Bighorn Bull is in charge of leading, and I, Beria, am in charge of raising it.

That's why Belial, knowing that Zeta wasn't good at fighting but had an absurdly high health bar, didn't force Zeta to stay here. Instead, he saw this invasion as an opportunity for Zeta to hone her skills and continued speaking.

"Your goal is to use the combat techniques I've taught you to survive on the battlefield for at least twenty minutes without being knocked down. Remember, no recklessness, and you don't need to defeat many enemies; you just need to last until the end and try to avoid getting injured. If you find yourself outmatched, don't hesitate, just run back to me, understand?"

"I'll remember that, Belial-senpai! I'll definitely work hard as Ultraman and won't let you down!"

Upon hearing that Belial had actually allowed him to participate in this defense battle, Zeta, who had been staring at Zero with envious eyes, was visibly stunned for a moment.

By the time he realized what was happening, his diamond-like eyes sparkled with starlight. He lunged forward, clinging to Belial, jumping and cheering wildly.

Belial wasn't annoyed and let Zeta hug him in celebration. Only when the boy's emotions had calmed down a bit did he pat Zeta's shoulder to make him let go, and then turn to look at Seven.

Upon noticing Belial's gaze, Seven stood ramrod straight. When he met Belial's eyes, he did not flinch or back down in the slightest.

However, he thought his assessment criteria would be the same as Zero and Taiga's, only requiring him to defeat a larger number of enemy soldiers—after all, he was one of the Ultra Brothers, a battle-hardened warrior, and Belial's requirements for him should be higher than those for these new recruits—but Belial remained silent for a while before speaking, which left Seven completely stunned.

"Seven, your test condition is to protect Zero. Wherever he rushes, you follow. If he's in danger, you're responsible for getting him out of trouble. If he makes a mistake, you cover for him... If he gets injured in this battle, don't come back, just go to the Silver Cross Army and reserve a bed."

This made Seven open his mouth, as if he wanted to say something.

He wanted to say that of course he would protect Zero; it was something he had always done—ever since the first time he saw that little kid playing with toys alone in the corner of the playground from afar on his patrol route. He had always been protecting the child in his own way.

He used to think that as long as Zero stayed away from him, he could grow up safely.

He thought that once Zero grew up, he would be able to make up for all the time he had missed.

It wasn't until Belial returned, publicly pinned him to the ground and beat him up, and sternly questioned him for standing up for Zero, that he belatedly realized just how terribly wrong he had been.

That's why, despite being jokingly called "Taro" in the meme, Seven, whose emotional intelligence clearly far surpasses Taro's, immediately realized...

The assessment conditions proposed by Beria were not intended to make things difficult for him...

Instead, he wanted him to act as a father and make up for what he had owed Zero in the past through his actions.

Furthermore, they knew that Seven and Zero were exactly the same kind of stubborn tsundere.

Do you want them to take the initiative to apologize and say nice things to each other?

That would only be possible if it were like in Monster Graveyard, where Seven mistakenly thought he was about to die!

In doing so, this gave the father and son a way out. Their relationship, which had already improved considerably through their close daily studies, was able to further set aside past grievances while working side-by-side!

"...I understand, Uncle Bei, I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

After understanding Belial's good intentions, Seven responded solemnly, his voice noticeably hoarse.

Then he turned around and looked at Zero.

Zero, through his time with Belial, managed to deduce Belial's intentions to some extent.

Faced with Seven's gaze, the proud Seven immediately crossed his arms and turned his head away. He awkwardly responded in a tone that feigned ease, concealing the anticipation and excitement that welled up from his heart for the first time he and his son were fighting side by side.

"...Old man, don't look at me like that. I'm not a child anymore, I don't need your protection. Just don't hold me back—"

"I won't hold you back, Zero."

Before Zero could finish speaking, Seven interrupted him in an extremely serious tone.

As if making up his mind, he took a step forward and patted Zero on the shoulder.

“This time… no, from this day forward, I will never let you face hardship alone again.”

"..."

Zero was stunned for a moment.

In his memory, "Ultra Seven" was a powerful and reliable member of the Ultra Brothers who would never lower his proud head.

Looking at Seven's genuine emotions in front of him, the psychological impact on Zero was no less than when playing cards, where Zero only tentatively played a small card, and Seven immediately threw out a royal flush!

So much so that even if Zero wanted to make a few jokes as usual to defuse the sudden wave of cheesiness and emotion, his throat felt like it was blocked by something, and he couldn't utter a single word.

In the end, Zero simply turned around, feigning indifference, and mumbled a reply.

"...Suit yourself. But it's a deal, you're not allowed to fall down before me!"

"...Oh~"

It was at this moment that Zeta, who was standing right between the father and son and looking around, suddenly let out a meaningful shout, as if he had discovered a new continent.

This caused Zero, who was already filled with shame, to immediately lose control of his emotions. He couldn't help but turn around and glare fiercely at Zeta, gritting his teeth as he defended himself.

"...What are you 'oh'ing about, Zeta! I just didn't want to go through all the trouble of resolving the crisis and then have to run around taking care of this old geezer of a father!"

"Hehe, I get it, I get it, Master Zero... This must be what Senior Belial mentioned in private, that... 'straightforwardness counters tsundere'! Right? I've been studying it very seriously! I remember it very clearly!"

"Yeah...yes my ass! Who's being arrogant! And who's your master? I don't have a disciple like you!"

"Huh?! How could this be! Last week, Master Zero, you promised that if I helped you finish your math homework, you would take me as your apprentice! And last time... ugh ugh ugh—!"

"...Idiot! How could you say something like that here...!"

"Oh? So you had Zeta do it for you? No wonder your homework grades suddenly dropped so much... Zero, let's 'talk' about this when you get back~"

Unfortunately, Zeta, with her simple and straightforward personality, didn't understand what Zero was trying to say at all.

Instead of responding to Zero's words, she replied with an energetic tone that was enough to break Zero's composure on the spot, her face completely innocent. She was utterly unaware of the devastating impact her words had had on Zero.

Zero, who lost control of his emotions, suddenly raised his voice and instinctively denied Zeta's way of addressing him.

Zeta pouted, and in a tone that was a mixture of grievance and confusion, inadvertently revealed some terrible secret.

When Zero's heart stopped and he rushed over to cover Zeta's mouth, trying to stop him from revealing more dirt on himself, it was already too late.

Because Belial had somehow appeared behind Zero and gently patted Zero's shoulder.

Then he bent down and leaned close to Zero's ear. He spoke slowly and gently in a tone full of elder's love.

But every additional word he uttered sent a chill down Zero's spine.

Finally, unable to withstand the pressure from his elder, Zero immediately released his hand from Zeta's mouth, instead holding his head in his hands and letting out a mournful cry.

"...Grandpa Belial, no!!!!!"

Chapter 64 The Older Generation of Twin Stars, Top-Tier Demon King Protectors Join Forces

The mass-produced Darklops Legion emerged from the dimensional portal at a speed far exceeding everyone's expectations.

By the time Belial and the others took to the skies to meet the enemy, the mechanical warriors who resembled Zero had already swarmed across every inch of the sky above the Land of Light like locusts.

Fortunately...

Zoffy, at the holographic projection table in the command center, zoomed in on the battle situation map to its maximum. His voice remained calm and restrained, instantly becoming the backbone of the Land of Light and deploying countermeasures.

Mann and Jack, along with their respective elite squads, have already constructed the first line of defense outside the atmosphere.

Ace, on the other hand, was on a different route, assisting the Silver Cross in wartime emergency medical deployment.

Taro is uploading the last batch of defense data to Hikari's terminal.

Everything proceeded smoothly under the command of the battle-hardened Ultra Brothers.

But everyone knows this is just the appetizer. The real battle is yet to come.

"In the name of Caesar Beria, I command you to step down!"

Belial stood atop a floating outpost outside the atmosphere, switching into his "Black Power Form." In his right hand, he gripped a genuine Ultra Lance, a gift Zoffy had specially sent him on the second day of the cram school's opening. His left hand, fingers curled into a claw, was brandished as he arrogantly shouted. He attempted to make the mass-produced Darklops before him "betray" him on the spot, just as he had done with Zero, the Darklops.

Unfortunately, these war machines, which lack self-awareness and act purely on commands, are clearly not susceptible to this approach.

Even when Belial activates his "Black Power Form," apart from not having the scar on his face, he looks exactly like Caesar Belial, to whom they serve.

Faced with Belial blocking their way, the Darklops showed no hesitation whatsoever. They regarded Belial as their highest-level threat, immediately focusing their fire on him and unleashing concentrated beams of light!

"Tch, it really didn't work... Looks like the speedrun bug has been fixed on these mass-produced machines."

Fortunately, Belial also anticipated that these mass-produced Darklops, who were considered "qualified products" in Caesar Belial's eyes, would not be so easily "turned to the side" by him.

While complaining, Belial transformed back into his original form. To prevent the Land of Light below from suffering severe damage if he chose to dodge, he decisively switched his Ultra Spear into an Ultra Shield.

He then continuously infused energy to strengthen the Ultra Shield's defensive capabilities, and then flew forward to proactively intercept the Darklops Legion's concentrated beam attack.

"drink--!!!"

Just then, a powerful battle roar, faintly tinged with anger, suddenly rang out from behind Belial.

The next second, a giant sword aura, forty meters long, swept past Belial, taking the lead in meeting the oncoming Darklops Legion!

Not only did it easily shatter their combined beam of light, but it also continued its advance without slowing down, cleaving all the Darklops blocking its path in half! Accompanied by flashing sparks of electricity, it transformed into a dazzling display of "fireworks" that rose and fell in the air!

"...Hmph, mind your own business, Jian. Even if you don't make a move, I can stop you. You'd better go back and take command, lest you hurt your back on the battlefield at your age."

Seeing his crisis resolved in such an exaggerated way, even disregarding the all-too-familiar battle cry, Belial could immediately guess who had come to his aid from the awe-inspiringly powerful numerical values.

Then, a knowing smile appeared on his lips, but his expression remained ungrateful as he spoke without turning his head.

“I know you can stop them, but I won’t allow myself to just stand by and watch you get surrounded and do nothing. As for commanding… Zoffy is already a seasoned Ultra Warrior, more suited to this role than I am.”

As soon as Belial finished speaking, Father of Ultra, who had unleashed the slash, flew to his side as expected.

This now renowned captain of the Ultra Guard, famous throughout the Land of Light and even the entire universe, slung the Ultimate Blade, which he hadn't used in a long time, over his shoulder. His signature crimson cape fluttered in the shockwave from the explosion, making him appear even more powerful and imposing.

As he responded with a smile, Father of Ultra casually swiped his belt with his other hand. Then, he threw a small, compressed device containing the captain's cape directly at Belial.

"At your age, you still love to show off... But you're right, charging into battle is more suitable for a reckless guy like you than commanding from the rear."

Belial, while habitually making sarcastic remarks about Ken to cover up his concern for the stupid bull, casually waved his hand, transforming the Ultra Shield into a bracelet and putting it back on his left wrist.

At that moment, his right hand extended, and based on his understanding of Ken, he accurately caught the device thrown by the other party without even looking. Then, with a gentle wave, it transformed into a crimson cloak, as if flames were forming a robe, and was draped over Belial's body in the firelight of the explosion.

Of course, seeing that Father of Ultra had even brought out his trump card, the Ultimate Blade, Belial naturally wouldn't hesitate. After putting on his cloak, he focused his mind and breath, mobilizing the portion of power belonging to the Reiblood alien within him.

Before long, a brand new Giga Battle Device appeared out of thin air in front of Belial and was grabbed by Belial!

As for where this thing came from...

It was originally a divine weapon forged by the ancient Xexia civilization to fight against Gilbaris. However, it was stolen by the soul of the Reiblood people, who wandered the universe after their physical bodies perished.

They then infused it with dark power, eroding the artifact's original form and transforming it into the Giga Battle Device it is today. And for all these years, it has remained deep within the souls of the Reibloodians.

During the struggle with Tartarus for Belial's body, Ultra King accidentally used too much force, not only separating Reiblood's soul but also leaving only the power already integrated into Belial's body, causing Belial to unexpectedly awaken his "Black Power Form." Even the Giga Battle Device, along with the power involved, ended up in Belial's hands in a haphazard way!

However, since arriving in this parallel universe, Belial has never encountered an opponent worthy of his full effort.

Belial, who rarely even used the "Black Power Form," naturally didn't bother to take it out.

Of course, besides controlling a hundred monsters, a function imposed on it by the Reiblood aliens, the true purpose of the Giga Battle Device is, like the Ultimate Blade and the Giga Final Riser, to strengthen the spiritual power of righteous people and maximize the potential of the user!

Therefore, the moment he reached out and grasped the Giga Battle Device, golden light began to appear on Belial's body surface under the incredulous gaze of Father of Ultra!

The pitch-black color, which had been eroded by the dark energy of the Reiblood aliens for countless years, was now visibly fading away from the Giga Battle Device, like ice and snow melting away. This revealed the strange inscriptions beneath, which had been suppressed by dark energy for countless millennia.

That was carved by the Kersia civilization when they forged this divine weapon, to convey their blessings to the righteous who would use it.

Then, upon contact with Belial's body, the moment that unique energy, a mixture of light and darkness, came into contact with it, these runes, like awakened seeds, lit up one after another in a rush.

Each inscription that lights up is accompanied by an ancient and solemn deep resonance.

That resonance pierced through the barriers of space and the smoke of the battlefield, echoing in the ears of every Warrior of Light. They all felt a warmth and peace originating from the depths of their souls.

Immediately afterwards, the first golden light shot out from the timer on Belial's chest.

In an instant, like a supernova explosion, a dazzling and intense golden torrent, centered on Belial's timer, spread wildly in all directions! Enveloping his entire body in a dazzling sea of ​​golden light that was too bright to look at directly!

Within this sea of ​​light, the silver-red patterns on Belial's body were changing one after another.

Fine gold trim began to appear on the silver background that originally belonged to the Silver Clan warriors.

The trim, following the contours of his muscles, extended precisely, intertwined, and converged. Finally, it coalesced on his chest into a magnificent and solemn golden breastplate.

At the same time, Belial's eyes subtly changed because of his true feelings.

Those eyes, which had always been described by the younger generation as "fierce and evil," gradually softened under the golden light.

It's just like the gentleness and care that Belial only occasionally reveals from the depths of his eyes when facing children like Lym. This gives his overall image a sacred quality of compassion and empathy.

Even on Belial's chest, faint golden patterns appeared.

It's like a blessing etched into the skin, or a brilliant medal earned by a warrior after the fiercest battle, a medal that has been recognized by fate.

The most direct change, however, is in Belial's body.

Enveloped by this energy, Belial's already larger physique than that of ordinary Silver Clan warriors grew even larger!

His shoulders became broader and thicker, and every pattern covering his arms flowed with energy patterns interwoven with gold and dark purple.

As her height increased, her legs became longer and more slender. The subtle outline of her muscles was clearly visible, exuding a powerful and beautiful aura!