Chapter 222

Chapter 121 Let’s Begin, Both of You!

“It seems he finally fell asleep.”

Ash didn’t lie; he almost immediately fell asleep the moment he laid on his seat, head resting on the armrest and legs up on the backrest, only lacking a snore and drooling to be completely out.

Such an indecent sleeping posture stirred Rikka’s lecturing heart into unease.

Although taking advantage of an enemy’s sleep was a good opportunity to defeat them, Rikka wasn’t planning to do so. Firstly, she didn’t believe Ash lacked any defense against sneak attacks in his sleep. Secondly, as Pretty Cures, they would never resort to such underhanded tactics.

“Be careful not to catch a cold while sleeping,” Rikka sighed and wrapped a blanket around Ash’s body. As she was smoothing out the last corner and preparing to leave, something faintly visible beside Ash caught her attention.

This is… a panel?

The transparent panel gradually solidified until it became clearly visible for Rikka to read the text on it.

“This… Is this!?”

She stared at the words on the panel, eyes wide with shock.

[Look—can you see it?]

“What is this?”

Never before had Ash demonstrated this kind of thing to them — an item that looked like a computer pop-up. Unheard of!

Rikka looked left and right and realized this mysterious object was floating in mid-air; the feeling of unease increased tremendously.

“Are you, who is communicating with me?”

Even though she didn’t understand, from the continuous popping text, it seemed someone was indeed operating it.

[I want to entrust a task to you, legendary warrior.]

[I want you to save this person.]

———————

Rikka’s hands were trembling.

“Ash…he’s going to die?”

Her first reaction was disbelief.

That Ash, who was familiar to them, who had walked into their lives and battles unnoticed by them, who had become part of their world alongside Kamen Rider Ryuga, was about to die?

Even now, all they wanted was an apology, not his death.

Death in any form was not something any Pretty Cure would hope to see.

And how could it be possible?!

He wasn’t the one who would lay idle just because some disease made him think life’s dull, surely not someone facing death anytime soon.

It suddenly struck Rikka how earlier they discussed Ash acting strange recently.

Yes, compared to before, Ash was in a much worse state.

But if he truly were to die, why keep doing these things? Even if it’s a terminal condition shown on TV, why suffer here instead of enjoying life?

[I entrust you with a task. Please do it now.]

A sharp tip slowly emerged from the panel, followed by the blade and handle gradually appearing, until the whole knife came out of the panel.

[I want you to kill him now.]

“I reject!”

Without hesitation, Rikka refused outright.

Fighting against the Selfish Organization and defeating a Selfish Beast were methods of purification. Even if they had to face the officers, those born in darkness weren’t human, but defeating enemies and killing were completely different matters.

No matter if he was the enemy now, as a person and especially as a Pretty Cure, Rikka would absolutely not take a life!

“I can’t take a life!”

Every person’s life was unique and invaluable.

To say nothing of taking someone else’s!

As she looked at Ash’s peaceful face in his sleep, a slight tremor went through her heart.

Moreover, saving him by killing him makes no logical sense, doesn’t it?

[I’ll inform you now, If you don’t act then what Ash faces later will be worse than death! Would you wish that upon him?]

“HIS LIFE BELONGS TO HIMSELF, NOBODY ELSE HAS THE RIGHT TO DECIDE!”

Rikka began to despise this unknown figure conversing with her.

[Then consider the fate of the world…]

“Huh?”

[The biggest enemy of this light warrior world, the Selfish King, or rather his ancestor, is now within his body! That is why he’s changing!]

The words on the panel hit Rikka like a bolt of lightning.

[I have neglected this oversight, but blaming others now serves no purpose.]

[However, if you do not act swiftly, not only will he lose his efforts in this world, the Selfish Ancestor will return stronger!]

[Furthermore, should this darkness burst forth completely, you will face an unprecedented enemy, unbeatable even by miracles.]

The emphasized red text on the panel alarmed Rikka.

“You’re talking nonsense!”

[Plea, believe me, I wouldn’t lie.]

Oddly enough, despite no sound besides the continuous popping of text.

This text seemed to possess some sort of power, compelling Rikka to believe.

“To save the world?”

The knife appeared in Rikka’s hand somehow, held high with the gleam reflecting a slightly distorted look on her face.

Yes, it’s true… He even took away my Mana… This…

As Rikka lost focus staring at the knife, upon seeing the sharp edge, she regained clarity and flung the blade aside with force.

“No! I won’t kill Mr. Ash, I… I won’t—!”

Using sacrifices to save the world, there’s no way I’d ever do it!

Ash opened his eyes.

Seeing Rikka on the ground, devastated, and the dropped knife nearby, he seemed to grasp something.

“Hah? Planning to finish me off while I’m sleeping?”

“N-No… I—!”

Rikka’s feeble attempt at explanation was cut short by Ash. Punches or kicks anticipated didn’t come; instead, Ash’s free hand disarrayed her hair.

“That’s great! To still have defiant thoughts within you, you are admirable.”

“Huh?” Rikka was in disbelief.

“Betrayal is fine too; indeed, I welcome your betrayal.”

“Because that makes things more interesting, hahaha—!”

Looking at the laughing Ash, Rikka was stunned, then erupted with intense anger.

“That’s… wrong, I am following the game’s rules.”

“You’re looking down on someone just because I acted on emotions, is that it?!”

Thinking how she almost “tarnished” herself, Rikka felt nauseous.

“ASH—Mr. Ash, why, why are you so indifferent about such things!”

“I don’t care about my own life, so do I need to fret over anything else?”

Upon seeing Ash’s matter-of-fact demeanor, Rikka’s expression sank, blue bangs shielding her expression.

“Mr. Ash… You’ve really changed.” (intonation lowered)

In your past, you’d certainly never speak such unambitious words!

Now, six-flowering half-believes what’s inside that panel.

“Mr. Ash, I need to say something—”

“Hush, wait.” Ash raised a finger and placed it on Rikka’s lips, silencing her.

Makoto’s singing came from the man’s embrace, opening Garland Gatling mobile, checking the caller ID, Ash frowned but answered.

“Hey, Ai, didn’t I tell you I lost interest in you?”

Mana?!

Rikka’s expression brightened seeing the caller’s identity.

“Oh, you want to talk about future stuff, I guess? That interests me.”

At last, Ash’s expression changed.

Standing near the crossroads not far from PigTail Pavilion, Ai, wearing an overcoat, was glancing around as if waiting for someone, when from afar, the sound of roaring engines reached her, signaling her awaited companion’s arrival.

“Ideals aside, what moves you? What shakes my spirit?”

Dismounting Diego Swift motorcycle with a drifting turn, Ash leaned against the lamppost, waiting for Ai’s response.

“Ash, please return all my friends to me now.”

Looking at Ai bowing reverently, Ash’s expression remained unreadable.

“Why should I?”

If you say you want to exchange yourself for them, I’ll genuinely destroy you.

“Ash-san, you played with these games wholeheartedly with the intention of fighting us, right? Right now, I’ve learned a method to enhance the strength of Pretty Cures.”

Raising an eyebrow, Ash found this intriguing.

“And acquiring this power requires the presence of all Pretty Cures.”

“So, I want you to release everyone first, Ash-san, and once our team is complete, we will complete the trial and receive the legendary power, then we’ll battle you.”

“We’ll surely defeat you then, and truly regain all our friends!”

Lifting Ai’s chin, Ash saw the indomitable spirit in her cherry-colored eyes.

Yes, that’s exactly what I desire!

“Fine, I’ll temporarily give them back, but you got one thing wrong.”

“I am not suicidal, and if you ask why, it’s because I won’t lose!”

—

This is the battle between Pretty Cures and “Kamen Riders.”

It’s begun!