Chapter 320: 316

Galnon Star.

Having left Kuno Yamazaki's line of sight, Queen Tenshō sat in the royal secret sanctum, beginning intense contemplation.

Simultaneously, five massive figures descended from the sky in sequence.

The two adult Baalzebub insects spared by Gao Si, along with the two hyper-beasts they controlled, landed on Galnon Star's population centers.

Finally, Kuen descended from the sky and stood atop the mountain peak.

Seeing these terrifying beings radiating killing intent, the residents of Galnon Star trembled under their vicious aura, fleeing with their families toward distant places.

Yamazaki observed this scene, his expression grave: "They are preparing for the dawn's arrival—they've already begun their move."

"Crash!" Belaoken kicked through the city wall, boulders crashing down upon fleeing civilians, triggering waves of terrified screams.

The stomping of the hyper-beasts, the panicked cries of the people—all reached Queen Tenshō's ears.

Her fear intensified, rendering her unable to think clearly; the shadow left by her mother's death in war swelled within her heart.

The oppressive weight of fate made her unable to stand straight.

But she knew she had no choice left.

If she didn't transform now, her subjects would all die.

………………………………

Meanwhile, on Galnon Star's spacecraft.

Dr. Caiqi watched as each step of the hyper-beasts ignited flames, his expression one of compassionate sorrow:

"The universe, you are truly pitiful."

"But your pitiful state will end with the dawn's arrival—you shall be reborn!"

He felt no conflict between his ideal of universal peace and the slaughter he now orchestrated—it was necessary.

Even if others could not understand him, he understood himself.

………………………………

Galnon Star's war command center.

A guard approached General Laiying and reported: "We attempted to pilot Dr. Professor Chaoying's combat weapon, 【Trafiza】, but found it inoperable."

General Laiying shook his head:

"No matter. That man was never trustworthy—I never expected to rely on anything created by this outsider."

"Galnon Star must be defended by our own strength. How is Queen Tenshō?"

The guard: "Queen Tenshō has prepared to transform into the War God."

General Laiying nodded, then roared: "Dawn is imminent! All troops, prepare for battle! Vow to protect the people and the Tree of Life!"

…………………………

On another front, Queen Tenshō was escorted by a contingent toward the secret site to awaken her bloodline power.

There, she could become the War God.

Kuno Yamazaki arrived at the rear of the procession, watching Queen Tenshō's back, murmuring: "It seems you've found your answer."

He shouted: "Queen Tenshō, the path you walk must be chosen by you alone—only by passing through the end of darkness can you see the light."

"If you have envisioned a future, no matter how distant, do not abandon that light!"

He seemed to have forgotten his original purpose—stopping the Queen's transformation—and began voicing his own philosophy, urging her not to give up her dream.

Yet he seemed utterly unaware of what these words implied under the current circumstances.

This was inciting her.

…………………………

On another front, Galnon Star's military launched their fighters.

But after Belaoken and Bakushim unleashed full firepower, they shot down every single fighter.

Fighters plummeted from the sky trailing thick smoke, crashing into the city below; burning wreckage scattered everywhere, instantly engulfing several children who couldn't escape.

With their appetite for destruction ignited, the two hyper-beasts continued unleashing full firepower; flames spread, mercilessly devouring everything around them.

Casualties surged; Kuno Yamazaki watched it all with tense focus.

Dr. Caiqi gazed at the scene, dancing with excitement, convinced his plan was about to succeed. Far away, on the Szark spacecraft, 【Kai】 suddenly stood up: "Someone is crying—I hear heart-wrenching screams."

Qi Ming opened his eyes: "Will a compassionate warrior sit idle before such screams? Could it be… Feiniao, ask again—what's the current situation?"

Feiniao nodded and re-established telepathic contact with Yamazaki.

His first words sent shockwaves through the group: "Queen Tenshō is undergoing the ritual to become the War God."

GaguLa: "What? Wasn't it said she couldn't become the War God?!"

Feiniao said: "Yamazaki says he believes the Queen is transforming into the War God precisely to avoid fighting."

Kai: "?"

Is this some kind of Zen riddle?

Qi Ming took a deep, controlled breath to suppress his emotions: "Please ask him—why doesn't Yamazaki just transform into Gao Si and eliminate all the monsters? Then Queen Tenshō wouldn't need to fight at all."

Feiniao nodded and relayed: "Yamazaki says we must respect the answer she has found; we cannot ignore her will and fight for her."

Qi Ming: "?"

Queen Tenshō's will?

Queen Tenshō's will is to avoid fighting at all costs—Gao Si's Future Form could kick every enemy to death with one foot, so why would she need to become the War God?

Has this guy grown tired of just becoming the Moon God and slacking off? Now he wants to skip transformation entirely and slack off in his human form?

But Feiniao looked as if he understood: "The Queen has already made her decision. If we force our own will upon her, aren't we no better than the Puppet Poison?"

The Ultraman principle of non-interference in human choices?

Awesome.

I can't go on anymore.

Qi Ming turned his dial, selecting a form.

Star Gift was only 5 points—he could only transform into a Class-B entity.

Considering the need for speed and combat power… this one will do.

His action startled Feiniao: "Hey, you're transforming again? You'll exhaust yourself if you keep doing this recklessly."

Qi Ming: "No, I'm fully recovered."

He felt a sudden pang of realization—Queen Tenshō's bloodline granted her the power to become the War God; perhaps his own rapid recovery and endlessly resilient physique were forged precisely to endure the endless battles here.

【Kai】 rose to his feet: "Senior Qi Ming, I'm coming with you!"

Qi Ming shook his head: "No. You can't keep up with my speed. Rest and recover—there's a brutal battle coming. I'm going ahead to stabilize the situation."

"But do you truly know what you're about to do?" Feiniao's expression was hesitant—he'd analyzed Qi Ming's intel en route and believed this situation was far more complex.

"According to you, Kuen and the War God were both born from the Tree of Life. This is a civil war."

"Perhaps Yamazaki shares this concern—as an Ultraman warrior, he cannot lightly interfere in such an order."

The cosmic order—do not lightly interfere in other civilizations.

Qi Ming: "..."

Civil war?

A war that could contaminate the entire universe with Puppet Poison—you call that a civil war?

Qi Ming took a deep breath: "I know exactly what I'm going to do—because I'm not an Ultraman warrior… I'm just me."

With that, he slammed the dial—a giant enveloped in brilliant blue light appeared on the ship, hurtling toward Galnon Star at top speed.

Gao Si Ultraman—Cosmic Corona Form, appears.

Feiniao's eyes widened: "That's Gao Si Ultraman? It looks like this?"

He had never seen any form of Gao Si other than the Moon God.

——————————————

Fourth update delivered. Today's total word count: twelve thousand.

Also, jokes are fine, but don't think I'm torturing readers—I cut the entire scene of Queen Tenshō's Earth boyfriend precisely because such suffering was utterly unnecessary.

Mark your calendars for the double moon ticket event at month's end!

(End of chapter)