With the interaction between Sam and Ultraman King, the image of the King as a grandfatherly figure became even more profound in the eyes of countless viewers across the infinite dimensions.
Ultraman King's age surpassed the entire history of the Land of Light. Among all known Ultra Warriors, perhaps only Noa could compete with him in terms of age.
However, compared to Noa's inherent divinity, Ultraman King was far more reserved. If one were to ignore his immense superpowers, he was really no different from an ordinary old man.
---o---
[Light Curtain Commentary]
[Galaxy Baseballer: "Ultraman King is an Ultra, and also a kind old grandpa. But more than Ultraman King... I want to know who Sam really is. They still haven't shown their face." ]
[Firefly: "???"]
[Firefly: "Why are you suddenly interested in who's inside Sam's armor? That doesn't seem to have anything to a with the video." ]
[Galaxy Baseballer: "Because I'm curious. I just get this feeling that they care about me a lot, but I have no memory of them at all." ]
Looking at Sam in the video, Stelle felt a strange, inexplicable impulse in her heart—a desire to peel off that armor and try it on herself.
Come on, that silver-white armor is so cool! What Trailblazer could possibly refuse a silver-white mecha?
[Destroyer of Worlds, Tsukasa Kadono: "Amnesia? Have you also forgotten someone important?"]
[Frieren of the Funeral: "The Stellaron Hunters seem to be very concerned about Stelle. Even the seemingly crazed Blade is the same." ]
[Kurumi Tokisaki: "It seems Stelle's past is quite tragic. No wonder she was chosen." ]
Amnesia, a mysterious past, and a group of like-minded companions on a journey—this was the standard protagonist template.
Even without the light curtain's transmigration, Stelle would probably have had a fantastical, dream-like journey of her own.
---o---
[On the light curtain, in the Ultra Universe, within the Land of Light.]
"Grandpa King is looking for me?"
In front of Stelle, an Ultra Warrior from the Space Garrison was speaking to her, a hint of respect in his eyes.
It was a rare sight for a fifty-meter-tall giant to show respect to a human less than two meters tall.
However, considering Stelle's achievements, it wasn't all that surprising.
"Yes. The King is almost at Nebula M78. He will arrive at the Land of Light soon."
After the young warrior finished speaking, he departed. As a member of the Space Garrison, he had many other duties to attend to.
"Zero, what do you think?"
"The old man is looking for you, why are you asking me?"
Zero glanced at Stelle. Although Ultraman King rarely visited the Land of Light, this was a special time, so it wasn't unusual.
"No, I'm asking why you think the King is looking for me." Stelle said, chatting with Zero's consciousness as she walked toward the center of the Space Garrison.
"Who knows?" Zero said casually, then thought for a moment. "Hmm... has he finished communicating with the Aeons from your universe?"
The only reason King and Noa were still at the border of the universe, aside from stabilizing it, was for this purpose.
The fact that he was looking for Stelle now was most likely related to that.
But from a personal standpoint, Zero really didn't want them to finish their talks so quickly.
Because once the exchange was over, it meant Stelle would have to go back.
These past few days, Zero had tried to persuade himself to take it in stride; after all, Stelle herself didn't seem to be in any hurry.
But he still couldn't quite let it go.
From an Ultra Warrior's perspective, Zero was incredibly young, still at an age where he hadn't even fully matured.
Coupled with his training on Planet K76 since childhood, Zero wasn't capable of the same graceful farewells as the Ultra Brothers when they left Earth.
"What a pain. When did I become so hesitant?"
Zero shook his head internally, feeling like he was going crazy if this continued.
What were his feelings for Stelle?
It was actually quite complicated. First, love could be ruled out. Although it was unknown if there was reproductive isolation between Ultras and humans, for a guy like Zero who hadn't even fully matured, romance was something to consider in a few thousand years.
Zero's feelings for Stelle were more of a camaraderie between comrades-in-arms. And also... Stelle was the first "peer" and friend Zero had ever known.
Although they were separated by several thousand years, that was due to their different species. In terms of mental age, there wasn't much of a gap between them.
On Planet K76, needless to say, Ultraman King was an elder Zero called "old man." Leo was more like a master. As for Astra... he barely interacted with Zero.
And Pigmon... was more of someone to protect.
All things considered, Zero only had one friend: Stelle. Even though they were from different species and different universes, Zero still considered Stelle his friend.
And Zero happened to be a stubborn mule. Once he made up his mind about something, he would never change it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have tried to touch the Plasma Spark Tower and gotten sent to a detention center.
"I see..." Stelle nodded thoughtfully. "I wonder if Grandpa King has reached an agreement with that Aeon."
Stelle could roughly guess that under these circumstances, it had to be Preservation. If nothing else, Preservation was, at least on the surface, the most influential Aeon in the cosmos.
As for what was happening in the shadows... it was called the shadows for a reason. How could Stelle possibly know? The Astral Express was just a group of adventurers; they had no contact with such things.
"Let's go. We should tell Uncle Welt and the others first. Grandpa King is probably bringing some news."
Stelle finally gave up thinking. She would find out when Ultraman King returned anyway.]
---o---
[The journey across the cosmos was a strange one.]
[At least, that's how it seemed to the Stellaron Hunters.]
[This time, under the mighty power of Ultraman King, they successfully crossed the Gray Mist region and arrived in the Ultra Universe.]
"Even though it's a different universe, it doesn't seem all that different."
Silver Wolf blew a bubble, her face nearly pressed against the ship's window.
Although she wasn't a formal scholar, she held an immense passion for exploring unknown universes.
"We're here. That's the Land of Light..."
With Ultraman King personally escorting them, no one in the entire universe would be foolish enough to stand in his way.
Thus, they encountered almost no other lifeforms on their journey, and Kafka's group was brought directly to the Land of Light by Ultraman King.
"Where's Stelle?" Kafka had little interest in this unknown universe. She was more concerned about her child.
"Don't worry, Kafka. The Astral Express's information has been restored. I've found Stelle's location... Found it!!"
Silver Wolf first tapped on a virtual screen, and a rough map of the Land of Light appeared in her hands.
The signals of the Astral Express and Stelle also appeared on Silver Wolf's screen.
Strange, does this planet not shield its information? I was just trying to locate the Astral Express, but I ended up getting a surface analysis of the entire planet.
Tapping on the virtual screen, Silver Wolf thought with some suspicion. This isn't a trap, is it? What kind of advanced civilization would have such a simple information security system?
Soon, they reached the surface. The arrival of Ultraman King naturally drew the attention of Father of Ultra and many of the Ultra Brothers.
They all gathered around, performing a formal salute with a hand over their chests. "Your Majesty..."
Seeing the Ultras act this way, the crew of the Astral Express, though they didn't recognize him, all followed suit with a bow. It wasn't a kowtow, so it was best to follow local customs.
"There is no need for such formalities." Ultraman King waved his hand, signaling for everyone to be at ease.
He looked at Stelle and slowly said, "The god named the Amber King has already communicated with me. He, and all the planets and civilizations that believe in him, look forward to joining hands with us Ultra Warriors in the future."
So that's how it is!
Hearing Ultraman King's words, Stelle wore an expression that said, "I knew it." But on another note... had the Amber King forgotten something?
Ever since the Swarm King died, the Amber King's energy had stabilized within Stelle's body, and she no longer had any explosive power-ups.
She had been worrying about how to get back, thinking the Amber King would be responsible. But he hadn't shown any reaction, even when the Astral Express arrived at the Land of Light.
"That damn Amber King, he hasn't forgotten about me, has he!"
Stelle thought to herself. The more she thought, the angrier she got, feeling as if she'd been used and then tossed aside. If she weren't so outmatched, she would have started a fight long ago.
But fortunately, Aha had sent the Astral Express over. This, at least, improved Stelle's impression of the Aeon of Elation she had never met. He was at least better than the Amber King.
But even so, there were still matters in that universe that Stelle couldn't let go of, like... her companions on the Space Station and Jarilo-VI, and also...
That woman.
As Stelle carefully took inventory, she didn't notice a figure approaching her from behind.
"Mmph..."
Just as she was lost in thought, Stelle was embraced from behind by Kafka. The warm embrace instantly blanked her mind, rendering her speechless.
"...Mom?"
Stelle said subconsciously, but she quickly came to her senses.
"No, you're... Kafka... let me go..."
Stelle struggled in Kafka's arms, trying to break free, but she barely used any force.
She said no with her mouth, but her body was clearly enjoying it. It seemed Stelle was a tsundere.
Zero, inside Stelle's body, thought this as he watched. He had noticed Kafka sneaking up on them long ago. The woman was a bit mysterious, but not malicious. Besides, with the old man here, what fool would dare to make a move?
He hadn't expected, however, that this mysterious woman was actually Stelle's mother.
She looks so young, yet she's already a mother?
Or is this some kind of strange play?
After all, Stelle had corrected herself in the end.
Zero stared motionlessly at Kafka and Stelle embracing, without a single thought of stopping them. A faint smile even played on his lips.
On the other side, however, the people on the Astral Express couldn't stand it anymore, especially a certain pink-haired young woman.
"You, you, you... you're that bad woman! Let go!! Let go of Stelle!!"
Just when Stelle was unsure if she should break free, March 7th grabbed her hand and pulled her away from Kafka's embrace.
Then, she shielded Stelle with one hand, fearlessly staring into Kafka's eyes.
"You... how did you all get here? Isn't this another universe?"
As March 7th's words fell, Blade, Silver Wolf, and Sam appeared one by one behind Kafka, their eyes fixed on Stelle.
Of course, Blade wasn't. He glanced at Stelle once, then kept his eyes fixed on Dan Heng.
Confirming Stelle was safe was enough. Right now, Dan Heng was more important.
At that moment, perhaps sensing the gazes of the Stellaron Hunters, Welt, Himeko, and Dan Heng all moved to surround Stelle, facing the Stellaron Hunters with an imposing presence that was just as strong.
"Kafka... so you've come too!" Himeko's eyes were filled with hostility. The reputation of the Stellaron Hunters was well known throughout the cosmos.
And... Himeko glanced at Stelle. Although she didn't know what the Stellaron Hunters were planning, they were definitely here for Stelle. As the navigator of the Express, she could not let Stelle fall into their hands.
Paying no mind to Himeko's hostility, Kafka completely reverted to her previous mysterious and elegant demeanor after finding Stelle.
"Oh my, I didn't expect the people from the Astral Express to be here too. What a coincidence."
Kafka's eyes held a playful glint. She hadn't forgotten what Stelle called her after she hugged her. Although it was unexpected, it seemed she held quite a bit of weight in this child's heart.
A faint smile graced the corners of Kafka's lips, and her mood became much more pleasant...]
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