Waking up feeling cold sweat is never a good thing, especially to someone who has to relive others' nightmare on an almost daily basis. Sometimes it's not fictional pictures that cause fear, it's from the cruelty of reality.

And that's what scares the doll when she wakes up feeling stabbed through the heart. This happens so occasionally so the doll is not surprised at the pain. What disturbs her is how the vision was extremely blurred. Normally, she would have a very clear view and clear hearing of what happened in an event. This time, not only did the event come without her noticing it, but it's different from the usuals.

Her pupils shrink for a moment when she opens her eyes, as she takes a look around the area she's currently in. Her last sitting position was on the edge of the table where the artist worked, and it seemed that nobody changed her location. She sees most members of the group are still sleeping soundly. Some of the exceptions are the Apostle currently crouching and praying under the sunlight, and the two royalists on the other side of the room reading Risa's books…

"Anyone want breakfast?" The current silent atmosphere is broken when the 'commander' walks into the room with two plates in his hands. It gains the awakens' attention, but the soldier also notices the doll's eyes dashing around the room. "Hey, Kuro? Do you want to join too?"

Rory turns to see the doll, and sees the odd behavior from her. She heads to the doll and starts picking her up, causing her to slightly startle and stare back at the Apostle. "Hey, are you not fully awake yet?"

"...Not really." Her pupils return back to normal and she rubs her eyes in annoyance. She then turns to Itami and says: "Yes, I will join. Thank you very much."

The soldier nods and they start gathering in one free space and enjoy the breakfast. He then asks the doll: "Did something happen?"

"Kinda." She replies. "I have something that I dubbed 'Vision Of The Past'. It basically allows me to look at what happened with almost precise details."

"That's a convenient power." The Princess is impressed.

"The problem this time is that I didn't actively use it, and I didn't have anything clear."

"Maybe it malfunctioned sometimes?" Itami questions the possibility.

"Of course I won't deny it. But that means the vision is either disturbing or it contains some major problems in the world. Or it's because I'm not directly in the area where the event happened. However, I would lean on the fact that it's something important."

"Why not the others?"

"I have seen things Gods can't even save, miss Bozes." The doll opens her mouth and inhales an amount of food that is somewhat larger than her size. After swallowing it she continues: "The only thing I can tell is that the people in the vision have something sprouted on the top of their heads. Possibly ears."

"...You said you could see the past, right?" Pina re-questions, which earns her a nod. "Then I might know what it is. It could be when my brother did a raid on the bunny warriors' tribes."

The doll stares blankly at the Princess, then shrugs. "Probably to just show me how bad he is, then."

"It… is unquestionably true." Pina hangs her head down. "He is… not a very good person."

"Doesn't mean I can do anything about it." The doll shrugs again. "Anyway, what's the plan for today, Itami?"

"I will tell you all when everyone's awake."

With that, everyone continues their meals…

'Ghost, Spectre, both of you keep an eye on Bianca. Something might…'

'Something happened to her tribe. Especially about their Queen. She probably betrayed her people to stay alive.'

'...Say again Ghost?'

'It's only a one-sided affliction from the girl. We currently have no way to confirm the story. Of course, if you allow us to probe her mind…'

'...Not necessary. I just had a blurred vision possibly about them. Thanks for the info Spectre, I will deal with it after I return.'


"You know you could just turn yourself back to normal, right?"

"Nah, don't feel like doing so now."

After the big group has exchanged words on how the day would go, the members separate to smaller groups, with Itami and the doll going with each other. During the walk, the doll just hangs on the soldier's shoulder, earning them looks of curiosity. They're also surprised when the two of them have a conversation like two normal people, and the doll even waves back to them with a smile when she notices their expression.

"...Are we followed?"

"Not for now. When we group up, they will definitely know for sure."

"Couldn't you distract them somehow?"

"One or twice is good, but it won't work the third time. And I don't mean I'm weak. They would know something's wrong and send more of what normal people can't deal with. That's something I don't like."

"So it's up to the higher-ups to fix this."

"Yep. Screw politics."

"Aren't you on the top of the chains?"

"My nation provides protection and technology advancings only. Everything else that relates to the people's needs is up to the Oracles and the other CPUs. And that's my own choice to be like that."

"Is that why you didn't say everything in the Diet?"

"One part."

After about an hour of shopping, Itami leaves the crowded ground and stops at a somewhat secluded area and looks up at a building, waiting for something. The doll plans to ask why they're stopping, but she notices someone heading right in their direction. When the person's close enough, he stops next to them and also mimics what the younger soldier is doing. He then speaks up: "Twenty years ago, we met right here. I'd just gotten married, and somehow I lost the elections."

"I was just a middle-school kid back then." Itami replies back, both not looking at each other yet which humors the doll. "Not bring any securities with you? Why so low-key?"

"The best of the best is already next to me, why bother?"

"Your Highness, joking or not, it's disturbing…"

Both now turn and greet the other with a handshake. The newcomer notices the doll sitting on Itami's shoulder so he questions: "Is it from your ex's?"

"That's Kuro."

"...The guy in the Diet?" His question is answered when the doll jumps off the soldier's shoulder and turns back to his normal appearance which stumbles him back. "Woah! Now that's a surprise!"

"Understandable. My name is Kuro." The fifth CPU reaches his hand out for a handshake.

"I'm Kanou Tarou, Minister of Defense and Minister for Problem Measures of the Special Region." After the shock, the 'elder' returns the gesture.

The trio then head to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden so they can talk with no problems. During that, Kuro is humored with the two's history as the two keep talking about manga, as he decides to stay silent and enjoy their stories. Once a while, Itami asks if he has encountered any worlds in the topics, and the Time Traveler tells them which he has crossed and those entertain both his companions.

After an hour and a half, it's time for them to return to their plans, after Itami gives Kanou a gift.

"The guests are doing well, correct?"

"Yes, they are." The soldier replies to the Minister's question, followed by his companion's nod of confirmation.

"It's a right decision to not enter the hotel, but that gave us the troubles. There are a lot of people who want to reach out to you."

"Not only the foreign guests." Kuro adds. "After the Diet, they sent a small group after me and my sister."

"Given that she's taken by the Gate's soldiers and you were spirited away, you would hold a lot of information." Kanou nods in understanding, then turns to Itami and speaks while straightening himself up: "First Lieutenant Itami, this is the direct order from the Minister of Defense and Minister for Problem Measures of the Special Region. Return to the original plan and head to the resort in Hakone."

"Roger!" Itami also gets serious and replies back.

"I will support however I can."

"Thanks for your help, mister Kuro. However, I suggest you to not do anything unless the situation's out of control."

"I understand, mister Kanou." With the conversation ended, the Minister leaves, with the First Lieutenant bowing down in forty-five degrees. "...So the place's under the Special Force's protection."

"Yeah… they are my old unit."

"Ah, now that's interesting."


Hours later. Hakone Resort

"...What happened?" Kuro questions out loud when he sees the scene before him.

A while ago he decided to go around the resort after the hot spring bath and dinner. During that, he found almost no one around, so he guessed that the night's specifically booked for them. When he got to where the boys of the group were going to stay, he was a bit surprised to find no one. However, he heard a loud commotion and started heading there… and saw a knocked-out Itami with others in the girls' room, most of them looking drunk.

"Want to take a guess?" Hodor chuckles as he's watching the mess.

"For my own sanity, I won't."

"A drunk party happened."

"I can tell." Kuro sighs, which causes the elder elf to laugh. He then sees Tomita sitting in a corner with a depressed expression. "...We should pull both of them back to the room."

"HEY!" Before they can execute the plan, Kuribayashi runs up to the 'human' while holding a bottle of wine in her hand. "You! You have Special Forces in your world, right? Introduce me to someone!"

"...I suggest you go to my world in your free time and find him yourself. I'm not actually that good at finding a ship." Kuro replies with uncertainty due to the talker being drunk. Though that seems to work as the soldier backs down.

After the boys are all back in their room, the elf chuckles again. "Really? You have a big family and you said you couldn't find her a match?"

"My taste is odd, don't question it." Kuro's eyes narrow when Hodor laughs again. He continues: "Take a rest. Tomorrow we will return to the other side."

The elf shrugs, though he follows the suggestion. However, he sees the other 'human' starting to leave the room. "Hey, where are you going?"

"I need to make a call. I will return shortly." Kuro answers and closes the door behind him. Heading to a quiet area, he pulls out his phone and starts a scan around the resort. After a minute, he sees four forces currently in the forest. One of them is possibly Itami's forces, while the others are from whoever sent to get them. And they appear to be very capable when he sees the other three forces getting shot down without being able to do anything…

"Something is happening, am I correct?"

"Correct, miss Rory. Shouldn't you rest after that party?"

"A little wine won't knock me down that easily." The Apostle looks at Kuro's phone and questions: "Is there a fight around here?"

"There is. However, we shouldn't intervene yet. Not when Itami's SF unit is still operational."

"Why can't we?"

"Politics. I will keep you in touch if you want to know how it goes." After looking through the thermal map, he pockets his phone away…

"You know, I don't really like you." That temporarily stops him in track as he turns his head to the Apostle of War. "You smell like a mix of my God and Hardy. That woman has been bothering me too many times, and seeing you being associated with someone her alternative self… I doubt we can work with each other."

"Well… time will tell. I can work with anyone as long as they're not evil." Kuro shrugs. "Also, does scent really matter that much?"

"It shows what kind of person you are, usually. It seems to not work with you."

"If I'm willing to, I can change my everything actively if I seriously want to."

"Hm… I guess you are a unique God. And since you fought Giselle, maybe you are not really on her side."

"...Right, I did talk with you about that. Anyway, goodnight."

"THE GRAIL IS BROKEN. REPEAT, THE GRAIL IS BROKEN. ALL UNITS CEASE COMBAT OPERATION AND FALL BACK TO THE DESIGNATED POINTS."

"Damn, something happens." Archer grunts as he and his squad retreats after hearing the order from HQ. "So we can only stay afar and watch them getting the guests away."

"I guess so." Viper replies through the comms. "Do you think these guys can take the guests away?"

"The guests are just a princess and a knight from the Gate…"

"With Itami and some of his units being their guards." Lancer joins in. "Looks, it's Itami, he probably sensed something and already got away."

"Good to know that he gets you guys' approval, but he's knocked out right now."

"Yeah, like you know what…" Viper quickly shuts up as the camouflaged soldiers start looking at each other to see if any of them has that accent. And no one does. "Identify yourself."

"This is Kuro, one of the guests. Did something happen that made you all retreat?"

"...How the hell did you find us and contact us on this channel?" Lancer questions back, as Saber quickly contacts HQ of the new development.

"The Apostle already knew you were in the fight, and I built SKYNET, so yeah. Anyway, mind explaining? I didn't activate the sound in case you need privacy."

"...The Minister allows us to talk." Saber calls back.

"...We're not sure ourselves, but it seems something happened on the high-ups. Now we can't fight whoever is in the forest."

"...Just to make it clear, only YOU aren't allowed to interfere, right?" The voice asks back while emphasizing on the word.

"...Care to explain?"

"Well… guess that's a green light. Grab some popcorn boys, you're about to see a massacre." And with that, the comm from the person is cut off.

"...What happened?" Caster finally speaks through the comm, not understanding what just occurred.

"Eh… no ideas?" Viper replies with uncertainty. "Just keep watching, I guess?"

"I think he might be half joking, but a massacre?" Saber questions.

His question is answered a few minutes later, when the three non-Japan forces face each other and start pointing the guns. One of the resort's windows is busted open by something launching from the inside out. It then lands on a boulder in the garden, revealing to be a girl in pajama dress with a large halberd in her hands. A single second later, the sharp blade cuts through multiple bodies, and that's when the bullets start firing against everything on sight, with the human shooters trying to hide behind any obstacles to avoid stray bullets while firing back. However, it's for nothing as the girl's movements are too fast for them, as the girl just dashes to their back and delivers swift deaths. Bullets either get blocked by the massive halberd or she just dodges them without a problem.

"...Did you see that?" Archer snaps out of his shock and asks his nearby sniper in a low tone so they're not compromised.

"Yeah. I think I saw something like that in Itami's manga." Viper replies, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. "So… are we needed here anymore?"

"Wait, someone else is coming out…" Saber then sees a figure walking out of the resort and observing the carnage happening in the yard. He then sees the person moving his right hand up to his ear…

"Can you guys ask the HQ if they can deal with the bodies? If not, can I?" The same voice calls into their comm and asks the question.

"...Give us a moment." Saber hesitantly replies back and Lancer quickly sends the question to the high-ups. After a few seconds, Saber receives the order and he sends it to Kuro: "Leave it be. We need the bodies for… later investigation."

"Got you." The comm cuts off again.

"...Was our channel decrypted that easily?" Saber questions out loud… "Wait, what? There's no breaches in the comms? Are you sure?" He then listens to Kanou's story during the time he met Itami and Kuro in the morning. "...Ok then… guess we have little to worry then."

"And I was hoping my world would be more peaceful." Kuro groans in annoyance as everyone walks away from the resort. "Apparently not."

"This doesn't feel like a vacation at all." Itami shares the same feeling. "Where do you think they came from?"

"I heard Russian, English and Chinese." Kuribayashi replies, then notices a van ahead. "Commander…"

Itami turns to where the girl looks at, and his gaze hardens. He quickly makes hand gestures for the soldiers to come up with weapons and start approaching the van. Moments later a huge Russian guy comes out with his hands above their hands being held at gunpoint.

As he forces the man down to the ground, Tomita questions his commander: "What can we do to him now?"

"A missing head would do the trick." The God's suggestion (in Russian thanks to the translation spell) causes the huge man to repeatedly pray for his life. "Just kidding. *Back to Japanese* Lelei, do you have any sleeping spells or something?"

"I do."

Tomita moves away so the girl does her work. Meanwhile the soldiers start searching for the van and find a lot of guns and ammunition. Kuro turns to see the two royalists and notices their concerned expression. "A bit shaken tonight?"

"...Yes." Pina replies honestly. "The ones back there… were they after us?"

"Eh… I guess that's half of the reason. I might also be on the plate too." Kuro shrugs.

"You don't seem to be worried. I guess being a God has benefits."

"I'm more worried about people around me than myself, miss Bozes. Worry not about not being able to return back, JSDF won't let it happen. With my support also."

"Thank you." Pina bows gratefully.

After everything is secured, everyone gets on the van with Tomita being the driver and Kuro turning himself into Shanghai to, again, not take up space. During the ride, Itami suggests not heading directly to Ginza since it could be an ambush waiting for them, so they're going the long way around.

"Still, from this point JSDF can't do much to protect us, so we're going to need a plan to avoid conflicts, and I would prefer not to use magic." Kuro adds another matter.

"Sabotaging their communications? It doesn't really need magic, right?" Itami suggests.

"I guess… but even if the comms go down, the ones who spot us would try tailing for sure. And they would try using roadblocks to stop us for sure…"

"How about we use our own?" Everyone except Tomita turns to Risa. "They're not going to attack civilians, right? Let's call out a lot of them on the road to confuse them."

"...That's one way." The doll rubs her chin in wonder. "I will let you do the work then."

"Sir Itami, sir Kuro…" Pina changes the objective. "Can I ask why we are running? Isn't it better to put them down on our own?"

"...We don't like killing." Itami half-heartedly answers. While it's true, he doesn't feel like going into details.

"My country would get involved and I don't like that either." The doll adds.

"But… technically you are the other world's representative." The princess counters lightly. "And you stand above everyone else…"

"You are mistaken, miss Pina." She's interrupted. "If I am truly like how you think I am, I would have not cared if you got kidnapped or not. Hell, I wouldn't be here in the first place and instead going back with my family. My morality doesn't allow that."

"But…"

"Don't apply humanity's rules to other species except morality. And even that is subjective." After a small silence, the doll continues: "You will learn that winning a war doesn't require full-blown battles. An arrow to the heel is enough to shut down anything."

Those who come from the other side of the Gate don't understand what it means, but the others immediately get the reference and they all agree silently.

"...Get a rest. Tomita, when you are tired, just rest. I can control the van with no problems."


Seeing that there's no way to continue the conversation, Pina hangs her head down and closes her eyes. After what happened during the day in Italica and the two days in Japan, her understanding of the world feels less and less. She thought the Empire has provided her everything to know what the world outside is like, but then she witnessed the might of the Apostle of War, the power the Men In Green carry, and the absurdity of a God who's equal to Hardy. And IF she understands correctly, the Men In Green are not the only army on this side of the Gate, and they're all aiming to get her in order to get to the Empire.

If things go wrong, a war will spark, and the Empire will surely lose.

And for that, peace negotiation must happen. And she will make sure it goes through.