Chapter 17: Haste

-M2. Earth. Japan. A few hours after the diet meeting-

Pina could not help herself from trembling from the sheer revelation before her. There, she watched the Diet meeting with a small box named TV by the Japanese.

After she had checked the Imperial prisoner held by the Japanese, she heard that the giants would tell their stories. She requests to watch the meeting.

After a small discussion, the Japanese representative agreed.

They watched alongside the Japanese, acting as their translators. First, they watched the Falmartian presenting themselves. It did not surprise them as elves and demi-gods were common knowledge in the Empire.

Then as it came to the giants, Pina could not believe her sight and hearing.

Those are beings who lived for one thousand years. Beings capable of trading blows with the Apostle, killing thousands like insects.

And yet, they claimed to be the lowest rank in their hierarchy. Trillions of them are present in the Imperium of Man.

Pina began to cry as the overwhelming knowledge flooded her mind. She began to tremble as her feet began to lose their power.

"Your Highness!" Bozes called frantically, holding her liege's body.

"Your Highness, is there something wrong?" Kuribayashi asked in concern.

"I... I... Empire will die." She muttered, desperately grabbing her own head. Her beautiful hair is now a mess as tears of fear keep flowing from her eyes.

"Why does she mean by that?" The brunette JSDF asked the knight in a whisper.

"It's because..." Bozes glanced slightly at the crying Princess. "The Imperium never intended to make peace with us. They clearly proclaim to conquer the entire Falmart."

"That was a very unfortunate proclamation indeed," said Reiko Shirayuri, a Japanese diplomat. It was a sour situation as the Imperium is the most advanced civilization currently present; the Japanese could not do much as it would ruin their relationship with the Imperium. Thus it will ruin any future collaboration.

A nation with seemingly infinite power willing to help them is a chance that could not be spared.

"Yes, it is," Bozes slowly said.

Because of the Princess worrying state, Reiko decided to pat her shoulder. "Your Highness. I'm sure there will be an answer to your problem. But please, you need to stay strong."

Hearing the words of comfort, Pina slowly stopped her sobbing. The regal Princess slowly raised to her feet, smiling as if nothing had happened.

"You're correct, diplomat Reiko. I must stay strong for my country. Thank you." Pina stared at the older woman with gratitude.

"It's a pleasure, Your Highness," Reiko gently answered.

Puna stared once again at the TV. She slowly began to feel the dread once again. A sensation that nearly broke her mind when she realized it.

"What if... Colt Formal's words were true." Pina muttered, not wanting anyone to hear it.

__________________________

The Imperial and the Falmartian began making their way out of the Diet building. When they stepped out, they were greeted with flashes of cameras.

"Being a celebrity is something that I did not expect," Mal remarked, sighing in exasperation.

"Like they won't see any transhumans soon, though," Nathaniel answered, smiling empathetically.

"Well, Lieutenant Itami. Where are we going next?" Raias asked the JSDF.

"Well... I don't know. But," Suddenly, his demeanor changed drastically as his eyes were directed to the street. "We need to find a less crowded place."

"Do you have any idea?" This question only caused Itami to drown in his own mind. "Maybe I know one location."

The Solar Guardian only blinked. His mind had already predicted countless possible safe houses and hidden places in Japan.

"Very well, lead us." The masked transhuman said firmly.

"But before that," Itami pointed his finger at the grav-vehicle. "What we gonna do with that?"

"Don't worry. We are not the only ghosts in here." The statement made Itami stare at the Solar Guardian with wonder.

-A few hours later-

"Well... Whose house is this?" The Captain of the 5th Recon Team asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Let's in, guys." Itami smiled wryly.

They only shrugged, following the JSDF. Surprisingly, it barely fit them. Though, after a scan, there are no cameras or prying gadgets.

"At least we have our privacy here," Maiya said to her team.

"Speaking of privacy. Where did you hide that giant vehicle?" Kuribayashi questioned.

"We just parked it at the abandoned warehouse and used cloak technology to hide it. While we are on foot here." Raias simply said.

"Don't get me wrong. Your size and height. How did you manage to sneak among those people?" The brunette sighed, shooking her head.

"We trained for it. We must be ready to face anything ever since we become Solar Guardians." Raphael quickly interjected with his stoic expression.

"What kind of training?" The female JSDF asked, feeling excited to know more.

Raphael glanced at his team, to be precise, Raias. The Captain pondered for a moment, holding his chin as if he was thinking about something. A Solar Guardian did not need that long time to make up a plan, yet this cost seconds for the Captain to ponder.

"Hmmmm..." He hummed softly. "Just tell her the most basic and well-known across the Imperium."

"Very well," Raphael glanced back at the female mortal. "I will tell you a simple story, Kuribayashi."

The female soldier beamed slightly, smiling with a jovial smile. "I will gladly hear it."

Then, Mal approached his Captain, and he whispered in his ear. "You're up for something, aren't you?"

"What are you talking about? I don't quite understand." Mal could swear he saw his Captain smirking mischievously.

"I... I did not expect to see that side of yours, Captain." Mal said with a facepalm.

"You can enter now." Itami's voice came out from home.

At the front door, the group sees Itami and a woman nudging into the Lieutenant's plastic bag. It was indeed food due to its scent.

"Who is that, sir?" Tomita innocently asked.

"Ah, she's my ex-wife." The answer made them widen their eyes, shouting in shock as the revelation was too much to handle.

The Solar Guardians are staring at each other, hoping for a cultural answer.

"I see... This was not uncommon for Otaku couples." Maiya muttered loudly.

"Hey, what was that?!" The Itami's ex-wife shouted in anger.

"I'm just stating," Maiya smiled weakly.

"Otaku? Isn't that an Old Earth's term when addressing a person loving animātiō?" Mal remarked, furrowing his brows.

"Animātiō?" The Japanese around them asked.

"In your world's terms, it would be anime. It was surprising that culture managed to survive even after thousands of years," Maiya said with a smile.

"EEEEEHHHH????!!!!!" The shouts went louder compared to the previous one.

"Anime is still alive even in the far future?!" Itami shouted in happiness.

"Well... Yes? We also managed to create a Noosphere network enabling us to enter that world." Maiya answered while all of the transhumans began to wonder about their first animātiō experience.

"H-Hey, Tomita," Itami called his subordinate haltingly.

"Yes, sir?" The said man stared at his superior.

"Higher-up says that it would be us who traveled beyond the Zalvus Gate, right?!" He grabbed Tomita's collar.

"U-Um... Yes?" The answer made the middle-aged man's eyes shine.

"His eyes shining?" Raias raised an eyebrow from within his helmet.

"Something's shimmering," Mal remarked.

"So... Otaku can do such a thing?" Maiya whispered to herself.

"What an energic man indeed," Nathaniel smirked in amusement.

"... Is he a psyker?" Raphael simply said with narrowed eyes.

"In M2, there is no psyker, Raphael," Maiya said with a sigh.

"Then how can you explain those?" Raphael pointed with a grunt.

"You can say it was a spirit of the otaku," Raias chuckled, only inviting others to chuckle.

As they entered, Solar Guardians chose to stand in the empty space. While the Falmartian were busy with their own interactions, Raias closed his eyes.

"I hope everything went well."

_______________________________________________

-Japanese Prime Minister Room-

Prime Minister Motoi could feel a headache plaguing his head. He messages his temple in order to ease his mind. The burden caused by the appearance of the second faction within the Special Region made him unable to make decisions clearly. Moreover, the pressure being put by the great powers was something that kept haunting his vision.

Motoi pondering on his table, buried his face into his palm in exhaustion.

Then, without any warning, a knock was heard on his door.

"Who is it?" The Prime Minister asked, but there was no answer. At this point, he feels his skin crawl.

"I demand an answer. Who is it?" But even before the door opened, a crackling noise echoed through the room.

"Good afternoon, Prime Minister." A man with a black skin suit appears before him. He was giant as his face was covered in a metal helmet.

"Who are you?! I will call security!" The Prime Minister shouted, threatening the giant.

"Please, at ease, Prime Minister Motoi. I came with no harm. If I want to kill you, I have already done it." The answer was inhumanely neutral, causing the mortal to freeze in fear.

"Is that a threat?" Motoi asked slowly.

"I wasn't a threat, Prime Minister. I'm here with the order of the Imperium of Man," At this sentence, Motoi's eyes widen in shock. "Don't worry, everything inside this room won't come outside as the entire room has been sealed with our technology."

"Very well," The mortal complied. "What do you want from me?"

"It was rather simple," From a small compartment in his waist came papers written in Japanese. "Here."

As the giant placed the papers on his table, Motoi picked them up, and his eyes began scanning the entire document in great detail.

"H-ow... How do you get this?!"

"Your world's firewall means nothing to us, Prime Minister," The giant spoke gently. "Your allies, America will frame you with this information to bear the Special Region citizen to their care."

"America will do that?" Motoi asked with disbelief.

"Why not? After all, they are the biggest fish in this world. A country that held the record as the highest regarding violation of international law." He remarked with a dry tone.

"Then, what do you want me to do? I'm not stupid that you present me with this data without any further intention." Motoi said, his eyes narrowed dangerously.

"We want you to send our men and your representative by tomorrow morning. Also, when the Emperor visits this world, We want your voice to speak with the UN. No matter what your allies saying, ignore them." He said bluntly.

"What? You want us to betray our allies?" The demand is ridiculous. It will only cause diplomatic disaster as international pressure would be astronomical.

"Not as blunt as that, no." The man sighed. "We want your support,"

"But why? You have all our secrets, so why choose this path?" It made no sense to him as nothing could withstand something like the Imperium. But this man said otherwise.

"His Majesty wants not only domination but also to share our dream with you. As tomorrow your representative shall arrive in our Cradle World as well as our own, presenting our presence here will enforce that idea. Believe me. It will be more than worth it." The giant speaks with the utmost convincing diplomat could dream of achieving. Inhuman as it was terrifying.

"I will reconsider it." With that, the giant walked to the door.

"Ah yes, one again. There are dozens of foreign spies in your country. But do not be worried. We have dealt with them all." With that, in a blink of an eye, he disappears.

Motoi sighed in exhaustion, resting his back on his chair while his muscle began to loosen. Yet, the weight on his shoulders remains.

"This is something... That my old mind could not handle."

_____________________________________________________

Morning light came to the windows. Slowly, the mortals open their eyes to comfort the day. Yet, they found the Solar Guardians were not present.

"Raphael

"Raphael?" Kuribayashi called, rubbing her eyes. She was sleepy due to Raphael's story. She was amazed at how Imperial Citizens gained their military rank and became Solar Guardians.

She also enthusiastically listened to Rapahel's war story. A story that she would only dream of exists in a sci-fi story.

"They are gone. Where?" Itami asked himself.

As they began to wonder, the sound of the opened door broke the silence.

"That was a good race," Raias' voice made all their worries vanish.

"Where did you go, Captain?" Tomita asked the smiling Solar Guardian.

"Went jogging with my team at 3 am across the district." The simple answer shocked the JSDF.

"Wow, that was something from all of you," The JSDF Lieutenant said in awe.

"You can say we need some training to burn our boredom." He simply retorted.

"Moreover, we are not alone." Mal's sentence invited others to stare at him.

"Who?" Mal simply stepped aside, and they saw a car with a few agents surrounding it.

A man in a black suit stepped out of the car. He is a middle-aged Japanese with slightly tanned skin. "Lieutenant Itami, I'm here per order from Prime Minister to escort all of you back to the Special Region."

"Huh, why? I thought it would be the day after tomorrow." Itami said as a questioning look filled his face.

"Change plan, Lieutenant. The parliament wants you to meet with the Imperium as soon as possible." The statement made the JSDF stare at the Solar Guardians.

"I will tell my theory to you when we have already passed the Gate," Raias answered, hands in the air.

"Very well, let us prepare for a moment.' Itami went inside to prepare while the others followed.

Raias and his team took their leave to their own vehicle. Something about this escalation only made the tension higher. Something that made the mortals became uncomfortable.

Raias only wondered as his hand touched the metal plate of the grav-vehicle.

"Well, this was unfortunate," Mal remarked.

"Unfortunate would be an understatement. I want to stay here as long as possible." Maiya stated with a sign of displeasure.

"When the pact is made, I'm sure you can visit this place whenever you want, Maiya." The Captain retorted, glancing at her.

"I hope that will happen soon, Captain." She replied with a sign of sarcasm in her voice.

"We can only hope," Nathaniel said with a sigh.

________________________________________________________

-M29. 671. Terra. Imperial Palace. Hall of Leng-

It was a place where time and space diluted, pulling the entire fabric of reality into a singular actuality. It was a place where the Emperor watched the fabric of the universe with all of his wisdom.

It is the Emperor's personal chamber, currently serving in the form of an impossibly vast library.

A place that is the closest to him could enter.

"I'm glad you are arriving on time, Enkidu." The Emperor greeted the first Perpetual with a smile.

"I thought I would be late, Gilgamesh." The ancient man answered with a blank look.

"I know your task will cost you more time, old friend. Did you manage to seal that dragon away?" The golden Emperor asked. Though he is entirely aware of the answer, he keeps asking.

"Did you already know the answer, Gilgamesh?" Ollanius said dryly.

"Amuse me, friend." The Emperor replied softly.

"I managed to seal it away so it would not see the lights of stars again," Ollanius said with a sign of tiredness in his eyes. "Furthermore, we got what you were after."

"That's glad to hear." The Emperor waved his hand. Thus, the entire library landscape changed to where Terra's Gate was present.

"Is that what I've heard?" the ancient man asked the second oldest Perpetual.

"Correct. It was a Gate that was unknown to me. I found none of their influence as I peered into the warp to seek any Chaotic corruption." The answer made Ollanius furrow heavily.

"Then what is it?" The Emperor once again changed the view.

"This what happened when the Gate opened." Then, legionaries resembling the old Rome came instantly, forming a defensive formation.

"Rome? No, the signature colors were different. Who are they?" Ollanius asked with a bitter taste in his mouth.

"I assume it would be the same Rome in the Old Earth. But this Gate served as the main reason they differed from their genuine history." The Emperor's brow furrowed.

"This Gate. Do you know what it is?" The Emperor closed his eyes, peering deep into the warp with his power

"There would be one answer. It was a Webway." The most powerful Perpetual stated.

"Was?"

"Something within the Sea of Soul changed it to serve their own purpose." The revelation made the executioner clench his palm.

"Are they that powerful?" If they are other Primordial Annihilators, it would be a severe threat to reconsider.

"No, they are not. The Gate itself is only a fraction of the fractions. Yet, it has a significant impact on that world." A flash of light changed the room, showing the physical manifestation of the Sea of Soul.

Even after thousands of years, Ollanius had witnessed the might of the Emperor. He could not comprehend the vast might of the second oldest Perpetual before him.

"They are minors gods of the Immaterium. Something akin to mortals that once worshipped. Thus, they ascended. However, they are blind to the rest of the cosmos." There, Ollanius can see a dozen entities resembling humanoid figures, contrasting to those like Primordial Annihilators.

"So they are responsible for the Gate and subsequent Webway alteration. What will you do, Romulus?" Ollanius changed how he addressed the Emperor, which caused the mightiest human to smile.

"Calling me with that name. How generous are you, Ollanius." The Emperor gently answered.

"I found that that was suitable due to our enemy," Ollanius retorted.

"Very well," The Emperor slightly nodded his head. "Back to your question. I plan to subdue them and bring that Webway portal to our possession. But I need it fast as that Gate will consume that world into the Empyrean Sea."

"How reckless they are. Even though there is no god, claiming to be the god of that world is more foolish than those abominations in the Realm of Chaos." It was ironic that it made Ollanius start to laugh dryly. Even though he is a devoted religious man, the claim of that human god made a tickle in his chest.

A being that is infinitely weaker than the Primordial Annihilators trying to claim the possession of the Primordial Creators. Furthermore, they recklessly use it as a toy for their own amusement.

A human's emotion indeed. Thus, they should never claim divinity. No one of them is worthy of that.

"Speaking of the new world. Our Gate wasn't the only one," This made Ollanius snap from his train of thought.

"There is the second one?" Ollanius asked.

"Indeed," With another wave of his hand, the second Gate came into their sight. A walls span the land, resembling a star covering its inner wall. It was primitive by all means. Yet, the ancient Perpetual can see many familiar sights in that military base.

"Impossible," He muttered, eyes widening in shock.

"Old Earth's Japan. Bringing old memories that I thought would be lost forever." Even in his ageless face, wistfulness clearly emitted from his eyes.

"An age where we only cared about our surroundings, utterly blind to the true horror," Ollanius said to himself, reminiscing about every moment he spent in that era.

"And that, my friend, Ollanius Persson. I want you to become my Herald, my words in that long-forgotten nation." This statement made Ollanius raise his eyes brows.

"Me? An executioner, one of three Regulus Mortem?" The first Perpetual asked dryly.

Regulus Mortem, a title held by three Emperor's executioners, burdened with a duty to slay his most nightmarish enemies. This made Ollanius pragmatic in every possible situation, and he dared to draw the first blood.

Now, he must hold the mantle of a Herald.

"I can't think of anyone more suitable than you, old friend."

"You can ask Erda or even Alivia because she was born in the 20th century." Ollanius pointed, narrowing his eyes.

"Both of them are busy with their respective duties, Ollanius. Besides, I think it was the proper time for you to rest." Again, it only made the first Perpetual stare at the second oldest Perpetual suspiciously.

"Very well. I will take it," Hearing this, Emperor smirked.