Chapter 11: Thus, They Are The Imperium of Man

Night has passed in the Falmart. JSDF was hiding behind the stone wall of Italica. As Raias had asked them to protect the city, they only complied because, in their hearts, they believed the man. It was unnatural, as the power behind that man's figure was beyond their comprehension.

"Hey, Sir," Kurata asked Itami, who stood beside him. These two men are currently at the top of the wall, darkened by the dead torches.

"What's wrong, Kurata?" He asked; his eyes still used night vision to scan the land beyond the wall.

"I know it was weird, but. Captain Raias managed to put the entire not only us but the Italican army as well. It was unthinkable to command men that were completely unknown to your faction. He coordinated for this wall to be seemingly heavily guarded, yet it was only on the inside. Why?" Kurata asked innocently.

"Hah," Itami sighed. "Besides, he has the highest order at this place to command the army. He is two and a half meters in height, imbued with that charisma... I can see why they complied. And for the tactic... Call me stupid, but they intended to fight the entire army by themselves."

"A-Are they insane?!" Kurata shouted in horror.

"I won't call them like that." The older JSDF said sternly, which was unusual for the carefree figure of Itami Youji.

"I don't understand." This question made Itami sigh.

"The fight with the Fire Dragon. Did you forget that?" The Lieutenant answered, caressing the back of his neck.

"W-Well, I can't sleep because of that moment. Well, maybe I'm overthinking stuff." The younger men awkwardly.

"Hey, Kurata. Your face. Are you sick?" Itami pointed.

"U-Um. I think I am?" He said, unsure.

"Since when is your face as pale as a corpse?" Itami lit up his night vision, inspecting deeply on Kurata's face.

"I-I don't know. But I think it happened when Raphael... Made that strange aura on us?" Kurata sorely concluded.

Hearing that sentence made Itami touch his chin in wonder. When that happened, Lelei, Tuka, and Rory felt some sickness. Yet, the cause is unknown. Not only them but his team felt the same thing.

To his curiosity, Kuribayashi did not affect by that sickness. She is the only one who did not feel the sudden blast like most of them. No, she was affected, but it was significantly less exposed.

"Hey, Kurata. Is there something different about me?" Itami asked, pointing at himself.

"To be honest, sir. Your demeanor. It is much sterner and more anxious." The answer made Itami frown.

"And the others. Did something different about them from your perspective?" The leader of the 3rd Recon Team asked.

"Mostly, yes."

"We need to speak with Captain Raias to further dig into this information." Itami pinched his nose in exasperation.

"Speaking of him. They talked about something called Longinus Agitatus. What actually is that?" Kurata said, causing the older lieutenant to snap.

"Longinus Agitatus. Kuwahara also mentioned that name as God-killing stuff." Itami said, wondering about this discovery.

"Why he claimed it to be God-killer stuff?" Again, Kurata asked innocently.

"I've read about it. Longinus is a name that came from ancient Rome. It used to be a man who stabbed Jesus Christ using a spear." Itami recollected his memory, closing his eyes to remember better that said event.

"Wow. You were a literate man, sir." Kurata praised.

"I'm just reading it from Manga. At the same time, I did conduct a small search for further context when reading the Manga." Itami said wryly.

"But still, that counted as a reading," Kurata remarked with a smirk.

Before they could continue their conversation, a voice interrupted them. It came from Itami's radio.

"Lieutenant Itami. Enemy detected, five hundred meters from here." It was Raias who declared with a stern voice. Much to their surprise, the enemy must be their top priority.

"Copy, Captain. What about their numbers?" Itami asked, holding the radio near his mouth.

"Three thousand four hundred and sixty-five. That's their numerical power." He answered firmly.

"Damn it," Itami cursed under his breath. "Any suggestion, Captain?"

"I want you to protect the city as we deal with them," Raias said without hesitation.

"Are you sure, Captain?" Itami asked for certainty.

"Of course, Lieutenant. Fire Dragon has fallen to its knees. To enemies will be no different." With that, the communication ended.

"I hope they managed to win," Kurata said with a wry smile.

"You put your faith in the wrong group, Kurata. I'm sure they will win. Almost instantly if you asked me." Itami said with a smile.

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Pina could not sleep. She is wandering around the Formal Manor. Her head was clouded with anxiety and stressful thoughts. Sweat slowly appeared on her forehead, frowned heavily as her life was on the line.

"Princess," Hamilton called.

"Haa!" The said slightly squealed. "Ah, it was you, Hamilton. Is there something you want to tell me?"

"It came from the east gate. It said the enemy had conducted their offensive." Hamilton exclaimed, saying it with the entire weight of responsibility.

"WHAT?! But I did not see any fire or anything." Pina shouted, making her way to the window that was directed to the said gate.

"They said the bandit is a few hundred meters away from us." Hamilton slowly told the Princess.

"B-But there was pitch black out there." Pina objected, gluing her eyes to the darkness of night beyond the wall.

"I don't know how, milady. But that what were they told me." Hamilton slightly bowed in resentment.

Pina pursed her lips in exasperation. Closing her eyes as her muscle face stiffened.

"I want to see their fight," Pina said with determination.

"Milady! That is dangerous!!" Hamilton screamed in shock.

"I want to see their power. Power named Imperium of Man. I'm sure they are the same person who slain the Fire Dragon. If that were true, I want to see this fight." Pina's eyes glared deep into the east gate.

"Milady," Hamilton muttered.

"Captain Raias needed Princess Pina and her Rose Order Knight to present at the eastern gate." A voice of a man resounded in their minds.

"Who?!" Hamilton draws her sword, taking a defensive position near her Princess.

"Show yourself!" Pina commanded, scanning the entire room for intruders.

"Please. There is no need for violence. I'm UR-982. I'm Ferrous Mind that designated to the 5th Recon Team." The voice said softly.

"Ferrous Mind? Iron... Spirit?" Pina concluded by using her logic to guess who was behind the voice.

"I'm not spirit. I'm an Artificial Intelligent created by the Imperium of Man to help them with various tasks. But that was not important. Captain Raias need your presence, Princess. And don't forget to bring your knights with you." The suspected spirit said with a fluent Falmartian.

"Very well. Please guide me, O' honorable spirit." Pina said with respect.

"Follow my direction then." The voice simply said.

When Pina tried to ask what path and direction she needed to find, a mental instinct appeared in her body. Not only she but Hamilton followed as well.

They walked at the certain path that would lead her to the entrance of the manor.

"Milady." Gray's voice came from her right side.

"Gray, where are you going?" Pina asked, raising eyebrows.

"There was a voice that asked me to meet Captain Raias. It also said to me that Your Highness would join in." Gray replied with a shrug.

"Did that voice introduce itself as UR-982?" The red-haired Princess asked, slightly surprised and intrigued by the answer.

"Well, yes. It called itself UR-982." He answered plainly.

"Interesting," Pina muttered as the blonde male knight appeared from the corner of her eyes.

"Good morning, Princess." The blonde knight greeted. He smiled, though Pina could see the tiredness in his eyes.

"Norma. I assume you have a good sleep." Pina smiled empathetically.

"Thank you for your words, milady," Norma said with a tired sigh.

"You're welcome. I assume you've heard the same voice to meet us and then went to the east gate. Am I correct?" Even though the answer was obvious, some doubt needs to be ceased.

".... That might be correct, milady." Norma caressed the back of his neck.

"So it's definitely a spirit," Pina said, placing her palm on her forehead.

"So our enemy is capable of creating a spirit. That is blasphemous!' Hamilton rebutted, narrowing her eyes in anger.

"I agree. We need further evidence to perfect our deduction." Pina said, drawing the attention of the two male Rose Knights.

"Can you give us a context, milady?" Gray inquired.

"The voice, UR-982. It said it was created by people of the Imperium of man. Artificial Intelligent, which means it was a creation by those giants." Pina said, swallowing her saliva to clear her throat. "Ferrous Mind. Iron Spirit."

"Iron Spirit, huh? I don't want to finalize it as we lack genuine evidence. But the possibility still exists." As the oldest, Grey advised his fellow knights and Princess.

"So that's why I won't make any conclusion. But first, we need to meet with Captain Raias." Pina claimed, ending the entire conversation as they exited the manor.

The night is silent as the men stay vigilant to protect their city. Pina made a small smile along the way to these men's courage. Despite the fact they did not fall into her control and responsibility, Pina respected them for daring to stand before the invaders.

As they arrived at the eastern gate, they only spotted the men of green with their metal carriage. But there were no giants spotted.

"I came to answer Captain Raias' request," Pina said without any sign of fear, only a show of respect.

Itami said a few words to the blue-haired mage. Nodding in understanding, the mage approached the Princess.

"Captain Raias is not present at the time," Lelei said to the Princess.

"The voice belonged to UR-982 said he needed me. Now I'm here to fulfill that request." She persisted and did not back down as she took one step forward.

The JSDF only stared at themselves and did not dare to say further implications without context.

Before the situation degraded into an unexpected circumstance, a crackling noise drew their intentions. It was one of the Solar Guardians, the one who held the Apotechary title.

"My apologies that my Captain can't meet you in person. But I assure you he had called you here, Princess." The giant said gently as his helmet melted, showing a black-haired man behind that menacing armor. His face is perfect in all kinds of masculine perfection. Pina slightly blushed while the innocent Hamilton was awed by the man's face.

"May I know the reason?" Pina asked, suppressing her red face.

"Please, follow me to the top of the wall. The JSDF included." Mal said neutrally. His eyes stilled with determination and authority.

The raven-haired female JSDF is visibly taken aback by the giant's sentence and demeanor.

They followed the giant to the top of the wall. Darkness is the only thing they see; the said enemies are perfectly hidden beneath the veil of darkness.

"Wait here until the signal." Mal re-equipped his helmet.

They wait in silence. No one dares to soak until Rory, the Emissary of the God of Death, is slightly aroused.

"Rory, are you alright?" Itami asked.

"I felt power. I felt death would come. It was weird. The actual blood has not yet been spilled, but I can feel the entire battlefield raging with fire and death." Rory said in between her moan.

The rest of the group stared at the Priestess with intrigued looks. Something big will occur; something beyond their league will come to Falmart.

They waited and waited; the air became heavier as time went on. Pina gulped, trying her best to face any situation on hold.

"Brace for impact and narrow your eyes." The voice of the Solar Guardian snapped them from their stupor.

"What-" Pina's voice died short.

A blue sun erupted from the ground, burning anything in its path. The blue fire causes the night to turn into day. The shockwave crumbles the earth, causing the Italican Citizens to awake from their sleep.

It was devastating, completely ignored any bandits around as they turned into ashes instantaneously.

"Wha... What is that?" Pina trembled as her face paled like a corpse.

"That was Plasma Collider... To be honest with you, that weapon must used by our heavy infantry... Maiya. No, Raias did not joke around with this. He wants absolute victory as fast as possible." Mal said, nearly in a whisper he said to them.

Then, a green light from behind the enemy line followed. It did not explode like the blue fire. Instead, it crushed the ground and cracked the entire flesh and bones. As the army of bandits began to scatter, they were barraged with countless shooting stars from above, incinerating anything that fell into its victims.

"This was not a battle," Pina said to herself. "It was the wrath of gods."

The sight before her was something that made her skin crawl. The power, the earth crumbling, and the blast of the winds on her skin made the entire rational thought vanish.

The JSDF did not move as they were paralyzed by sheer power.

"Lieutenant Mal. In this operation, how many people were assigned to this mission?" Itami asked slowly.

"Four. I'm here to protect all of you." Mal answered sternly.

"Four... Only need four people." Tomita muttered in awe and fear.

The destruction still occurred, with explosions and blinding light shattering the darkness. Both parties were petrified; the might of the Imperium was revealed to them, eyes gluing at the battle.

Pina and her knights were totally speechless. Her first clenched in desperation and dread.

"Four giants... Is this the wrath of the gods?" Pina silently said.

"Gods, Princess?" Mal suddenly said, causing the Princess to hesitantly turned her eyes at him. "We are Imperium of Man. We are humanity, masters of our own destinies. None shall govern us, not even them. The self-proclaimed gods."

The voice is devoid of any emotions, menacing as it imposes the dread of absolute power. A power that originated from beyond her reach.

To Itami and his peers, they recognized this very atmosphere. It was something that Maiya had told them.

Transhuman dread.

Pina bites her lips bitterly, trying her best not to tremble and fall to her knees.

She needs to find help; she needs it desperately, as the Empire's fate is on the thorn. Pina also realized another truth behind these giants.

If they came from the same world, it would open another possibility for other unspeakable power wholly hidden behind the Gate of Zalvus.

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Myutte could not believe her eyes. As a Siren, she could feel the magic around her much better than humans. That blessing turned into a curse. Air, earth, and blood is screaming. A power that only could be wielded by the gods came to judge them.

"Fall back!" The leader shouted in horror. When he finished his sentence, another bright blue fire burned his men.

"What is this... Is this the wrath of the gods?"

"We are going to die! We are going to die!"

"On god, help this powerless servant."

They chanted with prayer. Fear and superstition had plagued their minds and spirits. Their rational thinking was gone; their attack was in disarray, utterly obliterated by the unknown enemy.

"So, you are the leader." A booming voice snapped Myutte and the soldiers.

There, a giant of metal stood before them. It was menacing and radiating vastly inhuman power. Before the leader could speak, a blue sphere impacted her leader. His head vaporized, and his upper body melted with the smell of burning flesh.

The majority of her peers were melted, some of them enveloped by a yellow light that froze them.

With an instinct, Myutte swings her sword at the giant. And there, her sword shattered by the sheer volume of the armor before her.

"Abhuman... I think you can serve better in His name." A blast of yellow light bathed Myutte, causing her entire world to freeze.

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At the end of the fight, the sun rose on the horizon. The entire battlefield is now fully visible to the naked eye. The JSDF, the Princess, the present Rose Knights, and even some of the Italican who dared to peek into the land beyond the wall.

They only find destruction. The destruction is beyond mortal comprehension. Land burned to its very ashes, crater marked with black wounds and a shimmering heat that flies to the morning sky.

But there is something off; there is no bodies or organs—only blood scattered across the plain.

The truth is only known to the JSDF as their night vision provides them with a better view. The reason why there were no bodies left was that the sheer firepower rendered those unfortunate enemies into little fragments that could not be classified anymore.

"This destruction... Only brought by four soldiers." Tomita muttered, swallowing his saliva bitterly.

"Are there any prisoners?" Mari said under her breath.

After Mari said that, they scanned the entire field to find prisoners. Then, they see it.

The bandits were tied, and some froze with a shimmering yellow light around their bodies.

"Don't worry. It won't cause them any harm. It's just Stasis Field to freeze them for the time being." Mal said reassuringly.

"But how will you transport them?" Itami asked the Apothecary.

"It has been done. I've contacted the extraction team. But it seems we will encounter more than that." The voice of Raias made all of them direct their head to the source of the voice.

"... Can you elaborate on it, Lord Raias?" Pina asked, trying to hide her distress.

"It won't be an extraction team. But the entire planetary expedition force." It was the final straw for the Princess.

"The entire force?!" The red-haired Princess lost all of her strength to stand.

"Indeed, Princess." Raias turned his head to the Italican soldiers. "Call the citizen and the Countess to the main gate. It's time to hail their new master and protector."

"Y-YES, MILORD!" He shouted in fear and affirmation, leaving his post to relay the order.

"Lieutenant Itami. I want you to record this and give it to the Japanese Senators. You must report this, aren't you? Then write it with honesty." Raias addressed the Japanese Lieutenant.

"T-That's manageable," Itami said wryly, smiling awkwardly.

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In short minutes, thousands of Italican Citizens had gathered at the main gate. Countess Myui also presents the part of the Formal maid household. Hearing the Imperium's arrival, Myui could not hide her anxiety and fear. After she had witnessed the destruction brought by four soldiers from that nation created, the young Countess trembled in fear.

"Milady," Delilah said softly.

"Ah, my apologies," Myui answered, gulping nervously.

"Don't worry, my lady. We will always be with you." Persia said reassuringly.

Myui nodded in affirmation, glancing her eyes at the Solar Guardian. "When the said army came, my lord?"

"It will be... Now." As Raias said, a thundering noise broke through the sky.

A flash of white brilliance flooded reality, eclipsing even the light of the sun. As the light dimmed, a gigantic shadow swallowed the ground. It was a gigantic metallic winged ship. Hundreds of meters in length as pearless shimmering metal made of this ship's very skin. A line of red spread across its body, pressing with overwhelming power.

Its machine roared, rendering the entire Falmartian to shackle in fear.

"What is this... Flying fortress." Pina could wear that her soul was slowly fading away from her body.

"Souldstream heavy Capitol. A pride of the ground forces within the Solar Guardian ranks." Raias proclaimed.

As the entirety of Falmartian still stared in awe at the ship, another blast of light blinded their vision. It came from before the main gate. It was a massive-sized carriage made of metal.

A hissing sound came from it. Then, a man with golden armor stood even higher than the Solar Guardian. And then another person exited.

Myui's eyes laid on the face of that man. Thus, her eyes widened with shock as she was followed by the maids.

It was the face she knew very well. A face of a caring person. A man that raised her since she was a baby.

"I am Colt Formal, ruler of Italica. I'm here as the Imperial Herald of the imperium of Man. I came on their behalf. As I will bring you salvation!"