Imperium of Man Terra Aeterna Season 01: Rise of Humanity's War Machin

Reuel watched Takashi Komuro walk away with a sullen face-and chose not to give a damn anymore.

To Reuel, Takashi Komuro was nothing more than a clown now.

I used to think he was decent in the anime, even if a bit self-righteous. But that was when I was just watching from a third-person perspective. Now, the world's gone to hell... and he's still playing the holy hero? Does this guy not have a brain?

Still, a question nagged at Reuel-Was it my presence in this world that disrupted the original storyline? Because of me, did Takashi not get the chance to grow like he did in the anime? Were there not enough women around him to trigger that development? Or... had his heart started to distort because his path had changed?

He completely ignored Takashi Komuro and began scanning his surroundings. In the Takagi estate courtyard, many survivors were watching them. Some looked curious, others wary. But Reuel didn't care about the stares and immediately asked Shizuka Marikawa to lock the Humvee. His current priority was finding a place to rest.

"Miss Shizuka Marikawa! Senpai Busujima Saeko! You're here too!"

Takagi Saya's cheerful voice rang out from the upper balcony. She waved at the two women she recognized. But when her gaze fell on Reuel, she instinctively glanced away with a faint blush on her cheeks. She still clearly remembered the handsome young man's face when he saved her.

"Takagi Saya! I missed you~!!" shouted Shizuka, waving enthusiastically.

Saeko simply gave a graceful nod in greeting. Takagi Saya smiled and said, "Come, I'll take you inside."

With total confidence, Takagi Saya led their group toward the main building-a small castle belonging to the Takagi family. They passed through the guards and other survivors without any trouble.

As they entered the main hall, suddenly a system notification echoed inside Reuel's head.

> Ding! Check-in location detected near the Takagi family residence!

Reuel's face changed immediately. For the first time since arriving in the Highschool of the Dead universe, the system had activated again.

> "System, where can I check in?"

> Ding! Host is already at the location. Check-in can only proceed after close physical contact with Takagi Yuriko.

Reuel's expression stiffened. Close physical contact? What the hell does the system mean by that? Is it telling me to... sleep with Takagi Yuriko?!

> Ding! Up to you whether to proceed or not. And by the way, what the hell do I care about your perverted thoughts?

Reuel rolled his eyes. Damn thing has zero empathy...

Is there no other way? Do I have to kidnap Takagi Yuriko? But... she's beautiful, and in the anime, she died in the chaos at this house. What a waste if she just dies like that.

> "System! Explain more clearly!"

> (no response)

Reuel grumbled silently. Fucking system. Shows up when it wants something, disappears when you ask a question. Bastard.

He went quiet for a moment, weighing the possibilities. Will I do it... or not? I'll think about it later.

"Big bro, why are you spacing out?" little Alice asked, tugging on the hem of his shirt.

"It's nothing," Reuel replied, patting the girl's head. "I was just thinking about what food I should get you later."

Busujima Saeko approached and gently took his hand. "Reuel-kun, are you sure you're okay?" she asked softly. Her face showed concern, noticing how he had stopped walking for no apparent reason.

Reuel looked at Saeko for a moment. There was no way he could tell her he was thinking about kidnapping Takagi Saya's mom. She might beat him to death on the spot-especially since their relationship hadn't even lasted a full day yet.

"There are just some things on my mind... But it won't affect us," he finally said. He decided he'd be honest later, when things were calmer.

"I'll explain it later, when there's no one else around."

With one hand holding Alice and the other holding Saeko's, Reuel resumed walking, following Takagi Saya.

As they entered the main hall, Reuel immediately spotted many familiar faces. Miyamoto Rei stood with her arms crossed, Takashi Komuro stood nearby wearing a gloomy expression, and the fat guy-Kohta Hirano-stood like a loyal bodyguard beside Takagi Saya.

They all greeted Shizuka and Saeko warmly.

But when their eyes landed on Reuel... the room fell silent. No greetings. No smiles. Just silent stares thick with tension.

Reuel observed Takashi Komuro's angry glare. Strange... did I do something to piss off the protagonist of this world? he wondered. As far as I remember, we didn't even interact much. So why is he looking at me like I killed his family?

"Why are you looking at me like that? Can't you welcome me with a little basic courtesy?" Reuel stepped forward, trying to break the silence.

"Middle Eastern people aren't welcome here," Takashi replied hoarsely, his voice filled with hatred.

The words made Reuel freeze. Is he mocking my appearance? he thought. True, at the moment he resembled a young version of the Emperor of Mankind.

In the lore of Warhammer 40K, the origins of the Emperor are never explicitly explained. He was believed to have been born around 8000 BC. Some theories suggest he came from the Anatolian region (modern-day Turkey), others say Greece. But none are confirmed-everything is deliberately shrouded in mystery.

According to official descriptions from Games Workshop, the Emperor's birth was the result of an ancient plan. Thousands of shamans, aware of the threat of the Warp gods, merged their souls into a single superior being: the New Man. They carried out a mass suicide pact, allowing their souls to fuse into an immortal entity. A year later, the Emperor was born-among ordinary humans, most likely in the region of Sumeria or near the Sakarya River.

After losing his uncle, he decided mankind needed guidance. He traveled to all corners of the world, and was even speculated to be legendary figures such as Neoth, Socrates, Jesus, and Leonardo da Vinci. But those are merely fan theories.

And now, Takashi Komuro-the protagonist of Highschool of the Dead-was insulting Reuel just because he looked "Middle Eastern."

"Honestly, I expected you to say something reasonable. This is just childish. Did I ever personally offend you?" Reuel asked flatly.

"I don't need a reason to speak. Especially not to someone from the Middle East like you. This is Japan! Get out of here, foreigner!" Komuro snapped, glaring at him like he was ready to pounce.

"Kid... as far as I remember, I've never had any business with you. Is this because I slapped your teacher? Or because I'm not Japanese?"

Reuel shook his head slowly. I really didn't expect this kid to hold such deep hatred.

"Oh! And you think it was right to slap our teacher?! This is Japan! You have no right to interfere in our affairs, outsider!" Takashi shouted, his eyes blazing.

Reuel was stunned. What does he mean by 'interfere'? I just slapped Koichi Shido-that bastard who's eventually going to drag everyone into the abyss. But now... I'm being treated like the villain by the protagonist of this world?

"Whatever you think," Reuel scoffed. "But how are your teachers and classmates doing, the ones you were supposedly protecting, oh noble hero?"

His sarcastic tone cut deep.

Reuel realized that since he arrived, he hadn't seen any sign of the school bus. Either the bus was gone, or the group had already been separated.

Takashi's face instantly went pale.

He remembered the outbreak's early days. He tried to play the hero-fighting off zombies, waiting for help. But the ones who arrived were soldiers and cops who couldn't even hold their ground longer than the civilians. He panicked... and chose to run with Miyamoto Rei and a few others. He didn't even warn those who were still on the bus.

"They're still there... still safe. That's our business!" he deflected nervously. "Who the hell do you think you are? Just some Middle Eastern foreigner! Don't question me like you have any right!"

Takashi's glare grew sharper. The fire of rage fully ignited in his eyes.

"I know you're strong. But this is the Takagi family estate. It's not a place for you to act all high and mighty!"

His raised voice caused a few people nearby to turn their heads. Some girls who had been chatting stopped mid-conversation, watching the situation uneasily.

Reuel stared at Takashi with a cold expression. I thought that little spat on the bus was long dead... but it turns out this kid's holding onto a wound deeper than I thought.

---

Meanwhile, in Mars orbit, aboard the battlecruiser Gorgon...

A Lord Inquisitor stood rigid in the command chamber, his eyes blazing with fury. Before him, the auspex screen displayed a scene that defied his comprehension: a mere mortal dared insult the God Emperor of Mankind.

Rage burned through his mind. His hand nearly squeezed the trigger of his bolter, aiming it at one of the nearby officers—not because they'd done anything wrong, but because his fury needed a target. The urge to issue an Exterminatus on planet Earth surged so powerfully that his fingers trembled.

But he knew: the Imperium fleet was not yet fully prepared. Construction on Terra Aeterna was still underway. So, with his eyes glowing in wrath, he dragged two other Inquisitors—almost hurling them into the Thunderhawk's cockpit. Without waiting for approval from the High Lords, he launched the ship toward Earth—ready to deliver punishment to the pitiful human who had defiled the Emperor's name.

Elsewhere, a shadow Inquisitor who had long been operating covertly in Tokyo also witnessed the offense. His gloved hand gripped his rosarius tightly.

"The honor of the God Emperor has been stained. This... is unforgivable."

---

Back at the Takagi estate, Japan...

"Calm down, Takashi… people are watching," Miyamoto Rei whispered gently, trying to ease his anger.

Takashi turned and noticed the gazes around them. But the fury didn't leave his face. He sat down harshly, glaring at Reuel with absolute hatred.

"You'd better watch yourself. People here don't like... Middle Easterners. Especially ones like you. Your homeland is full of terrorists," he said loudly, clearly intending to humiliate Reuel in front of everyone at the Takagi estate.

Reuel didn't overreact. He simply took a step forward and said coldly,

"Are you trying to provoke me, kid?"

Behind him, little Alice clung to her puppy, watching Komuro with fear in her eyes. Meanwhile, Saeko and Shizuka stared at Komuro with sharp gazes, not bothering to hide their distaste.

Takashi stood up, cracking his neck arrogantly.

"So what? This is Japan. Not a place for... terrorist scum like you. We—"

CRACK!

Before he could finish his sentence, Reuel grabbed his neck with one hand and lifted his entire body off the ground like a sack of trash.

"Do you think I won't kill you? Even here, in the Takagi estate?" Reuel stared into his eyes, his psionic aura rippling outward—strong enough to make ordinary people nauseous just by standing nearby.

Komuro struggled. His breath stopped. His face turned pale. The fire in his eyes vanished, replaced by pure fear. He looked around desperately for help—Rei, Takagi Saya, Kohta Hirano—anyone.

"What the hell are you doing?! Let go of Takashi right now!" Rei shouted and tried to run forward—

But stopped dead in her tracks when Reuel raised a bolter pistol—massive, heavy, its barrel glowing black and crimson—right at her.

Rei froze. She'd never seen a weapon like that. She knew… this wasn't just any gun.

Kohta Hirano, the chubby kid with a love for firearms, tried to lift his nailgun—

But hesitated immediately when Reuel pointed the bolter at his face.

"Fat little man… move your finger again, and I'll obliterate you. You won't even have time to scream."

Kohta trembled, slowly lowering his weapon. On the other side, Takagi Saya nearly stepped forward—but was stopped by Saeko Busujima, who just shook her head.

Then, a heavy voice echoed.

"What is going on here?"

Another voice followed, firm and authoritative.

"Stop. Now."

A unit of Japanese Guntai soldiers entered in formation, weapons ready. Among them walked a middle-aged man with sharp, intense eyes. He wore a formal military uniform, with a katana hanging at his side. His presence dominated the room.

Souichiro Takagi. The master of this estate. Takagi Saya's father.

Reuel looked at him calmly. He knew who this man was—but to him, still just a regular human.

With measured ease, Reuel tossed Komuro to the floor. The boy's body hit hard, rolling as he coughed and gasped, desperate for air.

Rei rushed to Takashi's side and held him, her face full of worry.

Souichiro stepped forward. He glanced at his daughter briefly, then scanned the room with a sharp gaze. Everyone lowered their eyes. When his gaze met Reuel's, he spoke directly and without pretense.

"My name is Souichiro Takagi. I am a loyal citizen of Japan. I serve Emperor Akihito and support Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. Now... who are you? State your name and your purpose here."

Still gasping, Komuro quickly interjected,

"Ehem… he… he's from the Middle East… Ehem… he oppressed us, the Japanese…"

Souichiro turned slightly.

"People from the Middle East are not welcome here," he said coldly, and gave a signal to his soldiers.

The soldiers moved at once, ready to seize Reuel.

But before they could touch him, Takagi Saya ran up to her father.

"He saved me! More than once!" she cried out, gripping her father's arm.

Souichiro paused, staring at his usually stubborn daughter. Then, he took a long breath.

"Fine. He may stay here… for one night."

Then he turned to the crowd.

"But tomorrow, he must leave."

After that, he looked across the entire hall and asked loudly:

"Now—can someone please explain to me what the hell just happened here?"