Perhaps it was because he was Tiga's current vessel, or perhaps for some other reason—but when it came to Camearra, Yu Zhou always felt a twinge of guilt.
"If one day I could truly meet Tiga himself, I'd have to ask him about this," Yu Zhou thought.
There was actually a possible way. If he could use Charija's time machine, he might return thirty million years into the past. Or perhaps, one day, a space-time vortex might throw him back to that era.
For now, Camearra sat happily eating the food Yu Zhou had cooked.
"Did you eat?" she asked suddenly, raising her head.
Yu Zhou froze. He hadn't touched any of her so-called "dark cuisine," and strictly speaking, he already had eaten. If she found out, she probably wouldn't take it well.
"I… haven't," Yu Zhou almost slipped, but quickly covered it up.
"Then eat with me."
She pulled him down to sit beside her, insisting he share the meal.
Yu Zhou had no choice but to accompany her, nibbling even though he was already full.
The atmosphere turned strangely warm—the flickering candlelight, the soft rhythm of two people quietly sharing dinner, bite after bite.
But then—
A thunderous explosion rocked the outside of the Crystal Palace. The shockwave rattled the crystal table where their food sat.
"Miss! R'lyeh has come under attack!"
Hudra rushed to the door, his voice urgent.
"What?! Someone dares to attack R'lyeh?" Yu Zhou exclaimed.
"Let's go see."
Camearra's expression darkened, on the verge of fury. A candlelit dinner disrupted so violently—no one would remain calm.
She swept from the room with an aura of power radiating around her.
"Miss is angry…" Hudra muttered. In all these thirty million years, aside from her resentment toward Tiga, he had never seen her truly enraged.
Yu Zhou also felt the heavy anger radiating from her and followed close behind. Hudra fell in step with them.
Outside the palace, Yu Zhou lifted his gaze to follow Camearra's.
The protective barrier that shielded the Crystal Palace—woven by Camearra herself—now bore cracks, like spiderwebs spreading across its surface.
And beyond that barrier…
A massive, humanoid figure floated in the air. Its eyes glowed like giant floodlamps, blazing with blinding light.
"The Dark Demon God—Degouf."
Yu Zhou recognized it immediately.
This creature had appeared before, in the Ultraman Tiga side story movie The Revival of Ancient Giant.
In ancient times, Degouf had been shattered with a single kick from an unknown Ultraman Tiga. Yu Zhou had never understood why this so-called "Demon God" seemed so weak.
Degouf had returned once more five thousand years ago, summoned by mysterious "Dark Messengers," only to be defeated again—this time by a Tiga born from the human Amui.
"And now, after dying twice already, it appears once again…" Yu Zhou muttered. Likely another summoning.
High above, Degouf's glaring eyes shot beams of light, pounding against the barrier with relentless force. Cracks multiplied, but the shield held—for now.
Yu Zhou almost scoffed. "A 'Dark Demon God'? It only shoots light beams. Shouldn't it be called a 'Light Demon God' instead?"
Camearra, too, sneered. "That thing dares call itself a Demon God? Pathetic."
Her disdain was clear. Thirty million years ago, she had been a mighty Dark Giant herself—such a creature was hardly worth acknowledging.
She raised a transformation device, one strikingly similar to the Sparklence, ready to unleash her power—
But then—
From above, a streak of light descended. A figure slammed a kick into Degouf, sending the so-called Demon God crashing into the ground.
Yu Zhou blinked. "…Eh? That's… Cain?"
Indeed—Ultraman Cain.
Seeing him, Camearra slowly lowered her hand, abandoning her own transformation.
Yu Zhou hadn't expected Masaki to show up here. With all his duties, he still had time to fight monsters? But it was convenient—Yu Zhou was glad to save his strength.
Cain nodded briefly toward Yu Zhou and the others at the palace gates, then descended to the battlefield below.
Yu Zhou almost wanted to return the nod in Ultraman fashion, but without transforming, it didn't feel right.
On the ground, Cain lunged straight at Degouf, who was already climbing back to its feet.
Though not truly powerful, Degouf still bore the title of Demon God. It swung a thick leg sideways in a sweeping kick as Cain closed in.
Bang!
The impact rang out—Degouf's kick struck Cain's waist, while Cain's fist smashed against its armoured body.
But the armour held firm. Not only did Cain's punch have little effect, but his own knuckles throbbed from the blow.
Pulling back quickly, he rubbed his aching hand and shifted his stance. "This thing's tougher than it looks."
Degouf was no mindless beast. Reacting swiftly, its eyes blazed again, flooding Cain with searing light.
At first, Cain thought it harmless—until a sharp pain stabbed at his eyes.
"Gh—!" He raised his arms to shield himself. But the beams weren't just blinding—they burned into his very body, scorching as they struck.
Left with no choice, Cain threw himself into a roll across the ground, trying to escape the relentless stream of light.
(End of Chapter)