Camp Alnus, 5th Division Command Tent

March 24, 2028, 08:21 (23rd day of the Crescent Moon 638)

The air inside the command tent was crisp, with the sharp scent of canvas and paper mixing with the lingering chill of the morning. Itami adjusted his cap nervously, standing just inside the entrance. He had been summoned to meet with Major Osamu Higaki, his commanding officer, though he had no idea what for.

Higaki sat at a folding table cluttered with maps and documents, glancing up the moment Itami entered. Without wasting time, he gestured for Itami to come closer.

"We've determined that investigating the local culture is going to be crucial," Higaki began.

Itami raised an eyebrow, half-listening as he tucked his hands into his pockets. "Well, best of luck to whoever gets stuck with that assignment," he muttered dryly.

Higaki's expression didn't change. "This isn't a joke. It's you, Itami."

Itami's hands dropped from his pockets. "What?" he blurted. "You're not sending me out there alone, are you?"

A voice from behind answered him.

"No, you're not."

Itami turned and found himself face-to-face with an American officer as he stepped into the tent. The man carried an air of quiet confidence, his expression friendly but composed.

"Second Lieutenant Itami," Higaki said, nodding toward the newcomer, "meet Captain Josiah Caldwell of the U.S. Army."

The name made something click in Itami's mind, and his eyes widened slightly.

"U.S. Army... wait a second," Itami muttered, suspicion creeping into his voice. "Don't tell me—"

Caldwell grinned knowingly. "Yup. I'm Adam's boss."

Itami exhaled in disbelief. "Figures," he mumbled, running a hand through his hair. "What are the odds?"

Caldwell chuckled, sensing Itami's discomfort. "Relax, Lieutenant. My team speaks pretty highly of you."

"Really?" Itami asked, skeptical. "Didn't pick up on that."

"Haha, don't worry. That's just their way of showing appreciation."

Despite himself, Itami smiled faintly. "Right... but that still only makes five of us."

"That's why," Higaki cut in, leaning back in his chair, "you'll be leading one of the six deep reconnaissance teams we're deploying. Congratulations, Lieutenant. You're now in charge of the 3rd Recon Team."

Itami froze, the weight of the words sinking in. His mind raced, trying to make sense of it all. Only recently promoted to First Lieutenant, and now this? His head throbbed with the sudden responsibility that had just landed squarely on his shoulders.

Stepping out into the bright morning light, Itami shielded his eyes from the sun. The camp was alive with movement—soldiers moving gear, vehicles rumbling in the distance. He barely had time to collect his thoughts before he heard familiar voices.

"Hey there, Mr. Otaku!"

Itami groaned at the sound of Perez's voice. The American was leaning casually against a crate, grinning from ear to ear. Hill and Andrew stood nearby, all three of them looking far too pleased with themselves.

"Not in the mood to talk, guys," Itami muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"What's wrong?" Adam teased as he appeared beside them. "Getting command sour your mood already?"

Itami scowled. "So you all heard, huh?"

"Of course," Hill said, smirking. "A recon team, huh? That's quite the responsibility."

"Don't remind me," Itami muttered. "Just thinking about it is giving me a headache."

Andrew chuckled. "Oh, don't worry. Adam over there took forever to get used to being a leader. Isn't that right?"

Adam crossed his arms with a playful grin. "Yeah, yeah. Leadership ain't easy man."

He stepped closer, clapping a hand on Itami's shoulder. "But how about this—I'll be your second-in-command. I'll support you every step of the way."

Itami looked up, surprised but grateful. "I'd appreciate that," he said with a tired smile. "Thanks, Adam."



Staging Area, Camp Alnus

March 24, 2028, 08:25 (23rd day of the Crescent Moon 638)

The staging area buzzed with activity as soldiers prepared for deployment, adjusting gear, packing supplies, and exchanging quiet banter to stave off nerves. In the middle of it all, several members of the newly formed 3rd Recon Team stood in a loose circle, murmuring among themselves.

Sergeant Shino Kuribayashi leaned on the Komatsu LAV with an impatient scowl, her sharp eyes scanning the area. "So, who do you think they'll stick us with?" she asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "They better not give us some desk jockey"

Beside her, Sergeant First Class Tomita rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. "Yeah, the last thing we need is some idiot officer who doesn't know what he's doing," he agreed. "I mean, recon's serious business. If we get a clown, we're screwed."

Kuribayashi smirked, tightening the strap on her helmet. "I swear, if it's one of those pencil pushers with delusions of grandeur, I'll lose it."

A few steps away, Kuwahara and Kurata listened to the conversation with thinly disguised amusement. Kurata folded his arms, grinning as he watched Kuribayashi and Tomita speculate. "You think we should tell them?" he asked Kuwahara quietly, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Kuwahara chuckled under his breath. "Nah, let's wait. It'll be a lot more fun when they find out on their own."

Kurata fought back a laugh. "They're going to flip when they realize who's in charge."

"Oh, absolutely," Kuwahara said, suppressing a grin. "They've been trash-talking the guy for the past ten minutes. This is going to be hilarious."

Kuribayashi, unaware of the two soldiers' quiet plotting, adjusted her gear with an irritated huff. "Whoever it is, I just hope they don't make us babysit them," she muttered.

Tomita nodded in agreement. "Yeah, the last thing we need is some officer who's more trouble than he's worth."

Kuwahara nudged Kurata again, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "This is going to be so good."

Kurata snickered. "It's going to be legendary."

Suddenly, Tomita's eyes narrowed, catching sight of a group of men approaching. "Hey... who the hell are they?"

Kuribayashi followed his gaze, squinting at the approaching figures. "Are they—JSDF?" she asked, her voice trailing off as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing.

There were five men in total. One of them wore the standard JSDF uniform, while the others sported Multicam gear, talking among themselves casually. At first glance, they didn't seem to belong to any of the Marine units that had deployed with them.

Tomita tilted his head, confusion etched on his face. "Wait a minute... that uniform isn't Marine. That's U.S. Army, isn't it?"

Kuribayashi raised an eyebrow. "Army? But what's the Army doing here? I thought only Marines were deployed."

Just then, Nishina wandered over, joining the conversation with his easygoing demeanor. "You guys talking about those guys in Multicam?"

"Yeah," Kuribayashi said, motioning toward the group. "You know anything about them?"

Nishina scratched his head thoughtfully. "Saw a few more like them when we arrived, but I couldn't figure out what unit they're with. U.S. Army, obviously, but I thought it was just Marines here, not soldiers."

Tomita furrowed his brow. "Same. We were briefed on the Marine detachment, but no mention of Army."

Tomita crossed his arms, brow furrowed in thought. "If they're not Marines, then maybe... First Special Forces Group?" he suggested, glancing between Kuribayashi and Nishina. "I mean, it makes sense. Those guys are in Okinawa. Wouldn't be surprising if they sent a team here and the brass kept quiet about it."

Kuribayashi tilted her head, considering the possibility. "Yeah, but wouldn't we have heard something if they were involved? Those guys are pretty high-profile. They don't just show up without anyone knowing."

Nishina rubbed the back of his neck. "True. When they deploy somewhere, they usually make it known, at least to the command elements. If they were here, someone would've told us by now."

Tomita nodded, chewing over the idea. "Exactly. It would've been announced. They always coordinate with JSDF whenever they're involved in joint operations."

Kuribayashi frowned, her eyes lingering on the approaching group. "So... if they're not Marines, and they're not green berets... then who the hell are they?"

As the five men approached, the mystery deepened. The soldier in JSDF uniform was familiar, his relaxed demeanor making Kuribayashi feel like a punchline. The men in Multicam seemed too casual for an Army Special Forces team on deployment, carrying themselves with a calm confidence that suggested experience.

The group finally came within earshot. As the JSDF officer at the front raised a hand in greeting, Kuribayashi's eyes widened with recognition.

"No way..." she muttered under her breath. "Itami?"

Itami gave an awkward wave, looking as if he wanted to be anywhere but here. "Uh, hey guys."

Kuribayashi's expression shifted from confusion to disbelief. "You?! You're our CO?"

Itami offered a weak smile, visibly bracing for the fallout. "Yeah... surprise?"

Nishina let out a low whistle. "Well, that explains why the brass didn't say anything. They probably didn't want us backing out."

Kuribayashi's face twisted in exasperation. "Oh, we are so screwed." She shot a venomous glare at Kurata and Kuwahara, who were now grinning like a couple of mischievous foxes. "You two knew all along, didn't you?"

Kurata raised his hands in mock innocence. "Hey, we wanted it to be a surprise."

Kuwahara chuckled. "And man, was it worth it."

Itami scratched the back of his neck, still looking painfully out of place. "Uh, so yeah... this is my second-in-command, Master Sergeant Adam Wood, and his team." He motioned toward the group of Americans standing behind him. "They'll be working with us on this recon mission."

Adam stepped forward, wearing an easy grin. "Alright, folks. Good to meet you all. And hey—relax. Itami's better than he looks."

Kuribayashi snorted, muttering under her breath. "That's not exactly reassuring."

Tomita squinted, suspicion flickering in his gaze. "You guys Green Berets or something?"

Adam chuckled, his smile widening just enough to feel both casual and a little too knowing. "Close. You got the color right, just not the beret."

Kuwahara tilted his head, his eyes locking onto a patch on Adam's shoulder—a dagger pointed upward over an arrowhead. "Task Force Green, huh?"

Adam's smile deepened, though his expression remained carefully unreadable. "Possibly."

Kuribayashi raised a brow, still in the dark. "What the hell is Task Force Green?"

Kuwahara shot her a smug look. "Delta Force."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait... Delta Force? Like, the Delta Force? The 'kills-you-before-you-even-know-they're-there' kind of guys?"

Adam gave a nonchalant shrug as if confirming it was no big deal. "Something like that."

He turned back toward the group and gestured to the men standing behind him. "These are my guys—Andrew, Perez, Hill. They're about as good as they come."

Each soldier gave a curt nod, their expressions calm and professional.

"Alright," Adam continued, clapping his hands together. "Here's the deal. We're heading east to make contact with the locals. The brass wants us to get the lay of the land and see what we're dealing with, so stay sharp and keep your heads on a swivel." He gave them all a quick once-over. "Mount up. We roll out in five."

The team broke into motion, grabbing their gear and heading toward the waiting vehicles. Kuribayashi slung her rifle over her shoulder with a sigh.

"Well," she muttered, glancing at Adam, "at least we've got someone competent in charge."

Itami, overhearing, gave her an exaggerated look of offense. "What am I, chopped liver?"

She grinned wickedly, throwing him a sideways glance. "Yeah. Pretty much."

Adam chuckled as he climbed into the vehicle, shaking his head. "This is going to be fun."

Itami groaned, already regretting the whole ordeal. "Yeah. So much fun..."





Elfarana Forest, "Special Region"

March 24, 2028, 15:44 (24th day of the Crescent Moon 638)

The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth as the convoy made its way deeper into the Elfarana Forest. After successfully making contact with Coda Village, their chief directed them further east to the elf settlement.

Itami took a moment to soak in the scenery. "The sky is so clear," he marveled, his eyes scanning the vibrant canopy. "It truly is a different world."

Adam leaned back against the seat, his gaze lost in the treetops. "Reminds me of the national forests back home," he said, nostalgia creeping into his voice.

Kurata, ever the dreamer, piped up. "You know, I thought there would be dragons and fairies flying around. What a bummer."

Itami chuckled, shaking his head. "You really want your cat girls, huh?"

"Can't say I blame the man," Perez chimed in. "What about you, Itami?"

"Me? Magical girls, I guess," Itami replied with a smirk.

Andrew let out an exasperated sigh. "Fucken degenerates," he muttered, rolling his eyes.

As they drove on, Kurata's gaze drifted toward the Americans trailing behind them, their gear looking far more advanced than what the JSDF had issued. A thought struck him. "Sir, sorry to ask, but why do we still use outdated weaponry while the Americans seem to have access to more up-to-date equipment?"

Itami glanced at Adam, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Oh, that? I think I'll let Adam answer that."

"Passing on the responsibility, huh? You're a natural officer, Itami," Adam remarked, shaking his head.

"Hey, man, I try my best," Itami replied, feigning offense.

Adam turned his attention to the rest of the Third Recon team. "Alright, pop quiz time. Everyone in the Third Recon—how many of you had actual combat experience before the Gate appeared?"

Silence hung in the air, broken only by the rustling of leaves.

"Exactly," Adam concluded. "No offense, but every member of my team has more combat experience than the entire JSDF forces here combined. Because of that, our government trusts us with more modern equipment. In comparison, you all are well-trained, no doubt, but your combat exposure is non-existent. There's an expectation that if you encounter the enemy, you might abandon your gear."

Itami nodded as if expecting the answer. "So if we do run and leave our gear, it wouldn't be as big of a loss if we were equipped with more modern gear. That answers your question, Kurata?"

"Yes, sir," Kurata replied, though a hint of disappointment lingered in his voice.

Hill interrupted, his tone urgent. "Sorry to barge in on your fun little conversation, sirs, but we seem to be nearing our destination. I suggest we set up camp in the woods to the northwest and head to the settlement in the morning."

Itami was about to respond when a plume of smoke caught his eye, thick and dark against the vibrant greenery. "What the—"

As Third Recon and Bravo One ventured deeper into the forest, they immediately doubled back, alarmed.

"It's burning," Kurata gasped, eyes wide as they turned to witness the raging flames.

"I can see that, Kurata. I'm not blind," Adam replied dryly, scanning the scene.

Itami shook his head, incredulous. "Seems like something out of a monster movie."

Andrew shrugged. "Eh, it's pretty tame compared to California."

Kuwahara frowned. "Natural causes, maybe?"

As they debated the possible reasons for the fire, Perez aimed his SCAR-H PR rifle at the inferno and peered through its high-powered optic. His expression shifted to one of bewilderment. "Uh, I don't think that's the cause, sirs. Over there."

The others turned, their binoculars following his pointed finger. As they peered into the distance, their eyes widened in shock.

"No fucking way, a dragon?" Adam exclaimed, disbelief coloring his tone.

"Looks like a one-headed Ghidorah," Kuwahara added, squinting at the figure dancing through the flames.

"What should we do, Commander Itami?" Kuribayashi asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Itami, caught between fear and curiosity, glanced back at her. "Kuribayashi-chan, I'm too scared to go alone. Want to come with me?"

Adam snorted, unable to contain his amusement. "Itami, if you're trying to ask out a beautiful girl, that's not how you do it."

Kuribayashi flushed at Adam's comment, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.

"In all seriousness," Perez interjected, "does a dragon just go around and randomly set fire to a forest?"

Hill crossed his arms, a teasing grin on his face. "If you're so curious about a dragon's behavior, why don't you ask it yourself, Perez?"

Andrew, however, looked grave. "No, he's right. That place isn't random. The village chief said there's an elf settlement there, remember?"

Horror washed over them as the implication settled in.

"Guess we'll have to delay the camp, Itami," Adam said, his voice steady despite the chaos unfolding before them.

"Yeah, alright, everyone back to their vehicles," Itami ordered heart racing. "We're moving toward the settlement once the fire's out."





Burnt Down Village, "Special Region"

March 25, 2028, 08:12 (25th day of the Crescent Moon 638)

As the members of the Third Recon team and Bravo 1 stepped into the charred remains of the village, an unsettling silence enveloped them. Blackened timber and ash littered the ground, remnants of what had once been homes. Kurata's sharp gaze fell upon something disturbing amid the destruction.

"Umm, sir?" he called, his voice barely above a whisper.

Adam glanced back at him, "Keep walking, Kurata."

Hill, moving beside them, grimaced as he surveyed the devastation. "Feels like Africa all over again," he muttered, memories of past horrors creeping back.

"At least in Africa it was humans doing the burning, not a giant ass lizard," Perez replied, his voice laced with grim humor.

After thoroughly searching the scorched settlement, the team regrettably confirmed their fears: there were no survivors.

"Commander, Master Sergeant," Kuribayashi reported, her brow furrowed with concern, "there are thirty-two building-like structures. We've only confirmed twenty-seven corpses. That's too few."

Adam sighed, running a hand through his hair. "They're probably buried under the rubble. These people didn't stand a chance."

Itami, calculating the grim figures in his head, added, "Assuming a family of three in each house, that puts us at least one hundred thirty deaths. We should put in a report that dragons may attack settlements."

Kuribayashi nodded, remembering the defensive battle they had fought in Ginza. "We barely made a dent on the smaller ones with the .50s."

Adam shot her a look, a hint of dark humor creeping into his voice. "Well, if the .50s don't work, I guess we'll just have to get lucky and not run into that thing. Or if we do, I guess we can try using the Javelin." He pointed toward his team's JLTV, equipped with the latest technology.

With their new mission as the spearhead, Bravo 1 had swapped out their .50 caliber CROWS system for the cutting-edge XM914 Javelin/30mm remotely operated weapon system, greatly enhancing their firepower.

"Let's just hope it doesn't come to that," Itami replied, a knot of anxiety forming in his stomach.

As he lowered a bucket into the well to refill his water supply, the unexpected sound of it hitting the bottom caught his attention. He exchanged a glance with Adam, and together, they peered into the depths. What they saw sent a rush of urgency through them—a young elf girl lay unconscious at the bottom of the well.

"There's a person here, Kurokawa!" Itami shouted, panic rising in his chest.

"Andrew, get over here! We've got wounded!" Adam called out.

With careful teamwork, Itami and Adam managed to lift the elf out of the well. Kurata's eyes lit up with excitement, but Kurokawa and Andrew quickly shut him down, redirecting their focus to the girl's condition.

"So, how is she?" Adam asked concern etched on his face.

Andrew checked the girl's vitals. "Blood pressure is normal, and she's breathing fine. She's probably out due to shock more than anything else."

Kurokawa nodded in agreement. "Yeah, the bruise on her head most likely came from being hit by the bucket. Thanks for the help, Andrew."

"Still, poor girl," Andrew said, his tone softening as he looked down at the unconscious elf.

As they finished checking her condition, everyone began gathering around the well to discuss their next move.

"So what do we do with her?" Hill asked, glancing at the girl, still pale and fragile.

"Well, we can't just leave her here," Itami said firmly. "We're going to take her back with us."

"How humane of you, sir!" Perez quipped a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Itami smirked. "I know, right?"

Kurokawa tilted her head, a skeptical look in her eyes. "Are you sure you're bringing her back with us just because of humanitarian reasons, sir?"

At that, Itami and Perez exchanged awkward laughs, as if caught in a shared secret.

Adam clapped his hands together, drawing everyone's attention. "That settles it then. We're taking her back to Alnus Hill. And on the way, we'll need to warn the people of Coda Village."





Coda Village, "Special Region"

March 25, 2028, 09:11 (25th day of the Crescent Moon 638)

Upon reaching Coda Village, Itami and his team wasted no time in alerting the village elder about the impending threat of the flame dragon. Without hesitation, the villagers sprang into action, initiating evacuation procedures that rippled through the community.

Amidst the chaos, a young girl with striking blue hair busily assisted her teacher in packing his belongings.

"Master Kato, we can't seem to carry much more," she said, glancing at the overflowing cart.

"Nonsense, Lelei. All of these books are precious research materials; it would be a waste to throw them away!" Kato insisted, his voice tinged with urgency.

Lelei raised an eyebrow, her expression still neutral. "I believe we should prioritize the more important books, Master."

"Agreed. You sure are a smart one, Lelei," Kato replied, a hint of pride in his voice as they climbed onto the cart.

However, as they prepared to set off, an unusual occurrence unfolded: the horse hitched to the cart stubbornly refused to move.

"It seems the cart is too heavy for the horse to pull," Lelei observed.

"Well, luckily we are sorcerers!" Kato exclaimed, planting his staff firmly into the ground. A brilliant blue glow began to emanate from beneath the cart, lifting it off the ground and suspending it in mid-air. With the sudden weight reduction, the horse started to move forward.

As the student-master duo took the road out of the village, the procession of carts abruptly halted.

"What's going on up ahead?" Kato called out, his voice rising above the noise.

"Master Kato! Lelei! One of the carts was carrying too much, and its axle broke!" a villager shouted, panic evident in his tone.

"C'mon, people, get your asses moving!" came a voice from the crowd. "Itami asked the village elder to move out!"

"I got it!" another one of the soldiers responded, scrambling into action.

Suddenly, two men dashed toward the broken-down cart. One wore a green uniform, while the other contrasted in tan attire speckled with brown. Both carried peculiar staff-like tools and spoke an unknown language.

"Are they soldiers?" Kato wondered aloud, squinting at the newcomers.

"Kurokawa! Andrew! Get over here; we've got a wounded child!" a voice called out.

Kato's eyes widened in recognition. "A female soldier?"

"I'm going to take a look," Lelei said, her curiosity piqued.

"Wait, Lelei!" Kato warned, but she was already running toward the cart.

As she approached, Lelei saw the injured child lying on the ground. Just as she prepared to treat her with healing magic, the female soldier and one of the men in tan began examining the girl.

"Looks like she got a concussion," one of them said, kneeling beside the child.

"She took a hard fall and probably fractured her skull as well," the other added, his voice serious.

"Are you healers?" Lelei asked, her eyes wide with hope.

"Hey, kid, you better stay back and let the doctors do their work. It's dangerous here," one of the soldiers replied, glancing at her with concern.

At that moment, the horse from the broken cart panicked, rearing up as if about to trample the injured child. Suddenly, two loud bangs echoed through the air, and the horse collapsed, lifeless.

"Dang, that was close! Nice shot, old man!" one of the soldiers exclaimed, a note of relief in his voice.

"Thank you, but you can drop the 'old' part," the older man replied, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone.

Lelei's heart swelled with gratitude. "These people... they saved me."

As the convoy prepared to start its journey, Kurata, Itami, and Adam took a moment to rest in a nearby area, the weight of the day pressing down on them.

"Sirs, are we going to be taking care of these people forever?" Kurata asked, his brow furrowed in concern. "Aren't there any nobles or lords here?"

Itami shook his head. "I talked to the chief about it. Turns out the lord that was in charge went to Alnus Hill and never came back."

"Having regrets?" Adam quipped, a teasing smile on his face.

"None at all," Itami replied, his resolve solidifying as they looked toward the horizon.





Bandit Camp, Falmart

March 25, 2028 21:11 (25th day of the Crescent Moon 638)

As whispers of Coda Village's evacuation began to circulate, several nefarious actors saw an opportunity amidst the chaos.

"Did you hear? The whole Coda Village is on the run," one bandit remarked, a sinister glint in his eyes.

"This is a good opportunity. There are bound to be stragglers," another added, his voice thick with greed.

"Do we have enough men?" a third inquired, scanning the faces of his companions for reassurance.

"We can just gather more," the first bandit replied, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "We can round up not just the village but the whole town! We can even take down the local lord."

"From a bandit to a lord, huh? I like it!" the second bandit laughed, envisioning a future where they held power and wealth.

As they reveled in their dark fantasies, a small voice broke through the air, drawing their attention.

"You boys seem to be having fun," a little girl said, her tone innocent yet oddly unsettling.

"Huh?! And who are you, little girl? Do you want to get crushed?!" one bandit sneered, stepping forward menacingly.

"Wait, that uniform... that's the uniform of the Emroy Shrine oracle!" another exclaimed, suddenly wary.

"Emroy!? You're telling me she's—"

Before the bandit could finish his sentence, his head was suddenly separated from his body, falling to the ground with a dull thud.

"My, I'm quite famous, aren't I?" the girl said with a playful smile, her demeanor shifting from innocent to dangerously enchanting. "Salutations, gentlemen. I am Rory Mercury. And thank you for your sacrifice."







65 km from Alnus Hill, "Special Region"

March 26, 2028, 08:11 (26th day of the Crescent Moon 638)

As Bravo 1 and 3rd Recon guided the villagers along the treacherous path, an unmistakable feeling bound them together: boredom.

"How is she?" Itami asked, glancing at Kurokawa, who was monitoring the unconscious elf girl they had rescued.

Kurokawa checked her vitals. "Her heart rate and temperature are normal. She should be waking up soon."

Kurata, trying to alleviate the monotony, piped up, "Do they have a destination?"

"They don't," Itami replied, his tone laced with frustration.

"They don't!?" Kurata echoed, incredulous.

"It's exhausting being on the run, huh?" Itami sighed, shaking his head.

As they moved cautiously, one of the carts in the villagers' convoy became stuck in the mud. Despite their best efforts to free it, the village chief made a difficult decision.

"Burn the belongings," he instructed, his voice steady despite the turmoil around them.

"Why did you tell them to burn their belongings?" Kurokawa asked, bewildered.

Adam shrugged. "Well, that was the only choice we had."

"Can't we ask for backup vehicles?" Kurokawa pressed.

Itami frowned. "Technically, we're behind enemy lines. They might let us off the hook, but we can't guarantee that if we bring in a larger unit. It could lead to spontaneous battles and destruction—it's terrifying just thinking about it."

"Wow, guess somebody remembered the 'Escalation Management' class, huh?" Adam quipped, smirking.

"Because that was the only class worth a damn! We can't exactly fight while protecting the villagers with our numbers, can we?" Itami snapped back, the stress of the situation weighing on him.

"Sirs! Someone's coming from up ahead!" Kurata shouted suddenly, his eyes scanning the horizon.

A flock of crows emerged, and with them came a young girl dressed in black and red, resembling a gothic Lolita doll.

"A gothic lolita girl!" Itami exclaimed, eyes widening.

"What!?" Kurata replied, perplexed.

As the girl approached the vehicles, the village children broke free from their guardians and ran toward her, while the other villagers fell to their knees in prayer.

"Oracle! Oracle!" a boy shouted, his voice ringing with excitement.

"Oracle?" Itami muttered, confusion knitting his brow.

"Where did you come from?" the girl asked, her voice melodic and curious.

"From Coda Village!" the boy replied eagerly.

"We fled from the village. There was a flame dragon!" a villager interjected, panic still evident in his tone.

The young girl, now identified as the "Oracle," approached Itami's vehicle. Her gaze shifted from him to the vehicle itself.

"Who are these strange people?" she inquired, tilting her head.

"They saved us, Oracle!" the boy exclaimed a sense of pride in his voice.

"Saved you? So they didn't force you out of the village?" she probed further, her eyes narrowing.

"Nope," the boy replied, grinning.

"How does this move?" she asked, curiosity piquing her interest.

"I don't know, but it's a way comfier ride than our carts," the boy answered, his eyes wide with admiration.

"Comfy, huh? Let me see." With that, the girl cast a lustful glance at Itami, who felt a wave of discomfort wash over him.

"Um... may I help you...?" he stammered, his heart racing.

In a surprising move, she leaped onto his lap, causing the vehicle to shake violently. Witnessing the commotion, Adam exited the JLTV to ensure everything was under control.

"Adam! Help me!" Itami cried, desperation lacing his words.

"Hello there, little miss. Can you please get off my friend's lap?" Adam asked, maintaining his composure.

"Let me think... how about no?" the girl replied playfully, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Itami shot Adam a pleading look, silently urging him to assist in escaping his current predicament. Adam merely shrugged, turning back toward his vehicle without a word.

"What happened?" Andrew asked, stepping forward.

"Hah, just a slight delay," Adam replied, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Okay, let's keep going, people!"





30 km from Alnus Hill, "Special Region"

March 26, 2028, 10:12 (26th day of the Crescent Moon 638)

As they pressed on, the landscape shifted dramatically from lush greenery to a scorching hot desert. The vibrant scenery faded into arid expanses beneath the relentless sun, leaving the convoy feeling vulnerable in the open terrain.

"It's Roche Hill. We've gotten pretty far," Kurata announced, squinting into the distance.

"We're pretty far from the village now. I wish this evacuation was over already," Itami replied, leaning out of the window to glance back at the path they had traveled.

Suddenly, a sizable silhouette caught his eye, soaring toward them against the bright blue sky. Squinting for a clearer view, panic gripped his heart.

"Shit! It's the dragon!" he shouted, urgency lacing his voice.

Without warning, the dragon unleashed its fiery assault upon the convoy, incinerating both carts and people alike. Chaos erupted as screams filled the air, and individuals fled for their lives.

"C'mon! Fighting giant monsters is a JSDF tradition!" Kuwahara yelled, attempting to rally the group.

"Katsumoto! Get the .50 up!" Itami commanded, his mind racing as he struggled to assess the situation.

As the rounds from the M2 Browning began hitting the dragon, Itami watched in disappointment as they had little to no effect. Just then, the elf girl they had rescued began to stir.

"Bad time to wake up, miss," Itami said, urgency creeping into his tone.

"Ono-Ono," the young elf shouted, Pointing at the Dragons Eyes.

"What's she saying?" Kurata asked, glancing at Itami.

"It's the eyes! Aim for its eyes!" Itami shouted, realizing that they had to target the beast's most vulnerable spot.

As they directed their fire at the dragon's eyes, its instinctive reaction became evident; it shielded its face with its wings, trying to protect itself from the onslaught.

"Adam! How's the Javelin coming along?" Itami called, his heart racing.

"Just need a lock, man! Keep that thing there! C'mon, Hill, hurry up! I don't want to be fried human steak!" Adam replied, focusing intently on the missile system.

"Almost...got it! Missile away!" Hill shouted, releasing the Javelin with a determined thrust.

As the missile streaked through the air, the dragon sensed the imminent danger and attempted to flee. At that moment, the young gothic girl sprang from Itami's vehicle, wielding her massive halberd with fierce determination. With a swift strike, she knocked the fire-breathing dragon off balance, ensuring that the missile found its mark. It wasn't a killing blow, but it was enough to send the dragon fleeing as smoke and dust filled the air.

"Hit! Hit! Holy shit, what the fuck was that?" Hill exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Hey Itami, tell that little girl that whatever she did just saved our asses!" Adam shouted, still reeling from the sudden turn of events.

"Copy, I'll go and tell her that," Itami replied, grateful for the unexpected ally.

"Fuck, I need a drink," Adam muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Got a couple of bottles of Jack Daniels back at base. Does anybody want some?" Andrew chimed in, a grin spreading across his face.

"Fuck yes!" the others chorused, their spirits lifted despite the chaos that had just unfolded.





25 km from Alnus Hill, "Special Region"

March 26, 2028 08:12 (26th day of the Crescent Moon 638)

Tragically, one hundred and fifty lives were claimed in the dragon's brutal attack. The villagers mourned deeply for their lost ones, laying to rest those they could recover. As dusk fell over the scorched remnants of Coda Village, members of 3rd Recon and Bravo 1 gathered solemnly to honor the departed in prayer.

A multitude of small violet lights ascended into the night sky, flickering like stars, seemingly guiding the souls of the fallen homeward. Itami glanced around, his heart heavy, and his gaze landed on a tearful young girl nearby. He offered her comfort with a gentle rub on her head, a small gesture amidst the overwhelming grief.

As the villagers regrouped, preparing themselves to move forward in the wake of such tragedy, Kuwahara spoke up. "Most of the villagers have relatives they can stay with nearby."

"And the rest?" Itami asked, concern etching his features.

Kurata's expression turned grim. "A lot of the kids and elderly lost their whole families in the attack."

"Did you ask the chief, Itami? Can they take them?" Adam inquired.

Itami sighed, shaking his head. "The chief said they're stretched thin; they can't afford to support more people."

Kurokawa frowned, disbelief in her eyes. "So they're just going to leave them?"

Andrew nodded slowly, his voice measured. "Can't say I agree, but I understand the situation. So what are we going to do with the rest of them?"

Itami took a breath, determination filling him. "Well, they're refugees, aren't they? I say we help them."

Kurokawa raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile creeping onto her lips. "Now why do I have a feeling you were going to say that?"

"It's my nature, Kurokawa," Itami replied with a wry grin. "See? Told you I'm humane!"

Adam clapped his hands together, breaking the somber mood. "You heard the boss man, people! Let's go to Alnus Hill!"





A/N: A bit late, sorry work caught up to me

The next chapter should be uploaded around 05/05/2024

As always thx for reading folks