Forces at Play

"All reports have indicated that villages still intact are miles away from the mapped-out portions of the region we have on hand. It seems that many villages have been destroyed and torched to the ground with no indication of where the inhabitants have gone, Sir." An officer addressed the recent findings from the recon teams to the Supreme Commander, overlooking a minor incident the Pegasus Squad and village girls they were involved with. "The searches have found some evidence of other forms of living beings residing in deeper areas of the region, although villagers have cautioned some of the squads about them due to the humanoids living there."

"We'll leave a tab on the matter concerning the humanoids, they're likely to be more intelligent in comparison to the goblins we fought." Jura ordered as the information gathered thus far thanks to Hugo has revealed that the Empire is rather oppressive to non-humans, so appealing to them would prove beneficial. "Any word from Commander Scarlet or Gray? They have yet to report in."

"I'm afraid not Supreme Commander, we haven't got-"

"Supreme Commander, Commander Scarlet is requesting to speak to you on the comm-lac." Another information officer reported, moving the lacrima to the center of Jura's office.

Jura stepped up to it and infused his magic, a bright light blue projection sprung up with the image of Erza standing in it. Her hand up to her ear, notably using the smaller comm-lac to call in, although it seemed that she was occupied with staring off at something not visible to them.

"I can assume you have a direct report to give me Commander Scarlet, else you would've given it to the officer straight away."

"Forgive me Supreme Commander, but there is an urgent matter that you must see to with a decision immediately." Jura hadn't expected something like that to crop up so soon from the recon teams, but he knew that it had to be serious given to the type of a woman Erza is.

"Very well, report. What have you discovered?"

"We engaged the fire dragon I reported to you before, Fairy Squads Red and Blue have successfully managed to drive it off and severely wounded it. A third faction has been made contact with, foreigners like no other to the Special Region and technologically advance by comparison. We have established a temporary truce between us, but wish for High Command to establish, if any, a form of peace between us."

"Interesting, are they a threat to our operations and people here in the Special Region?"

"Unsure, their weapons look to be effective against most forms of enemy shielding and their base is vastly equipped with aerial and ground combatants. We may be able to fight them on equal footing if we rely on the higher ranked mages, foot soldiers could see casualties."

"Are they initially hostile?"

"No, Sir. One commanding individual seeks friendship with us after interacting with Gray for some time. I believe they are offering a peace agreement and I've requested that High Command decide on the matter."

"They must be wishing to avoid having to fight on two fronts as well, best to follow suit. Having allies here will make our mission all the easier to accomplish with more resources at hand." Speaking with the Queen to form an agreement won't be so difficult, the problem lies in the fact that there are more steps than a simple signing of parchment. "I'll notify the Queen about this, we'll send over our people. Please inform Gray to return to base, he'll have to be here to continue his post with the Ambassador."

"Yes, Sir. Commander Scarlet, out." Erza said and the image faded out as the lacrima powered down, but Jura was quick with his orders not long after.

"Get word to her Highness immediately and get into contact with Gray on specifications I want him to follow." He ordered to both officers who saluted and quickly made their way out of his office.

Within the throne room, Queen Hisui was overseeing numerous reports of damages, grievances and missing persons reports that her aids believed she had to address in order to get a clearer scope of how badly the attack had left Crocus. She initially received them in the War Room, but her generals and leading officials were so combative about tactics that their argument fueled tendencies had given her a bigger headache than the reports ever did. She ultimately decided to deal with the growing report problem by moving into the throne room and away from the arguments.

Hisui had set up an office like environment within the throne room as the clutter would help no one and just as she reclined on her throne for a short break did a messenger come running in.

"My Queen, a message from Supreme Commander Jura." Hisui made the gesture for him to continue and he began to read aloud Jura's message. "Reconnaissance teams have been set out in the Special Region with varying degrees of contact with the people of the world. Commander Scarlet and her squad have made contact with a fire dragon, succeeding in driving it away from its assault on a fleeing village and have also made contact with a third party of individuals foreign to the Special Region. They have extended a hand in peace and wish to create a non-aggression pact with our forces, Jura seeks further instructions on how to proceed."

"That's perfect, allies will reduce the burden on our forces when the search teams are sent out further. I'll prepare for departure immediately, contact the Magic Council and have them send a viable representative and locate Ambassador Myu as well." Hisui would be glad to leave the castle for a while, even if it was for a major political move but was stopped short by Clara.

"My Queen, I'm afraid you can't do that. The kingdom needs you here, we are still feeling the after effects of the enemy's attack and to have you leave would cause more problems. Not to mention the amount of military personnel we would have to move in order to secure your life while in the Special Region, it would cause chaos." Hisui knew Clara had a point, the ambassador was no older than her but she fought tooth and nail for her current position and knew what appropriate action to take for the time.

"I need to stand for my country and represent it by putting myself forth in any foreign affairs that are likely going to affect us. I've done it with Alvarez and I must do so for this potential ally in the Special Region."

"And I respect that, My Queen, but your predisposition will have another effect if you go into this willingly. The Doves and Hawks are combative as it is with you and myself keeping the balance in check, but the political shift you will cause by this treaty will favor one side based upon our ally's actions." Clara knew that with the way Devonshire and Bauru were, it would only be a matter of time when war stances would be made. Both wanted to secure the captured civilians, but by different means and have caused rifts within the Senate.

"What would you have me do, Clara? I can't just sit at my throne without taking any action like my father had done and as much as I love him, I couldn't stand his lack of initiative at times." Hisui sat on her throne in exasperation, fed up with having to be held back because of her throne as she looked at the muddled Clara until an idea popped into her head.

"Clara, why don't I send you in my place?" The confused expression was enough to tell her that Clara had never considered herself as an option. "You're an equally if not better person for the job, you stood beside me when going through the terms of our treaty with Alvarez and I have faith you'll accomplish just as much in this one as well."

"I'm flattered My Queen, but I can't just leave your side like this with the Senate in the state that it is."

"I can handle them, you're the one I need for this job. Not to mention that you are a recognized debater that has battled both factions before they were factions, so you'll figure out a reasonable bipartisanship with this treaty."

"Why do I get the feeling that you're sending me to the wolves." It made sense what the queen was saying, but Clara wasn't one to really put herself forward in such a position, thinking the last time it would happen was with Alvarez.

"That's politics I'm afraid, but no time for that. You need to go and get ready for the trip, and don't worry about your protection since you'll be going with a Fairy Tail mage and a former Spriggan 12."

"What could ever go wrong?" Clara sarcastically remarked, but was met with a reassuring smile from her queen as she excused herself for her eventful trip into the Special Region.

In her private quarters given to her by Queen Hisui, Brandish was trying to keep herself even tempered with the recent addition to her operations with Fiore. She had everything under control, information was flowing evenly through towards Alvarez and they haven't suffered a single casualty since the campaign had begun. So what the bikini clad woman was trying to understand was why those pompous windbags in charge of the government felt it best for her to have a more "recognized" bodyguard at her side than the honor guard she chose.

"You must understand that your safety is our top priority, you have made it possible to keep relations with Fiore and your multiple trips into that unknown land leaves much to be desired." Many of these officials turn into a bland face for Brandish not to be bothered to remember, she just remembers that he was in charge of the Empire's security.

"I don't need to be baby sat by anyone, I have the man who completely mopped the floor with the last person who held your position under my command when I go. I'm fine on my own, besides I'll be the one babysitting her if anything." Their "agent" was going to be a bit of a pain to deal with when it concerned anyone that had met her from before.

"We understand your prior relations with the agent we sent, but she is a very powerful mage who fought alongside you as a Spriggan during the conflict. She demanded to be sent over to safeguard your person."

"And do you understand that she has yet to be cleared by me for active duty outside the Empire and still suffers from a minor psychological trauma after her defeat? I'll keep her at my side, but one screw up and she's being sent back and you will not send another agent to replace her, do I make myself clear?"

The green haired woman knew that those who weren't killed in the fighting had returned to Alvarez and were being rehabilitated into government agents, to help them become more useful individuals but mainly to avoid them spreading Anti-Fiore propaganda amongst the civilians. Brandish wasn't willing to take the chance of this happening to the soldiers because of this agent at her side.

"We can't take chances with such limi-"

"I said; do I make myself clear, Head Chief of Imperial Security?"

"...Yes, Lady Myu."

"Good, I'll send you the regular reports and leading developments at the usual time frame. Brandish out."

"You can't be that mad that I came out all this way for you, Randi. There was so much commotion back home of the things happening here that talk about further exploration could be brought up with the Queen and you might need some help bringing it up."

"No, I don't need help with bringing up future plans on development. I'm well aware that you did this for your own personal reasons Dimaria, but I will not have any funny business on my watch." Brandish scanned the time mage carefully; her skin-tight suit would reveal any movement to Brandish that would give her a reason to keep an eye on her.

She didn't move an inch, didn't react so much as a minor twitch to her words and the green haired woman could trust her to behave...for now. She may have dressed in her old attire, but Brandish could tell that it was her way of trying to relive the old days.

"It was just a suggestion to continue other projects in the Special Region, Randi. Nothing more than that, honest."

"What you don't understand is that everything happening in the Special Region is time limited, some goals can't be done and that's why I'm making sure things move as swift as possible." It was made all too obvious since she came, but it was a matter of understanding that bothered her. "I know what purpose you serve now that you're an agent of the Empire, Dimaria, but know that I'm taking charge of all dealings Alvarez is a part of here in Fiore until this campaign is over."

"Then you know how the Heads are starting to believe that you're overstepping your boundaries as an "ambassador" and want to limit that power." Brandish was one of six Spriggans left alive and only one of two still active as members of the Empire's elite so the people stood behind her, more so because of the treaty. So, support for her was high and she went unquestioned, somewhat, but she always got results. "Obviously they can't do it outright since the people love you, as do the troops, so of course they send someone like me to "bodyguard" you while you're here."

"Of course they would, too simple of a strategy but it's the best they could do given the timing. Whatever, they aren't accomplishing much when it comes to dealings like this and I can't stand their annoying drivel of inaction for long." Brandish wasn't much for being a leader since it involved a lot of work, but being around August and his leadership might have rubbed off on her since this work didn't feel so bothersome as much in recent years.

"The Emperor wishes for you to see eye to eye with them, your attitude makes things hard on him and Yajeel in keeping other officials in line who are vocal of seeing you gone." Sometimes those people are always the ones she had be tasked with "protecting" so it was personal for Dimaria when she heard them wanting to get rid of Brandish for good.

"Ajeel is merely a puppet put in place for the people to have comfort in knowing they have an emperor, it's the Heads who profit from how the country is run and the influence that have over that sand idiot. I won't bend to their wishes and it's by their own ruling I'm here, else I would've personally dealt with the problem a while ago." Brandish knew they didn't like her since she became much more active in politics, but it gave her purpose when she didn't have one.

"I knew it wouldn't be long before even you wanted them gone or even dead, but Invel said that you shouldn't make them out as simpletons since the Heads would try anything to keep their power. He also says hi by the way."

"And I care why? They're only lazy politicians who wish to keep their power while the ones below them are truly running the Empire. As for Invel's words, I could care less for what has to stay. He's stuck in prison until he can accept the reality of the world, now that his loyalty goes to a fallen King and his bid for revenge hasn't led him to an execution yet."

"He just wanted to give you a warning, Randi. Actually, make that two warnings with the second being to be mindful of the monster he created."

"What monster?" Invel was a genius war tactician and strategist, so Brandish didn't assume he was also creating anything on the side while he ran the army.

"Your ice mage bodyguard according to him. Invel's the reason why he's so powerful and cautioned that you need to be aware of his mental state, if he goes over the edge then things will get pretty nasty."

Before Brandish could ask Dimaria to be a bit clearer, a knock came from the door and the woman leading the White Lions (or was it Tigers) came into the room.

"The Queen has asked me to inform you of a recent development. A potential ally in the Special Region has been found and she wishes for you to go alongside her representative to sign a nonaggression pact with them. Gray Fullbuster will be awaiting your arrival at Headquarters, he will be leading the group of representatives to our ally's base."

"Alright, I'll be waiting by my Rhino for her to arrive when we're departing." Brandish replied and watched as the short haired woman bowed her head and left without another word.

"I'm surprised you're not upset with her just coming in like that."

"Enough Dimaria, we need to prepare to leave and I don't want to hear any complaints."

"You got it, Randi."

Gray did his best to adjust his pauldron while he was awaiting the arrivals of Fiore's representatives, though he was still slightly irked at the fact that he had to explain to Itami for an hour that he would return in time. The entire conversation between them basically revolved around the Japanese man not wanting the ice mage to leave the base and Gray trying to make it apparent that he'd come back to his base. He then spoke with another man in glasses who seemed to be Itami's superior and with some help form Kurokawa's easier pronunciation, Gray finally got his message across that he was needed to guide his representatives.

An accord was made for the base to keep a mindful eye south of the base as their allies were going to be approaching from that direction. With prior knowledge of where they were based at, the JSDF were well aware of their actions and what vehicles would be coming their way. Obviously Gray didn't know that at the time, but he had been informed of an unknown team of scouts watching them from a ridge by Colonel Shiverpeak once he reported in. It wasn't long before he quickly added everything up and figured that Itami's higher ups were well aware of them.

As far as Gray has learned; Itami came from a country called Japan where there is no such thing as magic aside from fictional novels based around it. This gave him pause as it would mean that if they ever found the need to go into Itami's world, hopefully not, they'd be completely defenseless if it weren't for the fact that Gray kept a memento of sorts from Mystogan. The ice mage got a message through that he needed a specific container in his home delivered to him ASAP, it was quickly received by Gramps and Mira had found it in time for it to be transferred over towards Crocus. Gray had no real idea how Mira sent it halfway across the country in less than two days, but was glad she did either way.

It may have been sent in two days, but it's already been a few days since Gray had returned to base and today was the expected arrival date for Brandish and the others. Erza had decided for the squads to remain at the JSDF base until he returned, reporting in anything that was happening at the base which wasn't much at the moment. They had started construction on shelters for the refugees, gotten them bathed and clothed and some had taken an interest in learning about the Japanese and themselves.

A private message between himself and Erza had him discover that she was receiving some odd vibes from Rory as of late, along with her constant interest of Natsu and himself. The red head confided in him that there was something Rory wanted from them and she couldn't find it within herself to trust the petite girl with anything at the moment. Other than that, things were relatively normal with the exception of the Japanese being very curious about the ways their Rhinos functioned without the need for gasoline. That message was pretty much it from Erza that morning with an included side note that she has seen the battlefield on their end and concluded that the JSDF had done an equal amount of damage to the armies here as they did, most likely even more given the size of the army they faced.

He wondered what the Japanese faced when they arrived but his thoughts were drowned out by the knocking at his barrack door, a captain from the Alvarez forces had come to inform him that Lady Brandish was arriving soon. Gray got the message and with a tired sigh, he suited up for his "Lady" with as much enthusiasm as one of Gramps' long lectures.

The ice mage ended the mental recounting of the past days there as he heard the sound of engines approaching and did his best to appear well disciplined, like the soldiers around him. In the same fashion as they day they first arrived, the Rhinos had halted horizontal to the lined Alvarez soldiers with Gray opening the passenger door and offering his hand. He was actually surprised when it was slapped away and came face to face with Dimaria of all people. On instinct, Gray was readying his magic until Brandish called for him to stand down as she emerged right after her.

"If I may, Lady Brandish, why is Dimaria here?" Gray did his best not to show his true feelings about one of the twelve be shown, but Dimaria didn't bother to hide her disgust of the ice mage.

"I'm here because I'll be Randi's bodyguard from now on, Isvani." At her words, the ice mage couldn't deny that he slightly perked up at the idea that he wasn't going to be needed as honor guard anymore but Brandish thought differently.

"No, you will work alongside Gray for my protection. You take orders from me now, so remember where your place is Dimaria." Brandish didn't want to be harsh with the golden haired woman but her behavior was much harder to control and a tight hold of her was needed. "Gray, keep the engine running since we'll leave as soon as we're done speaking with Baldie."

"Understood, Lady Brandish." He replied as she and Dimaria began to walk away, leaving the ice mage to help the other woman they were leaving behind down from the Rhino.

"Not ten minutes into this world and I've already got a bad feeling about this." The woman complained as she gladly took Gray's assistance. "I'm guessing you've already gotten used to it?"

"Fighting a dragon will do that to you, Ambassador. The Supreme Commander's quarters are in the direction Lady Brandish is going." Gray directed her and with a simple nod did she follow after the two, soon flanked by a Fiorean soldier who noticed her going in the wrong direction soon after.

"It seems you've got yourself in quite an interesting position, huh Gray?" The ice mage turned to see the final ambassador exit the second Rhino, surprising him with his appearance here in the Special Region.

"So you returned to the Magic Council, Mest. I was wondering what you were doing since you quit Fairy Tail." After the smoke had settled and Magnolia was back on its feet, Mest asked Gramps to remove his guild mark and made the decision to quit Fairy Tail. Gray never really understood why he decided to leave, but he learned that there was bad blood between him and another member.

"I did and it's Doranbolt again, Doranbolt Gryder. Given my past work with the Council and what I've managed to do, they felt that I was a good candidate to represent them since Councilor Jura wouldn't be able to leave his post." Doranbolt was glad to see Gray first, he was once face that didn't hate to see him the second they locked eyes. It was the least the warp mage could get from his old guild.

"I see, well let's hope you've got what it takes to be a representative in the Special Region." Gray joked, but was confident he could hold his own without problem aside from his worried state when he got down after Brandish left.

"Trust me, I'll do my best. Oh, and I also have a delivery for you. Mirajane contacted me about you needing this fast." Doranbolt handed over the vile filled with black orbs and an x on it towards the ice mage, curious as to its actual purpose.

"Thank you Mira and you too, this will come in handy when the need arrives." One less thing for Gray to worry about, for now it was going to be Brandish's temper during the talks.

"What is it anyways, some sort of medication?"

"Insurance more like it, since you never know what'll happen." Gray left it at that and had also instructed him of where to go to meet with the Supreme Commander before they headed out to the JSDF base.

"We'll be boarding the Rhino's now, Sir. Lady Myu has asked for Omega and Theta squads to ride with the Magic Council representative, while Alpha squad will ride with you." A lieutenant reported to Gray who nodded in response, storing the vial away in an inventory pouch on his belt.

The ice mage was aware that Brandish had negative dealings with Doranbolt in the past, so he could assume that she hasn't gotten over it and wanted to keep away from him as much as possible. Gray could only sigh to himself at how much he had been tasked to look after; top priority was to protect the Queen's representative at all costs followed by a tight control over Brandish's temper. Jura wanted him to keep a close eye on her for the many reasons concerning her attitude towards those who question and annoy her. It was going to be a long meeting, one he has hopes of being a one and done deal.

He kept to himself while he waited for them to return, trying his best not to interact at all with Dimaria who seemed rather nervous since she returned from Jura's office once they did. He could only wonder what had her spooked so much, but Gray thought better than to keep his focus on the golden haired woman's discomfort. Luckily for him, she was seated at the rear of the Rhino while Brandish took her spot at the passenger's seat and Clara Greybourne sat behind her. One last check of the Rhinos and gear before they were off, most everyone aside from Gray held a sense of discomfort as the base grew smaller from view. The troops kept their cool, Brandish made herself look indifferent about it while Clara visibly was shaken at how anything remotely familiar began to fade into the horizon.

"Everything will be fine, Ambassador Greybourne. The roads are relatively safe during the day and with the JSDF in the region, I'm sure they've taken care of anything that would be a threat to them." Gray tried to ease her into this journey since he knew it wouldn't do them good to have a jumpy representative at the talks.

"Yes, you're right...Anyone moving a military force would want to secure their lands." In truth, Clara had never been outside of Fiore in her life as most talks would be held in the kingdom. "So, these allies you've made. The..."

"The JSDF"

"Right, the JSDF, do you have any information about them that we should know about?"

"They're a defense force, from an island country called Japan that had been deployed in retaliation of an attack on one of their cities. That's about all there is to it for now anyway, I made contact with one of their recon teams lead by a man named Yoji Itami who told me this while my team was in their base."

"I would've thought that someone with your skills would manage to get a little more information than that Gray." Brandish jabbed and Gray rolled his eyes in response, trying not to justify it as Itami was tight lipped about anything else concerning their stay in the Special Region.

"That's what you three will have to learn on your own after all, I'll be there to find out too since I'll be an interpreter for you. Hopefully someone there has improved their Old Fiorean or whatever it's called here." It's been a few days so surely someone would have been tasked to try to understand the language better for the representatives.

Gray would have made another comment if the flashing lacrima on the dashboard hadn't taken his attention and with a fick of his wrist, he sent magic through it to receive the communication. The blue projection that sprung up was that of an information officer as he looked through one of the recent reports for them to receive.

"News from Commander Scarlet; she unfortunately will not be there to greet you upon your arrival to the JSDF base. She will continue her mission and be making her way towards one of the Region's central trade hubs; a city called Italica. Continue your orders as advised and follow instructions given by the ambassadors, HQ signing off."

"You hear that Dimaria, Pinky won't be there when we arrive. In any case, it might make it easier for them to have us in their base. Having that many powerhouses in one place that have yet to join your side would disturb anyone." Brandish commented although Gray hadn't really told the JSDF to what extent their magic could reach; Natsu, Wendy and himself were already spoken for after the fight with the dragon but not Erza and least of all Brandish.

"Their absence won't interfere with the talks so it's fine if they continue their mission. I just want to get underway since these things do take time, if you remember Ambassador Myu." Clara was with the Queen for months trying to iron out as much of the treaty as they could, so this one had to be done in as little time as possible.

"They seem to be agreeable people, I'm sure you'll come to an agreement in no time." Gray commented as he internally hoped Brandish's mood doesn't sour while there too much. "We'll be at the base soon enough, so just enjoy the scenery in the meantime."

Time had passed since Gray said that and was thankful that the base was coming into view as Dimaria had proven to him that she'd make his job much harder. With simple gestures, glances and bits of conversation did she manage to gain the ire of Brandish who was already growing impatient with the drive to top it all off. A part of him grew a bit worried when their guns were trained on them as they approached, but were later lowered as they became clearer to see. That's what he told himself anyways since the other plausible explanation is that they weren't about to welcome powerful strangers with open arms from the get-go.

Once inside, they were led to a small clearing where they were allowed to park their Rhinos and the first one down had obviously been Gray to show that he had returned as promised to Itami. Not long after he made his way towards Brandish's door did the rest of the Alvarez squads hopped down and formed a perimeter around the Rhino. This automatically drew attention from the Japanese soldiers as they watched three squad's worth of heavily armored and armed troops guard one vehicle. As disciplined as the Japanese troops were, they couldn't avert their curious stares anymore once Brandish stepped off the Rhino and the ice mage couldn't really blame them. Strangers turn up at their base fully armed and out of all this militaristic show comes down a fair skinned woman clad in just a bikini and an overcoat.

If they wanted to make a grand entrance, basic protocol for the Alvarez military sure had done it for them. Gray helped Clara get down and automatically went away as Dimaria was about to get down to focus his attention in search of Itami. The ice mage had thought that he'd be greeted by said man on his arrival, but the same man who looked to be scolding Itami on his last visit came up to them instead. It was surprising at first when he spoke to Gray in Old Fiorean, heavily accented but clear enough to understand, with word that Itami had left with his companions to Italica as well. It didn't bode well for Gray since it meant that Kurokawa had left as well, although Gray held out hope that this man, Akira Yanagida as he introduced himself a bit earlier, would be at the talks as a translator.

Yanagida led them towards one of the more guarded buildings within the base, asking that the soldiers they had arrived with be left outside while the representatives continued on inside. The Alvarez troops begrudgingly accepted their orders from Brandish to wait and there had been a bit of a stare off between Gray and Yanagida as the ice mage followed behind Doranbolt. The ice mage had the distinct feeling he was expecting him to wait outside as well, but there wasn't going to be a chance of him being kept out. He seemed to sigh to himself before adjusting his glasses and went on to lead them through the halls before stopping in front of a meeting door. As they entered, an older man who sat alongside a few other officers rose to his feet while everyone began to file in.

"You must be the representatives of the Fiorean Expeditionary Force, a pleasure to meet you. I am Lieutenant General Koichiro Hazama. I know we can find common ground to help one another in our time within the Special Region." He began in which Yanagida translated once he finished and thus Gray translated back towards the others.

Clara and Doranbolt bowed as Gray translated their introduction and for whom they'd be representing during the talks. The Japanese were interested at each representative; Clara being the direct line towards Fiore's very own queen and Doranbolt for being the connection to the highest order of magical authority that held power over many magic wielders of their world. Brandish on the other hand gave a curt nod as she introduced herself as the ambassador to Fiore's allied nation of Alvarez. It was pretty apparent that the officers in the room were quite curious as to her choice of attire for such an important matter, though none made the effort to question it out loud. Dimaria looked away in boredom and in the end, Brandish had to introduce her since she wasn't going to speak to anyone in which of course Gray was the one to introduce her soon after.

Introductions went around the room and it became obvious that the only ones to really understand the conversations to its fullest would be the translators for each side, meaning Gray and Yanagida would be doing just as much talking for each side. Everyone had taken their seats by this point, but Brandish made it clear that she wanted Gray to stand behind her and when asked about it, she gave the simple reply that she wanted to appear in control. The ice mage had to agree that she had a point, but he wasn't a fan of being used as such a tool to express one's own aptitude.

"I want to begin by saying that we are honored to have you here with us, one of our own had made the initial gesture of extending our hand in friendship with you and we would like to formally establish that friendship." Yanagida translated the lieutenant general's words as Gray did so in turn and came to the realization that the conversation would only hold its form in the dialect of the Special Region.

"We appreciate the gesture and come in good faith to become allies for the time that we shall spend in the Special Region. The Queen of Fiore wishes to apologize in advance for being unable to meet you in person herself as the kingdom needs her the most in this crucial time." Yanagida's assumptions of Clara being the one leading the conversation for her side was spot on as she was the closest to the queen.

"That is quite fine, we wish nothing more than for us to have peace between our peoples and avoid any form of bloodshed aside of that from our common enemy."

"The Empire that rules over the region, correct? There is much we can discuss about the matter, given that you too have something to share."

"We do, but to continue with such a conversation and share of information, we must establish a treaty to solidify our positions as allies." Yanagida translated and watched the as Gray's face became conflicted when the bikini woman, Brandish, began to speak up in that regard.

It seemed that whatever she said had given them all pause; the conversation was flowing fine until this moment and now the visitors were beginning to argue with each other. The lieutenant wondered if he had mistranslated a phrase and had not come out as peacefully as he thought it did. The man, Doranbolt, seemed to have given it enough thought that he was agreeing with whatever she had said and soon the other woman had inevitably agreed. Yanagida could tell she wasn't in favor of this and so was Gray as he began to translate Brandish's words.

"If you have terms to this alliance, we will review them and agree upon the conditions that also benefit us as well. Though we must warn you, if we sense that this is threatening to our best interests then we will dissolve the alliance immediately. Fair warning that you should not make an enemy of us, we will not falter in our goal and will stop at nothing to achieve it."

"So it seems that you are dead set on this decision, we would try to dissuade from it although it is clear that it would be a fruitless effort. We are of two worlds held together by this one, our ties to one another only run as deep as our objectives are still centered within the Special Region. We concede to your wishes, but on the grounds that we are all at agreement upon. Also, in response to your claim, we too will be ready and willing to retaliate if need be."

Yanagida wanted to question the decision in allowing the talks to proceed even further after their blatant threat, but held his tongue. The lieutenant general was a man wise beyond his years and the bespectacled man believed there was a specific reason for his actions, hypothesizing that it had something to do with the way the general and Brandish stared each other down. Gray and his group seemed like good people but this woman spelt trouble in the corners of his mind, what's more was the fact that the ice mage seemed to be taking orders from her. She had importance, but it seemed that Gray was much more alert in her presence than he had been when he first arrived. It begged the question if her protection was of his utmost concern or if she was the real threat.

"It seems we're all on the same page, then let's go on to the finer details." As Gray translated the green haired woman's words, his thoughts moved one to his expectations of Brandish not pulling her punches, but hadn't expected her to make such a bold claim. "Each of us are in possession of powerful abilities and as we pool them together, we become an unstoppable force that will achieve its goal."

"We would not have made the proposition if we did not believe in your many talents." Yanagida felt troubled that Brandish had taken control of the conversation, worse still was that he could tell that she was one of those more ruthless political types with more power than he'd like. "I think the more pressing matter is information. We can easily supply each other with what knowledge we have now and whatever we may discover in the future."

"We believe that would suffice; any information based upon the people living here to diseases would be appreciated. In turn, we'll assist you with our magical knowledge and military when required." The best the FEF could give them was the military support, in Gray's opinion, since they had no real use surrounding magic since their world hasn't a shred of it to begin with.

"Your military support is welcomed, but magic may not be an investment we can agree upon as most magic we have come across has paled against the might of our weapons. Knowledge about the arts is appreciated, but I can't see our government officials finding a use for it back home." Yanagida watched as Gray translated his words and was surprised as he quickly stepped forward to lower Brandish's hand, he didn't need to be a mind reader to tell that she wasn't pleased about the comments of magic.

"Lady Brandish wishes for you to understand that magic is playing a key role at this very moment. Your sciences may be far more advanced than ours, and certainly that of the Special Region as well, but magic is the only reason you know of this place."

"We can summarize that the Gate was created by such power, so warnings of magic playing a hand in all this is nothing new. Many on the other hand have yet to truly commit themselves to the idea that magic is connecting our worlds."

"She had guessed as much, but Lady Brandish believes that you don't truly understand the scope of the power in summoning the Gate. To us, its capable of existing since magic in our world is bountiful; however, your world doesn't possess any signs of magic and yet the Gate appeared. Something with tremendous magical power opened the Gate to your world for a purpose we don't know of, but in time we will."

"Research is underway on the composition of the Gate and soon our government will be able to discover what secrets it holds. Knowledge will come in time, so we must remain patient."

"Lady Brandish has more to say about and as a show of honoring the treaty we are establishing; she wishes to give you this information now in good faith. The Gate was summoned by a being with great magical power, though the troubling reality comes in the form of when will the being who summoned the Gate begin to feel the strain of keeping two gates open before closing one or even both of them."

It was a thought the ice mage wanted to keep to himself since transportation magic alone causes the user to expend quantities of magic depending on the distance. He thought back to the Eclipse Gate and how it took the accumulation of several years of magic from the strongest mages around to open a gateway into the past just for a few hours. Going off that, Gray could only wonder how much magic is being used to keep the Gates open now that it was nearing a month since they appeared. Not to mention opening to a world devoid of magic and leaving it open for this long, if not longer.

After Yanagida translated the last words, Gray had noticed a few of the faces paling now that they understood that there is the chance they'll be stuck in this world. The Japanese officers spoke to each other in quite surprise and hints of fear from what Gray heard, but anyone would be that way if you were left behind and stuck in this world for who knows how long before the Gate opens up again. Many were jittery at the news, Clara was no different either at the revelation and it all the hushed talking was silenced as the general spoke up.

"Lieutenant General Hazama is grateful for this information and wishes to know how much time is left before the Gate closes." Yanagida watched as Doranbolt shook his head and then awkwardly turned to Brandish who sighed before speaking to Gray.

"We are unsure at the moment, could be days, weeks or months, but we are certain that a time will come when it will close. The representatives understand that there is much to discuss, but have faith that this information shows you that we are willing to form this alliance given our previous words of retaliation." The entire conversation so far seemed so weird and things felt out of place, but Gray was never in a peace treaty talk before so he had no idea if this was normal or not. "We'll also notify you of any changes in magic composition of the Gate."

"The Lieutenant General understands your reservations, especially when forming alliances with people from other worlds. He sees a future with both our forces working with each other and wishes to speak about the treaty further in detail." Hazama stood up when Yanagida finished speaking and extended his hand out to the FEF representatives, awaiting the FEF to react with Clara taking the lead and shaking it in turn.

Gray could tell that this was going to be the start of something big, he just prayed that things wouldn't get out of hand for him with whatever he had to translate soon. Then there was the part of him that thought about his friends and wondered how they're fairing on their trip to the trade city of Italica. The ice mage hoping they weren't going to have too much fun without him.