Belnargo
Itami and his party arrived at the city of Belnargo aboard their HMV (High Mobility Vehicle), the machine rumbling softly beneath them as they approached the city gates. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and the sight that greeted them was one of chaos and fear. They saw people fleeing the city. They are all terrified.
As they drew closer to the entrance, Itami's heart sank. The streets that should have been bustling with life were eerily empty. It was clear that the arrival of the Sorcerous Empire had sent the populace into a panic.
They stopped a short distance from the city entrance, taking in the scene before them. A formidable force lined up near the gates: about fifty Soul Eaters—undead creatures with a terrifying presence—were mounted by Death Knights, their skeletal forms clad in dark armor. Nearby, thirty Bicorns, their two heads snorting and stomping, stood ready, flanked by fifteen fearsome Wolves, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent. Twenty Golem horses, massive constructs of stone and magic, shifted restlessly, while ten Velociraptors, agile and deadly, prowled the perimeter, their riders vigilant.
On either side of the entrance, a fearsome display of might awaited them. Four towering giants loomed over the scene, their muscles rippling beneath their skin, while six armored mammoths shifted their weight, their massive tusks gleaming in the fading light. Three Alectrosaurus, two Daspletosaurus, two Tyrannosaurus Rex, and two Giganotosaurus stood as living fortifications, all ridden by Royal Guards clad in imposing armor.
The air was alive with the sounds of flapping wings as twenty Griffins soared overhead, their riders scanning the ground below. Eight Pegasus Riders flitted gracefully through the sky, while twenty-five Peryton riders and six Manticore riders formed a protective barrier against any potential threats. Nearby, a cluster of trucks and wagons were parked, their engines humming quietly, suggesting that the military presence in Belnargo was far from subtle.
As Itami and his party entered the city, they were met with an unsettling silence. They encountered no resistance, but the emptiness of the streets was disconcerting. Scattered throughout the city were armored vehicles, assault vehicles, and tanks, remnants of a city bracing for war. Imperial soldiers moved purposefully, their expressions grim as they patrolled the area. Above, Griffin drivers and winged soldiers flew in formation, some resting on high rooftops, their eyes ever watchful.
"Wow! Dinosaurs! These have become extinct in our world!"
"Oh. I see these creatures for the first time!" Tuka added, her curiosity piqued.
"Um... I heard there are usually crowds here all the time! But I don't see any pilgrims in the city," Shandy remarked, her brow furrowing in concern.
"Are you okay? The soldiers from the other world have come here; how can the people stay here?" Itami replied, his voice tinged with worry.
The answer was clear: many people had fled Belnargo after the force of the Sorcerous Empire arrived. Those who remained were likely hiding, seeking refuge in the temple or other safe havens.
"I'm sorry; I actually have amnesia!" Shandy said, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
"The shops are empty now. There are no shopkeepers," Itami observed, noting the desolate storefronts. "Let's see if we can find something to eat."
"Stealing is not a good thing! The shopkeeper must have worked hard for his shop. If you steal now, it will be a loss for him. It is not a good thing at all. Do you not have compassion?" Rory admonished, her voice firm.
"I'll pay," Shandy insisted, her eyes glinting with determination.
"It will be stealing if you take or use someone's things without telling its owner!" Rory replied, crossing her arms.
"Okay, okay, We get it!"
Shandy and Itami relented.
"Let's go to the main temple now," Itami suggested, steering the group toward their destination.
As they go, they noticed the heavy presence of Royal Guards, mages, and soldiers lining up in front of the temple. Carriages, tanks, and assault vehicles were parked haphazardly, a testament to the urgency of the situation. Itami felt a sense of foreboding wash over him as he spotted Ragnarok, flanked by some Supreme Guards and Dark Elves, striding confidently toward the entrance of the temple .
Upon their arrival, the temple guards, though visibly nervous and terrified, stood their ground. "You can't go in," one of them declared, his voice wavering slightly.
"Why?" Ragnarok demanded, his tone sharp and authoritative.
"No entry for outsiders," the guard replied, his resolve faltering under the weight of Ragnarok's presence.
The Dark Elves stepped forward, their expressions fierce. "How dare you stop Prince Ragnarok!" one of them growled, brandishing a weapon that shimmered with magical energy.
"It's important! We want to meet Hardy. Let us go," Ragnarok insisted, his voice steady.
"We'll never worship Hardy again! We've come to tell her this," Crow, one of the Dark Elves, interjected, his voice filled with conviction.
"I suggest you stop worshiping her too! She doesn't care about you. It doesn't matter to her whether you live or die. To her, we are all nothing but toys or puppets. One day she will kill you, in front of your loved ones. There is still time to leave her; it is for your own good," Yao warned, his face grave.
"Shut up, you sinner! We are the most loyal servants of Hardy-sama. She will do nothing like that to us!" one of the priests shouted back, his voice filled with indignation.
"So this is your choice!" Yao replied, his voice low and dangerous.
"Then you won't let us go? Then we'll have to kill you all and get inside," one of the Dark Elves threatened, drawing their sword, the runes carved into the blade glowing ominously.
Itami and his team, witnessing the escalating tension, felt a wave of anxiety wash over them. "Ah, Yao and the Dark Elves have been seen for a long time. What are you doing here?" Rory asked, her voice cutting through the chaos.
"Oh, Rory, Itami, and others! What are you doing here?" Yao responded, his surprise evident.
"We were invited to come here," Itami explained, trying to maintain a calm demeanor.
"Hmmm... You people know each other?" Yao inquired, glancing between Rory and Itami.
"Ah! Yes! Prince Ragnarok, this is Rory Mercury, a demigoddess and an apostle serving under Emroy. And he is Itami, a JSDF officer," Yao introduced them.
"Oh! Nice to meet you. I am Ragnarok Ooal Gown, I think I see you somewhere" Ragnarok said, extending a hand in greeting.
"Ah! It is an honor to meet you, Prince. We went to meet the Sorcerous emperor. You may not remember. "
"Ah, Is that so"
"Ah... Prince Ragnarok, why have you all come here?" Rory asked, her curiosity piqued.
"We're here to talk to Hardy, the goddess of the underworld," Ragnarok explained, his expression serious.
"Just bringing such a powerful force, especially to negotiate. Isn't it weird?" Rory questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"It's just for protection and to attack if necessary. Of course, we're going to meet a stranger," Ragnarok replied, his confidence unwavering.
"Just bringing the armies of the gods for protection?"
"With this force, it is possible to conquer the whole world effortlessly!"
"While you may think this force is strong, it is actually a small part of our entire military," Ragnarok said, his tone casual yet filled with underlying power.
"What? The forces of the Sorcerous Empire are really very strong!"
They exclaimed, their eyes widening in realization.
"Oh! Miss Rory, you're an apostle. We don't want to be forced into it, so can you help us get in?" Ragnarok asked, his tone shifting to one of hope.
"Ah, of course," Rory replied, her confidence returning.
"They're with us. Let us in," she commanded, gesturing toward the group.
"Forgive me, even though you are an apostle, we cannot let you in. Many people have already fled after their arrival, and many have taken refuge in the temple. Chaos has been created here as a result of their arrival. Now, if we let them enter the temple, the people will be more terrified," one of the guards explained, his voice trembling.
"Umm… does this invitation suffice?" Itami pulled out a scroll, unfolding it before the guards, who were all dressed in ornate priestly attire, their expressions shifting from defiance to shock.
"Ahhh!" the guards exclaimed, immediately kneeling as they recognized the invitation's significance.
"Hehe… this is fun," Itami said, a smirk creeping onto his face.
"You can go, but this people…" one of the priests hesitated.
"No problem. Only my personal bodyguards and Dark Elves will go inside with me," Ragnarok stated firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
"!" The guards exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of relief and apprehension.
With a nod, the guards opened the grand doors of the temple, the heavy wood creaking as it swung inward. The air that rushed out was cool and fragrant, carrying the scent of incense and ancient stone.
"Let's go then…" Rory took the lead, her confidence radiating as she stepped into the temple, followed closely by Itami, Shandy, and the rest of the group.