Chapter 129

The twenty-fourth chapter – It doesn’t hurt to stand and talk.

Discovered?!

Ash’s sudden turn back startled Makoto, who was hiding in the shadows, so much that her heart nearly skipped a beat. Having been the most severely beaten among those previously acquainted and even nearly eaten by the dragon, Makoto held a significant psychological shadow towards him.

Looking at his fierce, beast-like eyes, Makoto gradually felt an urge to retreat.

“Calm down, Makoto! He might just be bluffing to trick you out,” Dabi whispered cautiously, trying to console his extremely nervous partner.

Hearing Dabi’s voice, Makoto slightly calmed down. After all, wasn’t this common in movies? Pretending not to have noticed someone and bluffing them out from their hiding place.

No matter what, she was now in Cure Sword’s condition. How could enhanced abilities be easily discovered?

Looking again, Ash had already pulled out a gear-sealing gun from behind and aimed it at her.

In the desolate midnight, crisp gunshot echoes rent the air. The heated bullet, burning against the oxygen, pierced through the concrete wall in front of Ash, brushing past Makoto’s cheek, and emerged from between the strands of her purple hair before impacting the signboard on the roof behind her.

Grasping the trigger tightly without letting go, he raised his hand, gripped the side lever, and began turning it. Under the automatic mode setting of the revolver, fierce flames spewed out from the gun, creating a storm of bullets that swept past Makoto, with all of them crashing into the unfortunate signboard behind her.

This splintered signboard happened to be an advertisement for a drink Makoto represented. As a result of being targeted by Ash’s cruel prank, bullet holes riddled the signboard centered around Makoto’s image. Under the wind’s persistent gusts, these holes caused the signboard to crumble and fall to pieces right next to a pale-faced Makoto.

Such clear threats, even if Makoto were a fool, should understand her situation.

“If you want to hide any longer, the next bullet will shoot not just your signboard but perhaps you too.”

Hearing these words, Makoto had to raise both hands in a French salute and step out of the shadows.

“How did you discover me?”

“It would take the entire police force to house amateurs if all thieves were like you.”

Thanks to some burglars in the past, Ash honed a strong instinct for counter-surveillance.

Not to mention, this girl’s ability to hide was laughable; hidden in the corner, it was only now that Ash realized her ribbon had floated out.

Yet, the person appearing actually surprised Ash, surprising as he had just spoken about punishing the purple one.

“Oh, it’s you, Purple.”

“Shouldn’t be wandering and following people at night; it’s dangerous. If gender bending were involved, I’d call the police for sure.”

Why would someone follow you! If you weren’t going to cause trouble, I wouldn’t bother!

Makoto’s guess was correct; Ash indeed planned something nefarious with her as the target.

“Calling someone ‘Purple’, what lack of manners! I’m here to find Princess!”

Facing his frivolous attitude, Makoto, unable to remain calm as usual, clenched her fists.

Even though you’ve done such atrocious things, you couldn’t even remember my name?

“My battlename is Courage Blade! Cure Sword! Warrior of Play Kingdom!”

“I know, I know, you’re Kanzaki Makoto, the idol known nationwide.”

“Might you have a brother named Kanzaki Kazuma?”

Having been struck by the same Emperor Sword alongside Xiao Ming, touching his shoulder brought about a phantom pain causing him to shrink.

Though he could not recall all the exact details of his time in Blade World, he remembered that often because of his behavior style, Kazuma would attack him in rage and frustration whenever he didn’t understand something.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Nonsense, unable to comprehend, Makoto expressed she was an only child.

“What a shame.”

If such a scenario existed, today would prove it with him.

“What a shame… Ah!”

Realizing she was being toyed with, Makoto quickly reacted. No! If you know their names, why use colors to refer to them?

“Absolutely, I did it on purpose.”

Observing the young lady continuously losing control while maintaining her severe appearance, Ash was always compelled to provoke her further.

Breathe… feeling her rationality almost evaporating, Makoto grew infuriated until her Spade hairpin stood straight up.

“Makoto, keep your cool! He wants to provoke us intentionally.”

Dabi, seeing his partner’s state, was flustered; normally composed Makoto was now getting stirred up by a few words from this man.

What exactly does man named Ash aim to do?

“Dabi… I know!”

But I still want to teach him a lesson, to understand respect.

“A renowned idol like Kanzaki switching stages due to unfitness, choosing to become a Pretty Cure instead?”

“Then why attack us, the Pretty Cures?!”

Taking control of the conversation rhythm, Makoto retorted.

“Because battles with you are fun, that’s sincere.”

Just for that reason…

“By the way, thanks to a commendable boss, I’m part of the Selfish Organization. So, no more lies about having no reasons.”

Ignoring the worsening expression of Makoto, Ash continued, boasting joyfully.

“Do you know what you’re doing?!”

Makoto, with tears welling up, shouted, cutting Ash off mid-sentence.

“My country, Play Kingdom, has fallen. Our nation has been transformed into Selfish Beasts by the Selfish King. Princess An, that I should protect, is missing—perhaps to protect me!”

As she voiced her pain, teardrops resembling pearls fell onto the ground along with her choked sobs.

“All of this—because of the invasion by Selfish Organization!”

Ai… wanting to make friends with that Selfish King’s daughter! If Regina is as self-centered as that, she’s the enemy’s boss’s daughter. How can I understand such a thing?

“Even if Play Kingdom isn’t the first, nor likely, the last world to suffer. If Earth falls under that king’s rule due to your choices, won’t you feel sad for Planet Earth?”

How could you not feel ashamed?

Havoc and family, even if the final struggle temporarily seals the Selfish King within the Play Kingdom, all my relatives and acquaintances have become mere “Selfish Beasts.” Our beloved princess too, went missing.

Witnessing the kingdom’s “ruin,” the regret of not successfully protecting both our nation and its princess tortures her deeply as a Pretty Cure.

“Do you know how I feel?!”

Plus, the constant fatigue accumulating recently finally broke her in the presence of Ash.

“No.”

With a straightforward response, Ash cut off Makoto’s speech.

“I’m not from Play Kingdom; how would I know your feelings?”

Gazing straightforwardly at Makoto, he threw the question back at her.

“Moreover, safeguarding the princess and Play Kingdom, that’s the responsibility of a Pretty Cure. Thus, how does what you say relate to me?”

“Hehe, being unable to protect what you want to protects just shows your incompetence.”

I… am incompetent?

Swiftly throwing the blame, Makoto, feeling true pain once more, couldn’t hear her teammate’s calls, only staring at her trembling open palms, reflecting deeply.

Yes, if I had been stronger back then, able to defeat more “Selfish Beasts” or even the Selfish King himself, could I have saved my country and prevented princess’ sacrifices?

Are all these miseries because I’m so incapable?

Regretting deeply, Makoto questioned herself profoundly.

“Also, I care nothing for your accusations.”

Firstly, it’s not his world, hence should be protected by the Pretty Cure of that world. Blindly relying on others leads to physical ruin or mental atrophy.

Whether his involvement would aid anti-hero organizations in a successful resurgence is irrelevant.

Ash proudly claimed having quit only a few of the organizations he joined which met disastrous ends. He believed to be a responsible person; if an issue started by him, it should be resolved by him as well.

Enough said for that matter; looking at her, she’s bound to spiral into depression otherwise. This wasn’t a debate.

“Kanzaki, you said finding princess was your goal right?”

“Huh… You mean?” Hearing Ash speak about her beloved, Makoto finally snapped back.

“Yes, I know.”

Ash didn’t know the exact location of Play Kingdom’s princess.

However, variety of means exist for finding her, therefore, he wasn’t exactly lying.

“Really!” Ignoring the possibility of deceit, Makoto’s voice expressed uncontainable excitement. “Please… Please show me! Guide me!”

“But, I refuse!”

“Eh?!” The girl was completely under Ash’s control, reminded suddenly that they were enemies, thus no further information would be provided.

“How do you think I’ll tell you just like that? However, I’ll give you a chance.”

Lifting her spirits instantly, Ash’s words lifted the gloominess.

“Chance—? Alright, as long as it’ll help find An.”

“But only upon defeating them will I disclose the location.”

“Their?” At first assuming it was about members of the Selfish Organization, she became alarmed, yet saw no expected figures around.

Then, under Makoto’s watchful gaze, Ash raised the gear-sealer, uncovering the lid.

A dark gear flew out, falling neatly into the slot below, then he closed the lid with a snap. Amidst enthusiastic DJ style revving, he began turning the side lever.

“[30 Number]!”

Facing the gun’s illuminated barrel aimed her way, Makoto naturally raised her arm in defense, but when the trigger pulled, no anticipated attack came.

A massive gear model bearing the Seal Dynasty logo shot out from the barrel, five beams of colored light radiating from the center hit Makoto, transforming before her into a human shape.

“Adventure Seeker”

Opening her eyes widely, unable to believe the sight before her.

Five TV heroes stood before her, making their iconic combat stances toward the girl.