Chapter 189

Eighty-Six Prelude

First love… Haha, you’re talking about this. Mana, why are you so much like Arisu?

Ash immediately understood to some extent. So even the legendary warriors are still just little girls, always thinking about nonsensical things. Is this youth?

But as he pondered, Ai thought of other possibilities.

Come to think of it, although he says he doesn’t want to be friends with us, the relationship between Mr. Ash and us, and Regina, is actually quite good in terms of gender!

Although we often inexplicably have battles, and he rarely holds back during fights, causing super pain! But in fact, it really has significantly raised our strength levels! It’s almost like those enemies on TV who are both rivals and mentors, secretly training the protagonist.

So, could it be that Mr. Ash is—

“Mr. Ash… Are you intentionally leading us along?!”

“Huh?”

If the previous sentence was something Ash could barely understand, this time he was completely lost.

“Intentionally maintaining a distance, acting as rival but also a friend, yet having very good relations with everyone until someone can’t help but take one step further, thus others will follow!”

The more Ai spoke, the more spirited she became, feeling her argument becoming more reasonable. She was certain of the result.

“At that time, Mr. Ash should be able to start a pretty large harem of Cure beauties!”

“Ha—!?”

This time, Ash was truly bewildered. Seeing Ai excitedly spread her arms upward as if imitating some sort of grand palace, almost dropping his jaw in shock.

What is this person…

Is this person insane?

“Hmm, hmm, hmm, I was right, wasn’t I, Ash!” Ai placed her hands on her hips, humming proudly. Pointing at a dangerous-looking Ash, her words unintentionally seemed like preaching.

“No, no, no! Not mentioning Makoto P’s feelings, Arisu… even if she agreed, she couldn’t do anything either. Rikka is my close friend, I won’t let you have her!”

“And me and Regina… To have so many cute girls like you, it’s too much! Not only is it immoral, but also makes you too conceited! Unhealthy, completely unhealthy. Mr. Ash, forget it, we absolutely won’t allow this—mwah!”

As they spoke, Mana’s confident voice gradually turned into screams. Other people who were playing water nearby, when seeing that Ash was actually punishing Ai by punching her head, breathed a sigh of relief and continued chatting about their activities.

“What nonsense are you talking about… If I really wanted a harem, right now, I could already have an entire company.”

And most of them would actually be men. Orz…

Ash fell to the sand with disheartened posture. Though he forgot many faces and names, he could determine one thing for sure.

Some of those guys definitely had special feelings toward him, something like that burning friendship they talked about?

Thinking of this, Ash felt even more dejected. If possible, he also wants girls to like him!

In reality, the girls he met in his previous world were either taken or incapable of understanding him. And those who potentially could develop normally eventually led to motherly instincts.

Ash’s experience with women could only be described as tragic.

“Mmmm— In other words, Mr. Ash is actually the Sea King—Mmmm, I’m sorry! Please spare me, it hurts!”

“Sea King!? You’re more like a sea king!”

Time always seems to fly by when one is happy.

The exhausted group sat by the sea, enjoying the gentle sea breeze touching their faces.

“Regina, are you happy today?”

“Yes, gazing at the sea makes me feel calm too.”

“Of course.” At this point, Ash stood up and leaned against a tree. “After all, the sea is where life was born.”

Kentaro, who was the oldest on the scene and had rich life experiences, also spoke up, “Actually, it’s the same for me. Whenever I’m confused or lost, I come here to see the sea and vast sky.”

“Dad does this too?”

“Yeah, the sea connects with the world, while the sky stretches across the universe. So, don’t stop because of obstacles in life. You must try to move forward bit by bit!”

“Really, it’s rare for Dad to say such fine words!” Ai smiled and leaned against her father, admiring his handsome demeanor. Kentaro gently rubbed his daughter’s radiant red hair with pride.

“Going forward… always…”

As he too stared at the sea and sky, Ash felt unable to find peace in his heart.

I abandoned all hesitation; even if I encountered anything halfway, I would never stop and continue moving forward.

However, what would happen if I keep going?

While Ash was lost in thought, the sudden terrifying darkness enveloped the beach, turning the sky inky black. The girls instantly felt pressure, preparing excuses to persuade Kentaro away to change into their transformation forms, but darkness flashed through the crowd.

“Waaah—!”

As Ash jumped out of the way, carrying Regina onto a boulder, out stepped a comical duo and Levi who had escaped before.

“Father!”

Ai, upon landing on the floor, urgently hugged her fallen father in panic. Only after confirming he was merely stunned did she quickly call for her friends to transform into their Cure forms.

“It’s you guys again, not long since last time, wanting me to entertain you so soon?”

Eira and Mamu grimaced, though they no longer felt anger from being mocked. Actually, if it weren’t for the Selfish King’s order, they wouldn’t have acted.

“Father!”

Rikka’s voice from behind caught his attention. On the sea surface, a ferocious wind lifted up a huge dark statue, which resembled the figure of the Selfish King seen earlier in the Card Kingdom.

“Instantaneous teleportation… No, an illusion?”

Ash sensed something off. Although it should resemble a mirage, even with a towering stature, it shouldn’t have much combat power. However, Ash sensed a terrifying presence even greater than the Selfish King himself!

Rikka continuously called for her father but received no response. Ash looked up and met the Selfish King’s gaze, sensing something, his body automatically alarming itself!

It seemed that with a single order, the three members of the Selfish Organization ignored the Cures and all attacked Ash simultaneously.

Untransformed as he was,掏卡盒, Ash could only push Regina aside and leap up, holding his card box. Down below, the intertwining light shattered the stones beneath his feet.

“Wrong—!”

Recognizing the error midway, Ash’s body in mid-air could not change angles. With no power to use, he crossed his arms in front.

The next moment, the Selfish King’s eyes emitted a deep purple beam, piercing through Ash’s arm, passing through the Dragon Tooth card box, then directly piercing into Ash’s heart with everyone’s shocked gazes.

“Ash—!” x5