Two days before, but now in Ken

Claudia Levantine ran towards Celestine's as she heard her screamed. As she ran toward the royal bedroom she was also followed by several knights and those guards who stands outside her room was already inside with their swords in hand looking for any intruders.

Seeing that there was no intruder(s), Claudia quickly put her sword in it's sheathe as she moved towards Celestine. She grabbed her shoulders and shook her, "Queen Celestine!" Claudia shouted to her friend and queen to wake her up.

Celestine jolts up as she woke up from being shaken by Claudia, she is sweating profusely and panting due to whatever dream or vision she saw.

Author's Note: What she saw was the actions both sides during the Cross Army Arc as well But also saw the 2nd Korean War on Earth before the countries were summoned to this new world.

"Lady Celestine, are you alright?" Claudia said with a worried expression as she looks to a servant, "Get some water for her." She ordered as the servant immediately went to a table and filled a glass of water and handed it to Claudia. "Here, drink some water to calm your nerves." Claudia gently handed the cup to Celestine.

Celestine accepted it and drank the water before calming and relaxing herself down before finally speaking, "Thank you." She said in a quiet tone.

"Celestine, what happened? Is that some kind of Vision you had?" Asked Claudia as after all, she was no stranger to Celestine when it comes to her Visions.

Celestine breathed before she spoke, "It was like an entirely new realm, one where only Human race lived with no other races besides them and another where Humans and Non-Humans fought together to fight an Army with Crosses."

Hearing that made everyone mutter themselves about a new realm ruled entire by humans and the other where Humans and Non-Humans fought together.

"Okay, so what's the importance of the one where only Humans lived and why do you have such visions about them?" Claudia continued she needed information whether it would be helpful or not in the future.

"Well... it's world is somewhat similar yet so far different in many aspects from clothing to transportation, a world where there's no magic." Celestine said.

Claudia's eyes widen in shock to hear that a world where there was no magic. And how would the humans would survive that without magic? It would be completely against everything that she had learned as every person no matter the race have a small percentage of magic in them. Only those with a larger amount can be considered to wield magic.

With it, Celestine begun to explain everything she had seen like a war called the '2nd Korean War' and later the Qingdao Kingdom (Chapters 3-4) war along with future wars and another particular event and that which made her have a horror expression of how she describe the war that the Humans and Non-Humans fought together. The Cross Army war.

"And I also saw two kingdoms from two separate wars that were filled with demons and with it two suns emerge." Celestine said still wondering who has that level of a power to drop a sun.

"Two suns?" Said Claudia as she blinked. She didn't mind the fact that these people fought against demons and won. But two suns?

Celestine looked to her in the eye, "After that was them fighting an army with crosses, there's nothing more as that's the last vision I saw before you woke me up." Her tone was more of a hollowed one that made their skin crawl.

For whatever reasons, they all felt the chill in their spine.

"Tell me wasn't the mysterious allies of the Rad called the Joint Expeditionary Force, right?" Asked Celestine which Claudia nod in confirmation, "Very well, send a message to them, I would like to meet with their General, and if possible help us defeat the Black Dogs and I believe their method of war and combat would win us this war."

"But your majesty you can't possibly—" One of the knights protested only to have a look from Claudia that she halted her tongue.

"We cannot win this War, our ways, our honor, will be our downfall, we need—" Celestine breaths in then out and continues, "We need an army who doesn't care about rules, but still cares enough to prevent further casualties and I believe this foreign army can help us defeat the Black Dogs, they already detested such atrocities thanks to their reputation from captured Black Dogs, they are our only chance to win, and I must talk to their general."

"And what about the other Generals? You know they would never agree to this talk." Claudia said in a worried tone, though she prays her father-in-law would accept it, he is a pragmatic man after all but the way Celestine describe their wars meant their ways are the old ways and now Wars have evolve to an unimaginable scale that swords and arrows are no longer the kings of war or even magic replaced with technology. "Especially Alicia would be the strongest to protest."

"I'll try to deal with them." Celestine said as she stood looking at the moon, "No matter what, we must gain their help even if I have to offer m... myself to be a... s... sex slave by their General to get them to help us then so be it." Celestine stutter at her last sentence.

Author's Note: Reminder that Anthony, David, the few veteran officers and NCOs are happily married.

"But you can't!" Claudia protested, Celestine was very beautiful blonde Elf. The most beautiful in fact that many desired her including Vult, to be this desperate to offer herself for sexual favors must be telling something that the capabilities of this army. If she weren't married she would have gladly offer herself too, she is also very a beautiful woman herself, but then she realized Celestine would be the highest offer that they can give if the General demanded compensation since they are not from this realm.

"And I must," Celestine said. "all we can pray that he and his forces agree to us, if we lose then everyone will suffer under the reign of the Black Dogs." That's her last words that would struck to their hearts.

Everyone's face became a grim expression as the reality and gravity of their situation hit them like a truck, but then one of the knights spoke, "We should get some rest, Lady Celestine," she said. "You must be exhausted after that, so we shall escort you back to bed." She offered, bowing her head.

"Thank you," Celestine replied. "I'd appreciate it."

Back to the present to a day later with the JEF

Henry with his platoon of a mix of Marines, Knights, and his maid in her corps uniform Amaiya  who is carrying a pack, two daggers, and a pistol will be the escort for the leaders of Thorn and Ansur. The vehicles he was followed by were four LAVs, six MRAPs, and an Japanese Patria AMV with a 12.7mm M2 Browning on top.

"How long until they arrive, Sir Henry?" One of his knights asked.

"Not sure." Henry replied, looking over his shoulder. "You guys ready?"

"Hell yeah, sir!!" One of the Marines shouted.

"Don't count your chickens before they've hatched," Henry reminded, turning forward.

Speaking about the .50, the MRAPs were also armed with .50 cals for pursuing enemies in the case there would be the fast way to respond and provide cover fire for the other vehicles to deploy and disembarked their troops.

Henry is in the front of the MRAPs armed with his M27A1, with only his half-brother Aiden, Amaiya, and two others excluding the gunner manning the Browning.

They were sent due to a possible ambushed against the 2 Shield Princesses as they can't take any chances, and before they even move they have to make sure that they're won't be any unnecessary conflict with them, they even brought a Japanese among their unit to translate in case they spoke Japanese and not understand English.

"Bro, they're calling you." Aiden said as he handed him the radio.

<"Sir, I think we found them."> Said one of his knights on a JLTV that had move ahead of them to scout ahead.

"That's good to hear." Henry said in relief, from their location the distance will take 30 minutes to arrive in Rad on foot.

<"Holy mother of FUCK!! TITTIES!!!"> Said a Marine in the JLTV.

"What is it? Are they being ambushed?" Henry asked as he was about to order them to attack... he then blinked in realization at the last sentence. "Wait, what was that last part?"

<"Erm... LT I think you should see them... by the Gods above they're huge."> said the Marine.

They crested the ridge—and immediately understood.

Marching toward them was an army of women, what they are seeing instead of some armored soldiers and ragtag of mercenaries they all saw dressed in barely functional armor—cloth strips, open bodices, glinting chains. The soldiers of Thorn and Ansur looked like warriors from an erotic fantasy, not a battlefield. Even the horses wore less armor than Marine helmets.

Amaiya stared flatly. "...What the actual fuck am I looking at."

Henry groaned. "Jesus Christ. Someone tell me this is cosplay day."

"Maybe cultural tradition?" Aiden offered.

"I don't think so LTs and Amaiya." Said the driver as her eyes twitched in annoyance.

"Yeah, cultural suicide," Amaiya muttered.

"They're practically asking to be fucknig RAPED?! How dumb or high are these women are? Does every human in this continent are this dumber than a Sub-Brick? Or was it only the females because that's insulting to women." Henry said with a groan as he could see some small number of men among the 2 princess forces. Mainly the Thorn. Only a few of them and they are as armored as they are depicted in the classic Japanese samurai.

Maia leading the front mounted on her horse saw a dust cloud coming towards them, that which Maia raised her fist to halt their movement as she narrowed her eyes as it would only be half an hour before they reach Rad and then twelve hours going to Ken.

She saw fast movement towards them.

"What is it Maia?" Said one of the female soldiers as she too narrowed her eyes as she looked at the fast moving objects towards them. Her hands went to her Katana.

Upon looking at the object, Maia's eyes widen as she could clearly see the object as well as others noticing those moving towards them. "Are those horseless carriages?" Said Maia having at least some familiar to a horseless carriage in the southern kingdoms, through of what she is seeing. They're way too advance and not to mention appeared to be even more armored especially that Steam tank that she have read in the Kingdom of Rad seeing it's drawing before, and seeing this tank appeared to be only more armored but much faster as well.

"When did the Halflings have the money to buy that many? And that advance?" Said another female soldier in confusion.

"They're the richest kingdom, Reku. I'm sure they can afford it, despite Lady Luu-luu's protests about maintenance." Said Maia.

The Horseless Carriages stop several feet away from them, upon closer look these are not halflings but humans in weird colored clothing and knights. That which surprise them as some of the humans dismounted from their vehicles they saw two dark skins and a Half Dark Elf.

Reku alarmed seeing the two dark skins not knowing it's their humans and the Half Dark Elf shouted, "DARK ELVES!!" As she unsheathe her katana and charged.

"Reku wait!" Maia tried to stop her in shock upon seeing her soldier suddenly charge. She was also surprised to see dark skin, luckily being level headed she is, those dark skins are in fact humans, she knows half-elf when she see one like the one with the humans, but the fact is, these are humans was surprise to her.

And the look of horror on her face when her soldier suddenly charging at these unknown humans as she quickly followed her.

"DARK ELVES, YOU WON'T GONNA HUR—" Before Reku could finish it.

BANG!

A loud noise boomed that made the horse to stop it's running and startled that which was enough to make Reku fall from her mount.

Aiden took out his pistol and fired it above his head not to hit her but a warning shot as he narrowed his eyes.

"REKU!" Shouted MaIa in worry as she and her retinue circled her as she dismounted from her horse. "Do not engage them." She ordered in firm tone.

"But—" One of the samurais try to protest only to be silence by her glare.

"If you don't want to die by this unknown man, then silent your tongue." Maia said in stern deadly tone. "Reku you okay?" As she checked her for any injuries but none found.

"Maia what the hell?! Why would you stop me? Don't you see they're dark Elves?" Reku said in a anger tone as well as bewilderment.

Maia sighed before smacking Reku in the head hard, "OW! What's was that for!" Said Reku as she clench her head as she now has a large bump.

Aiden and a few stiffened a laugh.

"Look first before you do any conclusion." Maia said in a serious tone as she pointed at the two Dark skin humans who wave at her.

Now that Reku is more calm and looked far more closely she gasped, "They're not elves?" she said.

"Yes, they're not Dark Elves or any elves they are for all intents and purpose Human like us, just with different skin color." Maia said with a sigh as she offer her hand to which Reku accepted and stood.

"But they looked so much like them," Reku said in a stutter as she began to realize the mistake that she would make if that booming sound didn't appeared. But she then looked at the Half Dark Elf (Aiden) with a suspicious look. "What about him? He's half-elf." Reku said. "I can't trust him." She finished with a glare.

"Well, I don't know why, but from the look in his eyes, stance, and the equally weird colored clothing he wears. I don't think he's with the Dark Elves that we know and fought." Said Maia as she could clearly see the difference. The Dark Elves are cruel, vicious, and merciless while this Half-elf have a firm yet gentle expression and eyes, he is also holding some tool that made that banging noise as his left hand was holster. Plus, she could tell that he wasn't soft either. Not to mention his strange colored clothes are different, and from what she heard, the Dark Elves wear black and violet not black, brown, and green. Plus, his sword or dagger is not seen. So, she doesn't see a threat in him.

"I hope hostilities are over." Henry said with his own glare, beside him is a Japanese soldier for translation. "This is the only warning myself and MY BROTHER gave unless you wish to die."

Now this shocked them when they heard 'my brother' from the fair-skinned blonde human man who is actually the Dark Half-Elf's brother. They can't sense any blood relation between the two. Half brothers?

"Wait, I'm confused." Said one of the soldiers. "Because he doesn't have the pointy ears."

"No, you dumb bitch." Muttered Amaiya.

The Japanese soldier named Private Kanae Tenzo sighed at the woman's stupidity. She translates with a her fluent accent that which shock the people of Thorn as she's a fit woman with dark brown eyes and black hair and stands of 5'7" tall and has an hourglass figure and wearing a combat uniform, a kevlar helmet with the 1st Recon Battalion emblem on the front. "私の名前と階級は、鼎天三二等兵です。日本人で、第1偵察大隊に所属しています。 {My name and rank is Private Kanae Tenzo. I'm a Japanese and a member of the 1st Recon Battalion.}"

"You speak our main language?" Reku said before she noticing the woman's feature, "Your like us, only. More clothed..."

Kanae nodded, "Yes, and it appears you speak English meaning I won't be needed." She said as she back off letting Henry to do the work.

"Now that hostilities are off, I sure hope you and your people won't attack us especially our Dark skin humans, Dark Elves, Half-Elves and other Non-Humans within our ranks, my General who is also a Dark skin human won't like it when one of us are being attack unprovoked and he is quite protective of us along with the knights, maids, butlers, officers, and Non-commissioned officers." Henry said, arrogance and unfaithfulness be damned.

Maia nodded before bowing followed by Reku along with their retinue, "Please forgive my soldier, she doesn't know that your dark skin comrades are humans, she mistaken them to be Dark elves." She said in an apologetic tone.

"So I've heard... also raise your head." Aiden as he holsters his sidearm, "Hope your people will be told about this, we don't want any unnecessary bloodshed within ranks."

The Thorn Samurais stood, "Of course, we'll be going to tell this to our people and allies." Said Maia that which the two Towson brothers are satisfied at that as Maia nod to the retinue they bow before giving the word about the troops. "And are you the Joint Expeditionary Force that we had kept hearing about?" She asked.

"Indeed we are. But you can call us the JEF for short." Henry spoke, "We were sent here by our General to Escort you to Rad, and making sure that there won't be any ambushes towards you and your princesses."

Amaiya the others now noticed that Aiden and Henry avoided addressing Anthony as their father to avoid either getting singled out or taken for ransom. Which it was highly smart especially in the military.

Maia smiled at that, "Well of course thank you for that and we would be appreciate of your help. But also I'm one of the princesses just to let you know." She said.

She was expecting the group of forty-two to either bow and/or adjust their tone. But they simply nodded with the maid and knights within their group giving a light bow. "Should we go now?" Said Aiden still in his casual tone like he didn't hear the title at all.

"Eh?" Was all Maia could mutter in a confused tone as she wasn't expecting that.

At all.

Maia shook her head from thoughts and nodded before looking to Reku and the others, "Let's resume walking, and I'll be going to Princess Kaguya." She said as they mounted to their horses.

Henry nodded before he address his platoon, "Alright guys and gals, set up a perimeter and don't be too far from them, but also far enough to maneuver should there be ambushed."

Aiden climbed back onto his MRAP, muttering, "Next time, I'm bringing flashcards that say 'Not a Dark Elf.'"

Amaiya laughed. "Yeah, laminate them too."

With it they disperse to escort the princesses of Thorn and Ansur to Rad to meet with the Lieutenant General Anthony Towson and Luu-luu. With the LAVs, MRAPs, and Japanese Patria AMV forming the rear while the LAVs and 3rd Recon Battalion and the rest of the Marines will move ahead of them in a V formation.