chapter 8

In "Snow Country," by Kawabata Yasunari, there was a line which went:

After the long tunnel on the border is a country of snow."

It described how the darkness of a tunnel suddenly became a pure white snowscape, and what made it the most famous of all his works was how the author described the scene so vividly that a reader might feel they had been transported into the novel.

But if one wanted to apply that same turn of phrase to the experience of passing through the "Gate," it would be impossible.

Anyone would be moved if they were walking down Ginza and suddenly saw a sprawling natural landscape before them.

However, there was now an asphalt road on both the Special Region and Ginza exits of the "Gate," and the "Gate" itself was surrounded by a concrete dome, so anyone emerging from either side of the gate would only see a featureless gray landscape.

In addition, the extensive security measures established around the "Gate" - including fingerprints, palm prints, biometric and retina scans - formed countless layers of barriers before entry, and these troublesome procedures killed any romance the trip might have had.

In addition, every vehicle that went in and out of the Special Region was subjected to a thorough disinfection before being allowed to proceed.

After leaving the concrete dome, one would see several freshly-constructed buildings, so new their paint had not yet had the chance to dry. Around these buildings would be the six-pointed star fort, enwrapping the entire site in a solid defensive fortification.

Outside the star fort, on the surroundings of Arnus Hill, the terrain was reshaped into something that could have come out of a field defensive tactics manual, with communications trenches and all sorts of obstacles, filled with an amount of chain link fences and concrete bunkers that might have been considered "paranoid." All of this denied entry to anyone who tried to approach.

There was a stretch of trees to the south of Arnus Hill.

This was the site of the Arnus Living Community, where Lelei and the other refugees from Coda Village lived. Although it was surrounded by forest, trees in the Special Region looked almost the same as those in Japan, so probably nobody but a trained botanist could tell the difference.

On the east of the hill, they were already finished with the runaway and a few hangars.

They had already set up a miniature airfield on one corner of the base, and inside one could see them assembling several F-4 Phantom jets, and the repairs of the two scout jets were almost finished.

Probably nobody would be moved anymore after passing through the "Gate," given the extensive development of the surroundings.

In truth, passing through the Gate was less exciting than visiting a certain theme park based on an American mouse. They would probably be very disappointed.

Still, it was not as though the JSDF lacked a sense of fun or adventure, just that to a normal person, a theme park would be much more comfortable than a garrison base like this. To members of the armed forces, who were already used to the sterile, boring environs of a military base, these were just everyday sights, but to civilians, it would be like stepping into another world that felt wrong, in a sense.

One could say that now, there was no difference in the scenery on both sides of the "Gate."

Because of that, to Piña Co Lada, and Bozes Co Palesti, Arnus Hill itself was like another world to them.

Piña had requested the treaty violation - she had asked to personally apologize to Col. Kengun and the other high-ranking officials in person. Itami approved, and he had agreed to take her with him.

That said, Itami did not have time to wait for Piña and her followers to slowly catch up with them on horseback. Therefore, Itami added another condition: "Only you and one other follower are allowed to ride in the HMV with us." In truth, Itami was hoping that they would be discouraged and give up.

Piña's response was to assign Bozes and Panache to Italica's security, while Hamilton would liaise with and act as the representative for House Formal. She announced that "I will go myself" in a determined, confident manner.

However, they could not let their Princess walk alone into the enemy camp. Bozes and Panache were arguing over who would get to accompany her, and Piña finally selected Bozes to follow her. After hurriedly packing their things, they boarded Itami's HMV.

With the HMV's high speeds, they swiftly made it to Arnus.

As they continued their way towards the JSDF headquarters in the special region, the scenery changed bit by bit. Signing they arrived at the territory controlled by the JSDF.

The scenery there was no longer familiar to Piña and Bozes. What had once been a bare hill was now a fortress.

A flight of four helicopters on a training mission greeted Piña, as they turned overhead while flying a nap-of-earth course. Their powerful engines created a mighty downwash that seemed like it was going to sweep the surface clean.

3rd Recon drove down the newly built road among the flying sand and dust.

After passing the OPL (Outpost Picket Line), they entered the territory controlled by the JSDF.

The large space they had just entered was called the FEBA (Forward Edge of the Battle Area), which was used as a training and practice area. At the same time, it was a boneyard for numerous wyvern corpses, as well as where the children of Coda Village's refugees went to work.

The first thing Piña saw was JSDF troops formed up into squads with a flagbearer at their head holding their unit flag high above himself. They were chanting some mysterious magic spell that she couldn't understand while running in the opposite direction of the convoy and swiftly passing by.

"Model A Ford and a tank full of gas!"

"Hand full of pussy and a mouth full of ass!

"Sound off!" "One, two!"

"Sound off!" "Three, four!"

"Sound off!" "One, two" (Two and a half-beat pause) "THREE-FOUR!"

...at least, that was what the arcane incantation sounded like to Piña's ears when the men ran past the convoy.

'Is that some kind of incantation.?' Murmured the princess of the Empire.

The speed of the vehicles left them far behind, but before Piña could turn to watch them, the skeletons of several buildings came up by the side of the road.

The JSDF had considered the possibility of street-to-street fighting during a theoretical invasion of the Imperial capital, so they had asked Master Kato to supply blueprints of an average residential building in the city.

They had turned these blueprints into mockups of Imperial buildings, which the soldiers used to practice their urban combat tactics.

Initially, Piña had no idea what these troopers were up to.

In the Special Region, the most common form of attack was having infantry or cavalry charge into close quarters with the enemy while shouting "Waaaaagh!" or some other bloodcurdling battle cry.

Once contact was made, it was every man for himself. They would strike down the enemy before them with blades, spears, or shield bashes. Unlike the barbarian tribes on the frontier, the Imperial Army did not allow their legionaries to fight by themselves. Instead, their centurions would maintain order and rotate out the men on the front line of the formation to the rear as they got tired. Their enemy would fight until they got tired and then they would be cut down, but the Imperial Army would always have their freshest troops in the frontline, while their tired and wounded would recuperate in the rear.

This basic combat tactic remained the same whether they fought on open plains or dense city streets. The commander's job was to raise the men's fighting spirit, train their fighting skills, and lead them to victory over the enemy.

However, the JSDF was different. They did not use shields, nor did they form a dense testudo formation. They would spread out to sprint, halt, and drop prone, all the while communicating with hand gestures. They were a closely-knit, well-oiled machine that switched between stillness and motion with a fluid grace.

At the same time, they were raising metal staves in all directions. They looked like hedgehogs.

"What on earth are they doing?" Piña tilted her head as she thought, but could not find an answer.

"They're all holding staves like Itami. Could it be that all the soldiers in the Jayesdeef are mages? If that's the case, is that the secret of their power?"

Bozes answered Piña's question with a question of her own, "But mages are rare since magic is a special ability. Then, does that mean the Jayesdeef can produce mages in large quantities?"

Piña could imagine how those staves could strike down the enemy with beams of searing light. After that, she understood what the Jayesdeef were training for; their movements were calculated to conceal themselves and respond to the enemies' own movements, in order to find their foe and kill them in any environment or surroundings.

Even if they were ambushed from dark corners, even if they were fired on from high windows by snipers, even if they were flanked from both sides by Imperial cavalry, before enemy troops could close the distance to the Jayesdeef, they would be turned into Swiss cheese by their fire-staves.

"No, these metal staves are not magic. In their language, they are weapons which are called 'guns,' or "small arms.'"

From the side, Lelei denied Bozes' answer.

"The Jayesdeef use these guns as the basis of their fighting ability. In order to make full use of their guns in combat, they have trained and developed their skills to this level."

"They're weapons? That is to say; they're like our swords or bows?"

"Yes. The principle is simple too. They enchant a piece of lead with explosive magic, seal it within a metal tube, and then they let the lead fly free." explained the blue-haired small mage.

Pina:"And they give that to all their soldiers?"

"Yes"

"The JSDF created this weapon and mastered the art of 'fighting with guns' which is what gives them their strength. They fight in a completely different way. That's why the Imperial army lost."

Itami just shook his head hearing Lelei still thinks their weapons are magic-based. But said nothing.

Piña sighed in desperation and looked out of the window with a dissatisfied expression searching for some kind of hope.

While inspecting the piles of wyvern corpses on the battlefield, she had found many huge holes in the bodies.

Beelzebub explanation strengthened what she heard and completed the puzzle in her head.

Completed what she already knew. Either Piña convinces her father to surrender immediately, or the Empire will be annihilated from the ground. Either by the war machine of the JSDF.

'If that's the case, then obviously the way they wage war would be different. No matter how many men with spears or swords we raised, their numbers would be useless in the face of an enemy who fought like this.'

As these thoughts ran through her mind out of the blue, a Type 96 armored personnel carrier roared up beside them. The rear hatch opened, disgorging a number of fully armed and equipped men.

The soldiers who rushed out of the vehicle swiftly formed a neat firing line; their weapons pointed at imaginary opponents.

At this moment, Piña could vividly imagine cavalry and infantry being gunned down in their ranks, and she furrowed her brows in anxiety.

"Too slow! Move your asses faster! Again!"

In response to their commander's rebuke, the JSDF troopers got back onto the APC. After watching them train like this, Piña could not help but think "So there's a huge difference even from their basic fighting styles." Unlike the fear which had been deeply engraved into her soul in Italica, she was afraid because she could now understand her opponent, and it frightened her.

"That would be pointless."

Lelei pointed outside, through another of the vehicle's windows.

On the open ground opposite them, something that looked like a cross between a crazed elephant and a block of metal was thundering toward them. It was a Type 74 Main Battle Tank.

"When they say 'small arms,' they mean that these weapons are small guns. So that means that there should be 'big guns' as well."

They looked at Type 74 as it turned its turret, their eyes going to its 105mm rifled cannon.

"Does, does that spit fire too?"

Piña's thoughts were the same as Bozes' murmured words. She realized that this cannon was the so-called "rod of iron" which the refugees of Coda Village told her about.

"I have not seen it fire myself, but I do not doubt that it can do so."

No blacksmith in the Empire could make such a thing. And it was not just the Empire, but nobody on the continent could build stuff like that. It probably would not make a difference whether she searched the underground world of the elves or among the master craftsmen of the dwarves. It was a monster from another world, and she could fully believe that it could defeat a Flame Dragon.

Iron pegasi. Iron elephants. What was this JSDF, this force that could produce these things in such great numbers?

"Why did we even attack them in the first place?"

In response to Piña's quiet mutterings, Lelei replied:

"The Empire has trod on the griffin's and the dragon's tail."

"You, you... don't talk like it doesn't concern you! The Empire is in a crisis for survival, how can you speak so easily about it?"

Bozes angrily grabbed Lelei's shoulder, and in return, she received an even more hateful answer.

"I am of the Rurudo Clan. The Empire's well-being has nothing to do with me."

The Rurudo were a nomadic people. Although Lelei had settled down near Coda Village, she and her people had never had any particular opinion about the Empire.

Tuka, who had been listening but did not have a chance to cut in, rushed to raise her hand and say, "Yes, I'm an Elf!"

"..."

Rory remained silent. She did not need to say anything and simply smiled.

The Empire had made the Allied Kingdoms bend their knees and ruled over its citizens with force.

The Emperor did not expect his subjects to love, respect, or do anything but fear him.

The Empire's policy of conquest, suppression, and rulership through violence had led to the present situation - despite its dominance over them; it did not have the loyalty of its subjects.

It was only now that Piña realized the consequences of the Empire's actions

Romalia (Alpha command center Fortress-55 )

Area: 30 kilometers

The Sorcerous Empire paid close attention to the safety of its troops. After all, the people of the Sorcerous Empire were the foundation and holders of the pillars of the government structure. Of course, the Sorcerous Emperor and his servants could easily rule over their lands without people. Still. Without them, the Empire would be utterly deserted. Without them, there would be no trades neither any advancement. Thus, the Sorcerous Emperor kept them as his vassals. If his vassals shown their worth. The Sorcerous Emperor Ainz Ooal Gown showered them with miracles and good life.

In cases when an individual worth surpasses its price of losing. What meant death in a given situation. The Supreme Beings even blessed the person either transforming him or her into a heteromorphic being. Such as granting the individual eternal life or extending their life span and giving back their youth. Of course, the one remained Supreme Beings do not force such things. It was the individual choice if he, she or it accepted the gift. If not, the person could ask for another miracle. For example, resurrecting a deceased person or wealth beyond belief in some cases.

In other words, the Empire's policy is: Work hard for the Empire, respect others, and you will be rewarded with miracles beyond your imagination. But, slack off, act disrespectfully towards others, and betray the trust of the Supreme Beings, and thousands of deaths will not save you from their wrath. This was a simple yet working policy in the Empire.

The Sorcerous Empire and the Supreme Being cared about their citizens. Thus, when they were deployed abroad, a strong defensive impenetrable base camp was created. With that base as their stronghold, they would have a refuge during an emergency, and they could withhold against superior forces easily while either one of the high-level servants of Nazarick or even one of the Supreme ones came to take care of the attacking force. In the new world, 34 impregnable fortresses were built. That is why the fortress that was built in Romalia Mountain was named Fortress-55.

Contrary to the old military view which thought little of an individual life, they were now used to carrying out disaster relief missions to save people. Moreover, the Sorcerous Empire paid more attention to defending the Empire's citizens than its predecessors. Besides, military training was provided to enable civilians to protect themselves.

Furthermore, on the other side of the Gate was their homeland and the realm that the remaining Supreme one inhabited and ruled over. In other words, defending the Gate was the main reason why the Sorcerous Empire expedition army was here, and the other was to punish the invaders for their sacrilegious acts. In another name. 'SEEF' was the nickname as many soldiers called the expedition force.

By using both political and military methods, they were to conquer, secure the land surrounding the Gate, and show the invading Empire to not mess with the Sorcerous Empires. This was the mission of the SEEF. Mapping the land surrounding the Gate by taking aerial pictures and deploying scouts is also part of their plan.

If the Saderan Empire will not bow before the Sorcerous Empire and compensate it for the act of treachery towards the Sorcerous Emperor. Then Sorcerous Empire will either conquer it using either force or political methods. Or completely burn down the Saderan Empire to the ground leaving nothing but ashes then salting the Capital City ground with salt.

Of course, the Sorcerous Emperor rather used the resources than dispose of them this way. His servants known him as a wise Emperor whose plans was uncomprehendingly complicated what simple mortal beings mind could not comprehend. After all, he was respected and mentioned in the books like The God of Foresight, Wisdom, and Death and the patron of the Magic casters in the New World.

The fort was not a hastily constructed field fortification of dirt or sandbags, but rather, it was built with reinforced enchanted stone blocks, to make it a permanent defensive structure. It had been about one month since the SEEF took over the land around the Gate. After working tirelessly for several days and nights, Romalia mountain had become an impregnable fortress. Strong dimensional locks were made inside the romalia mountains and gates so that no one could do surveillance or teleportation magic. I

Chief commander's office.

"Sir Ragnarok, this is the map of the whole Falmart. Much of this continent is under the empire." Selina said.

"Hmm"

Ragnarok look at the map

"We don't know much about this world here, but we do know a lot about this continent. Send some spies to the capital of the Saderan Empire. We will attack the capital soon. We do not know what these barbarians are doing to our captive citizens. We need to act fast." Ragnarok said in a serious tone

"Yes, Sir"

"Um ... Sir, the citizens of Rondel. What to do with them?"

"Offer them to be part of our empire. If they accept our offer, give them the same privileges as our citizens. If they refuse then do with them what you will."

"I understand"

Then a message comes to Selina.

"Hmm ... OK...I'm telling Sir Ragnarok about it. "

"What happened?"

"Sir, William captured some people on his way into Italica. They have more advanced technology than the Empire."

"Technology more advanced than empire ?!"

...

Saderan Empire

South Palace

In one room, Zorzal and high-ranking military officials of the Saderan empire, are looking at a strange weapon.

"Hmmm ... then this is the magic weapon that the barbarians used to kill hundreds of our soldiers."

Zorzal El Caesar said looking at a weapon on the table.

(It's a gun)

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zorzal took the gun.

"Your Highness, are you thinking of using it? It's very dangerous. "

"Don't worry, Lucius Aemilius Barbula! I'm Zorzal El Caesar. The future emperor of the Saderan Empire. Such a magical weapon can do me no harm."

(Lucius Aemilius Barbula. A general of the Saderan Empire.)

Zorzal calmly took the gun, aimed it at the wall, and pressed the trigger.

"Ahhhhhh!"

His whole body trembled. The gun fell to the floor from his hand.

"Your Highness!"

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. What was it? Did it turn me down ?! "

"But those barbarians could easily have used it."

"Your Highness! We also tried to use this magical weapon, our bodies also feel shaken. However, some of our strongest fighters succeeded in using it."

Zorzal looked at them angrily.

"Are you insulting me for being weak then !?"

"Sorry! We didn't mean that."

"Okay. I want to meet those barbarians. How did those barbarians get such a weapon? I want to meet them!"

"Sorry! Prince! But it would be dangerous. The sorcerer we captured is still violent. When they regained consciousness after being brought to the capital. Then they attacked us again. They killed and wounded two of our commanders and hundreds of soldiers. But with great difficulty, we were able to capture them again. Now We have bound them with strong chains."

Zorzal looked at them with annoyed eyes.

"What do you mean? We are the empire! We have broken the hearts of so many barbarians. You have not broken them yet! It is a shame! You should learn something from me. Haven't you seen how I crushed the Warrior Bunnies? And enslaved them."

"Ah! Sorry, Your Highness! We're trying our best. The Warrior Bunnies were very strong. We lost them just for our numbers. But the barbarians on the other side of that gate are also strong."

" They killed and wounded thousands of our soldiers. But they too have been defeated by our numbers. But they have not yet submitted. Although we have captured some of their citizens, they have so far submitted. However, their fighters are still aggressive."

" We have imprisoned them in the strongest prisons of the empire, with the strongest chains. They are not like the Warrior Bunnies. Those who accepted slavery."

"Huh! I think they're too strong. Stop feeding them also, torture them every day. "

"Sorry! But we haven't fed them for a week. They're also being tortured all the time. But they still haven't accepted slavery."

"Tch! I don't think anything will happen to you! I'll let them down in front of me. I'm Zorzal El Caesar. Take me to them. This is my order! "

"Umm ... OK, sir."

"Huh!... Bring that whore to jail too. I want to break their minds in front of her. So she can see how much power I have."

...

In a dark prison, two men are bound with many strong metal chains. They have been hung upside down. An Elf and a Tigerman. There are many marks of injuries on the bodies of the two of them.

"Brother Chen, what do you think? When will they come to rescue us?"

Tiger man said.

"Don't worry, Bu. They will come to rescue us soon. I believe the Emperor"

"I did not say it for this reason. I said it thinking of ordinary citizens. Whom they have taken captive. However, one year of military training is compulsory for all citizens. But I don't think they can tolerate the torture of these primitives".

"You are right. We pledged to protect ordinary citizens. But we could not save many people. I'm sorry. "

"It's not your fault. We tried our best. Also when they brought us here. Even then we fought them. We have helped some of the captives escape. But I'm not sure what happened to them. This is the enemy area. They also know nothing about this place. Have they captured them again?"

" It could be. If only we had items at that time. Then we would all be able to escape. But sad. They took all our items after capturing us."

"Hopefully our army will come soon to save us. ... Huh!... Brother Chen, I heard you were in the space army before. Why did you move from the space army to the police force?"

"Ah! That was ten years ago. At that time I was serving as a soldier in the space army. You know our life is not so easy. We always had to fight with dangerous creatures and aliens. You know about Kora!? Right!? Our neighbor planet. Where our soldiers are still fighting. We had to fight terrifying monsters every day on this planet. They are innumerable. Even after fighting for the last fifty years, we still have not been able to eradicate them."

"Your life was a lot harder there, wasn't it?"

"Yeah. I saw hell in Planet Kora. So the torture of these primitives is nothing to me. "

"I -...

Then the sound of the prison door opening was heard. They stopped the conversation.

A few people entered