Disclaimer:
The Rising of the Shield Hero was created by Aneko Yusagi. Shin Megami Tensei was created by Atlus. Magic Knight Rayearth was created by CLAMP. Sword Art Online was created by Reki Kawahara. Digimon is owned by Bandai and Toei. Kono Suba was created by Akatsuki Natsume. Gate was created by Takumi Yanai. This story uses reference material from them.

Heroes of Another World
By: RB3
Friends, Romans, Countrymen 2: Battle of Italica

Arpeggio led the group to a small abode in the research and development district of the city. An elderly woman in a pink over coat with white garb underneath answered the door. "Arpeggio? Oh dear, oh me, oh my! I thought you died during your last trip to the caves!" said the woman.

"I almost did, if it weren't for Master Abel summoning me to the world of Melro," said Arpeggio. She realized that the woman, Mimoza, was not privy to what had happened during her absence. "I think I should start at the beginning. Meet my new friends, the Vassal Heroes."

Arpeggio introduced each member of the team, what weapon they wielded, and the reason they were here. Mimoza was especially interested in Guilmon, as he was the only non-human member of the team. "Oh my! What kind of creature would you be?" asked Mimoza.

"I'm a Digimon!" replied Guilmon.

"That's short for Digital Monster," replied Takato.

"You look so adorable, like a baby dragon! I'll just say you're a dragon. It's nice to meet you all. Come in and have some tea," said Mimoza.

Arpeggio and Mimoza's home was less a home and more of a miniature library and study from all of the random books scattered about. There were books on the desk, in the shelves, and even on the floor and on the chairs. It was quite messy and dusty as their line of work involved heavy amounts of research into old lore. As the heroes waited around the dining table, Mimoza prepared the tea and snacks, then served them to her guests.

They talked and told Mimoza about what had happened to Arpeggio while she was at Melro. "That's what happened to me. What happened here while I was away?" asked Arpeggio.

"The Gate at Alnus Hill opened again," replied Mimoza.

"There's a Gate at Alnus Hill? Where's that?" asked Sinon.

"It's to the south of here," replied Arpeggio. "Mimoza has been doing a lot of research into that Gate, so she knows a lot about it."

"The apostle of Emroy, Rory Mercury, left it to me as a homework assignment after we parted ways. We used to travel together in my younger days. We saw how there were such varied races like humans, orcs, elves, dark elves, and the warrior bunnies in the world. I was amazed at how different they were from each other, so she told me to find out why," said Mimoza.

"It's like Melro with all the demihuman races. I heard that demihumans weren't native to Melro and were brought there by the Waves during the time of ancient heroes," said Megumin.

"When I questioned each race, they all pointed to different directions as their origins, but they all pointed back to the Gate at Alnus Hill. I concluded that each race came through the Gate while it was open, then got stranded here when it closed again," said Mimoza.

"Has anyone new come through the Gate recently?" asked Hikaru.

"Yes, the army of Japan," replied Mimoza.

"Japan is here, in this world?" asked Sinon.

"Yes. I heard they have set up a new camp at Alnus Hill," Mimoza confirmed again. "I've also heard that a new Gate had appeared south of the Inland Sea. The Empire had sent troops into it to conquer a new land on the other side."

"That must be how the Saderans got into Melro. We'll have to check it out," said Sinon to other heroes. "We should visit that other Gate at Alnus too."

"Has anything else unusual happened?" asked Arpeggio.

"Yes! Oh dear, it was horrible! It happened at the Warrior Bunny Plain. The sky turned red and all kinds of monsters like zombies fell onto the ground from holes in the sky. The Empire lost so many men trying to put down them down," replied Mimoza. "That must be one of the Waves you told me about."

"It sure sounds like it," said Arpeggio.

"Thank you for the tea, Mimoza," said Megumin.

"Yeah. It sounds like we have much work to do," said Hikaru. "Thanks for inviting us."

"It's been a pleasure. Please come back soon," said Mimoza.

Rayearth soared through the skies of the continent of Falmart and soon approached a large city resembling one from ancient Rome. This city was Saderas, the capital of the mighty Saderan Empire. At its heart was Sadera Hill, where the marble palace of the Emperor had been constructed. The rest of the city grew outward from there in layers, each separated by walls. Only aqueducts crossed each individual section, occupying a place similar to the spokes of a wheel.

The layer closest to the palace contained the largest and cleanest homes. These belonged to the wealthy of the city, as well as the patricians and others who occupied prominent positions in the Saderan government. After that were moderately sized homes for the merchant class. The last layer was much more mixed and contained the most basic homes for commoners. In one corner of the city were the slums, containing the dirtiest homes and dirty, garbage-filled streams of water. Most of the demihuman citizens were forced to live here.

Rayearth placed the heroes on the ground a distance from the city. "We should find a senator. They live in the upper class district," said Arpeggio.

Arpeggio led the heroes through the city. To everyone save Arpeggio, travelling through Saderas was history come to life. The city of Saderas resembled Rome during the height of its power. The streets of the city bustled with people commuting and kids pretending to be soldiers of the Saderan legions. The people dressed in garb which resembled a blending of Roman garb and those of medieval Europe.

The heroes came upon a gate to the upper class district, which was guarded by Saderan soldiers. "If you don't have a pass, please leave," said the soldier guarding the door.

"We need to speak to a senator or someone in power," said Arpeggio. "I'm a student under Master Mimoza of Rondel. I'm Arpeggio El Lalena."

The guard looked over Arpeggio's papers. "This checks out. You may enter, but not with your pet or your weapons," said the guard.

"I guess Guilmon and I are staying here," said Takato.

"Don't worry. We won't take long," said Sinon.

The heroes went to a secluded area and turned their Vassal Weapons into inconspicuous items such as plastic toys or everyday items. The guard allowed them to pass, but Guilmon still had to remain behind with Takato to watch him. The remaining heroes entered a civic building where the people could talk to their representatives and guide policy. After a fairly lengthy wait, they were introduced to Senator Casel El Tiberius. He was a marquis, but also the current head of the Saderan senate.

The heroes shook hands with Casel as they met him in his office. He was a middle-aged man with spiky black hair. He wore senatorial robes with a purple left side and a brown right. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Casel El Tiberius," introduced Casel.

Arpeggio began by introducing herself as a student of Mimoza La Mer from Rondel and also as one chosen to be a Vassal Hero of Melro. "Senator, we are here on behalf of the world of Melro, which the Empire is invading at the moment. We'd like to ask the Empire to cancel the invasion and return home," said Arpeggio.

"I've been trying to get them to do the same with Japan, but neither the senate nor the Emperor seem willing to listen," said Casel.

"Who proposed that you invade in the first place?" asked Hikaru.

"King Tact of Fourbrey and Marbas," replied Casel.

The Vassal Heroes were familiar with Tact, but Marbas was a new name, one mentioned by Abel in passing as a major underling of Lucifuge. "Them?" asked Sinon incredulously.

"Yes," replied Casel.

"What did they offer you to invade?" asked Hikaru.

"They would give us demons which could help us defeat Japan. All we had to do was occupy Prado through their Gate at the Inland Sea," replied Casel.

"What if those demons turn on you?" asked Sinon. "They can't be trusted. The Empire should have refused!"

"I know. I thought the offer was too good to be true, but the Emperor accepted it. He's not likely to budge on the decision," replied Casel. His face lit up, as though recalling something important. "Oh! Try talking to Princess Pina Co Lada. The Emperor might be more willing to listen to her than to me. She and her Rose-Order Knights had been sent to investigate the Japanese army at Alnus Hill. She'd need to stop at Italica to be rested for the final leg of the journey. If you're quick, you can catch up to her."

"Thanks. We're go find her," said Arpeggio.

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Rayearth soared across the skies of Falmart on a journey to the city of Italica. This city sat on a major crossroads of the Saderan Empire and acted as an important trading hub. The road coming from the west connected to the Empire's western territories. The one from the south led to the vassal kingdom of Elbe, but also passed near Alnus Hill and the Japanese camp set up there. The one east led back to the capital of Saderas, where they had gotten their new lead from Casel.

Italica had a square shape to its boundaries and was surrounded on all sides by farmland. A defensive wall ran around the entire city save the north, where two vegetation-covered limestone hills stood. The south wall had suffered extensive damage, charred black with chunks blown out of it from a recent skirmish. Some spots still smouldered and many broken weapons and corpses still lay strewn outside the city. Inside, Italica's south side was much the same, with more bodies of soldiers and their weapons strewn about.

Hikaru gently set down Rayearth a distance from the east gate of Italica. As they approached the gate on foot, a blond knight with a goatee and clad in plate armour called out to them from the upper wall. "Identify yourselves! What is your purpose in Italica?" asked the knight.

"We wish to speak with Princess Pina. I am Arpeggio El Lalena, a student of Master Mimoza La Mer," replied Arpeggio.

On the other side of the gate, a redheaded female knight, her brunette underling, and a middle-aged veteran knight looked out of a viewing hole. They were Princess Pina Co Lada, Hamilton Uno Ror, and Grey Co Aldo. "Who are they?" asked Pina.

"They look like foreign mercenaries. Look at their clothes and armour," said Hamilton.

"They specifically asked to see you, Princess. One of them claims she's the student of Mimoza La Mer," said Grey.

"They want me? Why?" asked Pina.

"Should we let them in?" asked Hamilton.

"Go ahead," replied Pina. The knights opened the gate and allowed the Vassal Wielders an audience with her. "Greetings. I am Princess Pina Co Lada of the Empire and leader of the Rose Knights. I was told you wished to see me?"

"Pleased to meet you, your Highness. I am Arpeggio El Lalena, a student of Master Mimoza La Mer," said Arpeggio, who handed Pina some papers to prove her identity. "These are my allies, the Vassal Heroes. Your Empire is currently invading the world of Melro. We wish to speak about this issue."

"Alright. Please join me in the keep," said Pina.

She led the Vassal Wielders into the keep, the residence of the Formal family who ran the city. Everyone gathered in a lounge to speak over biscuits and tea. "Your Highness, we would like the Empire to withdraw from Prado and let us seal the Inland Sea Gate behind them. Could you take us to your father and talk him into stopping?" asked Arpeggio.

"Why would we do that?" asked Grey. "The Empire is making headway in subjugating Prado, especially with Fourbrey's help."

"We spoke with Senator Tiberius before we came to see you. He told us that Tact and Marbas offered you demons for use against Japan. Have you considered that they might turn against you?" asked Hikaru.

"There's also the issue with the Gates. If they stay open, they'll cause Waves to wreck your world," warned Takato.

"Waves? What are those?" asked Grey. Takato described the Waves and Grey seemed all too familiar with the signs. "You mean to tell me that the incident at the Warrior Bunny Plain was a Wave?"

"Yes," replied Takato.

"Even if I wanted to, father wouldn't listen to me. He can be quite stubborn," said Pina. "I still have to remain here to defend Italica. I can't get you an audience to plead your case."

"Who's attacking the city?" asked Hikaru.

"A group of bandits," replied Grey. "They were soldiers from our vassals who have gone rogue."

"What if we helped you defend the city? Would you be willing to negotiate if we did that as a favour on behalf of the people of Melro?" asked Hikaru.

"If you can help drive away the bandits, I'd be free to return to my father after my investigation of Alnus," replied Pina.

"One of them is just a kid! How well can these mercenaries truly fight?" asked Hamilton.

"You dare doubt my dark powers?" asked Megumin. "I can lay waste to the mightiest of armies!"

"Megumin is a powerful spell caster, but all of us are capable of some magic, even me. Hers is the most destructive," replied Takato.

"Alright, it's a deal," said Pina. "Set up watch at the west wall."

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For the rest of the day and well into the night, the Vassal Heroes set up watch at the western wall in support of Italica's defenders. During a break, Arpeggio split off from the group and reported to Abel through telepathy. "I see. Do what you need to do," said Abel. "That second Gate concerns me. Having both Gates active like that is bound to put a lot of strain on Falmart. That other Earth will come along for the ride as Falmart is dragged to Melro."

"So that means Waves here, Waves on Earth, Waves on Melro, and Waves on Takato's world. What a nightmare!" remarked Arpeggio.

"Since you have the ear of Princess Pina, keep building good relations with her. Do the same with that other Japan too," said Abel. "For now, focus on putting down that bandit raid. Make sure the Italicans get through safely."

"Okay, wish us luck," said Arpeggio.

When she returned to the others, Arpeggio reported what Abel had told her. "I'm not surprised. It can't be a good thing to have two Gates pulling Falmart in different directions," remarked Sinon.

"We'll need to visit that other Japan and get them to call back their soldiers," said Takato.

"Yeah, we'll do that once we're finished here," said Hikaru.

The rest of the night went on peacefully as the soldiers of Italica and Pina's retinue watched the countryside for invaders. Norma Co Igloo, the watchman who had first spotted the Vassal Wielders, noticed what seemed to be a series of lights appear in the distance, then fly very rapidly towards the wall. They were flaming arrows! "Here it comes! Everyone, get down!" cried Norma. The guards ducked as the arrows rained down upon them. "Archers, counter volley!" he commanded.

The archers on the walls started lobbing their own arrows at the origin of the enemy arrows. The arrows landed on an array of tower shields which the bandits held overhead like umbrellas. The bandits slowly marched towards the gate, coming only a few feet away. "They're setting up ladders!" cried a soldier.

"Get a message to the princess. We've made contact with the enemy at the east gate!" Norma ordered an underling.

The messenger departed to the central keep and passed the message to the princess. "Let Norma know we're sending our reserves to the east gate," said Pina in response to the messenger.

Meanwhile, the Vassal Heroes looked out from the west wall, but saw nothing of interest in the darkness. When they looked towards the east, they saw the orange light cast by torches and flames moving about in the distance. "There's quite a commotion there," remarked Arpeggio.

Takato used the Scry ability of the Third Eye to take a closer look at the area. He saw dozens of unknown soldiers trying to scale the wall via wooden ladders. Pina's forces fought to repel them, but they just kept coming. Some of the enemy troops reached ground level on the inside and started to work the lever which would open the gates to allow easy access for their comrades. Once the enemy entered, they dumped the bodies of dead soldiers and militia members in front of their living allies

The still-living militia members glared back from behind a crude wooden fence. "You sons of bitches!" cried one of the militia members.

"Follow Nicholai!" cried another.

"The east is under attack!" reported Takato after his awareness returned to his body.

"We're not doing anything here. Can someone ask if we are needed at the east?" Hikaru asked one of the soldiers.

"Okay, we'll dispatch a runner to make the request," said an officer. The messenger ran to see Pina, then came back quickly with the reply. "She said yes. It's quite dire over there."

"Time to go!" said Takato.

The Vassal Wielders rushed to the east gate as fast as their legs could carry them. At the same time, a large enemy soldier with a ball and chain had entered the city. With a single swing of his weapon, he had flattened half a dozen men. After another swing, he knocked a militia member into the fence. At that moment, Hikaru landed beyond the crude fence and stared down the large soldier with the Kusanagi ready. The rest of the Vassal Wielders landed beside her and stared down that man with her.

The man decided to make the first move and whipped the ball and chain at Hikaru. With one swing, she had sliced through the ball and chain. Its halves separated and landed on the ground apart from each other. The large soldier looked at his weapon bewildered. Instead of fleeing, he tightened the chain around his hands, threatening to whip Hikaru with it. When he followed through, Takato put up a Barrier to blunt the attack. Guilmon moved into position and blasted the large soldier down with a Pyro Sphere.

"Fast Fire Elemental!" announced Takato. A portal opened and out came a living flame with a sinister face. "Digimodify! Speed activate!" Upon slashing the card, all of Takato's allies moved with such speed that they were blurs to the naked eye. With fiery tendrils, the fire elemental clubbed its way through the enemy ranks, setting soldiers on fire. Guilmon moved from place to place, spitting Pyro Spheres which blew down soldier after soldier.

The other soldiers moved in to attack the Vassal Wielders. Sinon called the Sub Machine Firearm and sprayed bullets from it, mowing them down. Hikaru closed with another group, flinging a Wind Sweep through their ranks. It carried them away and left them in a pile against the wall. Megumin created a Clinging Morass at the gate, trapping the main enemy force there. Slowly but surely did it sap their energy while fuelling Megumin's MP pool.

"Ha ha ha!" laughed a girl in Gothic Lolita garb as she landed in the fray. She wielded a large halberd as though it weighed nothing, despite her small stature. By now, the enemy had entered into a second stare down with the Vassal Wielders and the Gothic Lolita.

Suddenly, an explosion outside blew away the men trapped beyond the gate, waiting to enter Italica. A JSDF chopper came into view above the wall, firing machine guns at the enemies there. Another strafed a different area, unloading bullets into the bandits. A third approached a ballista and blasted it and an enemy soldier with a missile. Soon after, other JSDF soldiers entered the fray and started shooting bandits trying to surround the Vassal Wielders and their allies.

Two bandits rushed Arpeggio, only to get the Kater lobbed their way. Its singularity yanked the men into the air, before dropping them onto the ground. Arpeggio created a burst of Fast Stone Gas upon them, turning them all into statues. Three went to attack Megumin, only to have a Tempest cloud zap them with bolts of lightning. Takato cast Fast Summon Hymenoptera, halting another group's flank attempt as they stopped to swat the Wave wasps.

"It's time to end this!" said Arpeggio as she looked to the bandits outside of the city gates. "As source of thy power, I command thee! Decipher the laws of nature and fossilize my foes! Stone Gas!"

Upon utterance of that spell, a massive cloud of dusty earth burst into existence upon the bandit army. The moment their bodies made contact with the dust, it cured into rock on their bodies. It spread rapidly like gangrene until it encased them completely, their expressions of terror permanently etched onto the statues they became. None of the bandits were spared this fate, one possibly worse than death. Silence fell upon Italica with the demise of the enemy. The city's defenders were victorious.

With the battle concluded, the JSDF rappelled down from their helicopters and started to seize control of the area. Pina had arrived on the scene and saw the statues of the enemy. The sheer horror etched on their faces sent chills down her spine. When she saw the bodies left in the wake of the JSDF's weapons, Pina was equally horrified to see how easily they could kill. The few who lived to tell the tale were quickly detained by the JSDF. It was destruction and devastation at a level she had never witnessed in her entire life.

A new feeling welled up Pina. It was fear, fear of the horrors she had invited into Italica just to save it from a mere bandit invasion. She rejoined Hamilton and Grey in watching the JSDF and Vassal Wielders clean up the area, helping innocent civilians and arresting survivors from the enemy force. "Well, it's done," said Grey.

"At the very least, we can say that the bandits are gone," said Pina.

"Yes. It's a victory," said Hamilton.

"No it's not. It's was the Vassal Heroes and the foreign soldiers who claimed victory, not us. Those soldiers are still occupying Alnus Hill. They're still our enemy," said Pina. "All I wanted was to save Italica, but I fear I may have brought in a fate much worse than defeat. Those flying weapons of steel and dark sorcery obliterated a horde of hardened bandits in just seconds. If they turned that power against Italica, even I'd be..."

Images raced through Pina's mind of all the degrading things she'd be forced to do if the JSDF and Vassal Heroes demanded it. "Princess?" asked Hamilton.

"Lady Myui would be forced to give up her position and be taken prisoner. This vital crossroads of the Empire would fall into enemy hands and its citizens taken as their slaves," said Pina.

"No! They would never!" said Hamilton.

"Are you sure of that? Did you think they rescued this town just to give it back? I don't have the power to refuse if that's what they demand. I may even have to throw myself at their mercy and lower myself to kiss their feet," said Pina.

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Later on, the Vassal Wielders met with Pina. "We had an agreement and we've done our part. Once you're done with Alnus, please take us to see your father," said Arpeggio.

"Of course," replied Pina.

"That concludes our job here. We're grateful for your audience, your Highness," said Arpeggio.

As the Vassal Wielders were about to leave, they ran into a group of JSDF soldiers and their cohorts. "Arpeggio?" asked one of them, a young female mage with cyan hair who carried a staff.

Arpeggio looked at the mage. "Lelei? You're here?" asked Arpeggio.

"Do you know each other?" asked one of the JSDF soldiers, a man named Yoji Itami, who was a lieutenant in the force.

"Of course. She's my sister, Arpeggio," said Lelei. "I'm amazed at how powerful a spell you cast. I've never seen anything like that come from you before."

"Jealous?" asked Arpeggio. "My new master, the mighty sorcerer Abel, has taught me spells you could only dream of learning!"

"Hey! That's my schtick!" said Megumin.

"Uhuh," remarked Lelei.

"How can you be so cold? I hate that!" said Arpeggio. "So, what have you been up to?"

"I've been with the JSDF. A flame dragon attacked the village Master Cato and I were staying at. It was Itami's unit who came to help us," said Lelei.

"Hey, some of you guys look Japanese!" remarked Itami.

"That's because we ARE Japanese!" replied Sinon.

"Who are you and what are you doing here? How did you get past security and enter the Special Region?" asked Itami's companion, the serious Colonel Shunya Kengun.

"We teleported here," replied Takato.

"Wait, teleported?" asked Itami.

"By our Vassal Weapons," replied Arpeggio. "We're the Vassal Heroes of Melro."

"Vassal Heroes?" asked Kengun.

"Yes. Master Abel brought us to the world of Melro, where we received special weapons and were told to stop the Waves of Calamity," replied Hikaru.

"Oh, I see! You're heroes of a real life isekai story!" remarked Itami, not surprised to hear of such things from his hobbies. He had no trouble believing it after personally witnessing the Vassal Heroes in action earlier. "That's so cool!"

"What were you talking to Princess Pina about?" asked Lelei.

"We wanted her to get the Emperor to recall the Empire's soldiers from Melro," replied Arpeggio. "Actually, it's good that we bumped into you. We want to ask Japan the same thing."

"You want us to go home?" asked Kengun.

"Yeah," replied Arpeggio. "Our master, Abel, is concerned that having two Gates open in Falmart would put strain on the world."

"We're being summoned to testify at the National Diet. We could take you with us to plead your case to our leaders," said Itami. "Is it alright if we do that, Colonel?"

"It should be okay," said Kengun. "That will have to wait until we finish our talks with Pina."

"Thank you," said Arpeggio. As Itami's group met with Pina, the Vassal Heroes waited at a guest room beside the front lobby.

A group of knights rode into Italica and unlike most knightly orders, this one consisted of mostly women. They carried the standard of the rose on a red background. The leader of the group was a blonde knight with ringlets in her hair, a sign of her nobility. This woman was Bozes Co Palesti. She rode up to the keep and entered, passing the Vassal Heroes, who were waiting in a guest room off to the side.

Guilmon perked up upon catching their scents. "Oh! A lot of people are here," remarked Guilmon.

Megumin looked outside at the female knights as they entered the manor. "Yeah, they seem very intent," remarked Megumin.

Some time later, Itami visited the Vassal Heroes. "Listen, the princess sent word that she needs to make a diplomatic visit to Japan. She says she'll grant you an audience with the Emperor after she's finished. Didn't you want to meet our representatives too?" asked Itami.

"Yeah," replied Arpeggio.

"Please let us tag along," said Takato.

The Vassal Heroes joined the group, which also included Pina and Bozes, who had changed into yellow ceremonial garb and caps for the journey. Itami's unit transported the group to Alnus Hill, where the JSDF had constructed their base of operations in Falmart, which they dubbed the "Special Region." As they drove by, they saw JSDF soldiers and tanks training. A squadron of attack helicopters flew by overhead on patrol for intruders. Pina was especially stunned by what she saw and marvelled at the strange war machines the JSDF could field.

Once they stopped in the base, Itami took Pina, Bozes, and the Vassal Wielders to meet General Hazama in a lounge. The general was a moustachioed man in his sixties who had greying black hair. He wore a formal green uniform decorated with medals and pins to indicate his rank and accomplishments as a general. Hazama was also joined by a smug man with black hair and glasses. He was Lieutenant Akira Yanagida, who was there to act as Hazama's aide. As before, Takato had to stay outside to watch Guilmon.

"Having you here is unusual so there must be something you wish to discuss," remarked Hazama.

"Yes. We wish to go to your world to formalize the treaty we discussed with Itami's group," said Pina.

"Okay, you'll be acting as ambassadors for the Empire. We'll make the proper arrangements," said Hazama. "Now for you guys. You are called the Vassal Heroes, are you not?"

"Yes," said Arpeggio. "We also wish to go to Japan to ask your leadership to withdraw all JSDF members from the Special Region."

"That's a tall order. Japan is interested in resources and knowledge from the Special Region. It would be a tough sell," warned Hazama.

"If that Gate stays open, the Special Region and Japan would be in danger!" warned Hikaru.

"What do you mean?" asked Yanagida.

"Our master told us that having two Gates open would put a great amount of stress on the Special Region. It will cause Waves to happen," said Hikaru.

"Waves?" asked Yanagida.

"Oh, that's right! You don't know what they are. Let me start from the top," replied Arpeggio.

She told Hazama and Yanagida about the Waves of Calamity in Melro and the role of the Vassal Wielders in resisting them. Pina remembered that a similar incident had happened out east in the Warrior Bunny Plain from the reports of the Empire's troops. "So this Abel is concerned that the threat you are facing in Melro will manifest here should these Gates remain open?" asked Yanagida.

"Yes. That is why our master wishes to close the Gates," replied Arpeggio.

"We'll let you speak to someone, but I doubt Japan would change its course," said Hazama.

"Whatever you can do. Thanks anyways," said Arpeggio.

Itami's allies and the Vassal Wielders were escorted through the Alnus Gate. For the first time in their lives, Pina and Bozes saw towering grey skyscrapers and heard the sound of cars honking. Pina was especially amazed at how high the Japanese people were able to build in their country, seeing soldiers inside the third floor window of a building. For most of the Vassal Wielders, it was like homecoming after months of opposing the Waves of Calamity in Melro.

"So this is the land you're from?" asked Megumin.

"Yes," replied Hikaru. "To be back in Japan... It's been so long."

"This isn't any of the Japans we came from, but it's good to see it," said Takato.

"Can we get some bread rolls while we're here?" asked Guilmon.

"Sure," said Takato.

"What about you, Sinon? Is this Japan like the one you came from?" asked Hikaru.

"Quite a bit. Japan hasn't changed that much in the future," replied Sinon.

The entire group boarded a tour bus which was escorted by government agents in black cars. After a brief stop to eat lunch at a ramen shop, the convoy continued its way through Tokyo. The convoy pulled into the grounds of the Diet building, the parliament of Japan. The Vassal Wielders, Pina, and Bozes did not disembark, as they were going to meet some Japanese diplomats to conduct negotiations. They were escorted by Sgt. Kuribayashi and Sgt. Tomita of Itami's Third Recon unit.

The three groups, the Japanese diplomats, the Saderans, and the Vassal Wielders save Takato and Guilmon met in a private room. The Japanese side in particular consisted of a woman in blue and a young man in a black suit. "I am Reika Shirayuri. Welcome to Japan everyone. This is Koji Suguwara from Foreign Affairs. Please take a seat," said the woman. Once everyone did so, she straightened her papers and continued. "This in itself is not the peace conference, but we're hoping to use this platform to discuss the manner in which our entities will negotiate."

"That should be fine," said Pina.

"Yes," said Hikaru. "First off, let's introduce ourselves."

The Vassal Wielders and the Saderans introduced themselves to everyone. "Pleased to meet you Vassal Wielders and nobles of Saderas," said Suguwara.

"Let me start by voicing our concerns," said Hikaru. "Currently, the Saderan Empire of the Special Region is invading Melro through a second Gate. Our master is concerned about having these two Gates open. We're here to relay a request on his behalf for everyone to withdraw all troops and allow him to seal the Gates behind you."

"That will be a difficult request to fulfill," said Suguwara. "Japan desires trade and resources which can only be found in the Special Region."

"You mentioned concerns. What did you mean by that?" asked Shirayuki.

"We mean that your world and the Special Region on a collision course with each other and our world of Melro. Waves of Calamity will break out, turning the sky red and opening holes which dump monsters into the worlds involved," replied Hikaru.

"Stopping the Waves is why we are here," said Sinon.

"Is something about the Gates causing these world collisions and Waves?" asked Shirayuri.

"Yes," replied Hikaru. "The Gates create a connection which pull the worlds together."

"We haven't seen anything like these 'Waves of Calamity' here," said Suguwara.

"Not yet, but that will change the longer the Gates stay open," said Hikaru. "The Special Region will have it much worse since it has two Gates instead of one."

Shirayuki leaned over to Suguwara's ear. "If what these kids are saying is true, this could create major complications in our relations with other nations," whispered Shirayuki.

"Yes, I'm aware of that," whispered Suguwara in return.

"If we were to refuse to follow through with this request, how would your side respond?" asked Shirayuki.

"Our master would be forced to seal the Gates personally. We'd be obligated to assist him," said Hikaru.

"That would put us in conflict with your group. The JSDF would do everything in its power to keep you away from it," said Suguwara.

"I doubt the JSDF could stop him even if they tried. He's practically a god!" said Arpeggio.

"Please, let's resolve this peacefully. The stakes are high, but we shouldn't escalate the violence," said Pina.

"You're right, Princess. War won't help anyone but the demons, but as we said, those Gates are a danger by simply existing," warned Sinon.

"The Waves won't just be in Japan. Other countries will get them too and they'll be pissed! Even if Master Abel doesn't close the Gates, other countries might take matters into their own hands," warned Megumin.

"Threats from the other side, threats from our own world, threats from beyond... Suddenly, the Gate seems more boondoggle than the boon we hoped it would be," remarked Suguwara.

"We know this is a difficult decision. We won't rush you into making it," said Hikaru.

"Princess, please don't forget. Take us to see your father. Help us stop his invasion of Melro," said Arpeggio.

"Yes, I know," replied Pina. "Peace is the only way forward."

END OF CHAPTER