Chapter 223

Chapter 122 Regained Freedom

“Are we really, truly free?”

Although she knew that they had been released and regained their freedom, Makoto still lacked a sense of reality about it.

Mana and Ash had agreed to have a final battle once the Precures gained stronger power, so Ash naturally let them all go.

That phrase, “Cheer up,” added as they were leaving seemed to hold some deeper meaning to the girls.

“Alright, at this moment, Makoto shouldn’t be talking about despair. Or is it that you’re already used to that place and feel a bit sad about leaving?”

Still with an easy smile, it seemed that after interacting with Ash for some time, Arisu also started to enjoy teasing her friends a bit.

“What are you talking about, Arisu? That guy always wants me to sing for him. What does he think I am, his idol or something!”

“Ara, but didn’t I see Makoto happily singing for him when he played the guitar? Our Makoto P was quite happy too, wasn’t he?” Arisu’s smile widened. “Especially when he accompanied her on the guitar.”

“It’s not! It’s not at all!”

Swordasaki Makoto immediately denied, her cheeks turning red from embarrassment. No matter what, she couldn’t say anything good about that hateful guy.

On the other side, Rikka and Ai, who hadn’t seen each other in a while, exchanged glances, their eyes showing the resolve to engrave each other’s faces in their memories until the blue-haired girl smiled and broke the silence.

“I’m back, Mana.”

“Mm, welcome back, Rikka… welcome back, everyone!”

Ai cried and laughed, sprinting over, knocking into everyone and embracing them.

“What rough love you have… Ugh!”

Despite saying such things, everyone hugged the girl who had temporarily regained her friend, even their own eyes welling up with tears.

“Let go! Forced inside here, I’m feeling a bit stifled!” Akuri felt somewhat suffocated after being forcibly pulled in; struggling for a while, she finally stopped.

Sigh, can’t the Precures be a bit more mature like me?

“No way, Akuri is also an important partner who fought together!”

“Then I want to do that too!”

Regina, who couldn’t wait any longer, lunged forward and joined the girls in a tight huddle.

“This time, I will never let go again!”

Ai, hugging Rikka, seemed afraid of losing them again, constantly rubbing against each other’s soft, tender cheeks.

In a place unnoticed by anyone, someone gently pressed the shutter button on their phone.

Looking at the picture of six girls hugging and crying with joy, Ash also showed a rather relaxed expression.

“Nice smiles.”

Ash in the mirror world stepped onto the back of the heteromorphic black dragon, reviewing the photo in his hand as he walked away.

“Not bad, at least better than photos shot by a certain photographer.”

A new addition was made to the collection of photos, with a different artistic style.

“Mana, everyone, there’s something I haven’t had the chance to tell you before. Now, listen to me.”

After breaking from their lively conversation and regaining their calm, Rikka turned to them with a serious face to share an important piece of information she had obtained.

Unfortunately, at that time, Ash hadn’t intended to listen; after reaching an agreement with Ai, he abandoned her, causing Rikka to be unable to pass on the information she had secured.

This left Rikka feeling very annoyed. Seriously, could he not spare a few moments to listen?

The rest of the group also fell into various states of silence upon hearing Rikka’s news.

“Was that person so desperate that he lost his mind because he knew he was going to die?” Akuri wore a troubled expression, shaking her head.

Ridiculous, Akuri said she couldn’t understand as a primary school student.

“But to put it another way, that day, the Selfish King attacked Ash to take control of his body!” Makoto seemed to suddenly think of something terrible, her expression subtly fluctuating. “So could it be that during this period, the selfish reasons behind Ash’s actions were caused by the influence of the Selfish King?!”

“No, we can’t say everything like that.” Arisu shook her head with differing opinions. “Ash doesn’t feel manipulated, and if it were truly the Selfish King, there would be no need for us to beat around the bush; just eliminate all of us Precures directly.”

“But then if you consider that Ash is harboring another entity within him, could it be that even he is merely a pawn in an even larger game?”

Makoto cut through the heart of the matter, making the ridiculous possibility hard to laugh off.

“Ash, could it be that Ash is becoming like Dad? Is he like Dad?” Regina, holding her head, felt increasingly worried and shook it side to side, her butterfly clips trembling along with her mood.

“No, I don’t want that! This is too bizarre!”

Regardless of whether Ash was being possessed, or if one had to call him dad, both scenarios were absurd.

“Even though his condition might worsen further if we continue fighting, why must he keep pushing and fighting us?!”

Rikka’s heart felt as if it were clenched tightly in pain.

In the past, the few points of goodwill that Ash had accumulated with Rikka were wiped out, plunging into negative territory. But knowing about his actions, especially that they might not be entirely of his own volition, brought hope back to Rikka. There was no way she could ignore him now.

The group agreed to work together to complete some trials, but continuing to fight Ash under these circumstances would only result in unnecessary injury. At least, Rikka hoped such a scenario would not occur.

“Mana, can’t we avoid fighting Ash? Such life-or-death combat is too cruel…”

Holding her palm tightly, Ai gradually relaxed upon hearing Rikka’s words.

“Rikka, now our current state makes it impossible to do this.”

“If he is consuming his last life force to continue transforming, it means he will not give up on any goal.”

“Exactly because of this, we cannot evade him; we have to confront him head-on!”

“Isn’t there another option?”

Everyone looked to Ai, who had become the central figure among them. She must come up with a plan now.

“There is!”

Ai said decisively.

“While I don’t know exactly how, I feel confident about it!” Ai’s confidence was evident as she spoke. “The power of Precure, the power of miracles, the miracle called forth will surely save him!”

“For that reason, we absolutely must pass the next trial and not lose!”

Rather than thinking, Ai is action-oriented. With a clear target ahead, she is even more resolute.

“If Ai says so.”

The Precures looked at each other, recognizing the same determination in each other’s eyes.

They were willing to believe her, to trust Cure Heart.

All Precure girls intertwined their hands, and at that moment, Ai set her gaze on Regina beside her.

“Regina, what you said earlier about going alone was too dangerous, but this time, come with us!”

“No, I am going anyway, no, I must go!”

Regina shook her head, her purpose only solidified by the knowledge of this information.

She was concerned about the current Ash and an uncertain father even more, but however happy she was among the girls, she couldn’t abandon the love of the past.

“Mana, use your ways to work hard. I will try to find a possible method of success!”

Taking out the Longya Card Box left by Ash, a light flickered in Regina’s eyes.