Chapter 320

Fifty-First: Ash: I could fish by the river all day.

“Excuse me, Mr. Eddie?”

Lei, who had gradually lost her fear of him, started to converse with the man claiming to be a time traveler.

“You said that in another world, there were signs of some dark forces at work?”

The girl’s eyes inadvertently darted towards the dolls on the couch. Due to the owner of a special effects store, he had bought many hero figurines and placed them there, and the girls enjoyed playing with the dolls whenever they had free time.

It was precisely because of this that Lei was surprised to believe that the masked heroes on TV actually existed, and even their world was experiencing extraordinary events.

These events that should only have appeared on television seemed to have an intricate connection with the “world” where Hanazaki Lei lived.

“Yes, we’ve also discovered such reactions in your world!”

Eddie couldn’t reach a consensus with the others because, for everyone else, their only activity was observation, and no matter what happened to the world, it seemed to them like their predetermined destiny.

But I won’t just watch; I will definitely defeat the darkness to save the world and prove it to everyone!

“It must be that guy, the Kamen Rider Timmons!”

Hearing the familiar name, the three Pretty Cures perked up.

“He carries a dark reaction that doesn’t match this world. He must be a time traveler and the one who brought all this to this world—the culprit!”

He was so sure of his conviction, while the person being scolded, the alleged culprit, shrugged indifferently, showing no concern.

After all, compared to the accusations thrown at him, Ash was more convinced that he knew what he was doing.

“Hey hey, really or fake?”

Ash’s expression showed contempt, and he deliberately acted as if he didn’t believe it.

“The Pretty Cures are experts at eliminating evil. Is it really this serious?”

“What do you mean? Do you not believe me?!”

Gotcha.

“This is the Infinite Commander’s judgment. The commander is the greatest hero of SCSO! His intuition is absolutely correct!”

Oh, the one targeting me is called Infinite? Sounds like a high official.

Ash searched his memory and vaguely remembered something about such a person.

It must have been ages ago, who knows when exactly. I remember fighting someone with this name… but I remember there were others involved besides him at that time.

While recalling, Ash continued trying to pry more information out of him.

“So sure of yourself, yet you’re the only one here? Police usually patrol in pairs. Don’t just make things up.”

“This is…”

Upon hearing Ash’s question, Eddie hesitated, his voice becoming uneasy.

“Because everyone doesn’t believe me, nor does the Commander who hasn’t found evidence… I can’t just watch, so I snuck in with a high-ranking identity.”

Ash seemed to understand the situation. The system had long hidden his existence; otherwise, those capable of traveling between worlds would have found him.

And according to Eddie, the Commander had come here with only intuition, which was frighteningly accurate, but no wonder no one believed them.

Of course, understanding this didn’t stop him from using it to criticize this obviously inexperienced “newcomer.”

“In that case, you say you were exposed and then defeated by Timmons and the Dark Pretty Cure, all because of your rash actions? Ha, you’re just like the protagonist from those mindless shonen manga.”

Eddie was speechless; he knew the problems, but he couldn’t come up with an answer.

[Ash, did you hear that? He said the high-level authority of SCSO was stolen. If it can be stolen, it means it wasn’t bound.]

Ash looked at the screen only he could see, tilting his head in confusion.

[This means we—or rather, you—can try taking it away, and you can use their SCSO’s power.]

Ash didn’t quite get what the system meant. What’s the point of stealing the authority? Stealing home isn’t the way.

[Like this, you can use their system channels to return to a world you’ve been to before.]

Ash took a deep breath.

“Manager?” Yuki noticed Ash’s unusual behavior and came over to see what was wrong.

“No, Yuki, I’m fine. I’ll go get him a change of clothes; it’s too undignified wearing just shorts.”

“…”

Is he really alright?

Ash quickly walked away from everyone, taking deep breaths to calm himself down after a turbulent emotional rollercoaster.

If this is true, I can go back! So I can…

No, Ash, aren’t you already determined to let go of the past and future? You only need to focus on the present! This kind of thinking will only make you weak—

“Alright!” Ash exhaled deeply, dispelling the thoughts that had been circling his mind.

“We’ll discuss this later.”

Oh, the pressure-inducing guy finally left.

Eddie’s eyes darted around, and he had seen his Javelin Strike casually on a nearby counter.

The chains behind him had been loosened after moving them secretly…

“If you’re telling the truth, we should…” Considering how to deal with this suspicious figure with both the “peeping-tom” and “time-travel police” identities, Erika widened her eyes to see Eddie struggling to stand up, breaking free from the chains.

“What? What are you going to do?”

“That guy is still outside. I wouldn’t waste my time on this childish game. Move aside!”

Running past Lei and Erika, Eddie went to retrieve his Javelin Strike when a graceful figure blocked his path.

“Miss, please move.”

Before Eddie could finish, Yuki caught his wrist and executed a perfect shoulder throw, pinning him to the ground.

The self-proclaimed SCSO time traveler Eddie, was effortlessly taken down by the local resident and shopkeeper Yuki with her move.

“Manager, what about him?”

“Don’t make it too difficult, Yuki.” Ash threw a blue jacket over Eddie’s face as he emerged from the dressing room. “After all, he’s just a naïve hotshot.”

Ash realized that his tolerance had increased compared to before; he would have given such people a thorough beatdown in the past.

“Who said I’m a hotshot!”

“Whoever it fits.”

Wearing the jacket and pants provided by Ash, seeing Eddie finally looking somewhat human, sitting on the other side of the sofa, silently meeting Ash’s gaze temporarily dealing with others.

“Thank… you.”

“Didn’t your mother tell you?” Ash propped up his leg carelessly. “Gratitude needs sincere expression.”

“Shut up! I grew up in an orphanage. I don’t know what kind of person my mother is!”

“Then talk about something else,” Ash changed position, crossing his hands under his chin. “From what you’ve described (including the other identity’s experience), your actions seem reckless. I’m curious what drove you to do this.”

“I want to be a hero!” At this point, Eddie became excited. “I want to prove to everyone that I can become a hero like the Commander and gain absolute recognition!”

“Do you want to be a hero just for fame?” Ash, watching the still excited Eddie, narrowed his eyes.

“Eddie, why not aim for something big?”