I was in the hall that was still inside the coliseum. I sat quietly while only playing with the spoon in a bowl of light food that had been provided. I once again tried to force myself to digest all the sequence of events that I truly never expected to happen within such a short time.
I still did not understand why Commander Gruzhnil went so far in responding to Hellraider's words. I knew that he truly wanted to understand him. But this had almost cost him his life. What would happen to The Graendall and the Grivendal Empire if Gruzhnil had died?
Then what left me completely speechless regarding the military system and its government was that they openly supported Hellraider rather than Gruzhnil, who at that time was dying. Had they already grown dissatisfied with Gruzhnil's leadership? Had his kindness and authority become a thorn in their eyes?
I honestly did not know much about his personal life, even from the game's lore itself. Was it possible that Gruzhnil was hiding something from The Graendall that made them increasingly suspicious of him? Truly, both in my world and in this world, morality often appeared gray.
And lastly, why was it that when Hellraider was about to execute Gruzhnil, everything around me became extremely slow? Did the other spectators notice it as well? Why was Gruzhnil able to stand up and simply walk past Hellraider, and then time returned to normal?
I began to feel that Commander Gruzhnil seemed to carry a mystery within himself that would never appear in the lore or storyline of the game.
I actually wanted to ask him directly. Perhaps he could give an honest explanation, because I felt that I had already given my testimony and information about Hellraider truthfully as well. I would do so if I ever had the chance to meet him privately.
I looked around me and saw the soldiers seriously discussing the incident that had just happened, and they glanced toward me. I simply turned my gaze away, because ever since I left the stands and walked here, the soldiers had been looking at me with serious expressions whenever we passed one another.
All of this happened because Commander Gruzhnil, followed by Hellraider, had looked toward me. I was certain that Emperor Gregustus had also been watching me from the stage, and that Gruzhnil had already mentioned me to him. I only had to wait for the time when I would be summoned to face the emperor directly.
Suddenly, I was approached by a soldier who appeared to be a high-ranking Graendall officer.
"You are the one who has been speaking in the underground chamber for the past two days, right?" he said.
"That is correct, sir," I replied softly.
He sat beside me and introduced himself. His name was Grelmure; he was Commander Gruzhnil's personal aide. Honestly, I felt uncomfortable with how this high-ranking officer sat beside me as if I were a close companion. But from his expression and demeanor, he always seemed cheerful and optimistic, and he even reminded me of the late Navel.
"Oh right, I still don't know your name. I'm sure the commander doesn't know either, since he keeps calling you the foreign slave," he said with an innocent smile.
I introduced myself.
"Hmmm… your name is quite unique. Johann. I came here because the commander wishes to meet you. Come with me," he said as he stood up.
I nodded and followed him. Grelmure did not seem like a true frontline warrior of the military order. This actually relieved me, because I could not imagine him confronting Hellraider to avenge what had been done to his commander. The tragic fate that befell Navel still lingered in my mind.
"Hahaha… forgive me, Johann, for suddenly sitting beside you like that. But I'm not the type of person who demands constant respect. If I may let you know, the commander is the same way. He has even held gatherings several times, inviting lower-ranked soldiers," he said while glancing at me, smiling, and scratching the back of his head.
Ah… Grelmure truly seemed innocent. That information about Gruzhnil felt far too personal to me.
But it made me even more certain that some of them disliked Gruzhnil for being too kind and too open. In fact, in my opinion, he chose Grelmure as his right-hand man not because he was strong, but because he was honest and always full of positive hope.
Unfortunately, Grelmure never appeared in The Mayhem. Perhaps his character simply did not suit the game's dark and violent tone.
We continued climbing the stairs inside the coliseum building until we finally reached a door. When Grelmure and I entered, Commander Gruzhnil was inside, sitting on the edge of a bed, his body wrapped in many bandages, while several medical staff prepared his medicines.
"Commander, this is the person you met before, correct? His name is Johann," said Grelmure.
"Ah yes, how could I have forgotten to ask your name these past days. Nice to meet you, Johann," said Gruzhnil.
Honestly, I wanted to hug Gruzhnil's large body and cry while apologizing for my words that had led to this. But I held myself back, and tears began to flow from my eyes.
"I will allow your tears to fall only once. After that, wipe them away. To be honest, I do not like seeing a man cry," said Gruzhnil.
"S-sorry, Commander, for appearing so weak," I said as I quickly wiped my eyes. Gruzhnil merely smiled.
Grelmure and I sat on the chairs at the side of the room while watching the doctors treat Gruzhnil. After they finished, they left, and only the three of us remained.
"Johann, honestly, I wish to apologize deeply for you having to see me respond so recklessly to the words of the man in that cell. You must have been deeply shaken when you saw me fighting him, weren't you? But I want you to know this—the chivalric spirit of The Graendall does not recognize nor fear death," said Gruzhnil.
I could only nod. Grelmure still looked amazed by his superior's actions. Gruzhnil then explained that he himself had arranged the entire battle event. He believed this was the only way to prove that Hellraider was not a mere beast and that a fragment of humanity still remained within him.
He had not even invited Emperor Gregustus—the emperor himself insisted on witnessing the duel, saying he wished to learn more about both Hellraider and me.
"C-Commander, forgive me, but I want to ask something. When you were kneeling on the ground with a serious wound on your right shoulder, I saw your opponent begin to leap toward you with the intention of killing you. But I experienced a strange vision where everything became very slow, and you moved normally to avoid his attack. Did you realize this?" I asked, seeking confirmation of the strangest moment.
Gruzhnil fell silent for a moment upon hearing my explanation. Grelmure also looked confused, glancing back and forth between us.
"Johann… honestly, I did not feel what you saw. When he broke through my defense, I reacted instinctively and counterattacked, though fortunately he avoided it. I then realized that it contradicted my original purpose in facing him. That was why I became careless when he leapt toward me. I glanced upward and thought, for a moment, that this would be the end of my life—not on a battlefield, but in that arena. You must have thought I would die foolishly, didn't you? But remember this, Johann—I already consider that man my brother-in-arms. So if I had to die by his hand, I had already tried to prove that he still possessed reason."
He continued by describing the strangest sensation he experienced—his body rising and walking forward without his control, driven only by that thought. He realized what had happened only after he had already passed Hellraider.
Gruzhnil understood that Hellraider would counterattack immediately, so he intended to end it by disarming his sword. He also apologized again for both of them looking toward me, saying he never intended to make me the center of attention in the arena.
"Oh yes—do you know the name of the man who fought me? I am certain that you do," Gruzhnil asked curiously.
In truth, I was the only one who knew Hellraider's real name. But I did not want him to suffer again because of my carelessness. Even though Commander Gruzhnil was a man of great authority, I chose not to reveal Hellraider's true name yet.
I only said that he was not from my world, and that the demons called him Hellraider when I was still in hell. Grelmure's eyes widened and his mouth fell open when he heard the name.
"Whoooa… no wonder he could do this to me so easily! I realize now that we have encountered an extraordinary guest, unlike anything before! And you… I still cannot understand how someone like you could survive—and even interact with him—in the realm of terror..." said Gruzhnil seriously as he looked at me.
I fell silent again, unsure what to say. It was impossible to explain that all of this existed because The Mayhem had become reality. I feared they would think it was all nothing more than my delusion.
"Ah… no need to dwell on it, Johann. We are all equally confused by this," Gruzhnil said reassuringly. I felt deeply relieved.
"Sir, will I still be able to meet Lord Hellraider again?" I asked once more.
"Oh, of course. Starting tomorrow, you may meet and speak with him again. Let him rest and reflect after what he did today. We can only hope that something within him may change and that he will wish to communicate with you again," said Gruzhnil, ending our meeting for the day.
The next morning, I planned to meet Hellraider again. This time my room was not locked, allowing me to move freely within the coliseum. Still, I wanted plenty of rest after everything that had happened.
I walked toward the underground chamber, but a guard was stationed there. When I asked permission to meet Hellraider again, I was shocked to learn that he was no longer there.
Grelmure soon approached and apologized for not informing me earlier that Hellraider had been moved. I followed him, and to my surprise, Hellraider had been given a better room—though its door was still made of iron bars.
He appeared to have cleaned himself and now wore clothing similar to mine. I wondered when the last time Hellraider had bathed was. Did he even remember how to clean his own body? Surely they could not have bathed him directly, given his unstable emotions.
I approached the barred door. Hellraider, who had been sitting on his bed, sensed my presence and looked at me with a sharp gaze—but this time, there was no anger. He sniffed loudly and turned his face away from me.
"I am glad your condition is better now. I only came to check on you. I will not question you for now. But please allow me to visit you every day," I said.
Hellraider glanced at me again, breathing deeply and heavily.
"You… why do you still follow me…???" he asked, his deep voice restrained.
I smiled, closed my eyes briefly, and looked at his face.
"My answer is still the same, sir. I was stranded here as well. I only wish to help you," I said.
Hellraider showed a faint trace of anger again, snorted, and turned his back toward me.
"It seems there has been a little progress, Johann," Commander Gruzhnil's voice suddenly came from behind me. He was carrying a tray of breakfast and walked toward the bars.
"I brought your breakfast, sir. I already know your title from this boy, but for now, allow me to simply address you as 'sir,'" Gruzhnil said as he offered the tray.
I honestly thought Hellraider would not understand what Gruzhnil said.
But Hellraider stood up and took the tray. His hands trembled slightly as he accepted it. He then sat on the edge of the bed with his back to us and began eating.
I stepped aside—I did not want to watch Hellraider like an animal eating inside a cage. Gruzhnil, understanding my intention, followed me.
"Sir, while Hellraider was kept in the underground chamber, was he given food as well?" I asked.
"Of course, Johann. He was given the same meals as you. And he did eat them and finished them," Gruzhnil replied.
My heart felt relieved hearing that.
Commander Gruzhnil was truly the saving face of the harsh Graendall system.