The Star-Shattering Swarm King, Skaracabaz.
As an existence that once plunged the cosmos into endless panic, its combat power had reached a level that even Zero found difficult to handle.
Putting aside the fact that Earth was behind him, even if it weren't, defeating the Swarm King in the vastness of space would be no simple task for Zero.
---o---
Light Curtain Barrage
Yukino Yukinoshita: "The Swarm King is truly a tough opponent. As expected of an Emanator, it can even suppress a fighter on Zero's level."
Detective Conan: "It is, after all, a renowned scion under Tayzzyronth. But fortunately, there aren't many of them. Once reinforcements from the Land of Light arrive, they should be able to eliminate them all."
Overseer of Schicksal: "The Space Garrison from the Land of Light… I'm looking forward to this. How will they, who consider Earth their second home, deal with the Swarm King?"
Herta: "Stop watching, it's almost impossible. With those two old gods absent, the Land of Light's Space Garrison alone would have their hands full just dealing with the [Emanators], let alone the Aeon itself…"
---o---
Light Curtain
As Zero was entangled with the Swarm King, the mechanical eye in the darkness silently recorded everything.
The scene shifted to a dark region of space, where an elegant figure was watching the footage transmitted by the mechanical eye.
However… despite its graceful posture, one could still see the surprise in this alien's eyes.
"To think the Land of Light secretly possessed such an opponent. It seems that besides the Father of Ultra, His Majesty the Emperor has another rival…"
In the darkness, a peculiar light appeared, and a unique voice, clearly not that of an Earthling, spoke.
As the camera zoomed in, an alien with a monkey-like face, blue eyes, and large ears appeared before the audience.
It had a yellow, luminescent organ on its mouth that flashed as it spoke.
Its appearance quickly drew the attention of the viewers, especially the Ultramen from the Land of Light.
This was one of the most notoriously malevolent aliens in the universe… Alien Mephilas.
As the brilliant strategist serving the Great Emperor of the Dark Universe, Mephilas had long considered Earth, the planet His Majesty coveted, a prize that must be taken.
However… the proliferation of the Swarm was beyond anyone's expectations. At the current rate, even if they did nothing, the Swarm would eventually overwhelm the Earth.
"He's just a brat. Can't even deal with a single pest after all this time. He's no threat," Grozam, whose body radiated a cold aura and was entirely grayish-white, sneered from beside Alien Mephilas.
No matter how powerful an opponent was, they could only submit before his immortal body.
The reason he could become one of the legendary Dark Four Heavenly Kings was precisely this indestructible body!
"Wait, Grozam. Your arrogance is your greatest flaw. Ultraman Zero's power is terrifying. The Dark Four Heavenly Kings alone would struggle to win against him."
Another majestic voice rang out. A horrifying body that looked as if its flesh and bone were inverted appeared before the audience.
Desrem, the Alien of Conspiracy. One of the four generals under the Great Emperor of the Dark Universe, and a renowned strategist in the cosmos.
Although in the original drama he didn't display much intelligence, paling in comparison to Alien Mephilas, Desrem was no fool like Grozam. He hated the Ultramen, but that didn't mean he would rush into battle against a powerhouse on the level of the Father of Ultra without preparation.
Zero's fighting skills were honed to perfection, and he had all sorts of flashy beam abilities. If they were to fight for real, all of them combined would be no match for him.
Fortunately, it seemed Zero was simply powerful, without any fancy equipment or skills.
From that perspective, he was still a far cry from the Father of Ultra who had fought His Majesty the Emperor back in the day.
With this, three of the Dark Four Heavenly Kings had appeared, all of them clearly bearing ill will toward Earth and the Ultramen.
"Ultimately, His Majesty the Emperor's target has never been Earth, but the Ultramen of the Land of Light."
"If the Swarm can help us weaken the Land of Light's combat strength, then we need only watch from the sidelines."
In the darkness, Alien Mephilas waved his hand slightly, dismissing the video feed transmitted by the reconnaissance Inpelaizer.
He had only noticed this mysteriously born, powerful force after the Swarm began to run rampant in the Milky Way.
The galaxy was already riddled with holes. Countless planets had been turned into nests for the insects, and even the starry rivers were stained with their color.
Now, even more exaggeratedly, the Swarm wasn't just spreading in the Milky Way; the vibrating wings of the Sting-Wings had appeared throughout the known universe.
Although their numbers were not yet vast, Alien Mephilas could predict that the emergence of the Swarm would bring a devastating blow to lower civilizations.
Higher civilizations could still protect themselves, but lower ones like Earth, unless they had a backer like the Ultramen, had no way to resist a cataclysmic event like the Swarm.
However, right now, more important than the Ultramen was finding a way to suppress the Swarm, or perhaps… control it.
They lacked intelligence, came in various types, were numerous, and possessed incredibly strong individual units. No cosmic power would refuse such a massive army.
The Swarm's current performance even surpassed His Majesty the Emperor's Inpelaizers. Perhaps in the future, they could become a powerful tool for His Majesty to rule the universe and counterattack the Land of Light.
"You," Grozam's expression shifted slightly as he sneered, "How bold. Have you forgotten why His Majesty the Emperor sent you here?"
"If you don't act now, and Earth becomes an insect nest, you will have defied His Majesty's orders."
Grozam crossed his arms, looking at the strategist before him with deep meaning.
He prided himself on being the Emperor's right-hand man, and with his immortal body, he was incredibly arrogant, not even giving Alien Mephilas a second glance.
As Grozam challenged Mephilas, Desrem suddenly spoke up:
"Where is Yapool? Where did that guy run off to during such an important meeting?"
The final member of the Dark Four Heavenly Kings, the newly promoted Yapool, was nowhere to be seen when the four had gathered.
"Yapool, you say…" Elegantly placing his hands behind his back, Alien Mephilas smiled. "That fellow said he wanted to fuse the insects with a Choju to create the strongest fusion Choju."
His gaze seemed to deepen. Alien Mephilas paid no mind to Grozam's brainless comment.
Yapool was arrogant and wanted to achieve merit before them to win the Emperor's favor, which naturally made him unlikable.
But credit had to be given where it was due. Yapool had a knack for creating Choju; otherwise, he wouldn't have become one of the Dark Four Heavenly Kings.
If he could combine the Swarm with a Choju, he could indeed create a more powerful fusion Choju.
He just hoped… that fellow wouldn't get carried away after achieving some success…
---o---
Light Curtain Barrage
The audience was quite interested in the sudden appearance of the evil aliens.
After all, the "Dark Four Heavenly Kings," while sounding a bit chuunibyou, had a certain cool factor.
Yukino Yukinoshita: "I know of Alien Mephilas and Yapool, but I've never heard of the other two."
Due to various factors, most worlds, including the Oregairu world, only had knowledge of some of the older Showa-era Ultras. So, it was normal for them not to know about Desrem and Grozam, who only appeared in Ultraman Mebius.
Detective Conan: "Setting the Four Heavenly Kings aside for a moment, I'm more concerned about the Emperor behind them. It seems to be an organization opposing the Land of Light, and their power is likely considerable."
Crown Prince of the Land of Light: "The Great Emperor of the Dark Universe, Alien Empera! He is the ultimate darkness of the universe, an existence that once nearly wiped out the Land of Light. I can't believe he has his sights set on Earth!!"
Taro, the instructor of the Space Garrison, couldn't help but clench his fists as he watched the screen. It was no exaggeration to say that Empera was one of the most terrifying opponents in the history of the Land of Light.
Utaha Kasumigaoka: "Wiped out the Land of Light?? You must be joking. Was even Ultraman King no match for him?"
Asahi Kujo: "No, the King was not in the Land of Light at that time. It was the Grand Commander and numerous warriors of the Space Garrison who fought to the death to defeat him."
Miyuki Shirogane: "Even so, that's incredibly exaggerated… Wait a minute… If that's the case, with the Swarm plus Alien Empera, wouldn't things be even more difficult?"
Director of the Land of Light Meat Processing Plant: "That guy Yapool, has he still not given up on harming the universe? To think he would dare to try and fuse a Choju with the Swarm!"
Ruan Mei: "Choju… an interesting idea. But with his power alone, is he truly qualified to touch [Him]…"
---o---
Light Curtain
In the depths of space, a mass of resentment pushed forward relentlessly.
The final member of the Dark Four Heavenly Kings, Yapool, was traversing the insect tide.
He had no interest in these common insects, of course. To become a part of the 'strongest Choju,' he would naturally have to use the most powerful individuals from the Swarm.
As an alien from another dimension, Yapool's unique form of existence allowed him to easily pass through the endless Swarm without being attacked.
"There are too many of them, and no powerful individuals at all. Damn it… what is wrong with these creatures?"
Traveling through his alternate dimension, Yapool grew tired of the boundless Swarm and even felt a tinge of regret.
But every time he thought of the accursed Ultramen, Yapool's teeth itched with hatred, wishing he could instantly form the Choju in his hands.
Then, he would conquer Earth, destroy the Land of Light, and become the most respected, powerful, and highest-ranking being under Emperor Empera.
"…Huuu~"
Faintly, a peculiar sound echoed by his ear. It was so bizarre that Yapool thought he was hallucinating.
"Who's there!"
The Swarm had no intelligence; Yapool was certain of this. So how could there be any other life besides him in this endless tide of insects?
"An aggregate of grudges without a physical form? Hehe, how interesting. I didn't expect to find such a curious creature in this universe."
A woman's voice lingered in the space, terrifying Yapool.
This universe? What does she mean? Could she… not be a lifeform from this universe? A parallel universe??
"Since you have come here, it means that like me, you are also immensely curious about the great power of [Propagation]."
The female voice continued. Though her identity was unknown, she seemed to be very familiar with the origin of the Swarm.
"The great power of [Propagation]?" Yapool muttered. How would he know what Propagation was?
This strange creature before him had been spouting incomprehensible things from the very beginning, making the already irritable Yapool even more tempted to attack.
"Yes," the female voice continued, completely ignoring Yapool's hostility.
"Although that Lord cannot cross the chasm between universes, he successfully sent me here."
"Unfortunately, the great power of [Propagation] is too immense. Seizing the body of a member of the Swarm is too difficult for me."
"The Swarm King Tayzzyronth is linked to countless Swarm members, controlling their bodies. To do so would be to face an [Aeon] directly. I will not commit such a suicidal act."
"Swarm King? The mastermind behind this insect tide?" Yapool was certain now.
The female voice before him was definitely a being from another universe, and she likely came from the same place as the mastermind of this Swarm.
"Your Excellency, since you are so knowledgeable about the Swarm, how about we cooperate for the time being? If we join forces, we can definitely create the strongest Choju!"
Faced with such a mysterious existence, Yapool ultimately didn't dare to act rashly and instead began to try and win her over.
Since this being had communicated so much with him, she must need something from him. At least, that's what Yapool believed.
"Join forces?" The female voice sounded surprised, as if she had heard the greatest joke in the world, and she laughed disdainfully. "Hahahahaha, what a joke."
"Although that Lord cannot cross the chasm of gray mist between universes, he bestowed upon me an even greater power when he sent me here."
"Though you are a vengeful spirit entity somewhat similar to our kind, your materialized resentment has already formed a body."
"Hand it over. Your 'body'—"
As her voice fell, a gray sphere passed through Yapool's spatial barrier and mercilessly drilled into his body.
"What! How is this possible!!"
Yapool, who was being possessed in reverse, wore an expression of shock. It had always been him possessing others. When had the tables ever been turned on him?
And what was that power? It was filled with a sense of destruction. It wasn't the power of the sphere itself, but more like… more like [Destruction] itself…
---o---