Chapter Ten: Dr. Danhou

Everyone was overjoyed at this unexpected turn of events. They hurriedly brought Victory Swallow No.1 down to land, with Lina rushing ahead to reach Daigu, not forgetting to wipe away the tears hanging from the corners of her eyes.

“You rascal, you really had us worried sick!” Xincheng and Ju Jing slapped Daigu haphazardly, and even Lina couldn’t resist giving him a few gentle kicks.

Captain Zongfang smiled and pressed Daigu’s shoulder, asking, “All right, you had us scared to death. What exactly happened?”

“The emergency ejection lever malfunctioned,” Daigu replied, still wearing a smile.

Zongfang thumped Daigu’s chest in relief. “You’re lucky, kid.” He then turned to the others and said, “Let’s go look for Captain Gale. Maybe he’s all right, too.”

Hearing this, everyone’s smiles faded as they prepared to search for Tetsuya, still burdened by worry. Daigu’s survival was nothing short of miraculous, but whether Tetsuya would make it was another matter.

“Captain, Captain Gale's White Dragon and Daigu's Victory Swallow No.1 have both crashed. We’ve found Daigu safe and sound, and now we're preparing to search for Captain Gale.” Zongfang, now connected to the command room, reported the situation to Captain Hui.

“No need...” Captain Hui sounded unworried, her tone laced with a smile. “I’ve already gotten in touch with Gale. He’s in no danger. You all return now; staff will be sent to handle the aftermath, and Gale will come back with them.”

Hearing this, Zongfang finally relaxed, nodding with a smile. After ending the communication, he turned to the team. “All right, Captain Gale is safe and will return to headquarters with the staff. Let’s head back!”

“Yes!” At this good news, everyone smiled. In a battle fraught with danger, they had emerged unscathed—an undeniably joyous outcome. They followed Vice Captain Zongfang toward Victory Swallow No.2.

Meanwhile, in TPC, the time machine in the laboratory suddenly bloomed with blue light, its internal programs seemingly activating automatically.

A delicate, ethereal figure cast its shadow into the empty laboratory, speaking those indelible fragments of static: “There is only one way to awaken the giant: Daigu must become light...”

At that moment, Daigu sat in the spare seat of Victory Swallow No.2, the sunset pouring golden rays into the cockpit and illuminating his face. Sensing something, Daigu suddenly raised his head and gazed out the window, his eyes full of astonishment and doubt. A mysterious voice seemed to traverse a great distance, speaking directly into Daigu’s mind.

“The giant’s name is: Ultraman Tiga!”

It was the voice of Captain Yurei! Daigu felt a sudden insight. He reached for his chest, unzipped his jacket, and the Spark Lens appeared before him. Staring in amazement at the object in his hand, he saw the Spark Lens bathed in the golden glow of the sunset, its hilt inscribed with enigmatic runes.

At this moment, Victory Swallow No.2 soared above the clouds, flying steadily toward the crimson horizon painted by the setting sun.

Tetsuya leaned against a massive stone, his gaze fixed on the clouds overhead, stained red by the sun’s dying light. His expression was thoughtful, lost in unknown musings.

Silently curling his lips, Tetsuya pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one, smoking calmly as the breeze swept through his slightly long hair, strands dancing in the sunset’s glow, making him appear radiant.

He had failed...

Failure was normal; no one could guarantee success in everything. Yet, it left Tetsuya somewhat melancholy. He had lingered in the world of Ultraman Tiga for far too long, and now, as the chance to grasp the light slipped through his fingers, he found it hard to accept.

He had thought he could seize everything, but reality proved otherwise.

“Sara... wait for me...”

About an hour later, several aircraft landed at the site. Aircraft of this era could easily land vertically anywhere, even along the riverbank without damage. Soon, a crowd clad in blue engineering uniforms hurried off the planes, dispersing into the woods to search for valuable fragments of the giant stone statues.

“So this is the place... the site of the giant's pyramid?” A middle-aged man in a white lab coat stepped off a plane, glanced at his handheld computer, and muttered, “The power of the giants... truly incredible!”

“If only such power could be harnessed by humanity...”

His microcomputer was displaying satellite footage of Tiga’s battle with Golza and Melba.

“Dr. Tango, please take a seat. Our team is searching for the broken fragments of the giant statues. This may take some time.” The staff leader approached from behind, greeting him, then paused. “I don't know how long the search will take—you shouldn't have come in person.”

“It’s fine...” Dr. Tango waved his hand. After a moment, he added, “You know, as a researcher, I’m incredibly excited about the fragments of the giant statues. I couldn’t wait to see them with my own eyes.”

“Hey...” The leader laughed. “Dr. Tango, you’re one of TPC’s top scientists. Do you think acquiring the giant statues will benefit us?”

Dr. Tango smiled, his spirit ablaze. “The giant statues are the bodies left by the giants on Earth—there may be powers within that we can’t yet comprehend. Even if not, they’ll help us understand the giants better.”

He hesitated, leaving some thoughts unspoken, only murmuring to himself:

“If possible... perhaps through the giant statues, humanity might one day possess the power of the giants!”

Not far away, Tetsuya was approaching Dr. Tango. The staff leader went to greet him first. “Who are you?”

Tetsuya smiled, gathering his wind-blown hair. “Karro Base supervisor, Gale Tetsuya. I also participated in the Victory Team’s battle here.”

“We’ve already received notification—Captain Gale will return to TPC with our aircraft.”

Tetsuya nodded with a smile. Seeing this, the leader smiled as well and led him over. As the Karro Base supervisor, Tetsuya wasn’t someone the leader could obstruct.

“Dr. Tango, hello...” Facing the man, Tetsuya took the initiative, extending his hand in goodwill.

Dr. Tango looked up from his microcomputer and shook Tetsuya’s hand.

“I witnessed the entire battle, and I know you’re eager to uncover the secrets of the giants.” After sitting down, Tetsuya began, “Perhaps I can share with you some of what I know about the giants’ secrets.”

“Oh?” Dr. Tango’s interest was piqued. He examined Tetsuya, leaning in eagerly. “What do you know?”

“Not much...” Tetsuya smiled. “But I think I can answer some of your questions, Dr. Tango.”