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

"The zombies will reach Tokyo in three days," Reuel said flatly.

"Order the Imperial Guard of Legion Alice to divide their forces into five divisions, each two hundred thousand strong. The remaining five hundred thousand will secure Haneda Airport—the city's vital point and last bastion. No one is to be allowed through."

He paused for a moment, eyes locked on the tactical screen before him.

"Disperse the rest of the troops across all city sectors. Set up perimeters. Build fortifications. Treat this place like an uncharted alien world. This is just a biological infection, not the end of the world. Consider it the first test for the young Imperial Guards. Treat them like xenos—weak, mindless, relying only on numbers. Crush them with tactics, fire, and faith."

The instructions echoed through the command room. Reuel's words were like a warhammer—cold and sharp as freshly forged steel.

A few seconds later, Yuriko Takagi stepped forward. Her gaze was a mixture of worry and determination.

"Lord Reuel… I need to return. My daughter is still in Tokyo. I have to warn them, so they'll know the horde is coming. I promise I'll come back once this is over," she said, her voice trembling slightly but steady nonetheless.

Reuel glanced at her, then gave a slow nod.

"Go."

Yuriko froze. She hadn't expected him to let her go—just like that. No demands, no conditions. She had been ready to give everything—her honor, her pride… for her daughter, Takagi Saya.

"Thank you..." she whispered before turning to leave.

She returned to the Takagi estate, bringing with her a warning… and a sliver of hope. Her mind was filled with only one face: her daughter's. But deep down, something had shifted. After two days with Reuel and the Imperial Guard…

She felt… happy.

Too happy to just walk away.

---

After Yuriko left, Rika Minami stepped forward.

"Lord Reuel, if there's anything I can assist with, please command me," she said firmly.

Reuel turned to her. "Miss Rika Minami, Shizuka Marikawa told me you're an excellent sniper. I want to know… are you interested in joining the military?"

Rika's eyes widened.

In the original anime, she was indeed known for her ability to snipe zombies from afar at the airport. Her accuracy was unmatched. For Reuel, that was enough of a reason. And, though unspoken, she was also… very attractive.

"I… I can join your forces? Seriously?" Rika was still in disbelief.

She had long admired Reuel's army—elite soldiers from countless worlds who never showed fear. Their every move exuded discipline and strength, completely unlike ordinary cops or even the Japanese military.

Cadia Shock Troopers.

That name had intrigued her from the start. She'd heard they were trained from the age of five. Their discipline was as sharp as a bayonet.

Rika wasn't a girly girl by any means. She loved weapons, understood machines, and wasn't afraid to challenge anyone to a shootout. In the force, she was often called the "armed tomboy" and gossiped about. But she didn't care.

And now, Reuel himself was offering her the chance.

"From now on, you are Captain Rika Minami of Legion Alice," Reuel declared officially.

Rika stood straight and saluted. "Yes, sir!"

"Report to Major Hellsker. He'll authorize you to form your own unit."

"Yes, sir!"

Rika left with blazing enthusiasm. This wasn't a dream anymore—this was the beginning of her new destiny.

---

Reuel now turned to Busujima Saeko.

"Saeko, I'm entrusting Shizuka Marikawa and little Alice to you. You know Shizuka—clumsy and careless. I want you to keep a close eye on her."

"I understand. I'll protect them to the best of my ability," Saeko replied seriously, though her face softened a bit. She was happy—Reuel hadn't forgotten her.

"Oh, and I'll find a proper sword for you later."

Then he looked back at Rika, who hadn't fully left. "And for you, Rika. Shizuka says you're a sniper. I'll get you a rifle that suits you."

"Thank you so much, Lord Reuel," they both answered almost at the same time.

Reuel gave a slight smirk, then said teasingly, "So... how will you thank me?"

He whispered something to the two of them. Saeko and Rika immediately blushed, their expressions stiffening… then, shyly, they nodded in agreement.

---

Takagi Residence

"WHUUMM—WHUUMM—WHUUMM—WHUUMM…"

The heavy drone of engines tore through the sky, shaking the air like a bad omen descending from the heavens. A Valkyrie Sky Talon transport aircraft flew low over the estate, its massive form casting a colossal shadow like something out of another world. For those who witnessed its arrival, it wasn't just a display of advanced technology—it was a sign that Reuel's forces had once again set foot on this land.

Tension immediately fell over the Takagi residence. Guards at the outer posts stood upright, servants held their breath. In the sky, that metallic beast resembled a warbird, dropping a dark fog over what was once a peaceful courtyard.

And from the belly of that aircraft, Yuriko Takagi emerged, descending the metal ramp with resolute steps. Flanking her were two colossal figures clad in pitch-black armor—Inquisitors. Nearly three meters tall, every step they took pounded the earth, their presence echoing like the drums of death.

Following behind her was a formation of olive-green-uniformed soldiers, moving in perfect unison. Disciplined. Silent. Combat-ready. No one uttered a word as they secured the perimeter.

"Where is Takagi Saya?" Yuriko's voice was sharp, firm, leaving no room for doubt or delay.

A servant rushed forward nervously, bowing quickly while stealing glances at the towering figures behind his mistress.

"M-Master Soichiro Takagi and Miss Saya are inside, ma'am," he stammered.

Yuriko gave no nod, no reply—she simply turned and strode toward the main residence. The heavy steps of Inquisitors and soldiers followed behind her, echoing over the marble floor like the beginning of a military campaign.

---

In the main hall, Saya Takagi was resting on a long table with a polished wooden surface. Her breathing hadn't fully settled yet. Her body was tired, but her ears were still sharp. When she heard those heavy footsteps echoing from outside the room, her eyes snapped open, narrowing in suspicion.

Only one person walked that boldly.

"...Mom?" she whispered.

Yuriko appeared at the doorway. Her eyes immediately locked onto her daughter. She paid no attention to Takashi Komuro or the rest of the group—only one person mattered to her right now.

"Saya…" she said softly, her voice thick with relief and love she couldn't hide.

"Mom?!" Saya shot up and rushed into her arms, hugging her tightly as if she feared her mother would disappear the moment she let go.

Those who witnessed the moment didn't dare interrupt. It was too personal. Too raw. But the tenderness didn't last long.

The aura of the soldiers behind Yuriko was far too intense—not like any rescue unit they'd ever seen. They stood in formations too perfect. Too rigid. Too… militaristic.

Takashi Komuro glanced at them, and his survivor's instinct immediately picked up something was off.

Tension began to build. Joy shifted into alertness.

"Alright, Takagi Saya… your mother has returned," Yuriko said calmly, though her tone hinted at something deeper. Something to come.

Saya stared at her sharply. She knew her mother far too well.

"You're leaving again, aren't you?" she cut in quickly. "Then I'm going with you. I'll speak to Lord Reuel myself! I'll convince him to let you stay!"

Her voice trembled, but her eyes were unyielding. Beneath her usual sarcasm and anger, there was steel—real, determined steel.

Yuriko didn't answer. She simply looked at her daughter, as if trying to memorize every detail of that face before returning to her new fate.

Suddenly, the sound of swift, purposeful steps came from the side.

Soichiro Takagi emerged from the door of his office. His suit was crisp, but his face showed signs of exhaustion. He walked in quickly, his gaze sharp—not with anger, but with deep unease.

"Yuriko. You're back?"

Soichiro Takagi's voice was heavy, almost trembling, trying to hold back the surge of emotion clawing its way to the surface.

Yuriko nodded slowly. "Yes... But this time, I bring important news."

She didn't call him my husband. Strange. Even to herself, she didn't know why.

Soichiro narrowed his eyes, brow furrowing sharply. "What news?"

Yuriko drew in a deep breath, as if weighing the burden of the world on her shoulders. Then she delivered it.

"In the next three days... nearly ten million zombies—maybe more—will march on Tokyo. They're moving in from surrounding cities, following the trail of survivors fleeing to the capital."

"W-What?!" Takashi Komuro stumbled a half step back, eyes wide.

"Ten million?!" Rei shouted, unable to believe what she'd just heard.

"A-Aunt Yuriko... that's a joke, right?" said Kohta Hirano with a nervous laugh. But no one laughed. Only silence greeted him—cold and foreboding.

Yuriko's expression didn't change. Her eyes stayed resolute. Her tone never wavered.

"This is real. Their movement is clear. They're headed for Tokyo."

She continued, her tone shifting into a full military report.

"Though Reuel has deployed troops to strategic points... some will still get through. Five divisions have been mobilized, each two hundred thousand strong.

One division is stationed at the airport to close off air routes. The other four guard Tokyo's perimeter. But with numbers that massive, not all of them can be stopped."

Takashi shook his head, his breath quickening. "How the hell are we supposed to fight that many?!"

Rei looked at Yuriko with real fear in her eyes. "This isn't an outbreak anymore. This is... the end of the world."

Yuriko turned to her daughter, her gaze softening—but still filled with urgency.

"Saya… come with me. Reuel's headquarters is far safer than here."

"Why, Mom?!" Saya shouted, her body tense. "Why do you have to leave again?! Is Reuel forcing you?!"

"No," Yuriko replied—calm, yet unyielding.

"I gave him my word. And I've told you before—both you and your father—this is something I have to do. I'll come back, but before that, I have to keep my promise."

Saya looked down, biting her lip. Tears began to fall, shaking her small frame. She wanted to argue. To resist. But no words were strong enough to go against her mother's choice.

Soichiro Takagi stepped forward. His voice was quiet but firm—like a rock in the middle of a storm.

"Saya… go with your mother."

Saya looked at him, trembling. "But… what about you?"

"I still have responsibilities here. There are people I must protect. I can't leave."

He paused, lowering his gaze as if carefully choosing his words.

"And… I've had too many disagreements with Reuel. But even so, he still sent us food… and this warning about the zombies."

"When this is all over… I'll go to him myself. I'll apologize."

He rested a hand gently on his daughter's shoulder—not as the head of the household, but as a father who had finally yielded, out of love for his family.

"If one day you want to come back, you can. But for now… you need to go."

Saya stood still for a long moment, her body shaking. Finally, she gave a slow nod. The tears didn't stop flowing.

But as she turned to her friends, her heart sank.

Them. The ones who'd been with her since the first day. Who fought with her. Lived with her. Maybe would've died with her.

Reuel wouldn't take them. Which meant… she'd have to leave them behind.

"Saya! I'm coming with you!"

Kohta Hirano stepped forward quickly, standing by Saya's side, his expression unwavering.

But Yuriko stopped them with a single, sharp look. She stepped forward, eyes scanning each of them.

"I'm sorry… Reuel only agreed to take Saya. That's the condition."

Kohta lowered his head. His soul collapsed with those words. He said nothing. He couldn't.

Saya wanted to protest. But even she knew—this wasn't a negotiation. This was a strategic, military decision.

Miyamoto Rei stepped forward and took Saya's hand. Warm and firm.

"It's okay. We'll be fine here. Go."

Her smile was small, but sincere.

"...I'm sorry," Saya whispered, barely audible. Her shoulders trembled. But her steps were steady as she walked toward the exit.

Yuriko gave a signal. The soldiers moved into formation.

The line began to march. Precise. Unyielding. No one looked back.

Takashi stood frozen, like a statue amid ruins.

Saya's departure hit him harder than any helicopter thunder. He wanted to chase her, but he knew… stepping out alone would be suicide.

Kohta Hirano felt as though the world had condemned him. His goddess—Saya Takagi—was leaving for a place he could never reach. He, her protector, could do nothing but stand like a boy without a sword.

Rei… kept holding her own hand. She wanted to find her father. Wanted to go back to the police station. But even she didn't know if her father was still alive… or had become part of the lifeless horde now marching toward them.

Outside, the storm of death was closing in.

And their time… was almost up.