Chapter 415

Now, tell me baby

“Cough cough————cough cough cough!”

After Ash released his grip, Wuki and Erika, who were kneeling on the ground, clutched their throats and started to cough heavily, struggling to breathe.

The drool under her chin washed away by the rain, the Girls opened their eyes. They looked at a man standing alone in the rain, only revealing his face; disbelief filled their eyes.

“Manager is… Timons, the Desert Apostle?”

“All along.”

The armored fingers wiped the rain off his face, giving him an energetic look.

Perhaps someone could renounce incredibly important past even after betrayal, just to fight against a once-friend turned enemy.

But such things couldn’t happen to the Pretty Cure girls, who often relied on their emotions. Far fewer could fight without hesitation.

“Erika!”

“Wuki…”

Holding back a stumble from a protrusion at her feet, Lei hurried over, accompanied by Lily, who was limping slowly, holding her arm.

Heartcatch Pretty Cure regrouped in a disheveled state. With lightning crashing down from the sky, illuminating [Crimson Timons] Ash as their enemy.

With a new knight armor but wearing no helmet, he faced various looks of sadness, pain, confusion, chaos, and anger with a calm expression.

“Have you understood now?”

“Why…”

“Oh, too many whys today. My ears might need a break from this!”

“Why!?” Erika, her face flushed, shouted. Rain blurred her face, and everyone wondered if it was water or tears. “Isn’t Mr. Ash supposed to be our most reliable friend?!”

“Enemy or friend? I prefer to call it…” Levelling his right hand, Ash held out his thumb. “My choice.”

“Everything?” only Wuki retained her calm but her voice trembled and her gaze grew colder.

“Of course! Actually, I quite like all of you. Holding great expectations for you,” Ash scratched his head thoughtfully, as though in a casual tea time chat rather than a confrontation.

“But, reality can be harsh. Love and romance don’t always save the world,” Ash shrugged with a troubled look. “If it were that easy, my world would have been peaceful long ago.”

“Since童话方式 doesn’t work, we use more realistic methods.”

“As adults, we have our own difficulties.”

“Excuses for adult reasons?! You’re not fit to guide children!”

Erika shook her head wildly, mud splashing her beautiful aquamarine hair, then charged forward. Others gritted their teeth and followed suit.

The battle resumes!

Armor components on their neck swiftly reconfigured into helmets. Goggles flickered with an enchanting light.

Even without [Timons], Wuki and Lily could defeat ordinary versions easily. Against Rei and Erika, the outcome remained uncertain.

Employing [Crimson Timons]’ powers, Ash skillfully juggled against all four.

His left hand locked onto Rei’s fist, right catching Erika’s spinning kick. Sunlight and moonlight burst forth, aiming to strike Ash down.

But could it be so simple?

“Go, FANG!”

Following Ash’s command, two crimson fangs mounted on his waist, seemingly ornamental, sprang upright and shot towards the attackers!

“What?!”

Without a pause, Wuki and Lily’s chests were pierced by the sharp fangs, nearly piercing through their bodies. The intense pressure brought up acid reflux.

The fangs connected by sturdy spider silk ropes swung ferociously, knocking both into walls and ground.

“Aaaah!”

Rei and Erika suffered as well. Four pairs of limbs attached to their shoulder plates suddenly extended. Even restrained, they screamed as metal appendages stabbed them.

“It hurts… It hurts…”

Soaked muddy pink ponytails and throbbing chests, Rei shrank and lay down in the rain.

“Sun—Sunshine Flash!” Stuck in the wall, Wuki managed to draw a circle and release countless golden beams, aimed at Ash. Before hitting him, he raised his left mantle.

Her astonished gaze watched the rays dissipate immediately upon touching the mantle, turning into sand.

“Ineffective.”

Facing Erika’s retaliatory punch, Ash shook his head. Sweeping the mantle, he deflected her punch, making it pass through his sandy form. Seeing her hand passed right through, she realized it was merely sand.

“Seen that? I can do it too.”

Struggling to withdraw her fist, Ash swept her into a shrimp-like shape before throwing her to join others on the ground.

The glow representing power faded from the Girls. Panting heavily, their armor dissolved into color particles, leaving只剩内衣的她们虚弱无力。

“Now what? Too weak?”

Facing the sprawled four, steam covering Ash’s body, he approached nonchalantly.

“Didn’t you get power-ups? Why not use them? Why not show your strength?”

“To beat the Desert Apostle with this? How?”

Ash walked casually, fingertips lightly tracing the silent belt.

Ash waits for their answer.

However, if the answer doesn’t satisfy him…

He’ll decide his method.

—

*Note: In the text “童话方式 doesn’t work” refers to the fairy tale ways not functioning, translating to “Since the fairy tale way doesn’t work, we must resort to more realistic methods.”