Chapter 64: Ayakashi City Has Changed

“That clear, ringing cry—what was it? As soon as it sounded, the quadruple attack ended completely.”

After returning to base, the discussions continued without pause.

Shan Zhong chuckled: “After it cried, the sun came out—must’ve been a rooster.”

Qi Ming had now calmed down; though he’d been thrown into disarray this time, he felt relieved at the fate of Ren Long, such a powerful ally.

Nami Nishijo asked: “Qi Ming, why were you silent during the second half? That’s not like you.”

The others turned to look, curious about this.

Qi Ming did not answer, but said directly: “There are two matters everyone must pay attention to from now on.”

“The monster that swallowed the Double-Tailed Beast is called Bgajuru. It came from outer space and grows stronger by consuming life to absorb energy.”

“If left unchecked, it will devour all life on Earth.”

“It currently fears electric shocks—this is where we should focus our efforts.”

Emi blinked: “How do you know so much… I get it—Qi Ming was silent just now because he was meditating, seeking the monster’s weakness!”

See, this is what it means to have a great scholar defend your cause.

Kishida: “I also feel this thing is vastly different from previous monsters. Electric shocks, huh? I’ll look into developing new weapons these next few days.”

Moroboshi Tsumugi walked over: “What’s the second matter?”

Qi Ming: “The second matter is more important: if Earth monsters do not initiate attacks on humans, we must never attack them either.”

If Rina from the original Victory Team were here, she would surely nod in agreement: “We’re all children of Earth—we should live in harmony.”

Nami Nishijo reacted sharply: “Why?!”

In her view, monsters had no place in the human world and should all be destroyed.

Qi Ming knew it would be futile to explain the principle of coexistence to these people—so he would lay out the stakes instead.

“The cry that just drove back Bgajuru was a dragon’s roar.”

“That dragon commands many Earth monsters. Piken’s avoidance of the surface’s growing electromagnetic waves was likely due to the dragon’s orders.”

“If you attack a harmless Earth monster and squeeze its living space, the dragon will rally other Earth monsters to resist and launch a fierce counterattack.”

“Do you think humanity can currently suppress a hundred or a thousand monsters attacking at once? If not, then think carefully about how to coexist.”

Nishijo’s face darkened: “A hundred or a thousand?!”

Qi Ming: “Possibly even more.”

He added: “But if we can maintain good relations with Earth monsters, they will become our steadfast allies against cosmic invaders.”

Kishida frowned, thinking for a moment: “But what if those monsters enter the city? Today’s Piken didn’t kill anyone, but it crushed two buildings—the owners will surely protest.”

Qi Ming: “That bill should go to Bgajuru. And everyone knows what’s truly important.”

No one had a reply.

Qi Ming continued: “I think we should all abandon the arrogance that says humans are the apex predators of the food chain, the masters of Earth.”

“Before monsters of such immense power, humanity today is still insignificant.”

“They’ve tolerated us this far—can’t we show a little restraint? What’s there to complain about?”

Moroboshi Tsumugi nodded: “Qi Ming is right. On this matter, I’ll report to the chief of staff.”

…………………………

“Huh, Qi Ming only scrolls through news from a year ago.”

Several days later, in the Victory Team command room, Emi “casually” caught sight of Qi Ming’s phone screen.

Qi Ming: “I’ve already finished reading the news from six months ago.”

Kishida also asked curiously: “Why don’t you check recent news? See how the public is evaluating us.”

Qi Ming: “It’s meaningless. We’ve already experienced all the major events recently. Besides, I don’t fight for public praise—public opinion doesn’t matter.”

“Well said.” At that moment, even Nami Nishijo couldn’t help but genuinely cheer for Qi Ming.

Though he defied discipline and acted as he pleased, his ability and will were undeniable.

At that moment, Emi’s intelligence network reported that someone had filmed what appeared to be a monster in Ayakashi City.

She played the video on the large screen. Shan Zhong, as always, questioned first: “It’s all dark and blurry—could this be CGI?”

Nami Nishijo glanced at Qi Ming: “If it really is a monster, then we can’t attack it before it destroys the city, right? That’s too passive.”

Qi Ming sighed deeply.

Ayakashi City…

After Aizen Sei’s temporary suppression, is it now Aizen Makoto’s turn?

One crisis hasn’t settled before another arises—no peace to be had.

“Let’s go investigate on-site,” Qi Ming stood up.

Moroboshi Tsumugi: “Emi, you’ll accompany Qi Ming.”

In gathering intelligence and tracking clues, Emi was exceptional.

“Oh, okay,” Emi stood up and joined Qi Ming in the Drumm vehicle, its trunk holding a sniper rifle.

The drive was uneventful; the vehicle soon arrived in Ayakashi City.

Entering the city, they happened to see a business tower’s large screen broadcasting news.

“Welcome to ‘Aizen Saves the Earth.’ Today, let’s interview Chairman Aizen Makoto.”

“I am Aizen Makoto, the messenger of love and kindness!”

A man resembling “Lupin III,” dressed in a white suit, made a heart gesture toward the camera.

He took up a brush and wrote a line on a calligraphy tablet:

“What I want to tell you today is—‘Do it thoroughly, once and for all!’”

“No matter what you do, the most important thing is to have a spirit of challenge.”

Emi used this to strike up a conversation with Qi Ming:

“Chairman Aizen Makoto has an excellent reputation.”

“He treats his subordinates well, Aizen Tech’s innovations continuously raise citizens’ living standards, and he frequently donates funds to the Defense Force and TPC.”

Commonly known as—“social responsibility.”

Qi Ming muttered: “So you see—knowing a person’s face doesn’t mean you know their heart…”

Emi blinked: “Qi Ming, are you saying Chairman Aizen Makoto has a hidden side?”

Qi Ming: “Are you surprised?”

Emi: “Not really. It’s normal for wealthy businessmen with such public images to do shady things behind the scenes—like tax evasion, for example.”

Qi Ming thought: Emi is still too naive. Aizen Makoto’s deeds are far more terrifying than tax evasion.

In the original Ultraman Robo series, this man, having once been saved by Ultraman Orb, became obsessed with becoming an Ultraman warrior, a hero.

His method?—Release monsters to destroy cities, then transform himself to defeat them and receive human worship.

If Orb knew he’d saved such a creature, what would he think?

(End of Chapter)