Chapter 122

Chapter Seventeen Please Pay Attention to the Combat Distance

“Henshin!”

Tugging at the armor around his neck, Ash sighed in comfort, enveloped by strength and a sense of security. He turned his head, producing subtle cracking sounds.

One must admit, although Kaga Shirou himself may be crazy, the comfort level of his knight system is indeed impressive.

Just look at how Toda Shinji managed to survive being stabbed by Lightning Cavalry, relying on the protection provided after his transformation.

Though Ash doubts he will ever need such a feature.

“I finally found you!”

Gazing at the Kamen Rider before him, Ai swallowed hard under immense pressure but did not retreat.

Mr. Ash, I’ve made up my mind!

Ash noticed that Ai was acting strangely today. Her words were bizarre, and her initiative to approach him was unusual, unless there was some reason driving her. In normal circumstances, the girls would never agree to a battle with him.

But Ash wasn’t displeased by Ai’s attitude; if anything, he was looking forward to it.

Before clarifying anything, Ash decided to savor Ai’s “special service” first.

“Although I don’t know what’s up with you, don’t think you can easily escape.”

After hearing Ash’s words, Ai took a deep breath and loudly shouted at Ash.

“Hold it right there!”

The sound was so loud that it truly stopped Ash in his tracks.

“Surely, you’re the one doing things no one else understands, right?”

“Why do you presume mistakes to be someone else’s fault, as if it’s an everyday occurrence?”

Unable to tolerate Ashley’s insensitivity, which often resulted in trash talk, Ai finally expressed her anger.

“And this?”

Upon hearing Ai, Ash actually gave it some thought.

Hmm, why? Because, perhaps, I never considered anyone’s feelings besides my own?

Ultimately, this was the conclusion he reached.

Listening to Ash’s words, fairies and even a spy on a distant tower were utterly taken aback by his frankness.

Xialu complained loudly, “So, you knew yourself all along, Xia!”

“I have no intention of changing.”

“Since you’re an adult, reflect more on your actions and set a good example for us kids!”

Ai is not a hot-tempered person. Faced with Ash’s seemingly indifferent attitude towards capturing Ai-chan, she too felt enraged.

“Sincerely sorry, but maybe I’m just childish for an adult.”

If learning from others is needed, watch the protagonists in live-action shows on TV. I’m not a role model.

Their banter had become excessive. Now, Ash was urgently eager to witness Pretty Cure’s true power.

“Fight!”

“Fight!”

In response to Ash’s coercion, Ai shook her head.

“No, not for fighting, but to make Mr. Ash realize his mistake. So, let’s go, Xialu!”

Clearly, the girl before him remained resolute, unmoved by Ash’s words.

“Just as you won’t abandon your beliefs, neither will I give in easily.”

“Ai, perhaps we are kindred spirits!”

Biting her lip, Ai did not reply, instead pulling out her Ai charm and transforming before him, calling upon her spirit partner to become CureHeart.

“Filling hearts with love, CureHeart————Ahhh!”

Before Ai could complete her transformation chant, Ash struck down her pink protective barrier, bullets exploding from her outfit sending her flying.

“You guys sure like the naming thing. Isn’t now the wrong time?”

“How cowardly!”

“Can’t deny it,” Knight shrugged, as this wasn’t the first time he faced such criticism.

With a firm resolve not to back down, even against humans, Ai charged forth, no longer hesitating.

Ash immediately sensed a remarkably different pressure level compared to their last encounter.

Pretty Cures generally relied on straightforward, powerful attacks, their bodies reinforced to extremes, unmatched forces, and swift movements, turning them into formidable weapons themselves.

Every punch and kick from Ai hit with precision and grace, almost as if it was part of a dance, shocking Ash to see sparks when her fist brushed across his armor.

[SwordVent] Weapon’s Arrival

Catching the dragon sword ejected from beside a mirror, Ash angled the blade to block Ai’s punch, then struck her fist away with his other hand, retaliating.

Having confirmed the resilience of the Cure Heart garment, Ash held nothing back. Weapon in hand, he moved swiftly, the dragon sword slicing through the air, creating an overwhelming flurry of attacks.

“Mr. Ash, why did you take Ai-chan?!”

Finally having the chance, Ai urgently demanded the critical question from Ash.

Ai-chan had been taken, and she mistakenly believed Ash was behind it. Seeing Ai’s determined eyes, Ash seemed to understand.

“Who knows? Maybe after you defeat me, you’ll discover the truth.”

Ai rushed ahead again, the dragon sword’s sharp edge grazing her golden hair.

Curling her fists, Ai unleashed two simultaneous blows, creating blurred images that forced Ash to defend briefly, before delivering a spinning kick against the back of Ash’s wrist, dislodging the dragon sword.

Yet, Ai’s efforts proved less successful than planned; rather than losing the weapon, Ash redirected it using her momentum. The dragon sword smoothly transferred to his other hand, its blade slashing across Ai’s open chest.

Hurt, sparks flying, Ai flew back.

Seizing the opportunity, Ash gave a command to漆黑无双龙 (Black Dragon), while continuing to clash with Ai, slowly dragging the battlefield in a specific direction.

Meanwhile, Ash marveled at the growing intensity of Ai’s abilities over time, seemingly keeping up with his attack rhythm. Each exchange made him marvel at the legendary warrior’s potential.

Thankfully, this didn’t alarm Ash as her moves lacked malice. Slightly lowering his head to narrowly avoid Ai’s high kick, he quickly grabbed her ankle, exposing a vulnerability, and utilized his advantage to kick her buttocks mid-deflection, sending her flying once more.

In the process honed over countless battles and experience.

“I am stronger than you.”

“It’s ridiculous to strike someone’s rear end!”

Ai, lying on the ground, cheeks flushed, protested indignantly.

“What else, next time you want me to hit your ass with my hands?”

“Ah, you really want more?!” Ai rose, cheeks reddening further, stepping back.

Holding Ai-chan, who was unconscious, Belu observed silently in the shadows.

Sure enough, as expected, Ash had no proof he hadn’t taken Ai-chan, nor did he feel obliged to explain. Their conflict was inevitable.

Laughing villainously, Belu envisioned what followed.

Fight, fight, Pretty Cures and Kamen Riders, let loose and battle until both were exhausted. If a victor emerged, then Belu would finish off the weakened one!

Oddly, these events felt closer. Was he imagining it?

Following Black Dragon’s guidance, Ash gradually approached the designated destination. As he prepared, he noticed Ai slow her attacks, seemingly in sync.

Did she also figure it out?

Only one way to confirm it.

After another exchange of punches, Ash flipped backward, raising a fist.

“This dragging-on is too slow. Let’s settle this in one decisive blow.”

“Alright!”

With clenched fists, they shattered the tiles beneath them, powerful gusts behind them as fiery fists aimed at each other, both with one goal only in mind: victory.

Like the final decisive punch on a boxing ring’s stage, under Belu’s strained gaze, they turned simultaneously, the thunderous strike breaking the illusion and hitting Belu squarely.