The next day, Itami, Kurata, and the girls were in a jeep on their way south of the Gate.
"So, where are we going again?" asked Rory from the back.
"Someone wanted to talk with us," said Itami as they saw a large mountain in the distance. A worried yet terrified expression growing on his face.
"That's Bellnahgo, you're taking us straight to the home of Hardy!" said Rory with a worried expression.
"Sorry Rory, but she threatened something we can't let happen," said Itami.
"Let me out of here!" said Rory as she headed for the doors.
"Restrain," said David, causing several chains to appear and wrap around Rory, holding her to the seat.
"You might want to pick up the speed, she's stronger than I thought!" said David as he struggled to concentrate on the spell.
"Right away!" said Kurata as he increased speed. Rory continued to struggle until they reached a wall in the mountain side, that's when she broke free and jumped out the door.
"Get back here, Rory!" said Itami as the jeep screeched to halt.
"Not happening," said Rory as she ran back the way they had come from. Before anyone could say another word, the area was engulfed in a red light.
"Hello, Rory," said a woman's voice from above her.
"Hi, Hardy," said a scared Rory as she watched a young woman float out of the sky.
"I've been wanting to see you," said Hardy as she landed on the ground just a few feet away from Rory.
"Look, I'm sorry but…," said Rory as she slowly backed away.
"I know you don't want to marry me, and I don't want to force you," said Hardy as she interrupted Rory.
"Really?" asked a surprised Rory.
"Yes, plus I've met a beautiful goddess from Earth after I opened the Gate and things have been going good with her," said Hardy.
"So you did open the Gate?" asked Itami as he and the others approached.
"Yes, I was tired of the way the empire was acting, so I brought you over to deal with them," said Hardy.
"Wait, you actually knew about the JSDF before opening the gate?" asked David.
"Follow me to my shrine, there's something there you must see," said Hardy.