"That's right. So, old man—mind telling us why you brought us here?"
Charija nodded once, then asked the elderly man before him with suspicion.
"Hmph. You sure have the nerve to speak so casually."
The old man snorted coldly, narrowing his eyes at Yu Zhou and Charija.
"Since you claim to be visitors from beyond the stars, then prove it. Show me your true forms."
His long robe fluttered lightly in the breeze as he clasped his hands behind his back, giving the air of a wizard — though his gaze was sharp and commanding.
Looks like the defences of this city, Akaru, aren't as lax as I thought, Yu Zhou thought to himself.
He guessed that ever since they'd entered the city, this man had already been watching their every move.
"And why should we?"
Charija's tone hardened. Being surrounded and dragged here without explanation already made him angry. It was as if they were criminals — and that, he couldn't tolerate.
"Because," the old man's eyes suddenly gleamed like steel, "I am the Lord of Akaru, the one responsible for protecting this city!"
Charija blinked, a little stunned. "You're the City Lord? You look like you've got one foot in the grave already."
Yu Zhou: "…"
He had been just about to say something diplomatic — and then Charija had to open his mouth.
There went any chance of a polite conversation.
"My age is none of your concern," the City Lord replied with a mocking smile. "Now, it's time to verify who you truly are."
A glint flashed from the ring on his finger. In an instant, a mechanical staff appeared in his hand — sleek, metallic, and futuristic, completely at odds with his mage-like attire.
"What do you think you're doing?" Charija asked warily, stepping back slightly.
"If you refuse to reveal your identities voluntarily, then I'll confirm it myself."
The City Lord pressed a button on his staff. A beam of crimson light shot out from its tip, humming with energy.
"Hmph."
Charija snorted. He didn't like the idea of being "scanned," so before the beam could touch him, his body erupted with light — and he transformed back into his alien form.
That sight made the old man stop immediately.
"I see. So, you truly are an off-worlder from Orion. My apologies for the suspicion."
He retracted his staff and bowed slightly in respect.
On Earth in the Ultra-Ancient era, aliens weren't unheard of — but most of them registered their identities.
As the City Lord, the old man clearly had ways to detect alien energy signatures.
Still, since Charija had already shown his true form, there was no need for further proof.
"Now then," the City Lord turned to Yu Zhou, "I must ask you to do the same."
"So strict, huh?"
Yu Zhou frowned slightly. He hadn't expected such thorough scrutiny. Even after Charija revealed himself, they still wouldn't let him off.
"Very well," Yu Zhou said after a pause. "But before I show my original form… may I ask a question?"
"You may," the old man said calmly.
"City Lord," Yu Zhou began, taking a breath, "do you know of the Giants of Light and the Giants of Darkness?"
It was a question he'd asked many times since arriving in this world. No one had known the answer.
But this man — someone of authority and experience — might finally hold the truth.
"Giants…?"
The City Lord furrowed his brow, thinking for a moment before shaking his head.
"I'm afraid I've never heard of them."
"What…?"
Yu Zhou's eyes widened slightly. A City Lord of this rank should've at least heard rumours if such beings existed.
Could it be that the Light Giants hadn't yet appeared in this era?
"In that case, City Lord," Yu Zhou continued quickly, "has there ever been any sighting of enormous creatures on Earth?"
"Enormous creatures?" The old man blinked. "You mean like… giant elephants or whales?"
"No, no," Yu Zhou clarified, "I mean powerful, destructive monsters. I call them kaiju — monsters. Have such creatures appeared here?"
The City Lord fell silent for a while. Then his expression changed slightly.
"Now that you mention it," he said, "there was an incident not long ago. In another city, a massive beast attacked. The city suffered heavy casualties and was nearly destroyed."
He stared at Yu Zhou thoughtfully. "Perhaps that's the kind of monster you mean?"
"That sounds about right," Yu Zhou nodded, his tone growing serious.
So there really are monsters in this age…
If monsters existed, then the Giants of Light couldn't be far behind.
And if the Giants of Light existed… then surely, the Giants of Darkness as well.
Which meant… Ultraman Tiga himself might not be far away.
"Please, City Lord! Tell me where that city is!" Yu Zhou said earnestly.
"I can," the old man replied, "but only after you prove your identity."
"Understood."
Yu Zhou nodded firmly. Energy from the crest on his chest surged outward, enveloping his body in dark light.
Before their eyes, his form shifted — metallic armour wrapped around him, a sharp horn protruding from his forehead.
He had transformed into Jugglus Juggler.
Seeing Yu Zhou's alien form eased the City Lord's wariness.
At least now, both outsiders had proven they were truly from beyond the stars.
"And where exactly in Orion are you two from?" the City Lord asked, studying Yu Zhou's armoured form with a probing gaze.
"We're from Orion Star," Yu Zhou answered quickly before Charija could speak.
"I see."
The City Lord nodded, pretending to understand — though in truth, who could possibly keep track of all the bizarrely named planets in the vast universe?
"Well then, City Lord," Yu Zhou said as he reverted back to his human form, "may we leave now?"
"Of course." The old man nodded. "The city that was attacked by the beast is called Fuhuo City. If you ask around along the main road, you'll find your way there."
Before they departed, he made sure to tell Yu Zhou the name of the place.
A City Lord never went back on his word.
"Thank you," Yu Zhou said sincerely, bowing slightly.
Then he and Charija turned and left the hall.
Their next destination — Fuhuo City.