I still didn't understand why Geriel had suddenly jumped straight to a statement like that. Geriel rarely communicated with me, and the way he spoke about that thing made it seem as though he could read my thoughts from afar. That would be dangerous for me later if he found out that my true mission was to help David change the tragic ending of his journey. Then why had he also concluded that David's action because of my doing? I had never directly ordered him to destroy all of them. I felt that David had become increasingly capable of making his own decisions without me telling him how he acted in the game.
"Johann, is what Lord Geriel said really true?" Sherubiel asked curiously.
"Sherubiel, look at what Sir David just did! Is that normal for an ordinary human? Even before I came here, I still didn't know how I managed to survive in the Realm of Terror. There must be something that cannot be explained by the logic of this world, and Geriel's statement will answer how all of this could happen." I replied.
"You are right. Lord Geriel is the entity closest to The Absolute One right now. However, my advice is that you should not rush to respond that. It would be better for us to help restore order here first, and only then think about our next step regarding on that." Mendicore said.
I nodded and turned my attention back to the rooftop of the tallest building. A shuttlecraft returned to pick David up and carried him toward the palace. I thought that perhaps he and Gruzhnil would first attend the Emperor's funeral. I asked Mendicore to create another portal there. After we stepped out of the portal, the shuttlecraft had just landed, and David immediately stepped out. I quickly approached him.
"Sir, I truly never imagined that you could do that to them! But you also lost one of your most powerful relics..."
"It's nothing..." he answered briefly.
Once again, I found myself speechless after hearing that. The incredibly powerful Grunginus Spear seemed to be something he was not concerned about at all. He also did not eager to retrieve it soon as that spear would continue hurtling endlessly across the cosmos. Gruzhnil then approached him and immediately knelt before David.
"My Great Lord David, Johann, and everyone else, let us first lay Emperor Gregustus to rest for the final time together..."
I simply nodded, and we walked into the palace. Gruzhnil then instructed one of the palace servants to treat my wounds from the duel by imperial doctor and provide me with proper attire before the emperor's funeral ceremony began. After changing my clothes, we proceeded to the main hall, where many people were already standing with their heads bowed in mourning. At the very front was Glynpatra, crying loudly as she embraced a coffin made of dark blue stone. Grishal and Grelmure were also there, both crying.
We all stood in line at the front, and Grishal began the ceremony of paying final respects to Gregustus. Grishal, Gruzhnil, and Glynpatra each delivered their final farewell. A funeral hymn began to play as the people before us knelt and bowed. Afterward, The Graendall soldiers carried the coffin out of the palace, followed by us and the other mourners. I saw the coffin placed upon a luxurious open-top funeral vehicle.
"Where will the late Emperor be laid to rest?" I asked.
"At the Imperial Family Cemetery, Johann. It's not far from here." Grelmure replied.
I rode in one of procession vehicles together with Grelmure. Upon arriving, I saw that the Imperial Family Cemetery resembled a beautiful garden. We arrived before a grand mausoleum colored dark blue and gold. The soldiers carrying the coffin entered together with Glynpatra, Gruzhnil, and Grishal. David, Grelmure, and I waited outside the entrance.
"This is also where the late Empress Glyresa was laid to rest. Commander once saying that the emperor had requested that when he died one day, he wished to be placed beside his wife's coffin." Grelmure said quietly. I simply nodded again.
The funeral ceremony was accompanied only by another funeral hymn, and after some time the people gradually left the cemetery grounds. I noticed that the sky had already begun to darken toward evening. Those inside the mausoleum eventually came out as well. Gruzhnil then approached us.
"I'm going to meet the soldiers who remain loyal to the empire and are still trying to handle everything after this great chaos. You may return to the palace with Princess Glynpatra..."
Gruzhnil then turned toward David again and knelt.
"My Great Lord David, would You accompany me? I sincerely hope for Your presence there, and allow me to take care of everything else."
David looked at him briefly before nodding once. Gruzhnil thanked him. After that, I returned to the palace together with the others. I thought that perhaps he wanted us to stay there to accompany Glynpatra in her grief.
During the journey, I thought about Gruzhnil's request to David. Maybe he wanted to show the defectors that David still stood on the empire's side. Everyone had witnessed how David defeated High Heaven's entire fleet with that way. That would create tremendous psychological pressure once they saw David standing before them in person.
We spent the evening accompanying Glynpatra as she occasionally cried softly. I didn't tell anyone about Geriel's message. I would wait for the right moment after all of this.
The following morning, Grelmure asked me to come to the main headquarters and was allowed to bring the others. To my surprise, Glynpatra wanted to come with us as well. Perhaps she did not want to remain consumed by grief. When we arrived, Grelmure led us into the main assembly hall. Inside, only three people were already present: David, Gruzhnil, and Grishal. Gruzhnil pleased to see us and we sit in the front row. Grishal then opened the meeting.
"After returning to the temple, I received a message from Archangel Geriel stating that High Heaven's affairs with Grivendal have come to an end and that there will be no further intervention upon us. All communication between them and us has now been completely severed. I know we nearly perished because of Geriel's proclamation regarding the purification ritual shortly after Emperor Gregustus murdered. I felt utterly powerless when I heard that judgment, but I'm deeply grateful because Great Lord David protected us all..."
"And regarding the final message delivered by Archangel Geriel, he has entrusted it to Brother Johann." Grishal pointed to me.
Everyone immediately turned to look at me. Sooner or later, they would inevitably learn what had truly happened between David and me. I stood up and walked to the front. I told them everything Geriel had said. Everyone except Mendicore and Sherubiel, looked shocked and confused. David appeared angry, perhaps because he felt he had been accused of doing all this because of my influence.
"So what happens if Johann eventually learns the secret of the universe??? Father will never come back! All of this chaos will never restore everything to the way it once was! He is only trying to lure you, Johann! You don't need to pay any attention to him! He was also the one who nearly caused all of us to perish if Lord David had not taken action!" Glynpatra said emotionally before breaking into tears. Sherubiel immediately comforted her. Gruzhnil then stepped forward.
"Yesterday, I received word that the other planets have severed contact with ours because of this disaster. I can hardly do anything anymore as the commander here. I failed to protect Princess Glynpatra's parents, and now I have failed to preserve the unity of this Empire. I still don't know what course of action I should take. However, allow me to express my opinion. I still place my hope in Johann and Great Lord David to restore all of this. Perhaps responding to His message could become the first step for all of us." Gruzhnil's tears streamed down his face and he sobbed. Grelmure immediately stood beside him.
I thought for a moment as I realized everyone was facing such a severe crisis. Gruzhnil's words were indeed true. I knew that the original storyline of The Mayhem was tragic. I had to make my decision carefully. I then walked toward Sherubiel and Mendicore.
"We are heading to High Heaven tomorrow. Prepare yourselves!"
"A-Alright, Johann..." Mendicore replied.
Suddenly David stood up and approached us. Oh... What was he going to do now?
"I'm going with you." he said firmly. Everyone fell silent once again. I turned around and looked at him seriously.
"Sir, you already know the last part of Geriel's message. I hope you will not do anything that will make me worry. This is our chance to uncover everything, including what has truly happened to the two of us all this time..." I warned him.
"I'll protect you." he replied again.
I simply let out a long sigh. I no longer wanted to think about what might happen if David were there. He should understand more than I did, considering he had already gone there first.
After the meeting ended, Gruzhnil allowed me to leave headquarters and return to the palace. He would continue handling the chaos across the planet. I said that I wanted to spend the night once again at my old house near the military base. Sherubiel and Mendicore also agreed with that plan. Unexpectedly, Glynpatra wanted to stay with us as well. We gladly welcomed her.
That night, I sat on the edge of the cliff overlooking the Capital, where parts of the city still lay in darkness. Mendicore then approached me.
"Are you certain that obtaining that answer will resolve all of these problems?" I asked.
"I cannot answer that certainly. There is also the matter of Ruciphar and the Realm of Terror. These problems are so immense that I no longer know what awaits us. So yes, it would be best for us to follow Lord Geriel's guidance first. We will travel there through the portal that can only be accessed via the altar in that field." Mendicore said. I fell silent again, hoping that nothing terrifying would happen there.
The next morning, the four of us traveled by aircraft to that place accompanied by the others. After arriving, Mendicore floated toward the altar that had once been used during Geriel's welcoming ceremony. Mendicore stood still, its body trembling, and suddenly a golden portal appeared, ready to take us there.
I said my farewells to everyone. Grishal gave me a blessing. Grelmure and Gruzhnil embraced me tightly until Grelmure broke into tears, begging me to return as soon as possible. Glynpatra gently held both of my cheeks while forcing a smile.
"I want to tell you this, Johann. I already consider you my own son. Therefore, be careful over there and come back here soon... to all of our home..." she said.
Tears immediately flowed from my eyes upon hearing those words. I clearly remembered how, when we first met, she had immediately reminded me of my late mother. I embraced her while sobbing because at last she truly saw me as family.
"I will keep that promise, Princess Glynpatra..."
They waved goodbye to the four of us. Mendicore, Sherubiel, and David entered first. I waved back to them as well before finally walking into the portal.