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"What about manual removal?"
Since it is an impurity attached to the surface of Ace, there is no need to consider what it is made of, just remove it.
If large-scale removal is not possible, then they will just peel it off bit by bit manually. They have plenty of patience and time.
"About this, it's actually impossible. Because we can't find out whether it is impurities attached to Ace, or whether Ace's own tissue has been changed."
If it was the latter, it would be equivalent to directly cutting open Ace's body.
Moreover, if it could be directly removed, Gaia would have done so long ago. Since it was not done, it was clear that the damage Ace suffered was not that simple.
Captain Long was silent. Why was it so difficult for humans to help Ultraman? Was there nothing they could do?
At this time, the sliding door of the TAC command room opened and an officer walked in. He was wearing a defense army uniform with a lieutenant colonel badge on his shoulder.
"Captain Long, I have long heard of your name."
Because Beidou and Nan disappeared in the previous battle, the command room was a little deserted at this time.
In addition to Captain Long, only Yamanaka, Konno, Yoshimura and Noriko were left in the command room. None of the team members knew the officer who came suddenly.
But Long was not a stranger. In fact, he was the one who invited the other party.
"Welcome, Lieutenant Colonel Kiriyama. Let me introduce you, this is Commander Kiriyama of the Defense Force's Space Force Third Fleet. These are my team members, sharpshooter Ichiro Yamanaka, gunner Tsutomu Konno, astrobiologist Kozo Yoshimura, and communications officer Noriko Mikawa."
The commander of the Third Fleet was a very powerful position, and could be considered a high-ranking member of the defense force. He was responsible for the defense of the Earth within the solar system.
So even though they were unfamiliar with each other, Yamanaka and the others still saluted respectfully.
"Don't be so restrained. I'm actually the same as you all." Kiriyama returned the greeting, but he did not act like a high-ranking official and spoke kindly.
"Like us?"
"Well, Commander Kiriyama also has experience fighting monsters on the front line in the past. He is your predecessor!"
"Ah, I've heard of you. You are Captain Kiriyama of the Ultra Guard!" Being reminded by Captain Long, Yoshimura remembered the files he had seen before.
The Ultra Guard were indeed their predecessors.
The special scientific search team was originally established by humans to explore the universe and seek the mysteries of science.
Later, because the earth was frequently threatened by monsters, the duties of the "Special Search" of the Kot Team were changed to fighting monsters, and then changed to the "Ultra Guard", which means fighting side by side with Ultraman to protect the earth.
Kaoru Kiriyama is the captain of the Ultra Guard.
"Those are truly nostalgic years." Captain Kiriyama looked at the members of the TAC team one by one, as if he saw Gu Qiao, Soga, and others, as well as Moroboshi Tuan.
"Captain Long, I already know what you're thinking, but Ace's situation is probably different from Seven's in the past, so I can only do my best."
"Yeah, please!"
Seeing that his team members were still confused, Captain Long walked to the conference table.
"It's like this. Ultraman Seven also lost his light energy once. It was the Ultra Guard who used some kind of technology to replenish Seven's light energy, allowing Seven to stand up again."
"So I invited Captain Kiriyama to analyze for us in detail the techniques they used at the time."
This was mainly said to Dr. Kiji. Previously, it was the front-line soldiers who fought, and now it was the turn of their scientific department to go to the battlefield.
Helping Ultraman replenish light energy, has mankind ever done something like this? Mu Kaji had never heard of it before. This is indeed a very important technology.
"I'm counting on you, Commander Kiriyama!" He bowed deeply.
"You're welcome. As long as it's about helping the Ultra Brothers, it's our duty. Both Seven and Ace are our most important partners."
This is truly something that only someone who has truly fought alongside Ultraman can say.
The technology used to replenish Seven's light energy also came from Seven himself. After he was trapped by the Gatsi, he used a secret code to pass it to the Ultra Guard headquarters through the space station's communication circuit.
The principle is actually very simple.
"Using the energy of hydrogen fusion into helium? Isn't that a hydrogen bomb?"
"Of course we can't use hydrogen bombs on Ultraman. And human hydrogen bombs use deuterium and tritium, the isotopes of hydrogen, but here we have to use the element hydrogen."
"Using hydrogen fusion? Is this possible?"
Captain Kiriyama did not answer, but pointed to the sky. Dr. Kiji hesitated for a moment, then realized what Captain Kiriyama was referring to.
"sun?"
Yes, the sun is a star that continuously releases energy due to hydrogen fusion. However, it is because of the huge pressure at the center of the sun, the huge gravity brought by the mass of 33 times that of the earth, and the ultra-high temperature of 1500 million degrees that meet the conditions for fusion.
"Solar energy is indeed an energy source that we, the Light Clan, can use." Zhu Xingtuan said slowly. "The method I gave to the Ultra Guard to create Magnerium energy is also a technology that humans can achieve to obtain the purest energy closest to solar energy."
"But the real problem now is not that Ace has no light energy, but that the energy cannot be injected into the body."
In Oshima Manor, Hayata, Dan, and Go all came here. After all, on Earth, they had neither the money nor the status to open a hotel.
"So, that method didn't work on Ace?"
"I'm afraid that's the case. The Magnelium energy is not enough to break through the Hippolyte tar."
Otherwise, his Aimerim energy would have been transmitted to Ace long ago, and there would be no need for Zoffy to go back to the Kingdom of Light to seek help from the Silver Crusaders.
But who knows? Humans are a race that can create miracles, and this has been proven countless times in the past. Even Seven cannot predict where humans' limits are.
"Come to think of it, when I was in the Ultra Guard, I discovered an ancient castle here while on patrol. I thought it was a park, but it turned out to be a private estate."
Zhu Xingtuan sighed, he never thought that he would live here one day.
Dinner was a feast that Lingye specially asked Chef Caibo to prepare. Or should I say, a feast. As a "wandering chef" who has traveled all over the world, he can easily cook the flavors of various countries.
"Miss, I heard that you are entertaining an important guest. Chef Caibo has really put in all his effort." Butler Jianye said from the side.
He didn't know who these guests were, but he could feel Lingye's importance to them.
"Well, thank you very much, Chef Caibo. By the way! I remember there are a few bottles of wine from my father's collection in the cellar. Please go and get one."
Oshima Estate has a vineyard, and the wine cellar has both home-brewed wine and wine collected from all over the world, but only a few specific bottles can be called Mr. Oshima's collection.
"But, Miss, those wines are..."
Mr. Oshima once said that those wines were prepared for Lingye's wedding.
"It's okay. I don't know much about wine. Even wine has a drinking period, right? It would be a waste if it were left there any longer. Brother Hayata and the others are heroes who fight for humanity. They deserve any hospitality."
A hero fighting for humanity?
"Miss, please forgive me for being so nosy, but who are they?"
Although as a butler, he should not interfere in the master's personal relationships, but since the young lady is not yet an adult, he is still the guardian.
"Yes, it's Hayata-nii from the Kot team, Moroboshi-nii from the Ultra Guard, and Go-nii from the MAT team."
Team Kot, Ultra Guard and Team MAT?
They are truly the elite who have fought against monsters and aliens to protect humanity in the past. But it is strange that only one person came from each team.
Suddenly, Jianye remembered the news report he heard in the afternoon.
The First Generation, Seven, and Jack returned to Earth after a long absence. Although they disappeared within just a few minutes, and no reporters even had time to take pictures on the scene, it is still a scene that brings tears to one's eyes just thinking about it.
Considering the identity of the eldest lady.
So, these three people could be——
If it is really as he guessed, then the 'hero fighting for humanity' mentioned by the young lady is truly worthy of the title.
Jianye just felt a little trembling, excited and thrilled, but he knew that the rest was not something he should inquire about.
"I understand, young lady. I think the master will agree."
Serve them with the best wine, for they deserve the best.
Not long after, Jianye brought out a bottle of red wine from the wine cellar.
One bottle is enough. Red wine is not meant to be drunk in tons, it is to be savored slowly.
"This is Romanee-Conti from 1945. Please enjoy it."
"Romanee-Conti? This is a good wine." Hayata Kazuo didn't know much about red wine, but Moroboshi knew this brand.
During the two years when he incarnated as the Star Cluster to fight for the Earth, he did have some interest in this beverage that humans had researched for thousands of years.
"This is the 'Last Romanee-Conti'." Butler Jianye said seriously. Telling the story of the wine to guests when appreciating the wine is also a waiter's etiquette and a compulsory course for butlers.
"In 1945, hailstorms hit the Romanee Conti winery, killing all the old vines. Only 600 bottles of red wine were produced that year, and this is one of them."
“Because the old plants were severely damaged, they had to be removed the following year, and then new plants were introduced from La Tache Winery. Even though their plants have the same ‘bloodline’, the name of Romanee-Conti remains unchanged, but the plants are the foundation of red wine. In the eyes of some people, the real Romanee-Conti disappeared forever with the hail in 1945.”
“This is probably the last one left in the world.”
Hayata and his companions had not originally planned to taste such precious wine, but Jianye had already opened the bottle cork while speaking.
The Pinot Noir picked in the spring of 1945, after nearly 28 years, finally broke its dusty seal at this moment.
The mellow taste precipitated by time.
What follows is a rich floral and fruity scent, with a hint of rose and licorice, just like a forest in spring.
The aroma of wine needs time to awaken, slowly waking up from its 28-year slumber, to show its most beautiful appearance.
"The last Romanee-Conti." Lingye was not usually interested in wine, and even though this was her family's collection of wine, it was the first time she had heard this story.
“But I don’t like this term. ‘Last’ always gives people a feeling of regret and sadness, because the winery is still there, right? It would be better to use ‘new’.”
Everyone will encounter hardships, but if you can stand up again, you will be able to embrace a new life.
The first generation, Seven, Jack, they all failed, and even lost their light at one point, but they all stood up. This time it was Ace's turn.
It's the same for everyone. If you don't get knocked down by difficult situations and stand up, you will become stronger.
Chapter 183: Respective Holidays
April 12
winter solstice
The winter solstice, one of the 24 solar terms, is not considered a traditional festival in Japan. However, influenced by the customs brought back by envoys to the Tang Dynasty thousands of years ago, some citizens choose to worship their ancestors and visit their graves on this day with the shortest daylight in the year.
Rumiko and Jiro walked in the quiet woods, one carrying a wooden bucket and the other holding flowers.
"Sister, can you help me carry the barrel? I'll get the flowers. This barrel is so heavy."
The barrel itself was not heavy, but it was filled with well water, so it would sway with every step. In order to prevent the water from spilling, Jiro had to hold it carefully with both hands. This was not an easy task.
"Jiro, what are you talking about, you are a boy, right?"