After hearing Cain's words, Masaki scratched his head and instinctively looked toward Yuzhou.
Yuzhou merely smiled, saying nothing.
"It seems the Earth entrusted your Light Factor to Masaki," Yuzhou said calmly.
The resemblance between Cain and Masaki was not the result of reincarnation, nor a bloodline continuation.
It was the will of the Earth itself intervening.
"So, the Earth is not an inanimate thing after all," Cain said, nodding slightly.
Over the past thirty million years, he had learned much. He was not unfamiliar with the concept of planetary consciousness.
"By the way," Yuzhou asked, "where is Yuzare?"
At first, Yuzhou had assumed that the Yuzare within the time capsule that flew to Earth was her true self.
Only later did he learn that it was merely a fusion of her spiritual imprint and an AI construct.
That explained why Yuzare in the capsule spoke like a program, yet could walk out of it and converse with humans.
Just as Yuzhou finished speaking, an adult female voice sounded from the side.
"It has been a long time, Tiga."
Yuzhou turned.
From the side hall emerged Yuzare, dressed in flowing white robes, silver-white hair cascading down her back.
"Captain Iruma?!" Masaki froze the instant he saw her.
Daigo had mentioned Yuzare to him before, but Masaki had never imagined that she would resemble Captain Iruma so closely.
If not for the difference in hair colour, he was certain he would have mistaken her identity.
"It truly has been a long time, Princess Yuzare," Yuzhou said, meeting her gaze.
"Indeed. Thirty million years," Yuzare replied softly.
"I never expected this to be your true appearance. And even after thirty million years, you show no sign of aging at all."
"And you do?" Yuzhou shook his head lightly.
He himself had not truly experienced those thirty million years. Even if he had, aging would not have touched him.
First, because he was Tiga himself, possessing overwhelming power.
Second, because he had once taken an anti-aging capsule—ironically purchased on this very planet.
"And you, Princess Yuzare, are no different," Yuzhou added.
Yuzare's appearance was never fixed. She could appear aged or youthful at will, even changing her hair back to black if she wished.
She simply chose not to.
"Guardie… you've suffered all these years."
After the reunion, Cain refused to let go of the small dog in his arms.
Leaving Guardie behind on Earth had weighed heavily on him all these years.
Fortunately, they had finally reunited.
"Woof! Woof!"
In Masaki's arms, Guardie barked continuously, tail wagging, occasionally letting out low whimpers.
"Are all the survivors from thirty million years ago still alive?" Yuzhou asked, curiosity surfacing.
"Yes," Yuzare nodded. "They used the refined essence of Gijera to extend their lifespans."
"Of course," she added after a pause, "some met with accidents and did not make it this far."
"And the other ark…" Yuzare continued.
"I know," Yuzhou interrupted gently. "It was swallowed by a black hole. A pity."
"Yes…" Yuzare sighed softly.
Then she paused—and dismissed everyone around them.
Including Eri.
Soon, only Cain, Yuzare, Yuzhou, Masaki, and the yellow-furred Guardie remained in the grand hall.
"Is something important?" Yuzhou asked.
"Yes." Yuzare nodded. "I debated whether to tell you… but I believe you should know."
"Among the giants of the Ultra-Ancient era, only a few of you remain."
"Go on," Yuzhou said.
Yuzare took a deep breath.
"After settling on this planet, we did consider recreating the Plasma Spark—to give birth to new Giants of Light."
"But the key requirement for creating a Plasma Spark is a crystal capable of covering half a planet."
"I surveyed nearby regions, but no such crystal material existed."
"So, I dispatched explorers to Orion—to investigate the planet known for its crystals."
"And the result…" Yuzare hesitated.
"What happened?" Yuzhou pressed.
"In that nebula—right beside the crystal-bearing planet—we discovered a world inhabited entirely by Giants of Light."
Yuzhou's eyes narrowed.
"Wait… you're saying there's a planet of Giants of Light in Orion?"
"Yes," Yuzare said. "When I learned of it, I was utterly shocked. That region was empty in the past."
"And now, such a planet has appeared out of nowhere."
"Good grief!" Yuzhou slapped his thigh, realization striking instantly.
"That's the Ultra Star—the Land of Light."
"The… Land of Light?"
Yuzare and Cain exchanged confused looks. The name was entirely new to them.
"Our scouts reported that the planet is indeed filled with radiance," Yuzare said after thinking it over.
Yuzhou had not expected the Land of Light to be located there.
But then again, the Ultra-Ancient Plasma Spark Tower had once been constructed in Orion.
Though buried by tectonic shifts, it was not impossible that someone had unearthed it later.
Perhaps the birth of the Land of Light's Plasma Spark was directly connected to the Ultra-Ancient one.
"Speaking of the Plasma Spark…" Yuzhou suddenly remembered something.
"Where is Mr. Keshiva?"
Camearra's father.
His future father-in-law—was he still alive?
"I'm here!"
Almost on cue, Keshiva entered the hall from the main entrance.
Upon hearing that Tiga had arrived, he had rushed over from the laboratory.
Previously, when Tiga appeared on this planet, Keshiva had assumed it was merely the reactivation of a combat body left behind.
But now—Tiga himself had returned.
"Tiga!" Keshiva exclaimed, eyes burning.
"Where is Camearra?!"
"Thirty million years have passed—surely her seal should be lifted by now!"
Yuzare had already informed Keshiva about Camearra's petrification by Tiga.
Beyond that, she was bound by the temple seal driven by the movement of the stars.
As long as the Cthulhu-derived darkness within Camearra was fully purged,
she would be able to emerge from the temple at last.
And now—
After thirty million years—
The moment had finally come.