Chapter 127

The Twenty-Second Preparing to Free Ride on a Little Girl – Ash

Ever since Princess Regina, who came to Earth under the Selfish Organization and smoothly took over the leadership, the positions of two officers, Ira and Mamu, have been declining. As a human, Ash’s status has been rising, even overshadowing those “senior colleagues” of his.

The reason was, of course, that in response to Ash’s enthusiastic help, even the domineering and capricious Regina rarely found fault with him. The other two officers adopted a negative attitude of “if I can’t handle it, I’ll just avoid it” towards her various demands. In comparison, Ash could produce almost anything tempting for a little girl given enough evil energy, even inducing Regina to want to give out an “Employee of the Year” medal to Ash on behalf of her father.

Feeling sidelined, the other two often gossiped behind Ash’s back about him being a “groveling lackey”, until one night when Ash invited his seniors to a “dinner party”. After returning, bruised and battered, they ceased their complaints.

On his end, Ash treated Regina like his “wallet”. Every day, by opening some small gifts from his inventory to clear his daily quota, he could see a slight increase in the dark echoes collected by the system, feeling a sense of bountiful joy.

Ash didn’t like being subordinate, not only because he preferred to act according to his own will, but also because being a subordinate is usually tiring and unrewarding. But this once-in-a-century good boss made him willing to put in effort.

There was no comparison between his previous boss, who constantly schemed against him and was a slime-like alien creature, and this adorable blonde girl boss who had merely assigned him minor tasks so far, except for the snake monster’s coffee that suited Ash’s taste.

Given such differences, it was no wonder Ash slacked off excessively in the last world and eventually used the Snowstorm Gauntlets to surprise and destroy the alien boss.

Had that alien boss not wanted to evolve but instead been a punctual blonde boss, would Ash have betrayed him?

He probably still would have betrayed him, considering the potential cost otherwise.

It would just be delayed for a few episodes.

“Princess, here’s the ice cream you wanted.”

Receiving the ice cream, Regina, with her soft, tender tongue, savored the sweet cream and instantly felt bliss, her red bow atop her head bouncing excitedly.

“You really do the best, Ash. Mamu’s ice cream melted before we got home, compared to you, they’re useless.”

“How dare you compare me?”

In reality, it was because of the system’s item storage capabilities that nothing went bad. Every day working for Regina, clearing daily tasks, and gaining points along with increasing favor, led to Regina valuing him more.

However, he seemed too devoted, if Ash hadn’t refused various service requests due to his own laziness, Regina might have had him dressing her every morning.

Enjoying the delightful combination of coolness and sweetness from the ice cream, Regina gradually shifted her attention to the human in front of her. Deep sapphire eyes reflected the mysterious figure of this black man.

Regina liked Ash.

Not in the broad sense of love, friendship, or family, maybe because her father was the Selfish King, she appreciated Ash’s self-centered nature.

How could a human like him have such strong self-centered feelings?

“Ash is human yet has self-centered tendencies at least equal to ours.”

Regina had observed Ash’s heart with special powers. When she first saw the heart completely enveloped in darkness, she was shocked.

Hard to imagine making a selfish beast from Ash’s heart.

Why does a human have so much darkness? Those darknesses similar yet different from evil energy, what are they?

“Why? Whether freely using strength or doing good for unseen people, I act on my own will.”

“If Princess regards compliance with one’s heart as self-centered, so be it.”

Whether collecting dark echoes, battling with justice or opposing organizations, all these stemmed from the single reason: he wished to.

“Do you obtain evil energy due to this reason?”

Are you submissive to me just because of this wish?

What kind of person is this, truly self-centered!

“Of course, otherwise what else?”

“Hm, then does this mean that if Ash is ever bored with the Selfish Organization, he would leave without hesitation?”

Head bobbing slightly, Regina asked a dangerous question.

“Yes, if it’s uninteresting anymore, it’s time to leave.”

“The Selfish Organization doesn’t allow resignations, even if you turn against Daddy and the others?”

This question was like a trap.

Gazing dangerously, pulling out the strongest entity known, Regina awaited Ash’s answer.

“As long as you dare provoke me.”

Such an obvious question, Ash understood their intentions, he didn’t bother hiding his thoughts.

He was equally eager for Regina’s answer.

“Even in public, Ash, you really know how to speak.”

Like the most expensive CSM belt displayed at the top of the toy section, the more expensive, the more he desired. Facing such self-indulgence, Regina increasingly wanted Ash.

“I fancy you, you’re no longer servant. From today, you are my loyal knight!”

Regina didn’t take offense at Ash’s disrespect; instead, she happily promoted him.

With a rude gesture pointing at Ash’s nose, Regina proudly announced. Ash simply shrugged in resignation.

“I have always been a knight.”

Isn’t wearing a mask and fighting the enemy make one a knight? Just look at how Kamen Rider #1 rode a horse and fought Shocker.

But watching Regina’s proud expression, he couldn’t help liking this little girl.

Who wouldn’t like her?

“Human world fun has run out, Ash, anything new?”

“There’s something interesting, yes.”

Having explored countless worlds, Ash had amassed a huge collection of items, valuable or otherwise. Thanks to his habit of hoarding, some items were forgotten.

This even attracted the attention of a treasure-hunting kou, reminding him of the saying, “Afraid of thieves stealing but more of them coveting.” After eliminating the troublesome entity numerous times, along with someone named Mingming Wang, Ash added them to his blacklist.

Forgetting those details for now, responding to Regina’s request, Ash started searching through his belongings.

Backup underwear from Shichiba, a coupon from a colorful snack shop, panna cotta hidden in Yao Hui’s fridge, fake residue of Peace Star powder, an artifact left by some fallen wizard…

Nothing interesting… wait, what’s this?

Finding the forgotten items, he suddenly devised a wicked plan for “free riding.”

“Princess, want to see this?”

Facing Regina’s expectant gaze, Ash brought out everything.

“Tsk tsk tsk—”

From behind, he retrieved a pile of gears, so many that some slipped through his fingers, creating a sound upon collision.

“What’s this?”

Regina picked up a deep purple gear inscribed with numbers and an unknown face.

“This is called Dark Squad Gear, a miraculous item containing potent power from super teams across parallel worlds, but as it lacks energy, it’s useless.”

“So, Princess,”

Holding up a gear marked with 30 and an adventurer, Ash slowly placed it before Regina.

“Could your loyal knight do a small favor for you?”

Unmindful if roles were reversed, Ash enticingly lured Regina into his scheme.