Chapter 417

The 152nd Scheme and Scheme and Scheme

“Ciao.”

Ash walked away.

And whoever it was, looking at his retreating figure, had no power to stop him.

“What a disaster…”

After that, the crimson figure completely dissipated in the rain, making them understand that Ash had truly left them.

From now on, they could only rely on themselves.

Walking in the rain, Ash hummed a tune lightly, as if he was singing along with a melody, or perhaps it was just meaningless humming.

They would probably catch a cold this time?

Forget it, what else should I be thinking about right now?

Our relationship has ended, completely finished…

“But still, those six months were truly enjoyable, to the point I don’t want to forget anything… Sigh, just thinking about these things makes me feel useless.”

After unbuckling the belt, the red armor turned into sand and Ash reverted from his transformation.

“Cough, cough!”

Moving his hand away from his mouth and looking at the fragmented rust mixed in the palm filled with fresh blood, Ash slightly frowned.

“This might not be sustainable anymore… Even though the times are changing, it seems even the death knell is approaching…”

Placing a new seal on his chest, Kaien flew in front of him, with faint web-like cracks appearing around his body’s edges.

“Ash, this is the result. If you do this, you will undoubtedly be taking active steps towards Hell.”

“Hmm, collecting Dark Echoes in this world hasn’t been too difficult so far, and when I die, it should be almost completed.” Ash said with a light tone, telling a heavy story. He wiped off the blood on his hands disdainfully before spreading them out. “So until then, I will play around with my life.”

There won’t be any problems, after all, I am a genius.

“Or rather…”

Focusing his eyes on Kaien, who was staring at him,

“Is it that you don’t like me doing this? It’s understandable, since a demon and a human are connected in life; if I die, you’ll surely die too. Hmm, thinking like that truly feels unfair.”

“So, are you regretting acknowledging my thoughts?”

Facing Ash’s question, Kaien remained silent for a moment, not answering immediately.

Leaning against the eave, the rain fell heavily in front of him, splattering everywhere.

His pupils, flickering like a faulty light bulb, didn’t blink. Gazing into Kaien’s round eyes created by a sprite, they stared each other down.

“No, there’s no regrets, but—”

Shifting his gaze to the sky, Kaien spoke with a hint of something significant.

“After all, I am your demon.”

“Huh, such a reliable demon.”

This time, it was Kaien watching Ash’s back instead of Lei and the others. Seeing the man’s slow pace, a smile formed at the corner of Kaien’s mouth.

“Yes, I am your demon.”

Kaien emphasized again.

Since I am the demon born from Ash, who is self-centered and loves to act recklessly.

Then during the remaining time, shouldn’t random actions be my freedom, given how demons behave?

Since obedient behavior isn’t the way of a demon either, right?

Ash did not hide it.

When the Desert Apostles learned the truth, their expressions varied—some relieved, some indifferent, and others who found it a waste of time.

Of course, Shabak, who had long harbored ill feelings towards Ash, didn’t say a word when he learned about Ash calling himself a “deepcover agent.” In the end, he only left after saying, “Lord Doon looks forward to your future performance,” without closing the door.

But there was one person who was very happy.

“Hehehehe, hahahaha!”

Sitting on the couch, Ash quietly watched Dark Pretty Cure laughing heartily beside him.

This was the first time he had seen Little Dark emit such a human-like laugh, although the source wasn’t ideal.

“Tii…Ash, you did great, really great!”

Dark Pretty Cure’s eyes glimmered with playful acknowledgment, overflowing with praise.

“Hmph, naturally. It’s only right.”

Ash’s tone slipped into a proud one.

“I knew you were an important friend of mine!” Without hesitation, Dark Pretty Cure sat next to Ash and pulled his arm into her embrace with her gloved arm through the black stockings. “An irreplaceable friend.”

“Therefore, I trust you and believe you would never leave my side!”

As Ash felt the hand tighten on his arm, he thought how this soft yet strong grip was better than that of a Pretty Cure.

Ash made no move to break free. Instead, he turned his head toward her, facing her eye-to-eye, so close that breathing onto her face would be possible.

Certainly, neither of them felt any embarrassment at such a proximity.

“Are you really feeling this much joy, Little Dark?”

“Yes, seeing Moonlight in such a humiliating state is truly pleasing!” her malicious smile bloomed, almost unable to hold it in. “The Pretty Cure, who always talks about love and friendship, experienced betrayal herself. It’s ironic! It’s twisted! It’s satisfying!”

Ash remained silent.

Although I expected you to show more humanity, this is pushing it…

“Little Dark, do you hate Lily… Moonlight so much?”

Little Dark didn’t speak, leaning forward even closer to Ash, until her nose practically touched his.

“Don’t you know you also hurt her deeply?”

These are two different things—I really want to say. But Ash didn’t.

“If you must ask… Of course—in my original plan defeating her once was enough, but it turns out I was wrong.”

“She is my enemy. Not only as an enemy set up by design, but also… someone I want to completely destroy!”

Whether it’s Ash or Dr. Shabak! How come the people I care greatly about, such as the ones important to me, are fixated on that Moonlight and Lily Moonshadow!

She yearned to kill Moonlight on the spot.

“It’s not enough. I will definitely utterly crush Moonlight!”

Silently, he pushed her back while a hidden plan came to mind.

But first…

“That should be about done now.”