At the south gate, the joint recon teams have been gathered there to defend the gate from bandit raid. Earlier ago, Itami, Terry, and Min-jae had woken up from their faint right after Amaterasu announced herself. They were disbelief and awe, of course, but soon calmed down. They talked for a while about the power of darkness will soon corrupts the bandits, and they have to defeat those who will be corrupted. For their other secrets, they will tell them when it's the right time, or day.

Amaterasu didn't tell them about her plan to punish the Falmartian Gods, yet. Once they were done having that meeting, Pina showed the south gate where they stay on guard.

Each team captain ordered their teams to regroup at south gate. The moment they went there, they were greeted with their gods (divine servant and youkais). The team captains told themeverythingwhat happened. Now the soldiers started to worship the girls... Well, mostly Amaterasu, Inari, and Jophiel,since they are the most recognizable.

With Inari

Kurata: I-Inari-sama! Would you give me a catgirl? I promise I will give you an offering everyday in your shrine.

Inari: U-Umm.

Kurata: If you can't, then please go on a date with me.

Inari: E-Eh?

Kurata bowed down with his head low to the ground. With the proof that gods, divine servants, and supernaturals existed, he couldn't hide his feelings anymore. Inari flustered when she heard that her followers wanting to date her. She looked at the youkais and saw that they're enjoying their amusement when they talked to them.

With Amaterasu

Katsumoto: Amaterasu-sama, we are grateful that you come to visit. As expected from the supreme goddess as you.

*Charisma up*

Amaterasu: S-Sure I am. I'm the supreme sun goddess after all. You like how I made my divine appearance?

With Jophiel

American Soldier 7: Thank you! Thank you for coming and help us!

SK Soldier 13: I will praise you, miss angel.

Jophiel: My child, I'm only His servant just like you. I'm in no position of being praised or worshipped.

She was surrounded by the American and South Korean soldiers. Being the only angel in the group, they wanted to know more about her history and what it's like working for God. She was the only one calm who were being asked by God's followers. Though, a few soldiers tried to worship her and she kept insisting that she's only a servant of the Most High.

Kaguya, Junko, and Hecatia were having a conversation with the three falmartian girls and other few military women. Rory was interested to meet one of Earth's underworld goddesses, while the rest of military women complimented the beauty of Kaguya and Junko. Junko also warned them to not insult Hecatia's T-shirt because she would be mad if they did.

Higaki(radio): You can't make it back today and our gods is there? What do you mean, Itami!?

In one of the military vehicles, Itami was in the middle of the radio with Higaki. Fro the way he talked, he sounded pissed.

Itami(radio): Well, uh, we've kinda gotten caught up in a battle, and some miracle happened.

Higaki(radio): Why aren't you more concerned about this!? We have plans for you to attend in United Nation!

Itami(radio): Wait, I thought I'm going to attend in Diet Summons?

Higaki(radio): The plan has changed. This is now an international meeting regarding Special Region.

Itami(radio): Ah, right...*Clear throat*So, uh, I've got a request...

Itami began to explain his request to the Major for about a few minutes foward. After he explained the request, he heard the major sighed.

Higaki(radio): ... I'll see what I can do... But gods, servants, and youkai!? You sound like some sort of crazy person.

Itami(radio): But-

Higaki(radio): Stop! You can only pray. Higaki out.

Higaki instantly cut the communication with Itami. Itami leaned back against his seat and sighed. Someone then called out to him.

Min-Jae: Rough day, huh?

He looked to his left and saw Min-Jae and Terry on the other side of the window.

Itami: Yeah, he would need to see them with his own eyes.

Terry: I feel you. I mean, it's kinda true that it was nonsense for saying gods exist.

Itami nodded. The three team captains changed their position and gathered their men atop the city gate, and from there they had a good view of the beautiful stone streets of a medieval-age city, under the light of the setting sun.

Although it was a regional town, Italica had a population of over 5000 people. It was located at the crossroads of the Appian Way and the Tisarian Way, and there were shops and inns located along the streets that ran in the four cardinal directions. Behind them were various warehouses, stables and merchant the forest to the north was the large manor of Count Formal, which was surrounded by other luxurious homes, turning it into a high-class residential south, east and west portions were surrounded by stone walls, while the north was surrounded by cliffs as a natural barrier.

Itami turned back, and looked along the outskirts of the city. There, Itami, Min-Jae, and Terry'sbinoculars caught sight of the bandit scouts, who were several men on horses.

Itami: You two can see them, right?

Terry: Yup.

Min-Jae: Totally. From what I see, they seem to be scouts. Their main force is behind them. Five or six hundres, I'd say.

The team captains saw the scouts moved slowly, probably trying to spy out the state of the defense them, they could see the bandits' hideout. The three lowered their binoculars.

Itami: Thinkthey're after the south gate?

Min-Jae:It's likely. They don't have enough men to surround the city. The north side stands against a sharp cliff, so they're probably going to concentrate their forces at one of the other three gates.

Itami: I see...

Min-Jae: ...

Terry: ... They are so dead.

Min-Jae: Definately dead.

Itami: One hundred percent dead.

The three knew the bandits would most likely going to die. Usually they would concerned about the situations they're in. But now they have nine powerful girls protecting them, they knew the bandits wouldn't stand a chance... Except, the power of darkness and corruption that soon will be their problem. They have to remain cautious, even when they have youkais, divine servant, and gods on their side. Terry and Min-Jae left Itami on atop of the gate wall as they went to inform with their own team. He watched his team, and the foreign teams placing down ammuntions and other important stuff. For the youkais and divine girls, they were having a chat about something.

Just then,Kuribayashi came and gave Itami a night vision goggles to see in the dark, and he asked Furuta to keep on the lookout of the enemy. Rory, who was leaning against the wall started to ask question.

Rory: Hey, Itami.

Itami: Hmm?

Rory: Why are you helping the princess of an empire that's supposed to be your enemy?

Itami: To protect the townspeople, of cource.

Rory: Are you serious?

Itami: I think so, yeah. Plus, this is our chance to show our gods's proud.

He tried to attach his night vision gear to his helmet, but it was difficult. For convenience's sake, Rory walks up to him and he let Rory hold his helmet with both hands. Due to the difference in body height, it made Rory look like she was holding up her hands in prayer, while Itami was lowering his head to listen to her.

Itami: You that interested in the reason?

Rory: Emroy is the god of war. He does not consider killing a sin. But that makes your motive very important. Lies and deception stain the soul.

She then placed Itami's helmet on his for her question earlier,He quirked the edges of his mouth up. It looks like a smile.

Itami: ... I wasn't lying when I said I wanted to protect the townspeople.

Rory: really?

Itami: But there's one more thing...

Rory looked at Itami like she was going to bore through him with her eyes.

Itami: I want that Princess to understand that it's better to be our friends than try to fight us.

Rory smiled malevolently, as she believed she understood Itami's words.

Rory: I like it. I love it.

Itami: Huh?

Rory: Terror! You're going to terrorize her soul to its very core! If that's it, then I'd be happy to help. It's been so long since I've had a chance to go crazy, I can't wait!

Rory lifted her skirt and curtseyed to Itami, like a dancer bowing to her partner.

Itami: *awkward chuckles* It's not, actually...

Rory: Though, I wonder if your supreme goddess approved to this.

Itami: I don't think she would.

Timeskip

The battle began when the night was almost over. The attack was executed just before the sun rose. In the darkness before dawn, the bandit archers launched flame arrows at the eastern gate. At the eastern gate was the knight Norma Co Igloo. Under Norma's direction, the sentries and militia returned fire with their bows. Though they were called militia, they were farmers who had never touched a bow in their lives and expecting accuracy from them was impossible. However, their arrow fire would suppress the enemy and might even cause a casualty or two. The battle became an exchange of arrows for a time.

Between the archers marched footmen in armor and carrying sturdy shields. They pressed close to the wall. Their uniforms were varied while their shields were of different sizes and shapes, which suggested that they were of mixed origins. Against them the stout grocery shop aunties and the older children hurled rocks, or poured cauldrons of molten lead down on the bandits. These weapons were more effective and destructive than the inaccurate bow volleys.

Below the walls, the bandits raised their shields in an attempt to protect themselves from the storm of arrows and rocks raining down on them. Even if they were shot by arrows, knocked out by rocks, or burned alive by boiling oil, they did not retreat. Several ladders caught on the city wall. The bandits raised their shields and climbed them. Avoiding the arrows that flew at them, the bandits finally reached the top of the wall and starts killing anybody.

Meanwhile, on the south gate

They watched the East Gate burning side of battle as Rory complained to why they didn't come to south gate. Kurata looked at his watch and saw that it's 0311 hours.

Itami: Has the east gate requested reinforcements?

Kuwabara: Not yet.

Itami: I see...

Kuwabara: Squad Captain

Itami: Yeah, I know.

He looked again at the east gate undergoing battle.

Itami: What will you do now, Princess?

Meanwhile, with the nine girls

They were below wall and watched the humans overlooked the battle in the distance. Within the group, Jophiel was closing her eyes and muttering something. Chen caught her strange behaviour and asked Amaterasu.

Chen: Miss Amaterasu, what is she doing?

Amaterasu looked at the angel before answering.

Amaterasu: ... She's communicating with Kami-sama.

Just then, Jophiel opened her eyes.

Chen: What was that about?

Jophiel smiled and patted Chen on her head.

Jophiel: Nothing, just got a call from my Lord that He sent someone here.

Hecatia: I thought He wanted nine volunteers to defeat the corruptions?

Jophiel: Yes, but she requested to join and He approved her.

Amaterasu: She?

Jophiel: My sibling, Shinki.

Hecatia: Ah, that girl.

Hecatia remembered the time when she met Shinki. That time, she demanded her to give away Makai as the fourth hell. However, the Goddess of Makai politely refused her demand. They battled in a fierce fight until Hecatia got badly wounded. Now, she had thrown away the idea of taking Makai for herself. But that didn't stop her for making herself becoming Shinki's rival.

Yukari, who was sitting on her gap expressed her thought.

Yukari: You seemed care about your exiled sister.

Jophiel: She was manipulated and hesitated during the rebellion. From what I know, she was afraid... And I couldn't mad at her.

Jophiel lowered her head and stopped smile. The memory of her before the rebellion was precious to her. After Shinki had fallen, she can only watch her sister's doing on Earth. But ignoring the thought, she raised her head again and gave a warm smile.

Jophiel: So yeah, I do care about my sister.

Amaterasu: Gee, talk about family matter.

Inari: Says the one who banished her own brother.

Amaterasu shot a glare at Inari, which she tried to hold her laugh. Veins popped on Amaterasu's head as she complained.

Amaterasu: You promised to never mention that again!

Inari: Oops, sorry not sorry, Empress hikkikomori.

Amaterasu: Inari!

To be continued...