"C-Congratulations, Lord David, on the birth of your second child! I'm sure you wish you could be there holding your baby right now, don't you, My Lord?" Gruzhnil smiled brightly.
"When will it be your turn?"
"Uh... well... perhaps after all of this is over and Grivendal has become stable again, I'll think about that, My Lord." Gruzhnil replied bashfully, scratching the back of his head.
David merely gave a faint grin.
The following day, while they were observing the official commencement of construction on The Graendall's colossal fleet flagship, Gruzhnil suddenly received information from the Central Data and Information Center that the commanders of all the planets that had previously seceded wished to meet him that very day. He was overjoyed and immediately instructed everyone to prepare a proper reception for his former comrades-in-arms. Gruzhnil also informed Glynpatra, who was supervising reconstruction in another city, and she was equally delighted upon hearing the news.
By noon, the shuttlecraft arrived at the main base. Gruzhnil and Glynpatra warmly welcomed their brothers-in-arms, and emotional tears broke out among the high-ranking commanders. Gruzhnil noticed that Planet Grohn's High Commander was no longer his former close associate, Tiberos, the mastermind behind the previous chaos.
They all proceeded to the main headquarters to formally express their deepest apologies to Grivendal's central authority for their betrayal and secession after the great civil conflict.
"At that time, we were confident that each of us could build our own independent governments. But our greatest mistake was that we lacked the resources to start from the beginning. Many of us also clashed over what kind of new government should be established, which hindered economic recovery and created instability within our systems. Our people gradually lost faith, and that could have led to another conflict like before. When we saw Planet Grivendal recover and rise again so quickly, we realized that Grivendal had always been the rightful central authority. Therefore, we wish to return to the Grivendal Empire and humbly ask Commander Gruzhnil and Empress Glynpatra to help restore the condition of our planets..." said the High Commander of Planet Grohn before the military leaders and imperial officials.
Glynpatra and Gruzhnil immediately stepped onto the auditorium stage and embraced each of the high commanders once again.
"I'd like to say something. I haven't yet been officially crowned as the next Empress of Grivendal to succeed my late father. However, I'm deeply touched and grateful that all of you have chosen to trust us once again. We, the Planet of Grivendal, proudly welcome all of you back into the embrace of the Grivendal Empire. Together, we'll rebuild everything as it once was. I'll listen to the aspirations of every one of you and govern fairly toward every planet. On behalf of the reunited Grivendal Empire, we express our deepest gratitude to Great Lord David for all that You have done for us..." Glynpatra declared.
Everyone in the auditorium immediately stood and bowed toward David, who remained seated in the front row. He simply watched in silence.
After signing the treaty officially returning the planets to the Empire, they held a grand banquet at the palace. While David was eating lunch, Gruzhnil approached him together with the high commanders of the other planets.
"Oh, Great Lord David... Forgive us for disturbing your meal! We simply wish to ask for your permission. May each of our planets receive the Element of Desire as well?" asked the High Commander of Planet Grohn.
"Yes. One for each first." he continued eating.
They immediately knelt once again and sincerely thanked David for granting them permission.
That evening, the coronation ceremony of Grivendal's Empress was held for Glynpatra. The palace grounds were filled with citizens, and the ceremony was broadcast live throughout every region and planet. During the coronation, Grishal placed the golden branch crown upon Glynpatra's head while David stood beside her.
"From this day onward, the Grivendal Empire shall be led by Her Majesty Glynpatra. May the Grivendal Empire prosper forever!" Grishal proclaimed.
Glynpatra then sat upon the imperial throne that had existed since the founding of the Empire. Everyone except David immediately knelt and bowed before their new Empress.
The following day, more Elements of Desire were produced and distributed to the primary power generators on the other planets. In return, all of them joined together to assist Grivendal in constructing the colossal fleet flagship. Mendicore and the former research team finally succeeded in creating an interplanetary portal that could be used whenever the central government needed to travel quickly to another planet. Sherubiel also succeeded in inventing a machine capable of healing any kind of injury using nothing more than a single strand of hair.
"Actually, I'd like this device to be used only in truly urgent situations. Treatment by medics should always remain the first and most important option." Sherubiel said. Glynpatra completely agreed and instructed the Grivendal Ministry of Health to pay close attention to that principle.
David and the others then traveled to the Grivendal Space Agency. Glynpatra explained that, ever since ancient times, the Grivendal Empire had dreamed of expanding to other outer space.
"I want to continue that vision. But this time, I want to change its form. We'll send warm video greetings representing Grivendal to as many other solar systems as we possibly can. This video was actually created by my late mother. I want to build alliances so that any civilization receiving our message will be more willing to accept us." Glynpatra explained.
The Grivendal Space Agency, together with Mendicore, then attempted to reach more distant star systems through long-range transmissions, sending the video whenever they received a response. To everyone's surprise, countless signals began arriving in Grivendal—not only from neighboring star systems, but from nearly an entire galaxy. As Mendicore worked to decrypt the messages, since every civilization used a different language, most of them turned out to be welcoming Grivendal's existence and expressing their desire to establish contact in the near future.
Gruzhnil and Glynpatra were overjoyed by the news. Mendicore planned to create a universal translation device to make communication easier both over the network and during their future direct meetings.
Gruzhnil then approached David in one occasion.
"My Lord, will You be leaving for High Heaven soon? You can continue Your journey. Empress Glynpatra and I will continue this mission ourselves. What we've gained during our journey with You is already enough to guide our leadership in the future."
David then took out his compass and watched its needle move toward a certain direction. He remained silent for a moment before looking back at Gruzhnil.
"Once you're ready to carry out the mission, I'll leave..."
Gruzhnil smiled and thanked him.
Several months passed, and The Graendall's colossal flagship was finally completed thanks to the hard work and assistance of workers from every planet within the Grivendal Empire. The economy also steadily recovered under Empress Glynpatra's policies, as she strove to represent the aspirations of the people on every planet. Mendicore likewise completed the communication device together with the Research Center in preparation for establishing the alliance. David then summoned Mendicore.
"Have you found a way to High Heaven yet?"
"I still haven't found a shortcut there, My Lord. They've completely sealed every possible route. I also can't communicate with any of the angels there."
"Can you try opening a portal there?" David asked again.
"I can begin opening one, but they'll do everything they can to keep it closed, My Lord."
"Try it later! I'll handle the rest."
Mendicore fell silent, trying to understand what David meant by those words. However, Mendicore asked nothing further and simply replied that it would do its best.
That afternoon, David stared alone at the golden statue of himself impaling the Demon King Azkerath's head with his Grunginus in city center. David wondered if he would ever get his spear back. Suddenly, he sensed someone approaching him. Turning around, it was gigantic black lion.
"My Lord, I am deeply grateful for Your help in restoring this civilization..." Greslan bowed.
"I know Your true goal right now is to find the one closest to You, The Lord-Over-the-Cosmos. I am sure You can find Him, my Lord." he continued.
David simply nodded. Greslan nodded back and then left.
The following day, David, Mendicore, and Sherubiel were escorted by the others to the wide field where the platform and altar stood once again. David had already checked his compass, and its needle indeed pointed there. Upon arriving, he ordered Mendicore to begin opening a portal to High Heaven.
As Mendicore started opening it, the portal remained stuck at only a small size, exactly as it had predicted. Mendicore exerted even more effort to force it open against the resistance. Its disc-shaped body began trembling, and sparks of electricity burst from it. Sherubiel and the others grew worried as they watched Mendicore's struggle.
David immediately stepped forward toward the portal. Using both hands, he pulled it apart until it fully opened. The others stared in amazement at David's feat.
"Please bring Johann back to us, My Lord! I really miss him!" Grelmure pleaded.
They all then thanked David for everything he had done to restore and advance the Grivendal Empire. After Mendicore and Sherubiel said their farewells and promised they would return after rescuing Johann, Glynpatra suddenly stepped forward toward David, who was about to enter the portal first.
David stopped and looked at the Empress as they stood face to face. Glynpatra's cheeks were visibly flushed.
"Lord David... I-I want to tell You something I've been keeping in my heart all this time. T-The first time I saw You here, I-I was immediately drawn to You. I-I thought You h-had only come here together with J-Johann. B-But after I w-went to Your world, I realized that You already have a f-family whom You deeply love. P-Please forgive me if I've b-been disrespectful toward You, L-Lord David. I-I actually f-fell in l-love with You... and dreamed of becoming Y-Your partner. N-Now... I've finally let go of my feelings for You, My L-Lord..."
David quietly looked at Glynpatra for a moment. Then he stepped closer and gently kissed her on the forehead.
Glynpatra's cheeks immediately turned bright red. She smiled as she closed her eyes for a brief moment. Everyone who witnessed the scene was deeply moved.
David then turned around and entered the portal, followed by Mendicore and Sherubiel.
***
The Grivendal Empire then began its mission of forming alliances with civilizations in other star systems using the colossal flagship under Gruzhnil's command. They carried out the mission gradually but steadily. Throughout the expedition, Gruzhnil encountered countless civilizations with vastly different physical forms, cultures, economies, and social structures. Once a cooperation treaty had been established, The Graendall would construct an interplanetary portal as a symbol of the alliance.
Gruzhnil was later appointed Supreme Commander of the Grivendal Galactic Alliance by Glynpatra. Grelmure was promoted to High Commander of Planet Grivendal, succeeding Gruzhnil. In addition, both Gruzhnil and Grelmure finally found the women they loved and would soon be married. Grishal continued serving as Grivendal's Spiritual Leader, occasionally assisted by Thebes, and the two eventually became close friends.
One day, Glynpatra summoned Marcillus to meet her at the monument near the Capital. He was confused and nervous, wondering why the Empress had called for him.
"You were certainly brave to say such things to Johann... the person Great Lord David cherishes the most..."
Marcillus became embarrassed again and repeated the same explanation he had previously given to David.
To his complete surprise, Glynpatra suddenly took both of his hands in hers.
"Y-Y-Your M-Majesty...??? I-I'm s-sorry... I-I don't understand... w-what this means..." he stammered, trembling.
"My late father and mother in the next realm would be saddened if I spent my life growing old alone..." Glynpatra said softly, lowering her head and closing her eyes.
Marcillus's face immediately turned bright red. "B-But... I-I'm only... a-an ordinary c-citizen... Y-Your M-Majesty..."
"My mother, Glyresa, was an ordinary folk at first as well, Marcillus. I've come to understand that Grivendal should be led by someone truly capable of caring for its people, not merely by someone who possesses noble blood." Glynpatra replied.
Marcillus still could not believe what had just happened to him. Glynpatra let out a soft laugh at the adorable reaction of the man she loved. They remained standing there, hand in hand, beneath the beautiful dusk.