Thus, the Bear of the West Roamed there Chapter 16, a Hearts of Iron + Gate - Jietai Kare no Chi nite, Kaku Tatakeri Crossover fanfic

I don't own Kaiserreich or Gate JSDF

English: Yippie Ki Yay

Translated English: Yippie Ki Yay

Alnus Hill early the following Morning

3rd POV

The scene opens up on Alnus Hill Airbase. Things have begun moving in the right direction in the Imperial Capital. Thanks in part to Pina, she had managed to connect a massive political counter to the Militarist within the senate. To ease concerns and promote the peaceful side, Items, primarily food were loaded onto the Mary Fields C-124 Globemaster. Third Recon was assigned to it's transportation, however they are short of one. Ms. Blanch Looked down at her watch in irritation as she continues to look down at her watch.

"The Hell is that Tonto estúpido getting here?" Pérez muttered in annoyance.

"Not sure if he'd show his face. If Ms. Blanch don't kill him then the paperwork after will." Hathale says after taking a drag from his cigarette. The group returned to sitting around waiting for their commander when they spot something on the horizon. It looked like a tan penguin… if his ass was on fire.

It was Eastwood, racing down the road trying to get his uniform on. He struggled to button his shirt and attach his bandoleer. He had made it to the airstrip when Ms. Blanch stopped him. The group watched from the side, unable to hear Eastwoods conversation they speculated what he was saying.

"Alright Malditas idiotas, moneys on the table. Why do you recon our L.T was late." Pérez said as he slaps five bucks on one of the boxes.

"Really, gambling?" Fujita asked as she shakes her head in disappointment.

"Alright, double it." Pérez says as he slaps another.

"Your on, I think he finally excepted one of the new WAC Rabbit girls offers." Scott remarks earning a dirty glance from Pérez.

"Come on John, he's married, to soldadera no less. He ain't stupid like Brooks." Pérez chastising John with a few nods from everyone.

"Maybe he didn't get out of bed?" Brooks suggested as he slaps a few dollars short of the ten on the table.

"See, that's more plausible… granted not by much but still." Pérez said as Zimmerman and Jones slaps down ten dollars.

"He ran into a smaller more terrifying dragon on the way over." Zimmerman guessed.

"Na, he clearly had to help Rory back home from the bar… an hour ago." Jones said before turning to Hathale and O'Hara. "Hey Corporal, O'Hara. Want in on this?"

"Nah, Gambling is a fools game." Hathale said as he waves off the offer.

"Um, yeah… His friend daughter was here. Probably had to straighten her out for fighting with one horny Brazilian." O'Hara guessed as she slapped down ten bucks on the ever-growing pile of wages.

"Phss you only know that cause you were in the staff building when it happened bruja. Not really a guess." Pérez said earning a slug from O'Hara.

"Oh, says the slacker who left to flirt with girls at the brothel!" O'Hara shouted earning a dirty glance from Pérez.

"Lay your hands on me again you perra fea, and I'll shove a grenade where the sun don't shine!" Pérez snapped as the two clash.

"Try you lazy prick! I've taken beating from tougher girls then you!" O'Hara shouted as she and Pérez were near inches from breaking out into a fight with each other. However, Hathale stepped in to prevent this feud from escalating.

"Enough. Dear god you two can't get along for five seconds without the threat of disciplinary action." Hathale said as he push to the two away from each other.

"Honest Corporal, these two just need to…" Before Nathan could finish, the two turn to him and shouted in unison, "FINISH THAT STATEMENT NATHAN! SEE WHAT HAPPENS!"

"What will happen?" Eastwood asked gaining everyone's attention, not realizing he and Ms. Blanch were standing behind them this entire time.

"Oh, nothing to worry about sir." Zimmerman remarks with a smug look.

"Say, Lieutenant why were you late?" Jones asked.

"Overslept, got int a bar fight last night with a friend and I'd overslept." Eastwood said as he rubs the back of his head. He was clearly still hung over from the night before.

"And we will be adding that to paperwork you'll be doing when you get back." Ms. Blanch said causing Eastwood to grumble.

"(Sigh) You are as bitter as a rattle snake with a toothache, you know that." Eastwood grumbles.

"It's professionalism Lieutenant. Something your team lacks at time." Ms. Blanch says as she scribbles something down on her notepad. She then rips the paper from the notepad before handing it off to Eastwood. "When you return, I'd expect these files filled and turned in by the following morning. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am." Eastwood begrudgingly said as he takes the note and walks towards the C-124 Globemaster.

The rest of Third Recon followed him, grumbling as Brooks received his winnings. Once on board, where they all took their seats. Eastwood tucks away the note and tips his Stetson down as he tries to nurse his hangover. However, the rowdy chatter behind him made it nearly impossible to get a wink of sleep. Eventually he gave up and turned to Hathale before asking him on the mission briefing. As the two talked about there mission, the plane powerful turbines sputter to life. The two older soldiers went silent as the plane takes off. As it does the view pulls out to the dirt road leading to the woods. There a familiar dark elf watches on in astonishment at the sight of, what could be described as; 'a fly sword of hope'

"The… the rumors… they are true. Oh thank Hardy for all the trials that it be true!" She mutters to herself as she races down. "Flying Arcs, Flying Swords, Flying Fortress? The Rod of Steel. Is there nothing these men in khaki can't do!?"

She raced down looking around, eyes wide as she tries to spot anyone in an abondance of khaki. As she mutters khaki clothes over and over again, her thoughts recalled last night. Seeing a man in khaki and wide brim hat, with a strange talisman tucked in it. Had not hunger diswaded her she may have inquired her woes onto him. That's when she spotted a group of people. All wearing disheveled khaki uniforms. They were washing one of those metallic elephants. She wasn't sure what they were saying but she need not know.

"H-Hey! (Huff, huff) H-Hey!" Yao shouted out to the group as she approaches them. The group of five turn to her as she stopped to catch her breath. Once she does she then bow her head before speaking. "Are you the noble men in khaki? Please I you beg for your ears for I request with the up most humility."

The group of five turn to this dark elf, who was dressed in the most revealing of attires they had ever encountered; as she unfold her entire story. "My name is Yao Haa Dushi, and I traveled here from the Schwarz Forest. A flame dragon suddenly appeared many months ago… my tribe has suffered greatly at its hand. When all hope seemed loss till I heard of the rumor of men dressed in khaki. Now I've seen but a taste of your might, these rumors do no justice to your strength. I beg of you, to lend me your strength so my tribe may survive, at any cost we shall pay ten-fold. What say you, men in khaki?"

After a few moments of silence, a single uncomfortable soldier approached her, and the words he said sent a shiver down the back of her neck. Far worst then saying no in a broken accent, "H-Hello. How are you doing?"

Hours later, in town

The scene cut's to an exhausted Yao, leaning up against the wall in town. She was rubbing her temples from the annoyance of this set back. Thinking to herself, 'Shit, I spent half a day speaking out to multiple men and women in the same clothing. They either couldn't understand me or just enough common to give basic broken responses… Ugh, why had I not learned of this prior. I could have asked at the tavern for one who spoke fluently.'

Her thoughts were then interrupted by a cooing voice. "Hello, Miss Dark elf."

Looking over, she saw a man dressed in fairly common clothes, with a certified cocky smirk on his face. "You're looking for the men in Khaki, well would you like me to lead you to one?"

"You know one who speaks common?" Yao asked with a beam of hope.

"Ai, follow me. I'll lead the way." He says as leads Yao down a dark alley.

Stupidly, she followed the stranger down the path. After a few moments a loud girlish yelp can be heard and the man soon ran out with his pants falling down. As he ran with his ass hanging out and his balls in hand, Yao walks out of the ally tossing a coin purse up and down.

"(Sigh) Go figure there be humans like that in this town. Least this one left behind his coin purse." Yao said as she catches the coin purse and stuffs it on her belt. She proceeds to wander town; she had arrived late that evening and didn't get the chance to explore the settlement prior to her arrival. Now that it was daytime, she could see the town clearly and when it was bustling with activity.

She passed by many strange styles of building. Made of stone, wood, and a strange red adobe brick. She soon found herself in a warehouse district, where many merchants, guards, and builders had stuffed there carriages full of strange boxes. Filled with foreign and domestic goods, not all were familiar to her. As she looked around, another man approaches her.

"Hey there miss." He says with a smug look as he approaches Yao. "Me and my compony are on a small break. See we'd be returning to the imperial capital with the cargo. If you're free, want to have some fun with us? Judging from your traveling garbs, you didn't have anyone to share yourself with in some time yeah?"

Yao rolls her eyes at his advances. She then considered what he was saying when she notices something. She remarks, "I wonder if that's even possible, with your small thing."

This visible mortified the man, who suddenly burst into tears before running away babbling. "How dare you! Girls in these overpriced brothels wouldn't say such nasty things!"

She was taken back by the response. She had expected him to call her an abondance of nasty things. But it seems his offer was genuine. Feeling shameful she notices the other mercenaries around her giving her a disappointed glair. Though there are brothels here, they were expensive. Places like this, travers and adventures would normally make packs to scratch an itch for one another. So to be rejected so crudely made the dark elf look bad. Embarrassed she mutters sorry before wandering off. Hoping to disappear from the judgmental eyes. After wander around she found two merchants arguing over an open box. Taking a look inside, she was astonished by the strange fabric inside.

"What is this pretty fabric?" Yao asked aloud as she strokes the red fabric.

"Ah, that there is what the Ameri-Can's call, Satin. Rare for us but in abondance from her allies on the other side." A merchant explains to Yao only to be interrupted by another.

"And that's why I can't sell it to you. This much will set me back months if not to the right person." The smaller Merchant explains. "Try the Italica or imperial Capital branches to…"

"I already went to the branches!" The other merchant interrupted. "Even the ones in Lognan and Deabys, and none of them have this fine material in stock. Listen, I'm begging you. I am representative of a powerful noble."

The merchant then went on to explain, "He said, 'to desire a dress even more splendid than that of a certain family, for my daughter.' If it happens that I can't deliver… you know what that means? As of now. The wives and daughters of High Society of the Imperial Capital has become temperamental, bitter, and very vindictive. All thanks to what can be found here on Alnus. A month after the ceasefire a small fraction of minor nobles got their hands on a few garments sold here. Dazzling dresses and ornaments. Cosmetic improving skin that revitalize the youthful features, undergarments that made breast not only bigger but more comfortable. Suffice to say the competitive spirit and vanity of noble women is something to behold… and feared."

"Hmm, I'll take your word on it. I had heard that a poor seamstress was interrogated for hours to find out where these garments originated from. Pointing here." The shorter merchant said as he nods and holds his chin. He recall vividly the first time he heard of the rumors and upon entering the Alnus Market. Royal Purple dyes, soft and elastic wears, and books with of fashions beyond anybody's ability to draw or imagine. All at more than reasonable prices. He then shakes his head before following up, "I'm sorry, truly I am. But I can't sell what I have."

The other merchant was about to open his mouth when Yao interrupted the two. "If that's the case why not acquire a deposit from him. So you can transport his cargo, and in exchange for the proof of the deposit, you can acquire the goods upon unloading them at the Branch that you deliver them."

The two merchants thought about it for a few moments before wide smiles appear on there face. The tall merchant then remarks, "Oh, well said my pointy ear friend. Even if the wares don't arrive at the lord's home I won't be at a total loss. As I can purchase the product upon delivery."

"Yes, all parties shall be happy. Ha ha, the excel cunning of dark elves should never go into question." The short merchant compliments before the two begin talk trade and arrangements of how to deliver leaving Yao confused. What she said wasn't cunning rather a common sense. Still she took the compliment and simply walked away with it.

She wandered more around the warehouse district till eventually she found herself facing a strange building she had not seen. On the outskirts of the warehouse district an on the main road leading to the gate. Outside the shop was labeled as PX, though what those letters stood for she had no idea. Upon entering the store she was completely blindsided by it's contents within.

Isle and tables filled to the brim with unique items and things she had never seen before. Clothes made from a strange non sheep wool fabric or even leather. Quality knives that range from pocket size to one bigger than her wrist. And strange head wares with wide brims hung high on racks. She found a magenta-colored hat with a chin strap and tried it on. Was a little big for her but looking into an impressive mirror she had to admit, the hat would help on travelers' cloth and she wouldn't have to worry about it flying away. However, every coin will go to the one who will kill the creature. She sets aside the hat when she heard the sound of laughter. She notices two men in khaki talking with a familiar face. One of the cat girls in the bar last night. She was talking with the men.

'Ah, there are two who can understand me.' Yao thought with some joy in looking, but before she took another step, she realized something. They weren't speaking any common, but the cat girl was speaking their language. After exchanging strange paper with one another the two left. Giving a small sigh in disappointment she approaches the catgirl.

"Welcome to the… oh it you, nyao. Did you find any Ameri-can's to help you? Nyao." The catgirl asks, as she recognizes Yao.

"Ameri-can?" Yao asked.

"That's the land the men in Khaki hail from. Nyao." The catgirl explains.

"(Sigh) No, I've come upon a new challenge that prevents me from speaking…" Yao said before pausing. After a few seconds she then looked the catgirl in the eye before asking. "That Language, Ameri-can. You can speak it?"

"English? Nyao, oh course." She then reaches down before pulling out a small blue book. On it read, 'English language compilation of ordinary conversation. Edited: Alnus living community supervision: Cato El Altestan. Warning, any use other than with the purpose of education is prohibited by the staff. Burn the vital parts after finished using.'

Yao over looked the book before looking up at the catgirl to ask if she can buy this. To which she responded by yanking it out of Yao's hand. She then explained, "This Nyao, is supplied to union workers or language trainees Nyao. And foremost we couldn't buy such an excellent book with our salary. Nyao."

The catgirl was about to store the book when Yao slams her head against the table. Nearly screaming as she begs, "I'm humbly beggin you! Didn't you already hear my story yesterday!"

She looks up with tears in her eyes and proceeded to beg some more. "I'm at a total loss since the men in Khaki can't understand common tongue."

"Nyao, I'm sorry. Really I am, but it's impossible even if you beg for it." The Catgirl said feeling bad for the dark elf. But she had her own family to think of, and the honor of House Formal who excepted her clan. Still she feels bad for her. "I'm sorry Nyao. If you wait for my boss to get back, I can…"

"I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS, PLEASE!" Yao begs. The catgirl was about to refuse when a voice called from behind her.

"Howdy Meia. Everything alright?" A man in khaki with a white sleave on his shoulder, asked as he entered the store with another.

"Oh no everything's alright in here." The catgirl identified as Meia remarks.

"Ah good to hear." The soldier remarks before noting Yao.

"Hey, Woody. Wasn't there a report about a dark elf who attacked and robbed a man?" The soldier asked.

"Hmm, yeah. Her appearance was described as, late twenties, caramel colored skin, silver hair elf. More then revealing leather garb. She seems to fit the description." The other soldier said as he leans against the door. "Buzz, what should we do with her?"

Yao had no idea what the two were saying, nor why they were eyeing her. However she noticed something different about these men. They had a white sleave on there shoulder that read MP. Though she had no idea what the MP stood for… much less what the letters are. Finally one of the men approached her.

"Excuse me, miss. We need to talk. Tell us your story at base." He said in broken common. Upon hearing those words Yao broke down in tears of utter joy. Her hopes of finding someone who'd listen to her has be answered. Quickly wiping away the tears she gladly takes his hand.

"Yes, yes of course. Thank you. Gods thank you!" She nearly squealed in excitement as she left with the soldiers.

All the while Meia looked on with a confused and sadden face. She then mutters to herself. "I think she was lost in translation."

She promptly returns to work, shaking her head in worry for the dark elf as the scene pulls down. As it pulls up, the setting revealed a woodland era, on the outskirts of town. There Lelei and Cato stood by a pound. Cato sat on a nearby rock, watching as his young pupil practices her new craft.

She takes a breath before twisting her fingers. She mutters a few words and a ring of neon magic formed around her wrist. She then formed a magic missile. Rather then tossing it, she put the blue orb into the center of the spiral. With a flick of her wrist the spirals ignited, thrusting the blue orb forward at an absurd speed and hitting the rock with five times the impact it should have. Cato watches in in shock and a small bit of pride for his young pupil.

"That was splendid Lelei, there's nothing more for me to say." Cato said as he slowly gets up. Approaching Lelei before she spoke.

"We mages from the Lindon school are feared as experts in combat magic… However; according to 'Legal Principe', the 'False Principle' is in fact just an application of a natural phenomenon unfolded from the 'True principle'" She then turned to a few pebbles on the ground and with wave of the staff the rocks begin shifting before floating upwards. "Like this. I'm interfering with the 'True principle' that these materials are standing still. But, you can do the same thing if you gather many ballista's or catapults. Ever since the scale of combat and deployment speed on the battlefield increased combat magic has declined in importance due to the lengthy spell casting time it required. Though that pales in comparison to the machines the Ameri-can's brought from the other side." Lelei pauses as she look up at the sky. As she does she thinks back to all the times she visited the range. Watching Third Recon using weapons they call guns. Or the ability of those tanks, while she had yet to see them in combat. The demonstration of its fire power was there to witness. But what held strong in her mind, was the unique weapon that Eastwood held. A long slender weapon, a wheel that moves with the strike of small hammer. Powerful to kill a rampaging Stalin but as quick as viper strike. Made from an ancient tree known as a Sequoia.

"Utilizing the 'True principle' rather than creating a 'False Principle' is more efficient. I understand that technology would surpass magic sooner or later, but this become clear when I visited the Ameri-cans native land." She pauses to pull out a book she picked in the Smithsonian's. "I conducted a deep and broad research of the 'True principle'. After learning their studies 'True principles' I applied it to magic. For example the research concerning flames. Utilizing the knowledge of what causes flames to burst, I utilize the elements within to self-detonating. Using the 'False Principle' to tear the burning elements and phlogiston form the air."

She then held out her hand, demonstrating with ease to form a small ball of fire. This feat was basic but for someone her age should have taken years to master and a lot of energy to uphold. She then explains "On the other side of the gate exists a powder called gunpowder. It produces a sphere of light like the one I just did. Gather them and seal with a force field at moderate density, and then if you release it. From the 'False Principle' in one go…"

She then snapped her fingers and the bubble popped like a firecracker. Leaving nothing but a small plume of smoke. "We've been mistaking this detonation with the rupture that occurs when an airtight container is heated up. But this here is just sound, light, and a moment of heat. The efficiency is also bad…"

Cato nods. This was impressive. Not long ago nobody would expect this new form of combat. Now, this new form of magic may have given destructive a new lease on life. Though only temporarily and certainly not against the Ameri-cans. His ears then begin to twitch and he looked up to see an American MP approaching the two. "Ah, it seems we have a visitor."

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we need your expertise as a translator. There's been an incident with an unknow resident." The MP explains.

"It's fine. I'm done here." Lelei remarks as she approaches the MP. He gives a nod and leads her to the command center. After a brisk ten minute walk the two enter the building before she was allowed into an interrogation room. There two other MP's sat in front of a dark elf whom Lelei never saw before.

"Ah, Lelei. Good that you're here." One of the Mp's in the room said as he hands Lelei a file. "We arrested her on suspicion of extortion as well as assault. However she seems to have a different story. Sadly Ms. Blanch as well as Ms. Rockwell are unable to be here. So we hope you can help out."

"Alright, I'll see what I can do." Lelei said as she takes the file. Quickly skimming through it, she sits across from Yao before speaking to her. "Yao Haa Dushi? Can you tell us what happen this morning?"

Nervously, Yao who was relieved to have someone to communicate properly with, explained what happened. Presenting the coin bag as evidence. Cross referencing the description of the man they soon found him to be a repeated offender of luring girls into alleyways. After putting out a notice he was promptly arrested by Rory and Myūti… to which he confessed to everything. A MP noted the room and Lelei translated.

"Yao Haa Dushi, we confirmed that you were falsely accused. The Ameri-cans apologies for false arrest and you are free to lea…" Before Lelei could finish, Yao slams her hand against the table.

"HOLD IT!" Yao said as she burst into tears. "My clan is being attacked by a flame dragon! Please I need to speak with the men in Khaki!"

"Flame dragon?" Lelei asked with a raised brow.

"Yes, one with a missing eye and front left arm." Yao explain causing Lelei to give a look of shock. Memories of the flame dragon attacking the fleeing coda villagers.

She regains her composure before telling her, "I see. Is it enough if I tell the Ameri-can's that you want their help?"

"Yes… um well, another thing." Yao said as she calms down. "You must be somebody influential, please put in a good word for me?"

Lelei gives a nod before explaining what Yao was asking him about. She request a quick meeting with General White or General Patch, as she does Yao once again begin tearing up in joy. After a few minutes a confirmation order was given Lelei escorted her out of the holding cells and to HQ. Lelei lead Yao inside. She met before the general of those who she sought. Nervously she told her story to Patch and White before presenting the diamond as a reward. General Patch and White considered the offer before speaking.

"Hand me the map Gregory." General Patch said as he points to the map on the table. The aid grabs ahold of it and the two men looked over the map of the region.

"Here, Schwarz forest." General White said pointing to it on the map.

General patch looked at the region, gaining a massive frown on his face. He turned to Yao and Lelei and with a sigh. Spoke to Yao, "Yao Haa Dushi… though you traveled far your journey is sadly in vain. Your people lay beyond our ability to aid."

Lelei translates what he said and Yao's hearts sink with the ultimate despair. Only able to mutter a single phrase as the scene fades to dark. "… What?"

Hours later, in a café an thirty minutes before sundown.

The Scene opens in a café in Alnus. There a despair ridden Yao sits by Lelei as Delilah hands the two tea. As Lelei pours a cup of St. Johns wort Yao finally spoke. "W-Why could they not help my tribe?"

"The dragon resides in Schwarz forest, which resides far in the Kingdom of Elbe. Bringing a massive force into Elbe will be an act of war, and America is sick of war." Lelei reminded.

"Yet they fight the Empire." Yao rebuttals.

"The Empire kicked the sleeping bear and stole her cub. Thus it got the full wrath of one angry Bear." Lelei reminds, before taking a sip from her tea. "They did say they could send an attachment of ten to assist in any refugee aid… but not against the dragon."

"No… my people are to stubborn and the creature will surely follow us to the end." Yao said before taking a sip from her tea as she looked out the window. She then puts down her tea before turning to Lelei with tears forming at her eyes. "Please tell me it was a mistranslation… that it was… a mistranslation."

"I'm sorry… but it's not." Lelei said with some sympathy in her usual stoic tone. This causes Yao to tear up more before bursting into tears. She wept on the table crying her eyes out. Feeling bad, Lelei decided to give her some space. Finishing her tea, she stood up and was about to leave but not before saying some final words. "The generals had comp your stay as an apology. Please take your time before making your way to the inn."

Yao didn't bother raising her head. She continued weeping her eyes out as Lelei leaves her be. Hours go by, and eventually the sun sets. Least the rain disappeared with the sun and soon a nice summer night breeze blew through the town. By now Yao had no more tears to cry. Her brain rattled with guilt and sadness tried and cope but was struggling. Had she had any more tears to give she'd give them. As she sat there stoon in her own misery, a tapping came at the window. Turning to the side she noticed a small tree that was planted across the street. The wind blew its branch against the window, with the moon hanging off in the east. Looking on a single word came to mind. When the legends of those who fended of the dragon came up. Only one name was told. Among the men in Khaki was a fearless leader. A man with a strange name. Eastwood. Who carried a big iron. A weapon able to kill a mad stallion faster then the said stallion. She had yet to meet this Eastwood, but if he was there maybe an army of ten could finish the job. All it takes is the right incentive to get this man to fight for her tribe. What ever it is, she will gladly pay it tenfold.

"Do you need another cup of tea?" Delilah asked as she approaches her.

"Um no… actually do you happen to know a man by the name of Eastwood?" Yao asked.

"Know him! Ha, of course I do. The man's a hero of Italica. He and his group of soldiers took on a hoard of bandits without sustaining any casualties." Delilah said with a gleeful smile before realizing something. "Wait, who want's to know?"

"I can assure you my motives are peaceful. I just want to ask him something." Yao half lied as she raised her hand to wipe way the tear stains from her eyes and cheeks.

"Oh well you may have to wait awhile. He's out on mission but due to be back in a few days." Delilah explains.

"Well fortune smile upon me. I will be in town for that long." Yao said before standing up. She was about to walk to the stairs when something came to her mind. "By chance you can give me a description of him? I only know him from the stories."

"Oh, well by chance you are spending the night in Sleepy jane Inn?" Delilah ask to which Yao nods. "Well, on the side you should find a mural. After getting back from America, her Countess had an artist draw one of local legends in a Ameri-can style. Including Eastwood on it as thanks for saving her life. He's the one with the Stetson."

"Stetson?" Yao asked with a wide brow.

"The wide brim hats you see people wearing around town." Delilah explains, earning an 'ah' from Yao. She gives a nod before heading to the exist. With a devilish smirk printed on her face.

She made her way through town. Still lively as ever, the night was young and the drinks were flowing. She made her way through the crowed before finding the Sleepy Jane inn. Instead of entering the two-story apartment complex she walked to the side. Sure, enough she found the mural. On it depicted well known heroes in a sort of cross formation. The tale of the epic deeds shown within there space. Priam La Ceasar, first of his name and founder of the empire; depicted slaying the terrifying dragon. Romulus Del Remus, the first apostle who gave up his godhood to his children. Mabel Forn, the Apostle for Zufmuut, portrayed in her finest moment of defeating the kraken of the blue sea. And then there was a man she had not recognized. He looked old, but gave a glint of experience in his eyes. He was depicted leading eight strong against a hoard of bandits.

After getting a good idea who the man was, she entered into the inn. To which she was a little taken back by another elf working the stand. Tuka noticing the bronze skin girl greeted her friendly before handing her the spare key. She went back to work as Yao begin preparing different ways to coverse this supposed hero to her aid.

On the outskirts of the Capital, the following day

The scene opens up on the old road leading out of the Akusho district of the empire. There a small brigade of the Rose order knights stood guard with a single empty wagon at the ready. Waiting patiently. Among them was the crown princess herself. As they waited quietly, a sudden snapping of a twig caught there attention. The 12 knights ready to draw when a hoarse rode out, with a familiar figure riding it.

"Howdy Stanger. Been awhile." Eastwood called out.

"It has Eastwood. I'm surprise you chose to ride a hoarse of flesh and bone over those steel contraptions." Pina greeted with a smile on her face.

"Well, I'd figure if I'm spending the next tour here I refamiliarize myself with the finer points of a trusty stead. As my brother would say. A skill well tune is a skill well earned." Eastwood said as he dismounts his hoarse.

"Hmm, wise words. I'd think Sir Grey would have shared that sentiment." Pina said with a smile. She then looked around before asking, "Where is the rest of your soldiers?"

"Coming up the road. Specialist Scott said something stupid when O'Hara and Pérez were arguing. Another reason to get out of the hen house." Eastwood said as he pulls out a box of lucky from his shirt pocket. As he lights on up a thought came to mind. "Oh, reminds me. Got that book you've been asking for. Had it translated for yah."

Eastwood goes to pull it from his horse's satchel bag, when Pina swiped it out from his hand. Nearly squealing with excitement as she held the book in arms. Eastwood could only chuckle in a muse before taking a drag from his cigarette. As he does, an m3 scout car drove up with the rest of Third Recon. They disembark from the car, pulling a few crates off the car and loading it onto the carriage that was to be used to sneak into the slums of the empire. After the last crate was loaded Third Recon bordered into the Wagon, with Eastwood giving a simple tip of his hat. Pina gives a nod as she watches the wagon ride off into the distances. As she does, her second in command asks something.

"Your lady… what pray tell did you ask him to bring?" Hamilton asked.

"Oh, some art from the other side that I found to be much enjoyable." Pina answers as she holds up a book that was translated. On it depicts a woman and a man seemingly dancing in the lewdest of attires. Seeing that caused Hamilton to blush, course before she could question this Pina open the book up and pulled out a few pages. "I also asked Bozes and Beefeater to send a few news articles. Mostly about the man who we were talking to. Turns out he is a part of a group known as 'Those who fought in three wars.' And this is his fourth war. I'm sure there are a few members of the senate who'd love to trade war stories with him. If not outright challenge him."

"Your highness… I thought you wanted to end the war. Not start a brawl in the capital." Hamilton deadpanned.

"Oh, I never expected any of the lords to win against him. But a show of force every now and again… how was it the Ameri-can's put it. Speak lightly but carry the big stick?" Pina remarked before reading the pages with a gleeful smile on her face.

As she reads, the scene cuts over to Eastwood, who was looking up at the castle wall from the Carriage. As he does, Hathale who was now on the hoarse rides up beside him before commenting, "Something interesting about the walls sir?"

"You know… this reminds me of the Italian Campaign." Eastwood said as he takes another drag.

"Hmm really? Beautiful countryside from what I heard. Though it only got unpleasant the further you pushed up from Rome." Hathale added.

"Yeah. Walls were like the alps that divided Italy from Austria. Got worst as we fought deeper in country… though it reminds me of an old song me and the rest would sing in our fox holes as we follow the Österreichische Bundesbahn out of Villach up to Vienna." Eastwood said as his foot taps to the memory of that song.

Play 'The Railroad' by Goodnight Texas

"Hmm, mind singing it? Not like we will have a chance for radio out here." Jones asked as he interrupts the conversation between the two.

"Yeah, this is really boring since we left the captured fortress." Zimmerman moans in boredom.

"Alright, just give me a march beat to go with it." Eastwood instructed as he stomps his foot. The two joined in and soon got the hang of the song. As they do the group passes under the gate into the ghetto. There Eastwood begins humming the tune as the view pulls back. The doors close on the cart as the scene goes black.

Run, run, run with the railroad