The night had passed in Falmart, and the JSDF found themselves concealed behind the stone walls of Italica. Captain Raias had entrusted them with the task of safeguarding the city, a responsibility they accepted with a sense of trust in the man. Raias possessed an uncanny presence, his power beyond their comprehension.

"Hey, Sir," Kurata turned to Itami, both men standing atop the dimly lit wall, surrounded by extinguished torches.

"What's on your mind, Kurata?" Itami inquired, his eyes still relying on night vision to scan the land beyond the fortifications.

"It might sound strange, but Captain Raias managed to not only win our trust but also that of the Italican army. Commanding troops from an entirely different faction is unheard of. He orchestrated the appearance of a heavily guarded wall, yet the strength was all on the inside. Why?" Kurata asked with genuine curiosity.

"Hah," Itami sighed, his usually carefree demeanor replaced with seriousness. "Furthermore, he holds the highest authority here to command the army. Standing at two and a half meters in height, and with that charisma... it's no wonder they complied. As for their tactics, call me foolish, but it seems they intend to take on the entire army by themselves."

"Are they out of their minds?!" Kurata exclaimed in shock.

"I wouldn't label them as such," Itami replied sternly, a departure from his usual laid-back self.

"I just don't get it," Kurata confessed.

"Remember the battle with the Fire Dragon? Doesn't that haunt your thoughts?" Itami inquired, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well, that moment keeps me up at night. Maybe I'm overthinking things," Kurata admitted awkwardly.

"Hey, Kurata, your complexion... Are you feeling unwell?" Itami pointed out.

"I... I think I might be," Kurata said uncertainly.

"Since when has your face been as pale as a corpse?" Itami activated his night vision, scrutinizing Kurata's face closely.

"I don't know, but I think it happened when Raphael... emitted that strange aura around us," Kurata concluded painfully.

Itami pondered this revelation, his mind racing. Lelei, Tuka, Rory, and the rest of their team had also experienced a similar malaise, despite the mysterious cause.

Curiously, Kuribayashi seemed unaffected or at least significantly less affected by this ailment. She appeared to be the exception among them.

"Hey, Kurata, do you notice anything different about me?" Itami asked, gesturing to himself.

"To be honest, sir, your demeanor is much more serious and anxious," Kurata observed.

"What about the others? Did you notice any changes in them?" Itami inquired.

"Mostly, yes."

"We need to speak with Captain Raias to delve deeper into this matter," Itami said, pinching his nose in frustration.

"Speaking of him, they mentioned something called 'Longinus Agitatus.' What exactly is that?" Kurata asked, prompting Itami's immediate attention.

"Longinus Agitatus. Kuwahara also referred to it as 'God-killing stuff,'" Itami mused, intrigued by this discovery.

"Why did he label it as 'God-killer stuff'?" Kurata inquired innocently.

"I've come across it in my reading. Longinus is a name from ancient Rome. He was said to have used a spear to pierce Jesus Christ," Itami recalled, closing his eyes to recall the details.

"Wow, you're quite the well-read man, sir," Kurata complimented.

"I only learned that from manga, and I did a bit of research for context," Itami admitted with a wry smile.

"But it still counts as reading," Kurata remarked with a grin.

Before their conversation could continue, a voice broke through their thoughts. It emanated from Itami's radio.

"Lieutenant Itami, enemy detected, five hundred meters from here," Raias declared with a stern tone. The enemy had suddenly become their top priority.

"Copy, Captain. What's their estimated numbers?" Itami inquired, bringing the radio closer to his mouth.

"Three thousand four hundred and sixty-five. That's their numerical strength," Raias responded resolutely.

"Damn it," Itami muttered under his breath. "Any recommendations, Captain?"

"I want you to defend the city while we handle them," Raias stated without hesitation.

"Are you certain about this, Captain?" Itami sought confirmation.

"Absolutely, Lieutenant. The Fire Dragon has already bowed before us. These foes won't fare any differently," Raias declared, concluding the communication.

"I hope they come out victorious," Kurata remarked with a wry smile.

"You've placed your trust in the right team, Kurata. I have no doubt they'll emerge triumphant, perhaps in no time at all," Itami said, wearing a confident smile.

-/-

Pina couldn't find sleep, her restless footsteps echoing through the Formal Manor. Her mind was clouded with anxiety and worrisome thoughts. Sweat formed on her forehead as she contemplated the perilous situation.

"Princess," Hamilton called out.

Pina jumped slightly. "Ah, it's you, Hamilton. Is there something you need to tell me?"

"It's from the east gate. They reported enemy offensive activity," Hamilton said, his words heavy with responsibility.

"What?! But I haven't seen any fires or signs of an attack," Pina exclaimed, making her way to the window overlooking the east gate.

"They mentioned that the bandits are a few hundred meters away from us," Hamilton informed her.

"But it's pitch black out there," Pina objected, peering into the inky darkness beyond the wall.

"I don't know how, milady, but that's what they told me," Hamilton replied, his tone tinged with resentment.

Pina sighed in frustration, closing her eyes as her muscles tensed. "I want to witness this fight."

"Milady, that's dangerous!" Hamilton exclaimed in shock.

"I want to witness the power they call the 'Imperium of Man.' I believe they're the same ones who defeated the Fire Dragon. If that's the case, I need to see this battle," Pina declared, her gaze fixed on the eastern gate.

"Milady," Hamilton muttered.

"Captain Raias has requested Princess Pina and her Rose Order Knights to join him at the eastern gate," a voice echoed in their minds.

"Who's there?" Hamilton drew his sword, taking a defensive stance beside the princess.

"Reveal yourself!" Pina commanded, scanning the room for intruders.

"There's no need for violence. I am UR-982, an Artificial Intelligence designated for the 5th Recon Team," the voice replied gently.

"An Artificial Intelligence? Iron... Spirit?" Pina deduced logically.

"I'm not a spirit. I'm an Artificial Intelligence created by the Imperium of Man to assist them in various tasks. But that's not important. Captain Raias requires your presence, Princess, along with your knights," the suspected AI explained in fluent Falmartian.

"Very well. Please guide me, honorable spirit," Pina responded respectfully.

"Follow my guidance," the voice instructed.

As Pina tried to inquire about the path and direction, a mental instinct guided her. Hamilton followed suit.

They followed the path that led them out of the manor.

"Milady," Gray's voice came from her right side.

"Gray, where are you going?" Pina asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I heard a voice instructing me to meet Captain Raias. It also mentioned that Your Highness would be joining us," Gray replied with a shrug.

"Did it introduce itself as UR-982?" Pina asked, surprised and intrigued by the answer.

"Well, yes. It called itself UR-982," he answered matter-of-factly.

"Interesting," Pina mumbled as the blonde knight appeared in her peripheral vision.

"Good evening, Princess," the blonde knight greeted, though Pina could see the weariness in his eyes.

"Norma, I hope you managed to get some rest," Pina said empathetically.

"Thank you for your concern, milady," Norma replied with a tired sigh.

"You're welcome. I assume you also received a message to meet with Captain Raias and that Princess Pina would be there?" Pina inquired.

"... That's correct, milady," Norma admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

"So it's definitely an entity of some sort," Pina said, pressing her hand to her forehead.

"So our foes are capable of creating such an entity. That's blasphemous!" Hamilton retorted, her anger evident in her narrowed eyes.

"I concur. We need more evidence before drawing any conclusions," Pina stated, garnering the attention of her two Rose Knights.

"Could you provide more context, milady?" Gray asked.

"The voice, UR-982, claimed to be created by individuals from the Imperium of Man. An Artificial Intelligence, which suggests it's a creation of those giants." Pina explained, clearing her throat. "Ferrous Mind. Iron Spirit."

"Iron Spirit, huh? Let's not rush to conclusions; we lack concrete evidence. But the possibility remains," Gray advised, speaking as the senior knight.

"That's why I won't make any definitive judgments. But first, let's meet with Captain Raias," Pina stated, concluding the conversation as they exited the manor.

The night was silent, and the men remained vigilant in their defense of the city. Pina couldn't help but smile faintly at their courage. Even though they weren't under her rule or responsibility, she respected them for standing up against the invaders.

Upon arriving at the eastern gate, they saw only the men in green uniforms and their armored vehicles. There were no giants in sight.

"I've come in response to Captain Raias's request," Pina said, showing no signs of fear but rather respect.

Itami exchanged a few words with the blue-haired mage. Nodding, the mage approached the princess.

"Captain Raias is currently unavailable," Lelei informed the princess.

"But UR-982's voice told me to come. I'm here to fulfill that request," Pina persisted, taking a step forward.

The JSDF personnel exchanged bewildered glances but refrained from making any assumptions without context.

Before the situation could escalate into an unexpected turn, a crackling sound drew their attention. It was one of the Solar Guardians, the one with the title of Apothecary.

"I apologize that my Captain couldn't meet you in person, but I assure you that he summoned you, Princess," the giant said gently as his helmet melted away, revealing a black-haired man inside the imposing armor. His face was chiseled and perfect, radiating masculine allure. Pina blushed slightly, while the innocent Hamilton was in awe of the man's presence.

"May I inquire about the reason?" Pina asked, trying to hide her reddened face.

"Please follow me to the top of the wall. The JSDF as well," the man said neutrally, his eyes filled with determination and authority.

The raven-haired female JSDF members were visibly taken aback by the giant's words and demeanor.

They followed the giant to the top of the wall, the air growing heavier with each passing moment. Pina gulped, preparing herself for any impending situation.

"Wait here until the signal," the Solar Guardian instructed.

"What—" Pina's voice was cut off abruptly.

A blue sun erupted from the ground, incinerating everything in its path. The intense blue flames turned night into day. The shockwave shattered the earth, jolting the Italican citizens awake from their slumber.

It was a devastating display, utterly obliterating any bandits in its vicinity.

"What... What is that?" Pina trembled, her face draining of color.

"That was the Plasma Collider... To be honest, that weapon is typically used by our heavy infantry... Maiya. But Raias is not joking around. He wants an absolute and swift victory," the man explained, almost whispering to them.

Then, a green light emanated from behind the enemy lines. It didn't explode like the blue fire; instead, it crushed the ground, bones

, and flesh. As the bandit army began to scatter, they were bombarded by countless shooting stars from above, incinerating anything they touched.

"This wasn't a battle," Pina said to herself. "It was the wrath of the gods."

The scene before her sent shivers down her spine. The power, the earth-shattering, and the gusts of wind against her skin defied all rational thought.

The JSDF personnel remained motionless, paralyzed by the sheer display of power.

"Lieutenant Mal, how many people were assigned to this mission?" Itami asked slowly.

"Four. I'm here to protect all of you," Mal answered sternly.

"Only four... and that's all they needed," Tomita muttered in awe and fear.

The destruction continued, with explosions and blinding light shattering the darkness. Both parties were spellbound, witnessing the might of the Imperium.

Pina and her knights were left utterly speechless. Her fists clenched in desperation and dread.

"Four giants... Is this the wrath of the gods?" Pina whispered.

"Gods, Princess?" Mal suddenly spoke, causing the princess to hesitantly turn her gaze toward him. "We are the Imperium of Man. We are humanity, masters of our own destinies. None shall govern us, not even self-proclaimed gods."

His voice held no emotion, and the sheer might of his words conveyed the fear of absolute power. A power that originated from beyond her comprehension.

To Itami and his companions, they recognized the atmosphere. It was something Maiya had told them about.

Transhuman dread.

Pina bit her lip bitterly, struggling to keep herself from trembling and collapsing to her knees.

Desperation gripped her as she realized that she needed help urgently. The fate of the Empire hung in the balance, and she couldn't ignore the gravity of the situation. Additionally, she began to grasp another unsettling truth about these giants.

If they originated from the same world as the Imperium of Man, it raised the possibility of other unimaginable powers hidden behind the enigmatic Gate of Zalvus.

-/-

Myutte couldn't believe her eyes. As a Siren, her connection to magic allowed her to sense the world around her more profoundly than humans. However, what had once been a blessing now felt like a curse. The elements in the air, the earth beneath her feet, and the very blood in her veins screamed with a power that could only be wielded by the gods themselves.

"Fall back!" the leader screamed in terror, but his words were cut short as another blast of bright blue fire consumed him and his men.

"What is this... Is this the wrath of the gods?"

"We're going to die! We're all going to die!"

"Oh, gods, help your helpless servants."

The soldiers chanted prayers in a frenzy. Fear and superstition had completely overwhelmed their minds and spirits. Rational thinking had fled, and their once-coordinated attack had disintegrated into chaos, utterly decimated by the mysterious and devastating force.

"So, you are the leader," a booming voice interrupted Myutte and the remaining soldiers.

Before them stood a colossal figure made of metal. It exuded a menacing presence and radiated a power that was undeniably inhuman. Before the leader could respond, a blue sphere struck him. His head disintegrated, and his upper body melted away with the sickening scent of burning flesh.

The majority of Myutte's comrades suffered the same fate. Some were enveloped by a strange yellow light that froze them in place.

Driven by instinct and desperation, Myutte swung her sword at the towering metal giant. However, her blade shattered upon impact against the formidable armor.

"Abhuman... I believe you can serve a greater purpose in His name," the giant declared. A blast of yellow light washed over Myutte, and her entire world froze in an instant.

-/-

As the battle concluded, the sun rose on the horizon, casting its light upon the now fully visible battlefield. Gathered there were the JSDF, Princess Pina, the Rose Knights, and even some curious Italican citizens who dared to peer beyond the protective wall.

What they beheld was absolute devastation—destruction beyond mortal comprehension. The land lay scorched to ashes, pockmarked with gaping craters, and radiated an oppressive heat that dissipated into the morning sky.

However, something was notably amiss. There were no bodies or organs strewn across the plain—only scattered blood. The JSDF, with their advanced night vision, understood the grim reason behind this absence. The overwhelming firepower had reduced the unfortunate enemies to unidentifiable fragments.

"This destruction... brought about by just four soldiers," Tomita muttered, his throat dry.

"Are there any survivors?" Mari asked quietly.

Upon her inquiry, they scanned the battlefield in search of survivors and made a startling discovery. Some of the bandits were tied up, while others were encased in a shimmering yellow light that held them in stasis.

"Don't worry. The stasis field won't harm them. It's just to immobilize them temporarily," Mal reassured them.

"But how will you transport them?" Itami inquired of the Apothecary.

"It's already been arranged. I've contacted the extraction team. However, it seems we'll be encountering more than that," Raias' voice interjected, directing their attention to its source.

"... Can you provide more details, Lord Raias?" Pina inquired, attempting to conceal her unease.

"It won't be just an extraction team. It's the entire planetary expedition force," he declared, causing the Princess to lose all strength in her legs.

"The entire force?!" Pina's voice trembled, and her composure shattered.

"Yes, Princess," Raias confirmed, turning to address the Italican soldiers. "Summon the citizens and the Countess to the main gate. It's time to welcome their new master and protector."

"Y-YES, MILORD!" The soldier shouted, a mixture of fear and obedience, before leaving his post to relay the order.

"Lieutenant Itami, record this and provide it to the Japanese Senators. You must report this truth, correct?" Raias directed his attention to the Japanese officer.

"That's... manageable," Itami replied, forcing a wry smile.

In just a matter of minutes, thousands of Italican citizens had gathered at the main gate. Countess Myui was also in attendance, along with the Formal maid household. Witnessing the arrival of the Imperium, Myui couldn't conceal her anxiety and fear. After witnessing the destruction wrought by four soldiers from this foreign nation, she trembled with trepidation.

"My lady," Delilah said softly.

"My apologies," Myui replied, nervously swallowing.

"Don't worry, my lady. We'll always be by your side," Persia reassured her.

Myui nodded in affirmation, her gaze shifting to the towering Solar Guardian. "When will this army arrive, my lord?"

"It shall be... now," Raias declared, and a deafening noise split the sky.

A blinding flash of white brilliance flooded the surroundings, eclipsing even the sun's rays. As the light subsided, a colossal shadow cast its shadow upon the ground. It was a massive metallic winged ship, hundreds of meters in length, constructed entirely of shimmering pearlescent metal. A streak of red ran across its body, exuding an overwhelming aura of power.

The ship's engines roared, inducing fear that sent shivers through every Falmartian present.

"What is this... a flying fortress," Pina whispered, her soul seemingly detached from her body.

"It's a Souldstream Heavy Capitol, a source of pride among the ground forces of the Solar Guardians," Raias proclaimed.

As the Falmartians remained awestruck by the imposing vessel, another blinding flash of light emanated from before the main gate. It heralded the arrival of a colossal metal carriage.

A hissing sound accompanied the carriage's arrival, and then a man in golden armor emerged, standing even taller than the Solar Guardian. Following him was another individual.

Myui's eyes widened in shock, mirrored by her attending maids. The face of the man before her was all too familiar—a face that had cared for her since she was a baby.

"I am Colt Formal, the ruler of Italica. I stand before you as the Imperial Herald of the Imperium of Man. I have come on their behalf to bring you salvation!" Colt declared.