3 days after the wedding ceremony, Allen was back in the ghost swarm.
Helmios and Galara's parties were there, as well as 16 new members of their group.
[The new people who went to the divine realm]
-10: Ten Heroic Beasts
-1: Dragon King Matildora
-3: Giamut's emperor, prime minister, and home minister
-1: Cardinal Clinpton from Elmea's Church
-1: Fiona
With all of them there, that left only 44 open spots for people Allen could bring there.
Giamut's emperor had come with some of his servants to fulfill his promise.
Cardinal Clinpton had also come to assist with that.
"Ohh, so this is the divine realm. I was expecting a paradise with angels singing, but this is different."
"Yes, Lepe."
One of the Ten Heroic Beasts, Lepe, said as he looked around at the strange trees.
The Beast King Muza had given them permission to join Allen in the divine realm.
All of them had also undergone Talent Changes, so they had 4 Star Talents now.
"And you had to bring me to a place like this…"
"You did promise to do this. It'll be over soon enough."
The Bird A summon's Awakened Skill [Homing Instinct] allowed them to get there instantly.
(Maybe we should strengthen the fort here too. Anyway, thankfully Admiral Galara has already cleared the path for us.)
Galara's party had gone ahead of Allen's group, defeating all the ghosts on the way to Graham.
'I was told how dragonkin were treated here, but it's even worse than I anticipated. Is this also my fault for not getting here myself…'
The Dragon King also looked at the trees and the swarm of ghosts ahead.
"It wasn't your fault."
'You said there's something you want me see ahead, correct?'
"Yes. I believe you'll appreciate seeing it."
The Five Continents' Alliance meeting was still going on, but most important matters had been discussed already, so Allen invited the Dragon King to come as well, who at first refused since his Rider Astel had already passed away, but Allen insisted.
They were all traveling with Kuwatoro's [Floating Wings] to move a few meters above ground, which was safer than walking, and helped Giamut's emperor and Cardinal Clinpton who could not fight.
Peromus and Fiona also tagged along, since there would not be much fighting.
"So Graham is over there?"
"Yes, Peromus. Sorry I made you come, but you can think of it as part of your honeymoon."
"Sure."
Peromus and Fiona were also there, since Peromus would have to obtain 100'000'000 gold coins within 3 months, and Allen believed that was possible by trading with the divine realm.
They had barely gotten married though, so Allen also tried to call the trip a honeymoon.
"Peromus, I'm scared."
"Don't worry, Fiona. Everyone here is really strong."
Fiona moved closer to Peromus, who consoled her.
"Hmmm…"
Cecile kept staring at the newlyweds, then looked ahead. They had already arrived at their destination. A 3 meter tall Great Angel Rank ghost was there, wrapped in blue flames.
'Hm? I'm Graham!!'
"Oh, he's all lively again. Dogora, Shea, go and weaken him for a bit."
"Leave it to us!"
"Let's go!"
Allen trusted Dogora and Shea with that job, while the Ten Heroic Beasts would watch to learn how strong ghosts could be.
The two began clobbering Graham, and in less than 10 minutes Graham could no longer move.
"Alright emperor, it's your turn."
"Is it really safe?"
"Dogora and Shea are keeping him still."
"Hmph, you'll pay if anything happens though."
Giamut's emperor wanted this to end as soon as possible. Helmios had told him about Graham after his discussion with Allen in the meeting.
At first he was bewildered to hear about the entire story, but then conceded saying "So I just have to apologize and that's it?"
Allen wanted to make sure Graham would become a summon, so he then told Helmios more details of exactly what the emperor should do.
The emperor then said that was too much to do for free, but he would do it as a favor that Allen would eventually have to repay, which Allen agreed to.
'I am Graham! It was all my plan!!'
Graham began to shout loudly, just like the first time they encountered him.
He was like a criminal that had been arrested, confessing his crimes.
"Prime Minister Budoma, Home Minister Shagoi, let's begin."
"...Yessir!"
The two ministers slowly approach Graham until they are 5 meters away. They were clearly terrified, but the emperor told them to go so they had no choice.
Those two ministers held the most authority after the emperor, which was why Allen said they had to come too.
The home minister nervously brings out a piece of parchment.
"Is it correct that you're Graham?"
'I am Graham!'
"Are you the person who killed the tyrant emperor?"
'I am!!'
(Hm? They're actually having a conversation now.)
Allen started getting hopeful, noticing the change compared to his attempt.
"The empire investigated your execution and found that we were gravely mistaken. So Graham, you've been pardoned!"
The home minister showed Graham a letter sealed by the minister of justice.
'All my sins have been pardoned?!'
When Allen tried talking to him, Graham had kept looking far into the distance. But now he was actually paying attention, and looked at the piece of paper the minister held.
"Yes. And to make sure the mistake is amended, the minister of education has reviewed our teaching material as well, and this is his decision."
Next the home minister held up a document sealed by the minister of education.
(So they are handling it all properly.)
Allen did not know how the empire handled things like that, but it seemed like they had handled everything properly.
"Graham, your decision to end the reign of a tyrant who oppressed so many was nothing short of heroic. The bronze statue shaming you has been demolished, and a new statue showing you as the hero you are is under construction. This is being supervised by me."
Then the home minister showed Graham a document signed by himself.
'N-no!! That's not right!!'
"H-hiee?!"
(Oh? Did we take a wrong step somewhere?)
The blue flames became larger, making Dogora and Shea put more strength into restraining Graham. That was enough to make the ministers squeal and nearly pee themselves.
"Hmm, so this wasn't it either."
Helmios was disappointed seeing Graham shake around and insist that again.
Having the ministers officially pardon him was not enough to cleanse Graham.
"But he's actually listening this time… Cardinal Clinpton, I believe we have to move onto the next plan."
Allen thought it was still too early to give up. The cardinal answered with a nod, and walked up to Graham while wearing the robes of Elmea's Church and holding onto his cane.
"Graham, the number of lives you saved is impossible to count, and I would never be able to tell just how many souls were spared."
'Uh…urgh…'
With a clear voice, the cardinal tried to justify Graham's actions to cleanse his soul.
(Giamut always refused to name Graham a Saint until now.)
Elmea's Church had a tradition of giving special titles to those who gave their lives for others.
The highest title was that of a Saint, which they had attempted to give to Graham in the past.
Giamut had always refused that though, as they claimed someone who killed an emperor could not be applauded. But now that Giamut had cleared Graham of all blame, Elmea's Church could also give Graham the title of Saint.
"Graham, you're going to be a Saint. Your sacrifice allowed our world to exist, so your actions were valiant and righteous. I thank you on behalf of the entire church."
'No. No…I did it all on my own…'
"Really? That wasn't good either?"
Even Cecile started to lament Graham's unchanging responses.
(But he clearly reacted to some of what they said. He keeps saying he did it alone, on his own… Maybe he's regretting something else?)
Allen recalled the message he received when he first encountered Graham.
'Please rescue Graham. He can become your Wraith S summon.'
Allen kept trying to figure out how to cleanse Graham, but bathing him in holy water, pardoning his crimes, and making him a Saint had not been enough to rescue him.
All Allen knew was that there was something he was still missing.
"Well, emperor go ahead, Graham is restrained. Apologize to him as the current emperor."
"I know. And then I'll complete my side of the bargain and I can leave."
Allen was quickly running out of ideas. The emperor also noticed that, but he would just do what he promised to do, and did not care if it worked or not.
"Of course. But when you apologize, please add these words as well."
Allen then whispered some words into the emperor's ear.
"That's easy enough."
Giamut's emperor approached Graham, wearing gilden clothes.
'I did it on my own!!'
"Wha-?! Emperor, you're too close!!"
The prime minister shouted as the emperor got even closer than them to Graham.
Graham only had to take one step forward and his sword would reach the emperor.
It was clear the emperor had some guts as he looked straight at Graham.
"I'm Regalfares von Giamut V. And you're Graham. I apologize for how my ancestor treated you."
Saying that, the emperor went on his knees and lowered his forehead to the ground.
"Ugh ghaaaa?! Emperor, it was me, it was only me who did everything!!"
A bit of Graham's personality in life was starting to show through.
He desperately tried to reach forward, but he could not break free.
"I know. You're telling the truth. Your family who was put into question due to your heroic deed committed no crime nor sin."
'So they'll be saved? My son, my wife, are they all going to be saved?!!'
(So Graham did not want to be rescued himself. He wanted to rescue his family, his loved ones. And he gave me that hint from the beginning.)
Graham reacted in a completely new way hearing the emperor's words.
The blue flames covering his body began to glow brightly, almost like his soul itself was screaming.
