Volume One, Chapter 32: The Water Demon God

In her view, the fact that this alien had sought her out twice in succession was certainly no coincidence; he must have some ulterior motive. After all, her identity was sensitive—if aliens invaded and sought to abduct someone, she would undoubtedly be their prime target.

“My name is Kirisaki,” he replied with a smile, then shook his head. “I had no intention of approaching you. It was simply a chance encounter.”

This explanation hardly convinced Salamni. She snorted softly. “Then what are you doing in Nuock?”

Nuock, the only water planet in the Golden Galaxy, had neither resources to be mined nor anything else that might arouse envy. Moreover, with the frequent clashes between the two races lately, most aliens would avoid the place—so why had he entered?

“Well…” Kirisaki thought for a moment, then answered directly without evasion. “I’m searching for the water element. As a princess, I wonder if you’ve heard of it?”

“Water element?” Salamni frowned and shook her head. “No. Though Nuock is a water planet, I’ve never heard of such a high-level thing as the water element.”

She was not lying: Nuock truly had no records of the water element. She knew this well. Still, she was familiar with the concept. It was said to be a cosmic energy, granting its wielder immense power.

Could it be that this alien had come to Nuock in pursuit of strength? As the thought crossed her mind, a strange light flickered in Salamni’s eyes. She pressed on. “May I ask—which planet are you from?”

“The Land of Light,” Kirisaki answered with a smile.

At this moment, revealing his identity as an Ultra Warrior might yield unexpected results.

Hearing the words “Land of Light,” Salamni’s blue eyes widened in shock. “Land of Light!”

Her exclamation was loud enough for everyone in the restaurant to hear those three words. Instantly, all heads turned toward Kirisaki.

Their gazes were curious, surprised, puzzled, but above all, reverent—a deep awe for the Land of Light and the Ultra Warriors.

Salamni’s face was full of disbelief. “You… You’re an Ultra Warrior?!”

“Of course.” Kirisaki did not deny it.

Born and raised in the Land of Light, he was indeed an Ultra Warrior. Unfortunately, he had neither parents nor friends. Taro… perhaps counted as one. But that was in the past.

After the initial shock, Salamni suddenly thought of something. She hurriedly said, “Since you’re an Ultra Warrior, could you help me with something?”

Those four words, “Ultra Warrior,” were enough to dispel her wariness and tension. So, upon hearing Kirisaki admit his identity, her first thought was to ask him to intervene and stop the war between the two races.

The conflict between the Gibri and Sirocco tribes had reached an irreconcilable state decades ago. Skirmishes were inevitable, but in recent years, both sides had deployed increasingly destructive weapons. In the latest clash, the Bridge of Friendship that had endured for ten thousand years was destroyed. If things continued, their relations would deteriorate beyond repair.

When that happened, the only victims would be the two aquatic cities and their inhabitants. Nuock’s population was already sparse; if war broke out, it was uncertain who would be victorious, but with current technology, a large-scale conflict would have disastrous consequences.

But if an Ultra Warrior stepped in, perhaps the war could be quelled and peace restored.

Under Salamni’s hopeful gaze, Kirisaki decisively shook his head. “Sorry, I’m not in the habit of helping others.”

Salamni was momentarily stunned. She pouted and said, “Aren’t you an Ultra Warrior? If you’re unwilling to help, what sort of Ultra Warrior are you?”

“Heh—” Kirisaki sneered, crossing his legs and reclining. “Your Highness, I am indeed an Ultra Warrior, but I see no reason to help you.”

“Besides, we’ve only met twice. Why should I help you?”

Salamni had no reply.

She realized she had been somewhat presumptuous. Regaining her composure, she spoke calmly. “Then, if I help you find the water element, will you help me in return?”

This was the proposition Kirisaki had been waiting for. He feigned hesitation, then nodded. “Very well, but the condition is that you must first help me locate the water element.”

“No problem,” Salamni agreed readily.

Although she had no idea where the water element might be, Nuock was rich in ancient legends. If she consulted the old archives, perhaps she could find some clues.

With his goal achieved, Kirisaki saw no need for further conversation. He rose and walked directly to the counter.

Seeing him about to leave, Salamni called after him, “Where are you going?”

“To check in,” Kirisaki replied without looking back.

“Check in?” Salamni was briefly confused, but seeing his direction, she understood.

She said nothing more, immediately rising and leaving the hotel, running toward the palace.

Glancing at her retreating figure, Kirisaki’s lips curled slightly as he murmured, “Easy to fool. I wonder if she can find any clues.”

If she could, all the better.

If not, he would have no choice but to destroy the planet and find the water element by force.

After obtaining his room card, Kirisaki entered his quarters and, without even removing his shoes, lay straight down on the bed.

Come to think of it, he had not slept for years. He might as well use this time to rest properly.

Closing his eyes, he relaxed completely and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, Salamni had returned to the palace.

She hurried to the library and began searching the shelves for books on ancient legends.

Before long, an old volume titled “The Chronicles of Peaceful Lands” caught her eye.

Delighted, Salamni quickly took the book and opened to the first page.

“In the beginning of antiquity, the Visitor Star from the M80 Scorpius globular nebula was attacked by alien beasts. On the brink of extinction, the visitors were saved by a giant of light.”

“—Ultraman Noah.”

“The cosmos, for unknown reasons, underwent violent upheavals. The stars seen by people seemed to multiply—two, three, countless—and then vanish.”

“—The Watcher.”

“Like a meteor, a cosmic monster known as the Glutton roamed the universe, devouring planets. Influenced by the black hole within, it possessed an endless appetite, never satisfied. Though it bore no malice, when it absorbed hatred and aversion, it transformed into a monstrous form.”

“—Ula.”

Flipping through several pages, Salamni finally found records concerning the Water Demon God.

“The sea raged, colossal waves overwhelmed the world, and nothing was visible but water. Faintly, a pair of yellow eyes watched us.”

“—Gamakuquila, the Water Demon God.”

“A monster awakened by frequent abnormal weather and crustal movements, it feeds on oil and gasoline. Its massive spherical body is covered in suckers, assimilated by the power of the Water Demon God, becoming another terrifying demon threatening the world.”

“—Tegon, the Mist Demon God.”

“As the ocean spread, many undersea monsters rioted. Amidst the carnage, the sole surviving king was likewise assimilated by the Water Demon God.”

“—Pesta, the Ice Demon God.”