[Light Curtain Bullet Comments]
Frieren of the Funeral: "Humans... they truly are a curious species. They have heroes like Himmel, and yet they also have beings more vile than demons."
Ace Pilot of the Death Squad: "The perspective has been focused on the Ultramen for so long that I honestly forgot about Earth. In the face of a cataclysm like this, the ones with the least ability to resist... are humans themselves. There's nothing wrong with placing their hope in Ultraman, but... it's a last resort. If humanity had a way to defeat the Swarm themselves, why would they constantly rely on Ultraman?"
The Horn-Breaking Demon: "Relying on Ultraman... What exactly is the relationship between humanity and the Ultramen of the Land of Light?"
Father of Ultra: "...That is a very complex question. Perhaps they can be called friends, or perhaps they can be called kindred spirits. Since the Ultramen first discovered Earth, they have been protecting this planet ceaselessly. As for the reason... it is simply because they wish for this beautiful planet to be spared from disaster, to be able to develop healthily and peacefully in the universe..."
Following the Father of Ultra's comment, the audiences across the infinite multiverse were gradually filled with astonishment.
The Ultramen, though they possessed immense power and advanced civilization and technology, never used it for conquest. Instead, they protected Earth and other civilizations countless times.
Good Samaritans, saints, saviors—placing these labels on them was not an exaggeration in the slightest.
Fallen Angel: "Wow, they really are such good guys. If only beings like Ultraman existed in our universe, then I could just stay home and play video games all day."
Utaha Kasumigaoka: "After watching so many Ultraman episodes, sometimes even I can't help but want to jump through the screen and wipe out those foolish humans myself. I am truly in awe of the Ultramen's moral standards."
The Angel Next Door: "I really wish all life on Earth and in the universe could be like the Ultramen..."
---o---
[Light Curtain Video]
The scene shifted to the Land of Light. The figure of Ultraman King still stood tall on its soil.
His true body was far away, at the edge of the Ultra Multiverse, simultaneously dealing with the Land of Light and the mysterious gray mist. Even this legendary warrior was feeling the strain.
With his eyes closed, Ultraman King continued to maintain the minimum energy supply for the more than 18 billion Ultramen on the entire planet.
With the energy of this avatar, he could only hold on for a few dozen more days at most.
It might seem like a long time, but to the vast majority of aliens in the universe, a few dozen days was no different from the blink of an eye.
Just as Ultraman King was considering whether to transfer another portion of his main body's power to his avatar, a familiar voice rang in his ear.
"O-Old man! What happened to you? Why are you so weak?"
Zero had returned faster than Ultraman King had anticipated. This caused King, who was maintaining the planet's life support, to open his eyes and fix his gaze on Zero, who had just arrived at the Land of Light using the Aegis of Palagye.
Zero himself was staring in shock at the current state of the Land of Light.
To the Ultramen, this had once been their vibrant homeland, but now it was a cold, desolate hell.
Countless Ultramen were frozen into ice sculptures, their bodies devoid of light, the timers on their chests completely extinguished. They were clinging to life solely through the small portion of energy supplied by Ultraman King.
And now, Zero had returned to this land. This was his first time setting foot on the Land of Light after being exiled to Planet K76 for many years.
But from the looks of it, the Land of Light was in a terrible state. It seemed as if it could perish at any second.
Although it had been a long time and he had forgotten some of the details, in Zero's memory, the Land of Light was a green planet filled with warmth and light.
This dark and cold place, like a vision of hell, simply did not match the Land of Light in his memories.
If it weren't for his absolute certainty in the coordinates of the Aegis of Palagye, and the fact that the old man Ultraman King himself was right here, Zero would have thought he had gone to the wrong place.
"Zero... you've finally returned."
Upon seeing the Aegis of Palagye on Zero's body, Ultraman King revealed a gratified expression.
Noa... he has acknowledged this child?
Although Ultraman King himself possessed many powerful artifacts, they were still a notch below the Aegis of Palagye, which Noa had spent untold millennia forging.
Moreover, for a warrior like Zero, what Noa bestowed would be a more suitable fit.
That was why he had sent Zetton to deliver the fragment of the Aegis of Palagye to him and had discussed with Noa about putting this child to the test.
Judging from the current results, Zero had excellently completed the trial given by Noa.
This brought a sense of relief and joy to Ultraman King, who was always concerned with the growth of the next generation.
"Old man..."
As an Ultraman born in the Land of Light, Zero could sense the cataclysm that had befallen his home world the moment he returned to this universe.
That was why he had expended more energy to use the Aegis of Palagye to come back and take a look.
However, the scene before him still left Zero utterly shocked. He clenched his fists, his eyes filled with fury.
"Who did this? Where is the core of the Plasma Spark Tower!?"
Zero's voice was urgent, laced with anger and hostility. It was clear... he was absolutely furious.
With a wisp of his will, Ultraman King slowly explained how Belial had escaped the Space Prison and colluded with an evil being from another universe.
Upon receiving the information, Zero was stunned for a moment, and then his anger boiled over.
"Belial... that traitor to the Land of Light. Don't worry, old man. The Sacred Light... I will take it back! Just hold on a little longer. I'll bring back the Sacred Light and Belial's head for you soon!"
With that, Zero was about to use the Aegis of Palagye to leave the Land of Light and hunt down Belial.
"Wait, Zero."
Ultraman King's voice stopped him, halting Zero's impulsive plan.
"Although the current Belial is no match for you... Zero, the universe is currently in turmoil. All sorts of dark forces are beginning to emerge. Belial is but an insignificant one among them. Your opponents are far more numerous than just him."
"I have already sent the Mother of Ultra to contact the warriors who once fought alongside the Land of Light. There are also Ken and the other Ultra Brothers on Earth. Only by uniting your strengths and facing the enemy alongside humanity can you restore peace to the universe."
Rather than letting Zero go off on a risky solo mission, Ultraman King preferred him to rendezvous with the main forces first.
Cosmos, Dyna, and Zero. When the light of these three merged, a warrior capable of turning the tide would be born.
The darkness that had befallen the universe would naturally recede...
---o---
[Light Curtain Bullet Comments]
The Universe's Loiterer, Zero: "Cosmos and Dyna? Seriously, if it weren't for the light curtain, I would have never even heard of those names. What's going to be born when the light of three people merges? Don't tell me it'll create a power even stronger than the old man's."
The Universe's Lady Justice: "Hmph, to have never heard of them just shows your ignorance. But I am also curious. Besides me, can Cosmos fuse with others to become a warrior like Legend?"
Fallen Angel: "If you ask me, just ignore that gray mist for now. That old man Ultraman King is ridiculously overpowered. My sister... no, the entire Heavenly Realm combined would be no match for him. Solving this mess should be super easy for him."
General of the Luofu: "That is also true. The reason the Ultramen are at a disadvantage is deeply connected to the fact that Ultraman King and Noa are both occupied. If even one of those two could move freely, all the dark forces in the Ultra universe would have to lie low."
The Angel Next Door: "Actually, I feel like the Sacred Light has too strong of an influence on the Land of Light. If the Sacred Light hadn't been stolen by Belial, the current situation would be much better."
Ace Pilot of the Death Squad: "If you put it that way, then Belial is the source of all evil. Phantylia alone doesn't have the ability to solo the Land of Light. But Belial himself is from the Land of Light, and his strength is comparable to the Father of Ultra's."
Archbishop of Schicksal: "From a rational perspective, the Swarm tide has a great impact on the Ultra universe, but it's not yet at the level of threatening the entire universe's survival. More importantly... this so-called Ultra universe has major internal problems of its own."
---o---
[Light Curtain Video]
At this moment, as Zero and Ultraman King were conversing, Belial, who had been absent for some time, encountered an unexpected figure.
It was a being, golden from head to toe, with an appearance similar to the Ultraman race, wearing a white skirt-like garment—a figure Belial had never seen before.
"Who are you? Blocking this great me's path... are you in a hurry to get to hell?"
Within Alien Empera's territory, Belial the Black hunched his back, carrying his Giga Battle Nizer, completely unaware of the approaching danger.
The Little Golden Man replied in a calm tone, "I am an Ultimate Lifeform. A warrior of the Absolutian people, Absolutian Tartarus."
"You must be Belial. The darkest and most powerful warrior of the Land of Light."
"It's good that I found you alone. This will save a lot of trouble."
"Could I trouble you to hand over the core of the Plasma Spark Tower? After reviving a hundred monsters, that thing seems to be of no use to you anymore."
His gaze swept over Belial's body, but the Little Golden Man found no trace of the Sacred Light.
That makes sense, he thought. Belial can't even touch that light, so it's impossible for him to carry it around.
"Ultimate Lifeform?"
Belial first muttered to himself, then let out a cold snort. "Your information is quite up-to-date, warrior of the Absolutian people."
On one of Alien Empera's desolate planets, Belial twirled his Giga Battle Nizer like Sun Wukong, continuing disdainfully, "However, that thing is this great me's spoil of war. Even if it's useless, it's still mine. What gives you the right to demand it from me?"
"Oh?" The Little Golden Man paused. "Is it your spoil of war? As I recall, it was because of the Father of Ultra's carelessness that the Land of Light was defeated by a loser, wasn't it?"
"You looked quite pathetic when you fled the Land of Light. Look... the claw marks on your hand haven't even disappeared yet."
Anyone could be disdainful, but the Little Golden Man's disdain was clearly on another level. With just a few words, he ignited Belial's fury.
"You piece of trash! Are you trying to provoke me!?"
He swung his Battle Nizer. In the next moment, rocks flew and the ground was easily torn up by the shockwave, causing the Little Golden Man's white skirt to flutter in the wind.
"To communicate with a dark warrior like this, must it always come down to fists?"
The Little Golden Man sighed, seemingly a bit helpless. He had to be quick... this was Alien Empera's territory, after all.
Although he did not fear Alien Empera, provoking him would still be a troublesome matter.
Slightly turning his body, he easily dodged the rock Belial had hurled at him. Tartarus quickly closed the distance and engaged Belial in close-quarters combat.
BANG!
BANG! BANG!!
With the Giga Battle Nizer, Belial's combat power had indeed improved significantly, but compared to an existence on the level of the Little Golden Man—the strongest below the Mysterious Four Ultras—there was still a considerable gap.
The Giga Battle Nizer slammed heavily onto Tartarus's shoulder, but it only produced a few sparks, and then... nothing.
An attack of this level couldn't even break through Tartarus's defense. His physical durability had reached a point where he could withstand the Battle Nizer head-on.
"How is that possible?"
Belial's voice was filled with shock, but Tartarus replied with a relaxed expression:
"It's a pity, Ultraman Belial. Your attacks are ineffective against me."
"If Alien Empera were here, and the two of you joined forces, I would have no choice but to flee. But unfortunately for you, he is currently preoccupied with some bugs."
Tartarus made his offer again. "Give us the Sacred Light. Don't worry... aside from that light, I will not ask for anything else from you."
The Little Golden Man's attitude was quite sincere, showing that he was serious. After all, this concerned the survival of his entire race.
But at this moment, Belial felt as if he was being despised and looked down upon, which made his strong sense of pride incredibly uncomfortable.
"You bastard! Phantylia, where are you!? Stop watching the show and get your ass out here!"
Belial's voice made the Little Golden Man a bit confused. Phantylia? Seems to be a thought-form entity similar to Yapool.
Why would Belial call for her help? Could it be that creature... has possessed the body of some powerful being?
Just as the Little Golden Man was pondering this, a suit of black armor descended from the sky, landing between Belial and Tartarus.
---o---