days and Sherubiel wanted to try it too." said Mendicore. I was surprised and immediately looked at Sherubiel and gave her a smile.
"L-Let's eat Johann. I waited for your arrival so we could eat together..." Sherubiel said shyly.
I sat at the dining table and saw that Sherubiel had cooked meat stew, mashed potatoes, and vegetable salad. When I ate it, I became cheerful because an angel could cook well for the first time.
"Aaahhh... look at Johann's face. He really enjoys your cooking, Sherubiel. Congratulations! You successfully cooked your first meal!" said Mendicore.
"If Grelmure knew this, he would immediately fall in love with you and might even propose to you right away, Sherubiel..." I said with a wide smile.
"AAAHHHH.... Johhaannnn...!!! Don't tease me that faaarrr...!!! I don't want to be involved in any relationship yet...!!!" said Sherubiel while covering her face with both hands and shaking her head. I laughed again and thanked her for being willing to cook for me.
"It seems I cooked too much??? I was so enthusiastic cooking that I didn't properly estimate the portion for just us..." said Sherubiel.
I then remembered Hellraider. Actually I often didn't think about how he ate every day. It was impossible for him to go to the city to buy food ingredients or ready meals. It was likely that someone delivered food packages to him every day by placing them on his house porch.
"No Sherubiel, this is just right. I will pack the rest and give it to Sir Hellraider. I think he should also taste your delicious cooking." Sherubiel's cheeks turned red again. I guessed she became nervous that her cooking would be tasted by someone like Hellraider.
"O-Okay Johann. I will wash these dishes." Sherubiel slightly smiled.
After packing the food, I went to Hellraider's house with Mendicore. The sky looked like it was approaching evening. Mendicore immediately created a portal for me. After arriving, I knocked on the door twice. Hellraider opened it and stood there looking at me with his flat expression.
"Sorry to bother you, sir. I came here to share food from us with you. Maybe this can be your dinner." He immediately took the food from me. Then without saying a single word, he turned around and closed the door slightly gently. I felt that his gesture already showed he accepted the food from us. We returned to our house with its portal again.
At night, I gathered with the others in the lounge while watching television. We watched a typical Grivendal comedy film. I laughed several times because their comedy was quite unique. I saw Sherubiel sitting quietly trying to interpret the content of the film.
"Oh yes... Sir Grelmure said that the day after tomorrow there will be the empire's anniversary celebration. This could be the right moment for us to mingle and enjoy the entertainment there."
"Whoooaaa... is that true Johann??? I really can't wait to attend that event!" said Sherubiel with a cheerful face. We continued watching the comedy film until late at night.
The next morning after breakfast, I was a bit confused about what activities we would do today. I thought about inviting them to go around the city center to directly see the people of Grivendal preparing for tomorrow's celebration.
"Johann, as far as I know you still have the Bous Ball, right? Do you want to practice using it more skillfully so it can be useful for you someday?" asked Mendicore.
I immediately remembered that object again which only used it once to help save Sherubiel. Maybe I should train how to minimize the side effects after teleportation. If the worst-case scenario happened and the hell monster invasion still occurred, this was the only item I could use to survive if Hellraider could not continuously protect me. He only had one focus, destroying all those monsters until none remained.
"You are right Mendicore. Honestly I have no idea what to do today. Let's go to the front yard to practice."
"Johhaannnn... if you train there and accidentally throw the Bous to the steep hillside, you could be in danger...!!! It's better for us to find a wide field instead."
What Sherubiel said was true. Fortunately she warned me beforehand.
"Hmmm... I'm confused where a wide and safe place is. I'm just worried we might encounter Groth instead..."
"I know. There is a flower field on the outskirts of the city and near plantations. Wild beasts like that are usually rarely seen there. I think the place is quite beautiful and cool as well." said Mendicore.
I immediately agreed and prepared to go there. I stored my Bous in the interface slot that appeared in front of me as if it knew my plan. Even though I had been living with them for several days, I had never told them that I had this interface slot. Maybe I would keep it secret until the end, or if someday I had to reveal it at the right moment.
When everything was ready, I saw Sherubiel had just come from outside carrying a food container that looked familiar to me. Wait... isn't that the container I used to share food with Hellraider yesterday afternoon?
"Sherubiel, where did you find that food container?" I asked.
"Oh, I found it on the porch bench. It seems Sir Hellraider returned it here while we were still asleep..."
I approached her and checked the container. There were still small leftovers. I felt touched. Hellraider really ate the food and even returned the container himself without us knowing. I felt that he could have a normal human life again.
"Just put it in the sink. We will wash it after we return." I said while smiling.
After everything was ready, Mendicore created a portal. When we came out, I was immediately greeted by a wide green grass field with many colorful flowers blooming. The gentle breeze added to my calmness here as if I just wanted to lie on the grass rather than practice with the Bous Ball.
I imagined Hellraider being able to enjoy scenery like this even if only for a moment.