I fell silent for a moment hearing David's words. I never expected he could immediately come to such a conclusion. Does this mean my presence has become that meaningful to him already? Maybe David has realized his final fate according to the game storyline and sees me as the only person who can change it for the better. Actually I'm still not sure whether my way can really be done. But once again I can only keep walking together with him and stay optimistic.
I glanced again at David who was still observing the grave. I remembered clearly when David asked for an explanation of who he really was and after I explained at length including the tragedy that befell his family which made David become like this, he instead rejected it outright. I don't know what happened where now David seemed to accept that tragic past.
Some time later, the attendees left the cemetery area. David walked back near the podium followed by me and the others. There, we chatted briefly with the emperor.
"I received news that the special place for The Great Lord David has been completely prepared. After this we will carry out the procession ceremony of awarding honors to Lord David and the others at that place." Said The Emperor.
My heart beat even faster because I immediately wanted to see David's new place. We immediately boarded the emperor's shuttle aircraft and flew there.
"Commander, how is the condition of the battlefield after that? I'm sure there are many corpses of the terror realm monsters scattered around, right?"
"Of course Johann. Those corpses will cause environmental problems if simply left alone. The environmental authority together with The Graendall assisted also by High Heaven are trying to clean up those monster corpses by burning them with fire from Starstones."
"Ohhh... High Heaven is still on this planet too it turns out. I thought those corpses could be collected and extracted into Dreadstone essence..."
Mendicore then floated in front of me.
"Of course not possible, Johann... Dreadstone is the result of a long crystallization process of souls tortured in that realm of terror. Those monsters are original entities created from the core beneath the surface of that realm."
Mendicore's explanation reminded me slightly of The Mayhem lore where monsters that are killed will actually be resurrected again from the core of hell. Wait a moment, I remembered my question.
"Mendicore, I want to confirm. Will monsters killed here be resurrected again in that realm?"
Gruzhnil who heard my question immediately glanced at me while frowning.
"Hmmm... a good question too. But from my previous analysis, resurrected monsters on average appear again if they are killed directly in the realm of terror. I still cannot ascertain if monsters that only die outside can be resurrected again..."
"But previously those monsters had invaded other realms besides the Grivendal territory, right? Surely civilizations in those realms fought against them. If those monsters were continuously sent to attack other realms from afar before this current time, then their population should have become smaller and smaller. But we saw for ourselves during yesterday's battle how many of them came..."
"I'm quite impressed with your deep reasoning, Johann... Indeed I must admit, there are limitations in understanding the overall concept of how that realm of terror works. My main purpose for being created was to help capture Ruciphar. Perhaps after this, if The Graendall cooperates with High Heaven again to search for Ruciphar, I can fully know the concept of that realm."
I think indeed the hell realm is more complex than what I imagined from the game lore. Previously I was not too curious about how The Mayhem's hell worked because essentially it was made only as part of the game plot.
I glanced toward the very front row of aircraft seats where David sat beside the emperor. Then I leaned my body toward Mendicore and voiced the core question softly.
"So according to you, is there a possibility Azkerath can rise again after some time?"
Mendicore fell silent briefly at my question. Gruzhnil's facial expression also looked uneasy after hearing it. I knew this question was inappropriate to discuss again.
"Oh... so this is the main direction of our conversation... I will say it plainly. Azkerath was created directly from Ruciphar's soul, unlike other monsters which are made from that realm's core. So if he wants to resurrect Azkerath again, that means he must sacrifice his soul again and highly risk weakening his body. I'm sure he will not take such an easy step and will look for another way so he can still maintain his power."
I only nodded and Gruzhnil looked relieved after hearing Mendicore's answer. But if referring again to the game lore, there is also one strongest hell entity named Turgash. I'm not sure whether Turgash will replace Azkerath's role to invade other realms or even worse retaliate against Grivendal again. Does Mendicore know about Turgash? Honestly I don't want to ask that because, even if it already knows, Mendicore will become suspicious of me about how I could know who Turgash is. I ended this conversation and thanked Mendicore.
After some time, our aircraft finally landed. We exited and now were in the center of the capital city. Once again many people had crowded the area around me. The Emperor invited all of us toward the next event place which was very close to where the aircraft landed. I saw in the sky one High Heaven fleet ship.
Ohhh... will High Heaven angels participate in this event too?
Upon arriving, I could clearly see the special place for David and honestly its shape made me gape.
David's 'new house' looked like a one-floor temple but with the imperial palace style dominated by dark blue decorated with gold ornaments. Around it there was a garden not too large. On the roof there were five golden lion statues where four smaller statues sat facing outward toward the four main cardinal directions and one larger statue in the middle with a posture like a lion walking while watching its surroundings.
I followed The Emperor and the others entering the place. On the main entrance path there were also two golden lion statues. When I saw the main room, my mind suddenly went blank, not because of amazement.
David's room resembled what was in the game Artbook. The atmosphere was like an imperial throne room. In the middle there was a short altar and a magnificent throne chair dominated by gold followed by dark blue. Its backrest was made tall and on its upper part there was the Groth face symbol. On the seat there was a cushion of thick black fur, similar to the fur on David's cloak. I wondered whether Greslan had given this again after the war?
The altar was surrounded by candles. Above it there hung a magnificent lamp. On the right side there were several sofas which seemed to be a guest room. Meanwhile on the left side there were large tables accompanied by tools and equipment. I only just realized that it was Hellraider's personal workshop room in the game to repair or upgrade his weapons.
Behind the throne chair, there was another room-like area but I could not see it clearly. Suddenly from behind it, several people appeared walking toward us. They looked like priests.
"Your Majesty Emperor, the preparations are complete. This throne can now be occupied by The Great Lord David..." Said one of those priests.
The Emperor nodded and invited all of us to exit again. I glanced at David where his expression seemed ordinary with all of this. When exiting, I was very shocked upon seeing two entities standing in the middle of the front garden, Geriel and... Greslan.
I could guess Geriel because of the presence of that High Heaven ship. But I was still processing why Greslan could suddenly be present here. Gruzhnil looked at me and smiled because I seemed shocked.
"Ahhh... you must be confused right, why Lord Greslan can be here. The explanation is quite long and this is related to the climax of yesterday's battle. I will explain later after this."
I think there was another spectacular thing while I was inside Azkerath's body in a dying condition. This indeed was not in the game storyline. I could only nod for now.
We stopped and saluted Geriel and Greslan, except David. Suddenly Greslan shifted his gaze and walked toward me. I became afraid of what he would do to me. It felt like wanting to hide behind David and asking him to drive Greslan away again just like back on the grassland.
"I have seen what you have done until now, young man. You are the person closest to My Lord now. Allow me to remain here to serve My Lord."
This was the first time I heard Greslan speak directly like that. My position which felt like becoming the most important figure just because I knew David more didn't make me flattered. For me Greslan should not speak like that because he was the earliest one on this planet. Indeed David's great influence here was undeniable just like in the game's lore. I glanced briefly toward him and once again he only remained silent staring at Greslan.
"Y-yes, Sir Greslan. I-I am also grateful to you who helped us win this war..." I said while still trembling slightly.
"Very well. Let us immediately begin the procession..." Said Geriel.
We walked toward the outer side of the unfenced garden and formed a line in the order of Greslan, Glynpatra, me, David, Gregustus, Grishal and Geriel. Gruzhnil and Grelmure faced us together with rows of subordinate commanders and behind them there was already a sea of people ranging from The Graendall, imperial staff and the general public. Sherubiel and Mendicore also there.
Geriel began delivering his speech about gratitude for the shared victory achieved and permanently eliminating the threat from that hell realm. The people of Grivendal from now on could live peacefully forever without fear of demonic terror anymore.
"...And we will give the highest appreciation to the figure most instrumental in bringing us to the gate of this great victory, The Champion of Grivendal..."
Geriel immediately turned his body toward David. The Emperor walked giving some space and Glynpatra also immediately grasped and pulled my hand to do the same. David truly became the center of attention.
"Planet Grivendal from this moment onward will be protected by The Black Groth Emperor..." Said Greslan.
Instantly Gruzhnil's line bowed followed by the rows behind him. Glynpatra and The Emperor gave a salute to David.
I didn't bow or salute him. For me personally, my relationship with David didn't need to be that sacred. I also had my own personal way to acknowledge his achievement. Was it because they truly followed what was told in The Mayhem story? Those David's two titles also existed in the lore. David only looked at all of them without showing any facial expression.
"Now, I will give a special award for brother Johann who also played a major role in winning this war..." Said the Emperor.
A soldier then approached The Emperor holding an open box. The emperor took it and it was a gold-colored necklace with a Groth head motif.
"Come Johann, walk closer to father..." Glynpatra whispered to me.
I nodded and approached the emperor. I bowed my back before him.
"With this I bestow upon brother Johann the title 'The Braveheart of Grivendal'." Said The Emperor while placing the necklace on me.
The attendees before me rose again and immediately applauded enthusiastically. I then walked beside David. He glanced at me again and I returned his gaze while smiling.
I shed tears because I felt like someone greatly valued on this planet, unlike my previous life where I was considered completely useless.