One handling internal affairs, the other leading battles on the front lines—Yuzhou felt that having Ken and Belial serve together was not a bad arrangement at all.
Of course, this was only his personal view. Whether the Council of the Land of Light would accept the proposal was beyond his control.
"Tiga, this is an honour that belongs to you—recognition from everyone. Why refuse it?"
Ken was genuinely puzzled. By all logic, after defeating Alien Empera, Tiga had become a legend within the Land of Light and the most suitable candidate for commander of the Space Garrison.
Yet Tiga had declined the position.
Ken could not make sense of it.
The issue of status had already been resolved—Tiga could be registered as a citizen of the Land of Light. There was no conflict at all.
"Because sooner or later, I will return to my homeland," Yuzhou shook his head calmly. "In the Land of Light, I am merely a traveller. This position is not one I can truly take on."
"So… Tiga is leaving."
Hearing this, both Belial and Ken felt their hearts sink.
If Tiga left, and another invasion like Alien Empera's occurred, who would be there to save the Land of Light?
"I heard that Ultra King has also returned," Yuzhou said, understanding their concern. "With him here, even if powerful enemies appear again, the Land of Light won't be breached so easily."
"Besides," Yuzhou continued, "the Ultimate Blade can be used by both of you. Beyond its inherent power, it can also awaken and amplify your own potential."
Yuzhou did not take the Ultimate Blade with him. Instead, he entrusted it to Belial.
This Belial was no longer the one blinded by ambition who would make irreversible mistakes.
After the battle with Alien Empera—and with Marie's affection—Belial could be described as having achieved both glory and fulfilment.
Fame and love, both secured.
Yuzhou estimated that the future event of Belial seizing the Plasma Spark would no longer occur.
"Tartarus… I'd like to see how you plan to tempt Belial now."
In Ultra Galaxy Fight 2, it was Tartarus's constant manipulation that drove Belial to act early and attempt to seize the Plasma Spark's power.
But now, Belial's fate had already changed. Tartarus's purpose in coming to this timeline was to take Belial away.
If Belial no longer harboured darkness in his heart, Tartarus would have no leverage at all.
"Ken, please convey my intentions to the Council," Yuzhou said. "I believe they will understand."
"Understood," Ken nodded, then flew off.
"Belial."
Yuzhou turned to look at him. Beside Belial, Marie stood quietly.
"Tiga… is there anything else you wish to tell me?"
After hearing everything Yuzhou had said, Belial had a strong sense that Yuzhou would soon depart. His tone became solemn.
"Nothing more," Yuzhou replied. "I only hope that you and Ken will continue to understand each other and work in harmony."
Belial was proud by nature, while Ken lacked emotional tact. They had once been close friends. If conflict arose again over trivial matters, it would be a real shame.
As for Marie, Yuzhou did not interfere. Whoever she chose to be with—he would let the current path decide.
"If Ken and I truly become commanders of the Space Garrison," Belial said firmly, "we will work together in harmony and protect the entire universe."
Yuzhou nodded. That was enough.
He did not leave the Land of Light immediately.
Instead, he occasionally patrolled outside its borders, searching for traces of the golden man—Tartarus—or signs of spatial distortions.
The results were disappointing.
At times, he could sense a lingering presence, but Tartarus himself remained elusive.
For a long time now, that man had not shown himself.
Still, Yuzhou knew Tartarus must have already noticed him.
After all, the upheaval caused during the Ultra War was far too significant to go unnoticed.
"I'm in the open, and he's in the shadows," Yuzhou murmured. "Tracking Tartarus won't be easy."
Feeling the residual aura Tartarus had left around the Land of Light, Yuzhou knew one thing clearly—
He had not left.
And if he had not left, then sooner or later, he would make his move.
Yuzhou was in no hurry. His time was abundant. If the golden man chose not to act, then waiting patiently was the best course.
Eventually, the Council of the Land of Light accepted Yuzhou's proposal.
They appointed the two greatest contributors of the Ultra War—excluding Yuzhou himself—
Ken and Belial—
as commanders of the Space Garrison.
One overseeing internal affair.
The other leading external combat operations.
This outcome surprised even Yuzhou.
In truth, this was how things should have been arranged in the original timeline.
Allowing only Ken to assume command while denying Belial a significant position was bound to breed resentment.
And so, the days passed.
Until one day, Belial suddenly arrived at Yuzhou's residence in the Land of Light.
"Tiga—something's wrong!"
Belial shoved the door open and rushed inside.
"What happened?"
Yuzhou put aside the educational holographic text on basic Land of Light science and stood up.
Seeing Belial so frantic, it was obvious that something serious had occurred.
"Ken… Ken has disappeared!" Belial said breathlessly. "Even using the Ultra Sign, there's no response at all!"
"Ken is missing?"
The moment Yuzhou heard this, he knew something was wrong.
Ken was a cautious and responsible man. He would never vanish without explanation.
Something abnormal was at play.
"Could it be…?"
A realization struck Yuzhou.
He rushed out the door and shot beyond the Land of Light in a flash.
Outside its borders, asteroids and meteors drifted silently through space.
Sweeping the area, Yuzhou detected a distortion in spacetime.
"There!"
On a meteor platform, a nearly all-golden, massive figure was locked in combat with a silver-and-red giant bearing two horns.
Tartarus and Ken.
Before long, Ken fell into a disadvantage and was struck down by Tartarus.
"Who are you?!" Ken demanded, clutching his chest as he struggled to breathe. "Why did you ambush me outside the Land of Light?!"
"Heh heh heh…"
Tartarus let out a low, ominous laugh, then spread his arms.
"I am the Ultimate Lifeform."
"A warrior of the Absolutians."
"Absolute Tartarus."
"Tartarus?!"
Ken searched his memory after hearing the name—but found no record of such a being.
"Ken," Tartarus said calmly, "the future Father of Ultra…"
"Come with me."
"I will change your destiny."