"Although I haven't been to R'lyeh for these past eight years, as a TPC strategist, I still know a few things about it."
Megumi Iruma introduced the situation of R'lyeh to Yu Zhou.
The present-day R'lyeh was completely different from the ruins of the past.
But Megumi also knew—Camearra had always held some kind of bias against her. She certainly wouldn't welcome her setting foot in R'lyeh.
Yu Zhou could only smile bitterly at that. No matter what, Tiga was a shadow in Camearra's heart, a knot she could never untie.
If he ever had the chance to travel back to thirty million years ago, he would absolutely track down Tiga and ask: Why? Why did you seal Camearra?
Sealing her was one thing, but leaving her behind on Earth—what was the reason for that?
"By the way, do you know the new Giant of Light?" Megumi suddenly asked Yu Zhou. As a TPC strategist, she was very concerned about this newly appeared warrior.
Her worry was that, like Masaki before, this Giant of Light might harbor a corrupted heart.
"I do," Yu Zhou nodded. "All I can tell you is—he's a member of the current Super Victory Team."
"What?!"
Megumi was astonished. She hadn't expected that this new Giant of Light was also transformed from a human—and even belonged to TPC.
She knew there were three types of Giants of Light:
Those like Daigo, Yu Zhou, and Masaki—humans who could transform into them.The super-ancient giants of Earth, such as Camearra and her companions, who had been turned into giants of light.And the Ultras from outer space, like the original Ultraman and the others whom they had once met.
Originally, she had suspected that since this new Giant first appeared in space, he might belong to that third category—an extraterrestrial Ultra.
But to think… he was human too!
They continued chatting for a while until the night grew deep.
Under Megumi's arrangement, Yu Zhou stayed one night in this TPC mountain base.
Back in Tiga's world, his old residence had been at TPC's Far East base, which wasn't exactly convenient anymore.
The next day, Yu Zhou exchanged some funds and bought a house in the city center as a place to live.
But before even moving in, he was already on the move—heading straight for R'lyeh.
From both Daigo and Megumi, he had heard that R'lyeh had been magnificently rebuilt. Yu Zhou could hardly wait to see it with his own eyes.
At the coast, Yu Zhou pulled out the Spark Lens, pressed the transformation button, and turned into light, soaring toward the South Pacific.
Since R'lyeh was located in the South Pacific, flying as Tiga was far faster than any airplane.
And indeed—it didn't take long before Yu Zhou reached R'lyeh.
Once a shattered ruin, the island now stunned him almost beyond recognition.
The super-ancient city had been completely rebuilt. Its architecture resembled European-style castles, though modern skyscrapers were woven among them.
At the heart of the ruins now stood an enormous crystal palace.
It was constructed from Nebula M78 crystals—materials Yu Zhou himself had once brought back.
At its very peak shone an artificial sun. But unlike the Plasma Spark of the Land of Light, this sun was purely for illumination. Yu Zhou felt none of that boundless plasma energy from it.
Canceling his transformation, Yu Zhou walked down the grand avenue toward the city center.
The rebuilt city wasn't desolate at all. Tourists from across the globe came to admire its splendor.
Only the outer sections were open to the public. The crystal palace itself remained strictly closed off.
The streets bustled with crowds and vendors. R'lyeh had become something like a trading hub, with goods from all over the world on display.
"Masaki!"
Walking down the street, Yu Zhou spotted a man in a TPC uniform speaking with others.
It was none other than Masaki Keigo—someone he hadn't seen in a long time.
"Yu Zhou?!"
Masaki clearly hadn't expected Yu Zhou to have returned. He rushed over, his face bright with excitement.
"You're really back!"
"Yeah," Yu Zhou nodded, smiling. "Looks like you've been doing pretty well these years."
"Not bad at all," Masaki replied with a grin. "Just look—R'lyeh now is nothing like the ruins of before, isn't it?"
"That's true… but why would Camearra allow tourists into R'lyeh?" Yu Zhou asked, puzzled.
Masaki explained, "After the city was rebuilt, it was far too quiet. I suggested opening it to the outside world. Camearra thought about it and agreed."
He added, "Of course, everyone entering R'lyeh must go through TPC's identity checks. Especially those opening shops here—we thoroughly investigate them."
"I see," Yu Zhou nodded. "That way, it keeps out anyone with dangerous intentions."
"Exactly," Masaki agreed. "Most who come here now are aristocrats or influential figures."
"That artificial sun up there—was that your handiwork?" Yu Zhou asked, pointing to the glowing orb atop the palace.
Masaki nodded. "Yeah. But it can only provide light. Creating something like the Plasma Spark of the Land of Light—one that could evolve humanity—that's still far beyond us."
"You're not wrong," Yu Zhou thought. He didn't press further. To replicate the Plasma Spark was unimaginable. With Earth's technology, producing even an artificial sun for illumination was impressive enough.
"Come, I'll take you to see Camearra," Masaki said. "She lives in the crystal palace now."
"Alright." Yu Zhou nodded. He was curious—after all this time, had Camearra changed at all?
"She often mutters about you, wondering why you haven't come back." Masaki chuckled as they walked.
"…Huh???"
Yu Zhou froze. Clearly, Camearra still hadn't sorted things out. She mistook him for the super-ancient Tiga.
Seriously? Why does this woman insist on putting a green hat on her own husband? She can't even tell who's who. First she thought Daigo was Tiga, now me… She'll do anything just to mess with Tiga, won't she?
Could it be revenge for being sealed for thirty million years?
The thought sent a cold sweat down Yu Zhou's back. If that were true, it was outrageous.
Even the scriptwriters wouldn't dare write something this absurd!
Inside the crystal palace, made from Nebula M78 materials, Yu Zhou felt a refreshing and pure energy wash over him.
"This palace… it really is magnificent," Yu Zhou murmured, gazing up at the grand doors. On either side stood giant crystal statues resembling Hudra and Darramb.
"Eight years… eight long years!"
A voice echoed as they entered, laden with bitterness.
"Camearra—it's been a while," Yu Zhou greeted, looking up.
Seated on the throne was Camearra, in human form, wearing a white dress.
"You actually say 'it's been a while'?!"
Her voice bristled with resentment as she rose and slowly walked toward him.
"Uh… then… 'not been a while'?" Yu Zhou scratched his head awkwardly as she drew near.
"Eight years. Where have you been these eight years?!"
Camearra stepped close, her face inches from his, her breath hot against him.
"I… I returned to my own world," Yu Zhou stammered, cheeks flushing as he quickly stepped back.