I am still digesting and trying to understand the entire chain of events that is happening right now.
What does it mean that the disaster which occurred in my world is now happening again in Grivendal? Why does it feel as if I bring "misfortune" to every world I enter? Can Grivendal truly handle something like this thoroughly without causing the fall of many innocent lives?
Perhaps I'm felt confident, because unlike my world, The Graendall has once experienced such a calamity in the past and even resolved to eradicate it by launching expeditions into the realm of terror.
Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder, and when I looked back, it was the barracks chief.
"Sir Grelmure is waiting for you in the lobby near the entrance," said the barracks chief.
I became very curious, had the preparations that were supposed to be for the next expedition now turned into a sudden defense and infiltration operation? What would I do later? What about Hellraider's role? I felt it would be impossible not to involve him in this operation.
I met Grelmure, his face looked slightly tense, but I knew he was trying to remain calm in front of me, as if he already knew that I would be part of this matter.
"Johann, I have received an order from Commander Gruzhnil to immediately join the emergency meeting at headquarters," said Grelmure.
I had already guessed it. This would be my first expedition with Hellraider in Grivendal to destroy the portal on Planet Grohn.
I arrived at the room that had once been used for Hellraider and me to receive material about Grivendal at the very beginning. I also saw Commander Gruzhnil, just as I had predicted, already there with Hellraider.
I sat in the very front row together with Grelmure and Hellraider. Commander Gruzhnil then stepped onto the front stage to deliver the directive regarding the military reinforcement plan for Planet Grohn.
Gruzhnil stated that he had coordinated with Emperor Gregustus that the fleet deployment from The Graendall's central planet would be carried out tomorrow night, so starting now all preparations must be executed.
Then Gruzhnil explained further that currently The Graendall of Planet Grohn had formed a defensive perimeter around the central energy plant. They were only eliminating the monsters that emerged from the portal.
However, the number of those monsters appeared to be increasing, so they requested immediate reinforcement from the central planet. Meanwhile, on the other planets and here as well, a similar strategy had been implemented, namely establishing a perimeter around the central energy facilities to anticipate if portals from the realm of terror were to form there.
At present, the fleet logistics preparations were underway, and next would be the determination of the troops to be sent there. In accordance with the expedition strategy guidelines for the realm of terror that had been established, three-quarters of the total elite forces on this planet would be deployed to the portal on Planet Grohn.
For logistics, it would be handled by The Graendall of that planet, yet Gruzhnil would still send additional support there. He had already ordered the logistics unit commander to prepare immediately. After this, a briefing would be conducted for all elite troops who would be deployed.
Almost all the high officials left. Commander Gruzhnil approached us and told us to remain here.
"Will you and Sir Grelmure be going there?" I asked.
"Wooowww… It seems you already know and are enthusiastic as well, Johann?! Of course we will join there! But only I will enter the portal later," said Gruzhnil.
I was pleased to hear that Gruzhnil would fight in the realm of terror later. I could not wait to witness his action. I imagined an epic sight where Gruzhnil and Hellraider stood side by side in that hellish realm while exterminating hordes of monsters.
Not long after, The Graendall elite forces began entering and filling the hall. One of the commanders leading the elite forces stepped onto the stage and began giving instructions regarding the infiltration strategy into the portal.
He said he could not yet determine what the realm of terror inside Planet Grohn's portal would be like. He had predicted that what lay within might be something entirely new compared to all previous expedition records.
The elite commander stated that this sudden and unprecedented event posed a unique challenge in which The Graendall had to prepare more quickly yet more thoroughly compared to ordinary expedition preparations.
In the last expedition, The Graendall had conducted it in a short time because the objective shifted into rescuing two stranded outsiders in the realm of terror, none other than Hellraider and me. However, as time passed, Hellraider and I had the potential to play significant roles in strengthening the forces that would infiltrate the portal of Planet Grohn.
"In the past, we had to retreat back to the Grivendal world portal if expedition casualties exceeded one-third, or if logistics were depleted due to relentless monster attacks in the realm of terror. However, with your presence here, especially Sir Hellraider, I hope this operation can permanently destroy that portal," said Gruzhnil in between explanations.
The elite commander then briefly explained to Hellraider and me in broad terms the conditions of the realm of terror and what kinds of monsters might be encountered. I already knew all the monsters displayed from what I had seen firsthand there.
I didn't think I need to share my knowledge because it seemed their explanation was enough.
Perhaps for Hellraider this information was entirely unnecessary, as throughout his life he had been deeply bound to that realm.
He said that after this, equipment and weaponry would be prepared immediately for all soldiers assigned, including Hellraider and me. I hoped I would not be burdened with excessive gear.
"May the Archangel Marsiel grant us strength and protection during this operation," the commander concluded.
Gruzhnil immediately brought Hellraider, Grelmure, and me to his office. I wondered what he intended to do there. Would we discuss strategy in greater detail privately? When would Hellraider and I receive our equipment?
Upon arriving in his office, Gruzhnil went to the wall behind his desk. He placed his hand inside the mouth of a golden lion statue that I had thought was merely decoration. Suddenly, the wall opened, revealing what appeared to be a lift—more precisely, Gruzhnil's private lift.
"Sir Hellraider, come with me. Grelmure and Johann will follow once we arrive," said Gruzhnil.
Hellraider entered the lift with Gruzhnil and the door closed. I grew very curious about where we were being taken.
"Sir Grelmure, where are we actually going?" I asked with a confused expression.
"Ooohhh… we will see soon, and you will surely like it," said Grelmure in a slightly teasing tone.
For some reason lately, as Grelmure grew closer to me, he became braver in joking with me. At first, he seemed open and innocent in my eyes. Did he think I could not be angry and intimidating like Hellraider?
Perhaps if Grelmure were assigned to accompany Hellraider instead, he would constantly feel intimidated beside him.
A sound from the lift indicated that we could enter. Grelmure and I stepped inside, and he pressed a button that seemed to indicate we were heading to the basement. I was certain Grelmure already knew what was inside. Soon the lift stopped descending and the doors opened. My eyes widened and my mouth slightly gaped at what I saw in that room.
It appeared to be Commander Gruzhnil's personal equipment chamber. At the front of the room, I saw three display cabinets containing a full-body armor set, a massive hammer, and a large shield.
Ohhh… I remembered, that was Commander Gruzhnil's famous battle armor known as the "Warhammer of Judgement." The massive hammer, powered by Starstone energy, which normally required two arms to wield, could be controlled by Gruzhnil with only one arm. And the shield, sturdy and seemingly unmatched in defense, bore the symbol of a Groth's face.
"Johann, I have prepared equipment for you. You may look at it first on the right side of the room. After that, quickly change into it. Grelmure will assist you," said Gruzhnil.
Grelmure and I moved to the right side, where there was a smaller room. There was combat attire for me, similar to what Graendall soldiers generally wore but with differences in several parts. Both upper arms were covered by armor plates, unlike some other soldiers whose those part were exposed. On the left shoulder hung a blue cloth drape extending to the left waist. On the side table were a pistol and five grenades of mixed types, explosive and flashbang. The equipment resembled what I had once received in my country's army.
I put on the equipment with Grelmure's help. After wearing it, I felt as if I had become part of The Graendall.
"Wow… you look fitting in that attire!!! Perhaps after this you can officially take the oath as a Graendall soldier…" Grelmure said, smiling and still teasing me.
"Isn't it only natives of Grivendal who are allowed to join?" I replied, trying to break his joke.
"Naahhh… it would be easy for Commander Gruzhnil to approve you as one of us, Johann. Pay no heed to those rumors among the high officials," said Grelmure.
We returned to the main room. Hellraider was already wearing elite Graendall armor with his red cloak. I was not surprised he was given such equipment. However, Hellraider chose to remove the armor plates on both upper arms, just like Commander Gruzhnil.
I remembered that in the newer sequel version of The Mayhem, Hellraider also displayed his large, muscular arms.
I was actually curious why the developers designed Hellraider's appearance like that. If armor fundamentally protects the entire body from fatal injury, then every part should be protected without exception.
Perhaps the developers intended to emphasize Hellraider's masculinity and that of The Graendall soldiers, aligning with the game's target audience of young adult males. I had already experienced how Hellraider's body felt as hard as steel so it actually didn't matter to not covered that part of arms.
Grelmure and I wore full armor covering our entire bodies except head.
"So actually I have prepared the equipment for both of you myself to make things faster. After this we will head directly to the airbase," said Gruzhnil.
The four of us left headquarters and rode a gokart toward The Graendall installation complex. The sky was already showing dawn. For the first time, I had not slept the entire night, yet I did not feel drowsy; instead I was very enthusiastic about this military operation. Earlier, several soldiers had come to Gruzhnil's office to deliver his armor and weapons.
From afar, I saw many shuttlecraft moving through the sky. The airbase was already crowded with soldiers preparing the fleet.
We arrived at one of the ships that would carry us to Planet Grohn. Commander Gruzhnil asked Hellraider and me to board first for a final briefing on this planet. I sat in the front right row and Hellraider on the left. I did not attempt to start a conversation, and he looked out the window with his arms crossed.
I began thinking again about the possibilities awaiting inside that portal. I should be far safer than when I had been stranded alone in the realm of terror. I wondered again about Banasphate. Might I meet him again?
Soon Gruzhnil, Grelmure, and several soldiers boarded and took their seats. The ship then lifted off and headed toward the atmosphere. I knew Graendall ships could travel directly into space without rocket engines. The power of Starstone energy was truly different from any fuel in my world.
I looked out the window, mesmerized by the sight of space, truly feeling like an astronaut. Planet Grivendal resembled Earth, except with less ocean. Behind us, I could also see the fleet of other Graendall ships.
Grelmure said Planet Grohn was close to the main planet, so it would not take long.
"Why does The Graendall not build interplanetary portals?" I asked.
"A good question, Johann. The answer is that constructing such portals requires far greater Starstone energy, meaning more mining, which would reduce deposits faster. Emperor Gregustus and his predecessors rejected it. Using Starstones as ship fuel is more efficient than activating portals. And now with a portal from the realm of terror having opened, the risks are far greater," Gruzhnil answered directly.
I supposed that makes sense. Hell invaded the otherworldly realm by suddenly opening its portals. It seems they already understood this from the history of invasions that occurred thousands of years ago.
I remembered that Princess Glynpatra was supposed to join the expedition into the realm of terror, based on the game's storyline. But until we left Grivendal, I hadn't seen Glynpatra preparing for her participation.
"Commander, isn't Princess Glynpatra participating in this infiltration operation? Isn't she the best archer in all of Grivendal?" I asked.
"Of course not, Johann. She is the only child of Emperor Gregustus. Even if she possesses long-range combat skills, I don't think her father would approve of a mission like this," Gruzhnil replied.
I nodded and returned to enjoying the view of space. Honestly, I feel like she'd wanted to see some cool action from Hellraider later.
After some time, another planet appeared—Planet Grohn. Its atmosphere seemed slightly greenish. The ship entered its atmosphere, and soon I could see the landscape.
Planet Grohn's geography was dominated by rocky mountains, contrasting with Grivendal's forests and green fields. The ship landed at the central military complex. The sky indeed had a greenish hue.
Commander Gruzhnil immediately met someone who appeared to be another high commander. I heard their conversation and learned he was Commander Tiberos, whom Princess Glynpatra had mentioned regarding her mother's tragic fate. He had light brown long hair with matching mustache and beard.
Commander Tiberos approached and shook my hand while introducing himself, then greeted Grelmure. But when facing Hellraider, he did not extend his hand and merely bowed slightly. Hellraider responded with a single nod. Perhaps Tiberos felt a slight hesitation meeting him for the first time.
I suddenly remembered something—why was Hellraider not wearing his helmet? In The Mayhem gameplay, he wore it almost all the time. For some reason, I approached him to ask directly.
"Why are you not wearing your protective helmet, Sir Hellraider?" I asked.
"That's just for the pansies…" Hellraider replied bluntly.
I was very shocked to hear his answer.