It was a whole new world beyond the Gate, and that much was clear from the moment the JSDF forces entered the forward base at Alnus Hill.
The serenity of a clear night sky and stars shimmering above beyond the haze of light pollution created an aesthetic growing more and more rare on Earth.
Pressing down on his helmet, a military man watched over his unit while adjusting the binoculars he wore around his neck.
His name was Officer Shiba of Japan's mechanized infantry brigade, leading a specialized reconnaissance team through the areas surrounding Alnus Hill to secure the perimeter. They were tasked with dissuading locals from hostilities by revealing overwhelming firepower and force without resorting to lethal fire unless circumstances prevent it.
Some locals were crazy not in the sense that they lacked rationality, but that they regarded honor on a higher level.
An example were the hot-blooded warriors of old that were written in history who chose death over submission such as the Vikings and their belief in Valhalla.
This new world was set in a medieval time period, and such beliefs were inherent in the best of their pre-modern militaries.
The massacre at Alnus Hill and men who charged up the hill regardless of the death count still lingered in Shiba's mind.
The notion that cold weapons could overpower hot weapons in the minds of locals was a matter that had to be disabused to allow proper diplomatic talks.
Indeed, no one listens without adequate force, more so when force is so severely tilted towards one side.
Raising his binoculars up, Shiba scoured the path ahead while leaning half of his body out of a military Jeep. Noticing no abnormalities, Shiba pulled himself back into the jeep's passenger seat and pulled out a radio with a dialed frequency.
"This is Alpha team, moving on route," Shiba reported with static buzzing in from the other end. The only signal tower in this world was the one hastily set up at Alnus Hill, so reception was still rather shoddy. "No signs of abnormality, proceeding onward to the forested region."
Jungle warfare.
The foliage of the trees hide potential assailants while thick bramble and stiff roots hinder mobility. The density of vegetation also restricts the use of armored vehicles.
The forested region was the last place Shiba and his unit had to investigate and set a perimeter within. As much as jungle warfare was tedious, the same disadvantages could be used as advantages if occupied by their forces first. Of course, that's assuming the forest was clear.
"Proceed."
The stiff tone that echoed out from Shiba's radio gave the order to green light the expedition's exploration into the forested region.
Not intending to venture too deep into the woods, Shiba and his unit were only tasked with making sure the forest within Alnus Hill's perimeter was secure.
Without fanfare, Shiba's unit did just that. Ground troops carefully scoured the area while the military vehicles did small sweeps where the gaps between trees allowed them access.
"Nothing in the trees?" Shiba asked, eyeing any potential vantage point an enemy could take.
"None," a private answered back.
"Hollowed tree roots?"
"Empty. Infrared only shows small animals nearby."
Then the area was clear. Shiba relaxed as he imagined returning to the barracks where the government was sponsoring the military's exploration with an actual canteen and not just rations.
"Set up markers, and we'll pull out as soon as we finish." Shiba said before looking towards his lieutenant. "Any word on the Third Exploration Unit's report yet?"
"Negative. They went silent a bit after they said they ran into a village raised to the ground by a...dragon sir."
A small silence passed, the two men looking at each other with mixed feelings of wonderment and thrill.
"This really is a new world, isn't it Captain? Fantasy even." The lieutenant whispered. "Thank goodness we have guns. I was starting to doubt our own military power after watching that video of Code Name: Arthur. Those were just special effects, weren't they captain? If the 'magic' in this world is really that strong, we're going to need stronger equipment."
Shiba shuddered at the thought, but soon shook his head. "Code Name: Arthur is a special case. All other locals we've encountered have not exhibited anywhere near the fire power Arthur has. And I think that's a good thing, now hurry and help wrap this up. The canteen's serving katsudon tonight."
The lieutenant nodded and was quick to help set up markers in the area to indicate to their allies that they've explored this location and that it was safe for travel.
The markers didn't take long to set up, merely a couple stakes with coloured ribbon attached to the top that would draw attention.
Regathering his unit, Shiba entered a military jeep and called for the unit's withdrawal.
It was on the way back to Alnus Hill that Shiba noticed a discrepancy in the forest's foliage. Where thick leaves helped block out light, there was a sudden patch that the light broke through to illuminate a peculiar kind of stone Shiba found eerily familiar.
Frowning, he gestured for his driver to slow down before he raised up the binoculars around his neck just to make sure he was seeing things right.
A second after he did, he had no choice but to act.
"Wait, stop!"
Ordering the unit to a halt, Shiba hurriedly picked up his radio and called in.
"Alpha Team to Base."
A momentary pause filled with static echoed in Shiba's ears as he waited for his words to be received. He'd switched radio frequency away from the supervising officer's channel, to the direct command frequency.
Protocols established in the new world dictated the frequency only to be contacted under pressing discoveries or emergencies that required the orders of a superior.
"Colonal Miyagi speaking, report Officer."
Shiba did not beat around the bush.
"There's another Gate, sir," Shiba said, calling for others in his unit to verify his claims.
"Another Gate?" Colonel Miyagi's voice was increasingly perplexed before hardening when others in the unit confirmed the sighting.
"Affirmative. It's sitting over the foliage of the trees atop a narrowed hill." Shiba detailed with growing seriousness.
Knowing that Gates led to other worlds, there were many scientists wishing to analyze the Gate's properties and functions. This new gate could verify the hypothesis that not all Gates lead to Earth, but perhaps to another plane of reality.
Based on the dense foliage and the sudden silence in the vicinity, the new Gate gave the impression of being buried in time, forgotten and obscured by the foliage.
"Should we investigate?" Shiba suggested.
The answer was immediate.
"Negative. Hold your position and wait for further instruction."
"Roger."
Shiba kind of expected the answer to be like this. Colonel Miyagi must be contacting the military bureau, and from there, awaiting a decision from the government.
Sighing, Shiba kicked back and kept his eyes trained on the Gate while waiting.
It was likely going to take a couple minutes before a decision could be reached.
Bureaucrats would raise a storm with the new intel. It was already a mess with other countries around the globe claiming that Japan was monopolizing access and new resources from the Gate. Coupled with revelations, conspiracy theories, and the discovery of 'Excalibur' in the other world, and global tensions were growing tenuous even with allied states.
Another Gate meant more possibilities, and considering the lack of firepower in this world, Japan's military could set a perimeter around the second Gate and monopolize that too.
It was a case of neighbors eyeing the gold in the hands of an equal who could not hope to protect it against everyone's interests. If that gold suddenly turned into diamonds, then the ensuing headache was one the politicians in Japan would have to deal with.
Regardless, it wasn't Shiba's matter to dwell over.
The green light to investigate with caution fifteen minutes later was also an expected order.
Confirming the new imperative, Shiba began outlining orders and organizing his unit towards the Gate.
The unit's budget was limited, but Shiba still possessed three Stryker vehicles in the case of hostilities, and infantry were equipped with assault rifles and sidearms.
Considering the average enemy were people in the old Legion Plate, Shiba's firearms were basically overkill. At least, that's how it used to be. 'Arthur's' emergence changed everything with the notion of 'lethal' magics their modern world could not understand. Hence, the increase in deployed firearms.
Considering that Arthur was not known to be near the vicinity, the chance of danger was exceedingly minimal.
Nothing was supposed to prove fatal, or endanger the integrity of the unit, but things don't always go to plan when unknown variables are encountered.
Shiba squinted his eyes as his ears perked up from the rustling of the leaves.
"Captain, locals," Shiba's lieutenant warned while looking through the infrared sensors. "There's at least a dozen or more of them watching us from the trees."
Natives? Shiba mused, glancing up at the swaying foliage.
An eerie wind blew over the surroundings, a sense of foreboding pervading as Shiba deliberated over speaking out.
The natives in this world would not have infrared or technological advances that could enable hiding useless. However, the risk of speaking out came in the form of startling natives who were potentially wielding primitive bows. Nothing that armored vehicles and vest armor couldn't block, but sharp points were still sharp points.
Contemplating to himself, Shiba decided to try diplomacy before resorting to violence.
Signaling a flagman to advance forward, the soldier nodded before proceeding.
"We know you're there!" The soldier boldly declared.
For a second, silence ensued before the leaves rustled and people wearing old Victorian attire stepped out with annoyed expressions. If they were surprised to see modern military uniforms and vehicles, then they didn't show it while under the scrutiny of a glowering blond haired young woman and the young man playing a deaf ear to the girl.
"This is your fault. Never trust a Sophia-Ri."
"It wasn't as if this was planned, but the locals of this place look strikingly similar. Stop glaring at me, and look at the logo on their uniforms."
"Hnn?"
The two fell silent, staring at the Japanese flag stitched onto Shiba and the others military uniforms.
Certain implications set in that neither of the two were able to determine, but had no choice but to take it seriously. On the chance that Shiba and the unit with him were somehow from the same world, the secrecy of magic comes to light. Along with that assumption, further weakening of modern mysteries…
"Follow protocol."
The man said, deciding for everyone while the woman crossed her arms and huffed.
Meanwhile, Shiba had never stopped scrutinizing the people before him. Quickly, he noticed a certain discrepancy while listening to the two speak.
'Was that, English?'
It sounded exactly like it, and Japan wasn't immune to western influences. English was learned in schools, but it made no sense for the locals to speak the same language.
A language barrier was one of the obstacles the exploration unit had to overcome and-
"Captain, they're approaching!" The lieutenant warned. "I don't think they're friendly."
Yeah, Shiba sort of realized that from the demeanor of the people before him and the flicker of circuit-like patterns flaring over their clothes.
Shibe and the others raised their weapons and aimed.
"Stop, don't come any closer!" Shiba warned to no effect. "Release the safeties!" He ordered.
"But Captain, orders were to avoid lethal fire-"
"Listen to me," Shiba insisted. His gut was telling him that something wasn't quite right here. The way the people seemed to recognize firearms, and yet continue to proceed ahead unperturbed were either due to ignorance, or confidence.
Boom!
Shiba eased the grip his finger had on the trigger of his gun as a bullet hissed through the air and struck one of the nearby people on the thigh.
"Argh, fuck!" The woman wearing a cloak crumpled to the ground, cradling her bleeding leg while Shiba and the others noted the emergence of glowing energy that had tried to defend her too late.
"Hmph, and that's why you're a third rate," one of the downed woman's comrades sneered. "Fall back and ask for healing."
Cussing, the downed woman wrapped herself in a protective film of energy to prevent any other bullets from coming down.
Shiba didn't hesitate and fired, the shield around the woman cracking, but holding firm.
Now it was clear to Shiba and the others what they were facing when similar energies began to rise from the other assailants.
"Magic users!"
Shiba's lieutenant vocalized what everyone was thinking.
"Retreat," Shiba quickly ordered. "Group up and retreat!"
They had no idea what they were dealing with, and the lack of concern on the other side was jarring. More so when the young man and woman had yet to even act or bat an eye.
"Fire if they get close, everyone into the vehicles!" Shiba began relaying instructions. A spray of bullets aimed at the young woman were shot to distract the enemy while the unit organized.
Liquid metal automatically moved in the young woman's defense, the man beside her scoffing while pointing a finger at Shiba's unit.
"Gandr." The man muttered passingly.
A red bullet formed on the tip of the man's finger and fired at a speed impossible to avoid.
Shiba's lieutenant was hit on the chest despite trying to block with his arms and combat gear.
"C-Captain…" The lieutenant's voice grew feebler and feebler, and everyone else could see why.
The helmet fell off, followed by the lieutenant's clothes sagging. Skin peeled, and blood began to trickle out of every pore. He was rotting, vitality slipping away each second. The skin sunk in, revealing bone and rapidly beating organs.
Shiba swallowed, running to support his lieutenant, but the man's eyes had already rolled over into the darkness.
"Run!" Shiba gave the order, paling when numerous other red bullets began to form on the fingertips of not just the young man, but many of the other enemies as well.
The only one refraining from taking personal action was the blond haired young woman who was too preoccupied glaring at the young man.
Shiba felt his spine shake, his nerves fraying as goosebumps traveled down his skin.
"Open fire! Stryker teams forward! Give them hell!" Shiba yelled.
Armored tanks and jeeps mounted with machine guns began to unleash a rain of bullets that managed to pierce through the shields many of the enemies were deploying, but there were exceptions.
As the echo of gunpowder and the scent of soot filled the area, thunderous banging resounded as liquid metal hardened into an impenetrable steel.
Even the armor piercing rounds were halted by increasing the density of liquid metal at a certain point.
In the end, the liquid metal pooled together and took the shape of a metal woman in a maid's attire.
His common sense wavered as the metal terminator lifted a hand and turned it into a serrated blade. Meanwhile, the other arm shifted into a metal mallet.
…What in the world were they dealing with?
In the backdrop, a storm of red bullets were continuously fired.
"Take cover in the vehicles, don't get hit! It's a plague shot!" Shiba could only relate what he was seeing to that of special attacks he'd seen in video games and popular culture. "You all saw what happened to the lieutenant! Drivers, get us out of here!"
"I don't think so."
A smooth yet elegant voice paused Shiba and the others in their tracks as the young man personally moved.
"It is somewhat my fault, so I should at least rectify a portion of it as the heir of Sophia-Ri."
Magic energy the likes and purity of which the others could not hope to compare to ignited from around the young man.
Shiba felt it right there and then.
Inexperienced against magic, and unable to guard against the mysteries of the adversaries, he and his unit were all going to die here.
.
.
.
As creeping desolation began to pervade the unit's morale, shimmering golden sand suddenly illuminated the area.
And golden light made its descent.
Thanks for reading!
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