Not long after that, Gruzhnil entered through the stage door and walked toward the podium. He would deliver the report regarding this critical situation.
Gruzhnil immediately conveyed about the very unusual sky situation since yesterday. He had received reports from the Grivendal meteorological agency that black clouds had covered almost the entire planet and until now no signs indicating a storm had been found.
"For other planets we cannot yet confirm whether they are experiencing a similar event because interplanetary communication signals have suddenly weakened. The Graendall has conveyed this to the Priests. They are trying to contact the High Heaven authority and request assistance to further investigate this phenomenon that cannot be fully understood. Hopefully contact with the angels can still be maintained." said Gruzhnil.
The audiences there whispered among themselves which sounded like they were worrying about something. I also felt this natural phenomenon became very strange. Those black clouds didn't indicate any next weather condition. If the communication signal was disrupted, it meant the clouds aimed to trap this planet from any communication either into or out of the planet. But why did I again feel there was "something" deliberately doing this?
"Then I will convey the most important part of this report. We, The Graendall, feel very concerned about the tragedy that should not have occurred on this imperial anniversary day. However, this serious threat will not intimidate and weaken the knightly spirit of The Graendall at all. We have thoroughly investigated, found and punished the perpetrators who caused this terror with appropriate punishment..." said Gruzhnil in a loud tone.
Then Gruzhnil showed the situation of the main energy plant where the condition was very chaotic, fire everywhere because many military equipments were burned and even one Graghanturion was completely charred. Many guard soldiers around the main gate died due to fierce battles against those rebels. However Gruzhnil said this was still very fortunate because it didn't cause damage to the main machine.
At first, the elite troops deployed to the plant had conducted negotiations. However because there was no response, those troops finally launched an infiltration operation into the building.
"This infiltration operation ran smoothly to eliminate the rebels and free the surviving hostages because I myself assigned Sir Hellraider to descend into that battlefield. This was indeed outside the elite troops' command decision, but I wanted them to immediately receive their punishment!" said Gruzhnil.
The other officials whispered again regarding Gruzhnil's decision. I then glanced at Hellraider again. He remained focused forward without returning my glance.
I knew from his background story that Hellraider used to be a decorated elite special forces member. But I didn't expect that Gruzhnil assigned this mission coincidentally to him. I thought Hellraider was only focused on threats of monsters from the hell realm.
Gruzhnil then displayed the corpses of those rebels. They apparently used the same armor as the military order but had been painted black and blood red. Some who were suspected to be their leaders wore horns on their helmets. Why did I feel they imitated the hell knights I had seen there before? What was the meaning of the symbol they used?
"When we had eliminated all rebels and reached the Dreadstones deposit room, we regret to inform that all those stones were gone without a single one remaining. However on the wall of that room there was a large strange and quite terrifying symbol painting and it was suspected to be made from their own blood. When one of the rebels was still alive, we tried to ask where the Dreadstones were hidden. But that rebel only said 'Grivendal will be destroyed' and screamed like a madman..."
"...T-The very strange yet terrifying thing was suddenly both of his eyes turned b-blood red, both his ears and nose bled, his mouth also v-vomited blood and he finally died on the spot..." said Gruzhnil with a slightly trembling fearful tone.
"We have assigned a special investigation team to find out where the Dreadstones are hidden. Hopefully we can find them as soon as possible and they don't fall into the hands of other terrorists..." continued Gruzhnil.
An uneasy feeling in my chest appeared again. This truly exceeded what I had feared. It was true what Grelmure said, I should not have known about this. But now I already heard it. I'm really stubborn!
I saw on the screen displaying that strange symbol in the deposit room and felt familiar with it. Suddenly I remembered exactly where I had seen this symbol...
This was the same symbol on the foreheads of the hell servants I had encountered there...
Before my thought could continue, suddenly...
BBBBBAAAAAAAMMMMM...
A strong shock accompanied by a deafening loud explosion occurred very quickly causing all electricity to go out and our room became completely dark.
I fell from my seat, my head hit the side of the table and I groaned in pain. Instantly the atmosphere became chaotic with officials shouting at each other. Some started turning on emergency flashlights.
Suddenly my right arm was grabbed quite strongly and I was immediately lifted as if commanded to stand up. I saw a light from the right illuminating my face. When I glanced it turned out Hellraider was lifting my body and turning on flashlight through his armor.
My breath was panting while holding my still aching head, I couldn't say anything. I wanted to immediately know what had happened even if it might be the worst thing I would witness.
"CALMMM EVERYONE...!!!!!!" shouted Gruzhnil.
Moments later the electricity came back and the hall was bright again. A loud siren howled throughout the building. I saw Mendicore coming out from his portal.
"DANGEROUS...!!! This is very dangerous! I... I saw a large blazing light like a massive fire from the southwest area...!!!" said Mendicore in fear.
My eyes opened wide, my mouth gaped, my breath raced quickly. This... this was no longer a dream...
Monsters from the hell had arrived to Grivendal from an ancient portal whose seal was likely completely destroyed...
Instantly the officials shouted at Gruzhnil to make a decision quickly. Gruzhnil became angry and slammed the podium table.
"SILENCE...!!! I take command now...!!! First...! Immediately carry out a massive evacuation of Grivendal's citizens to the giant bunker in the north!!! Second...! Deploy all military forces to the source of the attack...! I will go there immediately... Execute my orders now...!!!!" shouted Gruzhnil.
They scattered out to coordinate evacuation of all civilians and mobilization of all combat forces.
I glanced at Hellraider. He looked very angry, his hands clenched tightly trembling, his teeth grinding and a low growl was heard. Hellraider truly wanted to face and destroy all those monsters as soon as possible.
Gruzhnil then ran toward us.
"I will go to the command center room to coordinate with the military base near the ancient portal area. Sir Hellraider and Grelmure will come with me to the near battlefield area. Johann, Sherubiel and Mendicore will remain at this headquarters!" said Gruzhnil firmly.
"Commander...!!! I'm sorry I don't agree with you this time!!! I want to go there with all of you!" I answered loudly.
"Johann...!!! This is my order...!!! Don't dare to disobey in a situation like this! Remember your position...!!!" shouted Gruzhnil.
"Then why did you allow me to join the infiltration mission before and now you change your mind?!?! Am I less valuable now compared to Sir Hellraider?! Remember, I once survived alone in realm of terror without anyone's help!!!" I replied bit harshly.
All this chain of tragedies slowly eroded my sanity until I no longer cared about manners and hierarchy rules.
"Because what is being attacked is our home planet, Johann...!!!! I must make quick and precise decisions at a time like this...!!! I don't want to lose all of you because of my wrong actions!!!" said Gruzhnil with a trembling voice as if about to cry.
I saw Gruzhnil also begin to waver. Then I glanced at Grelmure.
"Sir, tell him the content of my dream last night..." I said.
"What... What happened in Johann's dream??? Quickly tell me!" asked Gruzhnil.
Grelmure looked down, his teeth clenched again, his face looked like he wanted to cry and then he looked at Gruzhnil with teary eyes. Grelmure told my nightmare until he started sobbing.
I saw Gruzhnil's expression suddenly change horrified as if he couldn't believe all this. Meanwhile Hellraider breathed heavily while growling with his peak anger.
"No... Nooo impossible...!!! This has truly become reality...!!!" said Gruzhnil loudly while glaring at us and holding his head with both hands.
Suddenly we were startled by a loud bang and looked toward the source of the sound. It turned out Hellraider had just slammed the hall table with one hand. I saw the stone table immediately cracked greatly.
"I WILL NOT LOSE...!!!! TAKE ME THERE NOW...!!!" roared Hellraider echoing throughout the hall.
I had already guessed he would reject my dream completely.
"Sir, please calm down...!!! We will all face this! But you must not be reckless in responding immediately..." I pleaded to Hellraider.
Hellraider immediately approached me. He glared at me with great anger.
"You... doubt MEEEEEE?!?!?!" Barked Hellraider at me.
I instantly fell silent hearing it while continuing to look at his face. I knew exactly he was the main and strongest protagonist. But this was not a game simulation but reality. I could restart if he died in the game but now we all only had one life.
Gruzhnil then approached Hellraider. He held his right shoulder. Hellraider turned toward Gruzhnil with an angry expression.
"J-Johann is right, sir... We must observe the situation first before taking further action. We all including Johann truly believe that you can handle all of this..." said Gruzhnil trying to calm Hellraider.
His anger gradually faded and he became calmer again.
"Let us all go to my secret room..." said Gruzhnil.
The situation became controlled again. We walked out of the hall toward Gruzhnil's private room which I had visited before.
Yes... the hell realm invasion in Grivendal officially began, exactly like the storyline of the game and I must remain hopeful that all of this will pass.