Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: The Emperor's Aura of Oppression

Beyond the solar system, Mephilas, still shaken, glanced back with a low chuckle. “What a pair of fools. Yet thanks to you, I managed to escape so easily.”

Though the Ultras were formidable enemies, his own life… would always come first.

He exhaled softly, preparing to depart. But at that moment, an overwhelming sense of dread washed over him—a terrifying energy was rapidly closing in.

It was His Majesty.

Stricken with horror, Mephilas spun around. What greeted him was an unimaginably scorching wave of black flames.

This was the exclusive and deadly skill of the Dark Emperor, Alien Empera— the Reizolim Beam.

“Your Majesty… no!”

Mephilas’s pupils contracted; instinctively, he raised his hands to defend himself. Despite using all his strength, he only managed to hold out for a few seconds before he was utterly consumed by the blazing inferno, vanishing without even time for a scream.

Throughout, the Dark Emperor, Alien Empera, stood unmoved, expressionless. He never once looked at Mephilas, his cold gaze fixed on Earth—or rather, fixed on Tregear.

He had been watching, both the battles on Earth and those beyond it.

The brutal demise of Yapool at Ace’s hands did not concern him. Desrem and Grozam’s defeat and Mebius’s revival by humans—these too he could disregard.

But Mephilas’s selfishness, this he could not tolerate. One of his Four Generals, who had followed him in conquering the universe for tens of thousands of years, fleeing so readily at such a small setback—this was a disgrace to the Dark Emperor’s name.

Tregear enraged him even more. After defeating Seven, Tregear had abruptly vanished, leaving not a trace of his presence. Clearly, Tregear was deliberately hiding.

“But how long do you think you can hide?” Alien Empera murmured, gliding slowly toward Earth.

Those who betray must atone with death.

———

On Earth.

Though they had vanquished the Three Great Monsters, Mebius and the Ultra Brothers were gravely wounded. Yet none dared relax, for the Emperor was coming.

In response, the Earth Peace Organization GUYS mobilized every available resource at the fastest possible pace, striving to withstand the impending crisis.

At the same time, dire news spread. In every capital city across the globe, Empreza monsters had appeared simultaneously.

It was obvious: before making his descent, the Emperor intended to wipe out Earth’s last defenses, sowing chaos and fear.

“GUYS, Sally, go!”

This same command echoed across every GUYS branch worldwide. It was to be a war without precedent—humanity had to muster its greatest strength.

At GUYS Tokyo—Phoenix Nest—all members stood at attention and spoke in unison: “GIG!”

With Mebius and the other Ultras injured, only they could stand against the monsters now.

As the team prepared to act, a voice thundered from the cosmos, resounding over the entire planet.

“I am the Emperor!”

Just these first words struck like a bolt of lightning, sending shockwaves through every heart. A pressure, crushing and immense, fell upon them.

“I am the supreme sovereign of this universe!”

The voice of Alien Empera rang out again, arrogant and earth-shaking.

“Now, I shall personally deliver my decree to your Earth.”

“Expel Ultraman Mebius!”

“He has taken human form and hides among you.”

These words were another bombshell, exploding simultaneously in every corner of the world.

“An Ultra warrior disguised as a human?”

“You must be joking!”

“Impossible!”

On the street, Kirisaki stood among the crowd, listening to the rising commotion, a slow smile curving his lips.

“Find him for me,” Alien Empera continued. “Then you, the people of Earth, will hand him over to me yourselves!”

As the world erupted in turmoil, the GUYS base was no exception. Yet every team member declared their determination to resist, not one even considering the idea of surrendering Mebius.

For they knew—Mebius was Mirai Hibino.

Mirai was their comrade-in-arms, their most precious partner.

To hand him over… was unthinkable.

At that moment, the Empreza in Tokyo was activated.

“Heh—” Ryu Aihara let out a cold laugh, gritting his teeth. “So they want to ravage Japan first, then use that to threaten the world? What a clever scheme!”

“Let’s go!”

Ryu turned on his heel in anger and was the first to leave the command room. The other team members hurried after him, including Mirai.

Inevitably, as Empreza rampaged, Mebius appeared. But already wounded, how could he possibly match Empreza?

Even with GUYS providing cover fire, Mebius fell after only a few exchanges, reverting to his human form.

“Heh heh, just as you see,” Alien Empera’s voice rang out again, “defeating Ultraman Mebius is child’s play.”

“And next, Earth itself may be destroyed.”

“So,” Alien Empera’s voice turned sharp, “banish Ultraman Mebius from this planet!”

“If you accept this demand, I promise to protect Earth from any harm!”

“You have three hours.”

“Until then, I await your wise decision.”

Listening to this, Kirisaki had already discerned the Emperor’s intent. The Land of Light valued Earth and humanity, for Earthlings were much like the people of the Land of Light once were.

From the birth of the first emissary of light, to Mebius’s arrival, the bond between the Land of Light and Earth had long been unbreakable.

The Emperor’s aim was clear: to sever that bond through fear, to make humans turn against the Land of Light.

To drive out Mebius was to drive out the Land of Light itself.

Humans… what will you choose?

Will you betray Mebius for survival, or resist to the death and face the Emperor’s wrath?

Watching the people around him lower their heads in anxious thought, the light in Kirisaki’s eyes grew ever more fervent.

This was the tragedy of the powerless.

The strong alone could define the rules, unfettered by the shadows of others.

Justice and evil would cease to exist.