-M29. 671. Italica. Falmart.-
With permissions granted by the Third Princess, both the 3rd and 5th Recon Teams made their way to the mansion. Raias had an eerie sense that this meeting had played out in his mind already, including worst-case scenarios.
"82, can you bring up the protocol for engaging with pre-feudal societies in this kind of situation?" Raias inquired of the Ferrous Mind.
"Of course." Immediately, a stream of information appeared on his HUD.
As he read through it, Raias couldn't help but furrow his brow. "So, essentially, we're expected to assert our superiority, despite them being human."
The protocol explicitly prohibited any form of direct hostility or aggression toward the natives, as it could potentially ignite a catastrophic conflict, endangering the entire feudal society. Full cooperation was the aim, but achieving the Imperium's dream of unification had to be balanced with avoiding tragedy. On the other hand, the Imperium needed to display its power, extending grace and sanctuary, marking an enlightened society and a successful unification.
"I think I know how to handle that determined Princess," Raias remarked.
"Referring to her as 'determined' might be an understatement, Captain," the Men of Iron commented.
"Perhaps, but her willingness to do whatever it takes for a safe negotiation, leveraging her status as a Princess, is commendable. Yet, it's a risky approach," Raias pointed out. The Princess was undoubtedly strong-willed. She had flung the door open eagerly, eager to engage with the entire convoy. However, she had done so without any form of defense, a risky move.
The door to the hall swung open. A pair of wooden thrones stood at the far end of the room, with Myui sitting in one of them. A large wooden table dominated the center, while maids bustled about, preparing drinks. One particular detail caught Raias' attention.
All of the maids were abhumans.
Raias had read the reports on Colt Formal's stance towards abhumans. He aimed to eradicate any racism towards them, a point proven by the considerable number of abhuman maids present before the Solar Guardian.
"Fear not, Falmartian abhumans. The Imperium shall come for all of you," Raias muttered, his conviction unwavering but his words intended more as a self-assurance.
"Now, I believe we can commence our discussion," Pina stated, her gaze sweeping over the guests with a stern expression.
"Of course, Princess," Raias replied neutrally.
"First of all, Captain Raias, please explain your purpose here," the Princess requested, her eyes briefly flicking towards the young Countess.
"It would be more appropriate for me to converse directly with the Countess," he asserted.
"What is it that you wish to discuss with me, Lord..." Myui began, then halted, slightly puzzled.
"Raias Seloce, milady," Raias offered smoothly.
"Lord Raias Seloce, is there something you wish to convey?" Myui replied, her gaze attempting to penetrate the intimidating helmet, only to be met with an unsettling feeling.
"I come from the Imperium of Man, specifically the Zalvus Hills," Raias declared. His statement froze the room, leaving even Itami in a state of shock. Eyes widened with cautious curiosity. Before they could respond, Raias continued.
"My mission here is twofold. First, I've been tasked with conducting reconnaissance on Italica, following the orders of Lord General Sol. Second, and no less important, I'm here to inform the current head of the Formal House that the former head is still alive and under our care." This revelation hit the room like a thunderbolt. Myui herself staggered, her emotions overwhelming her, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
"M-My father is alive?" Myui stammered, her voice quivering.
"Yes, Lady Myui," Raias confirmed, a slight smirk hidden beneath his helmet.
"H-How?" The maids, wary of a potential trick, prepared for an escape should the situation turn hostile.
"It is the will of the Emperor."
"The Emperor?" The Countess questioned.
"Colt Formal has pledged his loyalty to His Majesty, the Lord of the Imperium of Man. Consequently, the entire territory of the Formal House now falls under Imperial control," Raias explained.
The room was engulfed in a profound and shocking silence. No one could fully grasp the significance of the giant's words. The revelation sent shivers down Pina's spine.
"This is absurd! It cannot be true!" Kain erupted, her typically calm and composed demeanor giving way to anger, shocking the maids.
Raias turned his gaze toward the head maid, his eyes gleaming with anger. With a sigh, Raias spoke softly, "I possess evidence, but revealing it without context would be unwise. Rest assured, I've received word from the Lord General that Colt Formal will be dispatched to this region. He will declare his allegiance to the Imperium, making all of you Imperial Citizens."
But Kain refused to back down. "If that wasn't just a ploy, Solar Guardian, then I have one question for you."
"Go ahead, ask your question," Raias responded calmly.
"If we were to become a part of your Imperium, what would happen to the demi-human maids who live here?" Kain's question elicited gasps from the maids in attendance.
"Head maid," one of them whispered.
"Your question is quite expected, Head Maid Kain," Raias replied with a fluency that was nearly inhuman, leaving the Falmartians awestruck. How did this giant know the head maid's name without even asking?
"The Imperium of Man strictly forbids any form of slavery, whether it be of humans or abhumans. Such actions are punishable by death. Every one of our citizens is entitled to rights and privileges, masters of their own destinies. To give you an example, one of our Governors is a cat abhuman," the Solar Guardian proudly declared, intentionally omitting the term "Planetary" to make it more comprehensible to the Falmartians.
"Demi-humans... leading humans?" Pina asked slowly, her question not drawing any ire from the towering giant.
"Yes, indeed. In fact, they have the same opportunities as humans. The only thing that sets you apart in the Imperium is your merit in serving the Emperor and the Imperium as a whole," Raias stated matter-of-factly.
His words stirred various emotions within the room. The more open-minded Falmartians began to see something significant beneath the giant's words—an egalitarian society governed by talent. It seemed almost too idealistic to be true, leading to a healthy dose of skepticism among those present.
The truth was overwhelming for the Falmartians; "shock" hardly did justice to the range of emotions they were experiencing. None of them could fathom the implications of the giant's words. The truth also struck fear into Pina's heart.
"Meritocracy, huh," Itami muttered under his breath.
Pina was immobilized, her mind racing as she comprehended the implications. Italica, the place she had entered without permission, was now becoming part of the enemy's territory. She was a war prisoner, an aggressor in their eyes.
"Do you believe this was an act of aggression, Princess?" The Solar Guardian's voice jolted Pina out of her reverie.
"How did you..." Pina's words trailed off, her teeth biting into her lip.
"I know more than you think, Princess. The world is far grander than your expectations," Raias stated, his voice taking on an otherworldly quality.
A strange sensation gripped Pina, causing her skin to crawl. It was an emptiness, a vast darkness that shifted her perspective on the world. From that darkness emerged a golden figure, a radiant beacon that shattered the darkness, guiding all of humanity toward a brilliant path.
The vision abruptly ended, and Pina found herself staring at the Solar Guardian with narrowed eyes.
"What do you mean by that?" Pina asked cautiously.
"The truth will be unveiled to you in due course, Princess," his tone was empathetic, touching, and unnatural, radiating an otherworldly presence.
Pina chose to remain silent, her mind grappling with the vision she had just witnessed. It was something beyond words, a profound sense of beauty.
"Returning to our main concern," Raias stated, bringing the focus back to the immediate issue. "The city is under attack. As it falls under Imperium's jurisdiction, it is our responsibility to defend it. Your presence will be seen as a misunderstanding, Princess Pina Co Lada. But fear not, your efforts will be rewarded through the defeat of this enemy."
"D-Defeat the enemy? They number in the thousands! While you may be more powerful than us, your numbers are far from matching theirs!" Pina exclaimed in anger, baffled by Raias' statement.
"Let me ask you, Princess, how many soldiers did your Empire send to invade the Zalvus Hills?" The Solar Guardian inquired with a calm logic that transcended neutrality.
"One hundred and sixty thousand soldiers," Pina answered cautiously, bracing for the worst.
"Allow me to inform you that those brave men were slaughtered by fewer than one hundred golems. As for their reinforcements, less than two chapters' worth of Solar Guardians were needed to eradicate them without a trace," Raias revealed, stepping closer to Pina, his gaze piercing through her eyes. Despite his face being concealed by a helmet, the intensity of his gaze was palpable to the red-haired Princess.
"You are lying," Pina retorted in disbelief.
"If you believe so, I won't force you to accept it. However, this siege will serve as proof," Raias declared with unwavering determination.
"Since there are no further questions, let's proceed with war planning," he concluded confidently.
-/-
Pina felt distraught, her cheek resting on her hand as her mind swirled with a maelstrom of emotions that she couldn't quite grasp. It all came to a head when that vision invaded her thoughts.
A world shrouded in darkness, devoured by the insatiable hunger of its shadowy nature.
A golden figure that banished that darkness, transforming it into something beautiful.
It was overwhelming. Letting out a sigh, Pina shifted her gaze towards the window, where the sun was setting on the horizon, casting a crimson twilight.
The possibility of a nighttime assault weighed heavily on her mind, seeming like the only rational choice.
"If what Lord Raias said is true, how could we possibly defend ourselves against them?" She pondered aloud, massaging her temples in an attempt to alleviate the stress gnawing at her.
"Is something troubling you, milady?" Hamilton's voice broke the silence from behind.
"I can't put into words what I witnessed in that room," Pina confessed to the concerned knight.
"What do you mean, milady?" The brunette looked puzzled, prompting Pina to dig deeper into her thoughts for the right words.
"Did you see it?" It was the first question she had to ask, causing the young knight to furrow her brow in confusion.
"My apologies, milady. I'm not quite following," she replied, her tone tinged with unease.
"You... didn't see that vision?" Pina raised an eyebrow, her thoughts clashing within her.
"I... I didn't see any vision, milady."
"Very well, then." Pina sighed, feeling the weight of her thoughts pressing upon her.
"Princess, what was it that you saw?" Concern was palpable in Hamilton's voice; she genuinely worried about her lady's state.
"It's... nothing," Pina replied, attempting to put the topic to rest.
Hamilton didn't press further, nodding in understanding.
"Princess, do you think they can truly defeat the enemy?" Hamilton changed the subject, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.
"To be perfectly honest with you, Hamilton, I don't know," she responded with a bitter undertone.
"... I can't say I disagree with you, milady. I mean, they're only five individuals and a dozen green men," Hamilton pointed out, emphasizing the insignificance of their numbers compared to the enemy's forces.
Even to the Princess and her knight, the idea of defeating thousands of soldiers with such a small force seemed nearly inconceivable.
"Even though we must place some faith in them. But it's ironic, isn't it?" Pina's mouth twisted with bitterness, leaving a bitter taste behind.
"Becoming a prisoner in the very city I swore to protect. What a disgrace as a Princess of the Empire," she added, a dry chuckle escaping her lips.
"W-We could arrange an escape route for you, Princess," the young knight suggested, her voice trembling with nervousness.
"No. I'll stay. Escaping would only change my status from prisoner to fugitive," Pina replied, stating a simple fact that couldn't be ignored. As a captive, there were rules and consequences, and escaping would put a bounty on her head, making her a target for the Imperium. She wasn't entirely sure what this nation was capable of, and that uncertainty was consuming her thoughts.
But the presence of those giants made her darkest imaginings come to life.
"The best decision is to remain in this mansion until the siege is over."
-/-
-Eastern Wall-
"Are you certain they'll attack here, Captain?" Itami inquired of Raias.
"As long as the defense is strong on this side, while the southern wall remains vulnerable, they'll come," came the Captain's confident yet neutral reply.
"What are we going to do with this place?" Tomita asked, eyeing their surroundings.
"We will turn it into a meat grinder," Nathaniel answered.
"M-Meat grinder?!" Mari shouted in horror.
"He doesn't mean it literally, Kurokawa," Mal reassured her.
"What does it mean, then?" Mari inquired cautiously.
"It's a common tactic to subdue a primitive civilization by instilling sheer terror through superior firepower," the Apothecary explained.
"How does that work?" Kuribayashi asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"It's quite simple. As a Devastator, my job is to attack their rear, forcing them to move forward. Maiya is positioned on the flank to keep them in check," Nathaniel elaborated, his tone casual as if discussing something mundane, not a war strategy.
"And Raphael's duty is to hold the other flank with his Railgun-Accelerator Sniper Rifle from a distance," Maiya added.
"Railgun-Accelerator Sniper Rifle?" Takao pointed at Raphael with a trembling hand.
"Yes, RSR for short. It's a kinetic sniper rifle that accelerates particles within it using an electric space imbued by a grav manipulation field, propelling the bullet at 18 Mach," Maiya explained.
"Do all Sniper Specialists have that kind of weapon?" Kuwahara asked the most obvious question.
The weapon was akin to a ballistic missile when viewed from the JSDF's perspective. The idea of a single soldier wielding such firepower was almost inconceivable.
"Yes, unfortunately. But it's not a standard weapon," the red-haired Solar Guardian replied.
"Unfortunately?" Itami raised an eyebrow.
Before Maiya could respond, Raphael stepped forward. "It's unstable. If the gravitation field overloads, it can explode. Anyone near the blast radius would be affected by the gravity, which would end their lives."
The JSDF members were rendered speechless by the answer. The power of that mighty weapon came with an equal amount of risk.
"Why not use other weapons?" Kuribayashi asked bluntly.
"This weapon can kill any target. I don't need anything else," the Sniper retorted equally bluntly.
"But if you die because of that field, you won't be able to eliminate your target," Kuribayashi argued, staring into the blonde's eyes.
"I've lived long enough with this weapon," Raphael replied solemnly.
"And yet, it can kill you," Kuribayashi countered, looking at Maiya. "Doesn't the Imperium have any safer weapons than that?"
"Of course, they do. In fact, that weapon is considered outdated," Maiya replied with a shrug.
"See?" Kuribayashi turned to Raphael, her eyes filled with frustration.
"I need it. For my enemies and for myself," Raphael said sternly, his gaze unnerving the group.
"I think I understand now, Raphael. Please, stop. I get your situation, but that's enough," Raias intervened, grabbing the Solar Guardian's shoulder.
"Affirmative, Captain. I'll take my position," Raphael responded, his suit quickly forming a helmet, cloaking him and leaving the area.
"What was that?" Mari asked, her stomach churning with nausea.
They had all felt a sense of transhuman dread, but this was different. It was as if their consciousness was forcibly separated from their bodies, an overwhelming display of power.
"My head... it hurts," Tuka groaned, holding her head as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Tuka!" Mari exclaimed, concerned.
"What happened to you?" Itami asked in worry.
Lelei's face turned pale, her hand reaching for her head in pain as she fought back the urge to vomit.
Rory, on the other hand, appeared unscathed, though her stoic demeanor hid the turmoil within. Even the non-augmented humans could see that her skin had grown paler, and her body trembled slightly.
"Mal," Mari called out. "Do you know what happened to them?"
The apothecary didn't answer but instead glanced at his leader. The rest of the team followed suit, leaving the JSDF members in a state of confusion.
"Captain," Nathaniel addressed the Solar Guardian. "Is this what I think it is?"
"I have my deductions, but I'm hesitant to say," Raias replied, speaking almost in a whisper.
"But wait. If that's the case, shouldn't he be with... Longinus Agitatus?" Mal mentioned the name that made the entire 5th Recon Team freeze.
"Excuse me, what do you mean by Longinus Agitatus?" Itami asked the Solar Guardian.
"It's... It's one of the military divisions of the Imperium of Man. But, that division is... something we shouldn't speak lightly of," Raias explained cautiously, carefully choosing his words.
"Longinus... that name. Isn't it related to god-killing or something, Captain?" Tomita asked.
"I can't confirm that. But its nature clearly affects xenos, psykers, and warp-born entities. But it's all speculation. Nothing to worry about for now... for now," Raias reassured the JSDF.
"Well, for now, I think you should apologize to him for this misunderstanding," Maiya suggested to the JSDF.
"Speaking of apologies, why did you go overboard like that, Kuribayashi?" Kuwahara asked sternly.
"I... I don't know, sir. It's like... something from him compelled me to do it," Kuribayashi explained slowly.
"You! Why didn't you restrain yourself, Lieutenant?" the older JSDF member growled.
"I apologize deeply. I regret my actions," Kuribayashi bowed to her team.
"Please, don't blame her. My entire team understands why she did that," Raias defended her.
"You seem to know something, Captain," Itami noted, looking at Raias.
"I have my own deductions. And it's clear your teammates had a strong emotional reaction to Raphael," Raias chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
Blushing slightly, Kuribayashi touched her cheek with her index finger. The rest of the JSDF team sighed in response.
Raias then turned his attention to the trio of Falmartians, who were still recovering from their nausea.
"Mal," Raias addressed the Apothecary.
"They... very well, I understand," the Apothecary replied, approaching the Falmartians, who were still struggling with their seizures.
"Please, eat this," he said, taking out three blue pills from a compartment in his armor.
"You didn't have any intention of poisoning us, Solar Guardian?" Rory asked with a smirk.
"Poisoning is dishonorable. But, well, you're not human, so is it even applicable?" Mal responded calmly.
Rory took one of the pills into her mouth, and her sickness instantly disappeared. Tuka and Lelei followed suit, relieved from their nausea. Raias sighed in relief.
"It's going to be a long night," he said, causing the rest of the team to stare at him.
Now, all they could do was wait.
