Chapter Forty-three: Camilla Awakens

On a cold night, after finishing his work for the day, Yu Longze returned to the familiar abandoned factory, practicing his sword-drawing technique with the perseverance of ten years honing a single blade.

With a thunderous crash, the last standing wall in the derelict factory collapsed in response.

Exhaling deeply, Yu Longze willed the Congyun Sword in his hand to dissolve into countless golden specks of light, which then flowed into his chest. More accurately, they entered the Dark Divine Light Rod nestled close to his heart.

A strange sizzling sound began to emanate from that very rod.

“What’s happening?” Yu Longze frowned, recognizing the noise as coming from the Dark Divine Light Rod at his chest.

He pulled it out, gripping it tightly in his hand. To his alarm, he felt the dark energy inside the rod rapidly ebbing away.

“What on earth is going on!” Yu Longze was filled with dread, powerless to stop the loss of energy from the rod. The energy within seemed to be devoured by something unseen, and his anxiety spiked—should its power be fully drained, he would lose his ability to transform.

The rod continued its low, buzzing hum, flickering with an unsteady light. This persisted for nearly half a minute before the sound ceased and the rod fell still, as if nothing had ever happened.

He held the rod tightly, feeling clearly that its energy had diminished. However…

“Is it Camilla?” The thought came to him suddenly. Camilla had been dwelling within the Dark Divine Light Rod ever since the final battle with the third generation of the Giliellod people, and had been silent since.

Closing his eyes, Yu Longze raised the rod, focusing his senses. Sure enough, he gradually felt Camilla’s presence—far stronger now than when he had first discovered her on Lulue Island.

“Was it you who absorbed the rod’s power?” he murmured. If so, he could hardly complain. After all, it was Camilla’s power that had twice saved him from peril, allowing him to reverse defeat against the Giliellod.

Otherwise, Yu Longze would likely have perished at their hands long ago.

A low hum sounded from the rod again, but this time, its energy was not drained. Instead, a striking figure materialized before Yu Longze.

“Camilla!” he cried out in surprise at her sudden appearance.

“There’s no need to shout. The Tiga from thirty million years ago wasn’t nearly so excitable,” Camilla replied with a toss of her fragrant hair, a hint of dissatisfaction in her tone.

Yu Longze was momentarily at a loss for words. After a pause, he asked, “Was it you who just absorbed the energy from the rod?”

“Did you think my power is yours to use for free?” Camilla shot him a look. “I need to replenish my energy as well.”

“Oh, I see...” Yu Longze stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“I’ll remain inside and continue to recuperate until I’m fully restored,” Camilla said coolly.

“Just don’t drain me dry!” Yu Longze exclaimed, unsettled by the thought of being sapped any further.

“Pervert!” If Camilla had possessed a physical form, she would have slapped him right then and there.

“What?” Yu Longze was still caught up in his agitation and hadn’t realized his words could be misconstrued.

At that instant, Camilla transformed into a stream of violet light and vanished back into the Dark Divine Light Rod in his hand.

“I hope she leaves me a bit of energy...” Yu Longze sighed, gazing at the now-ordinary rod. He tucked it away, shoved his hands into his coat pockets, and strolled out at a leisurely pace.

The next day, snow continued to fall, adding another layer to the white blanket on the ground. Outside many homes, early-rising children were already building plump, cheerful snowmen.

Yu Longze dared not forget to go to work today. Meanwhile, at the Pacific TPC base, a meeting was underway in the conference room.

“That concludes today’s meeting. Dismissed,” Director Zejing announced. The participants rose in unison, nodded to the director, and filed out in an orderly manner.

“Director Miyazawa, what are your thoughts on the meeting?” Hui Jujian, walking beside Director Miyazawa, inquired.

“I maintain that the power of the giants is something humanity must eventually master,” Miyazawa replied, hands clasped behind his back, never breaking stride.

“Is that truly what you believe?” Hui Jujian frowned, though she forced a polite smile.

“The fate of humanity cannot be entrusted to a group of giants of unknown origin! We must seize it for ourselves,” Miyazawa declared, his tone brooking no argument.

“I appreciate your insight.”

Hui Jujian bowed slightly to Director Miyazawa and hurried away.

The meeting had revolved around whether the power of the giants could be harnessed by humans.

Elsewhere in the base, in a private dormitory—

“So, you’re Daigu, aren’t you?”

“Who are you?” Daigu, clad in a gray tank top that accentuated his muscular physique, lay resting on his cot. Startled by the sudden voice, he immediately grabbed the Victory Hyper Gun he kept by his pillow.

“Heh, heir of light, let’s arrange a meeting,” came the response.

“Telepathy?” Daigu put away his weapon, certain that no one else was in the room. His visitor must be someone adept in such mental arts.

“I have no need for such trivial abilities. What I possess is a formidable intellect!” It was unmistakably Masaki Keigo, who now began to boast about his own brainpower.

“What is it you want?” Daigu was curious about his intentions.

“Let’s just say a man named Yu Longze asked me to find you.”

“Yu Longze!” Daigu exclaimed. “So that young man really is an Ultraman…”

Masaki’s voice abruptly cut off, but returned a moment later.

“I mean no harm. I merely wish to speak with you, because you and I share the same genetic markers! I, too, yearn to become the light.”

“Very well,” Daigu agreed to meet Masaki Keigo. This man was clearly no ordinary individual, and Daigu needed to see him in person—perhaps he was connected to the recently appeared third silver giant.

They arranged a time and place: the ruins of Tonkararin in Kumamoto City.

…

“Humanity should be saved by me! I am the true savior of this world!” In a dimly lit room, Director Miyazawa howled with laughter, overcome with excitement. Dr. Tango had finalized all preparations: Miyazawa could now transform into a true giant at any moment using the giant’s statue.

The statue itself had been reconstructed from one of the two giant statues destroyed by Golza in the pyramid. Through restoration techniques, Dr. Tango had successfully restored one of them.