The next morning, Grelmure, Gruzhnil, and I had breakfast on the balcony of the hotel's dining area. Even though this planet was almost entirely covered in snow, fortunately the sky was clear with the sun shining, so it didn't feel too freezing. Even so, I wore the warm clothes that had been provided. I was still haunted by what had happened the previous night. How could I have forgotten to tell David during that dinner time? Why was I instead busy speculating about David's nature as he slowly became a normal human being?
What I could not stop thinking about was that he was willing to go to the palace and central headquarters by himself. Why didn't David ask Sherubiel and Mendicore first, considering that David, when he was still Hellraider, had already known them? Was he still keeping his distance from them? They were no longer afraid of his presence now, even though David possessed tremendous power.
"Did Sir David really go directly to the palace and headquarters by himself, Commander? Or was He accompanied by someone else?"
"Great Lord David truly came alone, Johann. From the report I received, He went to the headquarters first. The guard on duty at the post at that time saw someone descending from the sky into the headquarters courtyard while holding a red spear, which I think was His Grunginus Spear. The guard was so shocked that he became frightened, but he tried to find an officer inside the headquarters. When the officer wanted to explain where we had gone to Lord David, it seemed that He had already flown away again and left the headquarters..."
"Then I received another report from the palace that the guards there saw Lord David descend right at the palace's main entrance and ask something similar. Once again, they could only remain silent. Fortunately, Emperor Gregustus happened to be passing by, and when he saw Lord David suddenly appear at the palace, he immediately approached Him and answered that Johann had probably gone on a work trip with me. However, what was quite tense was that Lord David didn't seem to accept that answer, and the Emperor became panicked. He immediately ordered his guards to bring him his communication device, contacted me, and I told him that you were fine. After that, without saying another word, He immediately flew away, probably to return home. I have already asked the headquarters not to spread news of this incident." Gruzhnil explained at length.
After hearing the whole story, I felt even worse. Why had David done something like that to the point that it nearly caused panic throughout the entire authority? But I could not completely criticize David's actions because it was my own trivial mistake of forgetting to tell him that I would be gone for several days. I had to face David and apologize to him.
"Johann... Johann... How could you forget to tell Him that? Did you think Commander Gruzhnil had to inform Lord David every single time you were going away?! hahahaaaa..." Said Grelmure.
"Yesss... yesss... It was my fault. Besides, I actually wanted to tell him when I visited Sir David's house. But suddenly Emperor Gregustus and Princess Glynpatra were talking with him. I became confused and kept wondering to myself, so what I had wanted to say earlier was forgotten." I said, trying to defend myself.
"Yes, perhaps this is what has been making you feel strange all this time. But believe me, Johann, there is nothing you need to worry about regarding the situation of this empire. I have known Tiberos for a long time, so there is nothing going on between them." Gruzhnil said, trying to reassure me.
I simply smiled. However, that strange feeling would never completely disappear considering Gruzhnil's behavior around Tiberos lately had seemed odd compared to what he was saying now.
After breakfast, Gruzhnil invited us to another meeting in the hotel's main hall together with the high commanders and other officers. Gruzhnil and Tiberos stepped onto the stage and delivered speeches to appreciate the participation of all The Graendall knights who had willingly helped restore Planet Grivendal without expecting anything in return.
"And as the grand finale of this journey, we will all return to Planet Grivendal to present the highest appreciation to The Great Lord David, who contributed the most in winning the war against the monsters from the Realm of Terror!" declared Tiberos.
Everyone present immediately applauded enthusiastically. I wondered what other form of appreciation they intended to give David. Wasn't his temple-like house and throne already more than enough? Would David accept another form of recognition? It seemed he would quietly accept it and then perhaps not pay much attention to it.
After the meeting ended, we immediately departed for Planet Grivendal by first heading to the military airbase to board a military aircraft. During the journey through space, I suddenly remembered a small detail I had observed all this time. I asked Gruzhnil, who was sitting beside me.
"Commander, are all the inhabitants on each planet the original inhabitants from ancient times?"
"Of course not, Johann. Perhaps you forgot a certain part of Grivendal's history, where after rapid technological advancement and the successful creation of spacecraft, the former Emperor sent researchers to several planets to find Starstone deposits. Then, once those six planets were proven to contain Starstones and were suitable for long-term habitation, some of the population was ordered to migrate to those planets to mine Starstones, and their populations have grown over these hundreds of years. So actually, they are all originally from Planet Grivendal." Gruzhnil explained. I nodded because my previous assumption had been correct.
"Does the Commander know what Commander Tiberos is going to give Lord David?" I asked quietly.
"Hahahahaaa... You really are curious, aren't you! I won't tell you because it will be different from that temple." he said enthusiastically.
I fell silent and didn't ask any further. Gruzhnil and Grelmure often liked to surprise me. I didn't feel looked down upon because I was merely an outsider who was very fortunate to be close to figures as important as them.
After flying through space for quite some time, we entered Planet Grivendal's atmosphere and landed once again at the airbase. When I stepped out, many soldiers and officers were already welcoming us enthusiastically. Tiberos and the five high commanders immediately greeted them and led us all toward a row of tactical combat vehicles whose roofs had once again been modified. But suddenly, Gruzhnil separated himself and invited Grelmure and me into a single go-kart. Why was Gruzhnil doing this?
"We are going to pick up The Great Lord David first! Then we will go to the place Tiberos mentioned..." said Gruzhnil.
Ohhh... Why had I been thinking so far ahead when the reason was that simple? I really did tend to assume the worst. Of course, only Gruzhnil could bring David to attend this event. However, I felt uneasy about meeting him later. He would surely look at me and say something that would make me feel guilty for forgetting to inform him. But then I remembered my past with him when he was still Hellraider, when he often threatened me physically. So if now he merely expressed his annoyance through words, I thought that would be fine.
A little while later, we arrived, and the sight of people praying in front of his house had already become normal to me. When we entered, David was sitting on his throne, petting his cat. He immediately looked at us and sharpened his gaze toward me. My heart pounded and I swallowed hard. David placed the cat on the floor, stood up, and walked toward me. Gruzhnil and Grelmure simply watched David and me, as though they knew I had to explain things directly to him.
David stood very close in front of me, making it seem as though we were almost embracing. I immediately remembered the first time I woke up after the war and met David on the palace balcony. Was he going to call me 'suckerfish' again?
"Forgot or intentional?" he said flatly.
My mind immediately went blank for a moment, and my body froze again while I continued looking up and maintaining eye contact with him.
"I... I-I'm sorry... p-please forgive me, Sir David... I-I didn't mean to... I-I r-really f-forgot to tell you during that dinner with you..." I stammered.
"Take care yourself..." David continued.
I stared blankly after hearing that response. I thought he was going to scold me again. David truly was someone whose behavior I could never predict. He then looked toward Gruzhnil.
"Oh... Great Lord David... We came here to escort you because The Graendall Military Order from all the planets wishes to present its highest appreciation to You in the capital city center. Let us go there now, My Lord."
David merely nodded once and walked out of his house, followed by all of us. Once everyone was seated in the go-kart, Gruzhnil drove toward the destination. The weather was clear, and as time passed, I saw more and more people walking in the same direction as us. Just like on the other planets, the general public seemed enthusiastic about this event. When we arrived, I was surprised to find that it resembled a public festival from before.
We got out and followed Gruzhnil on foot. The people around us immediately bowed in respect, probably for David. Once again, although it felt somewhat uncomfortable, I simply let it happen. After walking for quite some time, we arrived at a certain place where there stood a large and tall object completely covered by a dark blue cloth. Oh, was this what The Graendall intended to give David?
Emperor Gregustus and Princess Glynpatra were already present there as well. The Princess immediately approached me with great excitement.
"Your Highness! You were the one who proposed this idea again, weren't you?!"
"Hahahahaaa... You still remember, Johann! Of course! I made sure that Lord David's award would also be enjoyed by the people of Grivendal through this."
I smiled upon hearing that. Tiberos then came over to us. The Emperor immediately faced him.
"Thank you very much for all your assistance, Tiberos. I apologize that I could not come and witness all of this. But I'm sure all of you have good intentions in rebuilding this planet's strength."
"That is not a problem, Emperor. I have already said that we were unable to help Your planet when the great invasion occurred. This is our form of responsibility afterward."
The Emperor smiled broadly and patted Tiberos's left shoulder several times. Seeing that, I felt happy again that Tiberos and Gregustus truly didn't seem to have any issues with one another. Perhaps my suspicions toward Tiberos could finally disappear completely.
Not long afterward, the award ceremony for David began. A sea of people had already gathered around the monument still covered by the cloth. The Emperor and Tiberos delivered speeches that were more or less the same, expressing gratitude for Grivendal's security, thanking The Graendall from the other planets who had willingly helped, and praising David as the primary protector of this empire. The Emperor and Tiberos grasped the cloth and prepared to pull it away. David stood facing them with his arms crossed.
"And thus arrives the honoring of The Great Lord David through the erection of this monument!" Tiberos proclaimed loudly.
When the cloth was completely removed, I could clearly see before me a golden statue heighted several dozens meter depicting David driving the Grunginus Spear through the head of the Demon King Azkerath. The spear itself was colored red. The entire crowd immediately knelt before the statue. The Emperor, Glynpatra, and the commanders merely bowed before it.
I saw David continue observing the statue of himself without showing any expression whatsoever.