"It seems that sharing the story is enough for tonight. What Mendicore said is more than enough for me. Perhaps another night we can tell stories like this again. Thank you very much, Mendicore." I said with a smile.
"You're welcome, Johann. Actually I still have several more things that I could tell. But it seems you already look tired of trying to understand more stories. Perhaps your decision to share stories gradually is the right one." said Mendicore.
"Haaaaa... then when will it be my turnnnn...??? I want to share my story toooo which is no less interesting than Mendicore's..." said Sherubiel with a slightly sulking tone.
"We still have plenty of time, Sherubiel. If your story is more interesting and must be told now, I would not be able to digest everything later." I said reassuringly.
Sherubiel only remained silent, nodding her head while closing her eyes and smiling faintly.
I left their room and returned to my own room to rest. I had already received information from Gruzhnil that we would return to the main planet tomorrow morning. When I arrived at the room, as I walked toward one of the beds, I saw Hellraider already lying on his bed with both palms placed under his head while closing his eyes.
He occupied the bed at the far corner and seemed still awake. I did not greet him and lay down on my bed, occasionally glancing toward Hellraider until I fell asleep.
The next morning we had breakfast together in the same large tent from yesterday. I saw Hellraider eating at the corner of a different row of tables from mine. He appeared to be sitting there alone.
Several soldiers sat keeping their distance from Hellraider, while the soldiers on my right and left sat normally close beside me. I felt sorry seeing Hellraider who from the outside was praised like a hero, yet they felt intimidated when sitting near him. Maybe they didn't want to talked about Hellraider as he near around them.
After finishing breakfast, all soldiers were asked to line up facing the stage and I stood in the front section. I did not see where Hellraider was standing in line. After that Gruzhnil and Tiberos went up onto the stage.
I saw their facial expressions as if there was no problem between them, different from what I had secretly witnessed last night. They seemed to behave as professionally as possible because they considered the conflict only between the two of them and they certainly had to maintain the image of the highest leaders of The Graendall.
Gruzhnil then delivered the closing speech of the military operation on planet Grohn which was also conveyed by Tiberos. After that Gruzhnil gave the highest appreciation to one person who brought this mission to great success. Gruzhnil then mentioned Hellraider's name.
From the western side the soldiers who were lined up immediately gave space for Hellraider who was walking toward the stage. All the soldiers there immediately cheered and shouted Hellraider's name again. Once again I saw Hellraider showing only his emotionless face before that sea of soldiers.
Not long after that we prepared to return to planet Grivendal. I boarded the same aircraft with Gruzhnil, Grelmure, Hellraider, Sherubiel and Mendicore. Grelmure sat beside me just like during the initial departure.
"Whooaaa... it seems you have gained new friends, Johann?! And they also look quite unique. Are they good people?" asked Grelmure joking again.
I actually knew that Gruzhnil had already told him about Mendicore and Sherubiel. Perhaps Grelmure only wanted to chat since yesterday I had not met him all day.
"Ooohhh... of course, Sir Grelmure. After meeting them you will like them. Especially the cute angel girl named Sherubiel. She is almost the same type as you." I said while chuckling.
"Hmphh... you are starting to dare teasing me Johann, forgetting that I'm also a high official of The Graendall." said Grelmure with a sly smile while briefly turning his face toward me.
Ahhh... that is indeed Grelmure. At first he only appeared innocent and naive, then he pretends to be an important person if I tease him back. I think he is someone I can rely on for joking around.
"Ohhh yes Sir Grelmure. You know that our troops previously managed to find dreadstones, were all those deposits taken or shared with planet Grohn?" I said trying to ease the atmosphere.
"Of course we took them all Johann. Because on our planet only we have the special facilities to process dreadstones into a very large and limitless energy source..." said Grelmure proudly.
Suddenly from the row of seats beside us, the high officers of The Graendall glanced at Grelmure with sharp looks. They seemed to warn Grelmure about what he had just said.
"Ehh... Uhh... Ohh dear... s-sorry Johann. I will retract what I just said earlier. Please don't ask about that matter again, alright!" said Grelmure softly but sounding panicked.
I then became silent again. Indeed that matter was absolutely the great secret of the empire. I began to feel somewhat suspicious of them. Had they not truly trusted me yet? Perhaps I had not officially sworn to become part of The Graendall yet so they did not tell me deeper matters. I wondered whether I should ask only Mendicore about this matter.
I remembered again the complicated story Mendicore told last night. I then questioned whether anyone within the authority of Grivendal actually knew the history of the three angelic entities who were the first beings in this universe.
If Grivendal had a close relationship with High Heaven because one of the archangels, Marsiel, granted power to the founder of the Grivendal empire, they should have historical records regarding the conflict between Ruciphar and his two brothers. Yet I did not find that record in the archive center I visited earlier.
Did that elder archivist know Mendicore's story but deliberately not tell me? Did the authority of Grivendal intentionally avoid publishing it in archival form regarding the history of the archangel conflict?
Once again, for the umpteenth time, I could only guess. I truly hoped I could discover the complete answer later.
Grelmure woke me up after I fell asleep during the return journey. After getting out of the aircraft, I was immediately greeted by the sight of that vast military complex. I wondered where Sherubiel and Mendicore would live here.
It seemed impossible that they would stay in the barracks building with me, let alone with Hellraider in his house. As I was thinking about that question, suddenly Gruzhnil and Grelmure approached me.
"Johann, I have coordinated with the people at headquarters that after this you, Mendicore and Sherubiel will live together in a house at the foot of the hill as well. The distance is somewhat far from Sir Hellraider's house. You will not need to trouble yourself monitoring them because it is still within the authority area of The Graendall. Grelmure will escort the three of you there." said Gruzhnil.
I was immediately happy hearing that. Not only could I get to know them more closely, I could freely talk and gather much information from Mendicore and Sherubiel.
Sherubiel and Mendicore then came to join us. Grelmure said they had already been informed earlier. I saw Sherubiel smiling brightly toward me.
"It seems my prediction was correct! We can finally live in the same place." said Mendicore happily as well.
After that Grelmure, Mendicore, Sherubiel and I went to the gokart and drove out of the military complex area. Grelmure said that Gruzhnil would visit us from time to time.
"I have never met an angel with a face as sweet as Sherubiel. I would like to get to know you better later as well. Will you allow it?" said Grelmure somewhat flirtatiously.
"Aaahhhh... don't praise me like that Sir Grelmure... I become very embarrassed..." said Sherubiel whose cheeks again turned red and she immediately covered her face with both hands.
We all laughed seeing the interaction between them. I had already guessed that Grelmure would behave like that toward Sherubiel.
"Have you ever met their race before, Sir Grelmure?" asked Mendicore.
"Eeehhh... honestly throughout my life I have never directly seen High Heaven angels descend to Grivendal again. I only know about them from history books. The last time they visited this planet was several hundred years ago, correct? Only the Priests can communicate with them in the central temple..." said Grelmure.
"Oh yes, I still don't know the reason Miss Sherubiel ended up stranded there. Perhaps later you can tell the story after we arrive there." continued Grelmure.
"I had been asleep for an unknown amount of time and was found by Johann together with Sherubiel. Honestly I also don't know whether they still come here. Johann seems curious about Sherubiel's past. We can listen to her story together." said Mendicore.
"I... actually feel a bit embarrassed to tell it. But because you have saved me and given me a place, I will be willing to tell it." said Sherubiel.
"There is no need to force yourself to tell everything, Sherubiel. If there are things that are your disgrace and you do not want to explain them clearly that is also fine." I said trying to calm her.
We finally arrived at the house provided for the three of us. The house was similar to Hellraider's. I looked around the hillside area. I could also see Hellraider's residence from afar to my left. I wondered whether Hellraider had already arrived at his house or was still with Gruzhnil.
We entered the house and saw several servants who were almost finished tidying everything. When we reached the living room, food had already been served in the center of the dining table. Grelmure invited all of us to eat first.
"For Mendicore, it seems doesn't need intake like this. What about you, Miss Sherubiel? Can you eat food like ours?" asked Grelmure.
"I already have my own energy source, do not worry. For angels sometimes they do not eat like humans but possess their own energy source from High Heaven." said Mendicore.
"Perhaps I can try tasting it first. I don't actually feel hungry right now." said Sherubiel.
We all sat in our chairs. Mendicore hovered above a chair. Grelmure and I began eating. Sherubiel started tasting one of the foods.
"How is it, Miss? Does our food suit your taste?" said Grelmure again showing his flirtatious attitude.
Sherubiel immediately blushed again and lowered her face upon hearing Grelmure's words.
"I... I like this food. Honestly... I have never tasted human food before and I immediately enjoy this for the first time... I am very grateful again to all of you who are willing to give me the chance to live side by side with you..." said Sherubiel smiling while her eyes looked watery.
"Ahhh this is nothing yet Miss Sherubiel. If Her Highness Glynpatra, the daughter of Emperor Gregustus, meets you for the first time, she will be very delighted and immediately ask you to stay with her in the palace." said Grelmure while laughing softly.
Once again Sherubiel's cheeks turned red and she covered her face again after hearing Grelmure's words.
I laughed again seeing the behavior of the two of them. But it indeed made sense that Glynpatra would be very happy with Sherubiel's presence. I could not wait to see them meet for the first time later.
After finishing the meal, suddenly the device in Grelmure's hand rang again indicating an incoming call. Grelmure immediately answered it and seemed serious listening through the earphone attached to his right ear. After receiving the call he let out a long sigh.
"It seems I cannot hear Miss Sherubiel's story later. Commander Gruzhnil asked me to come to headquarters again. Perhaps next time if there is another opportunity." said Grelmure.
We said farewell to Grelmure and asked him to visit us again another time, if possible together with Gruzhnil. I felt my life had regained color again with Sherubiel and Mendicore living together with me in the same house.
However on the other hand I felt that the truth about this universe was becoming closer and clearer with their presence.