Chapter 164

Fifty-Eighth Chapter – Watering Darkness

Ash slowed down his full attack pace, and immediately Ai rushed forward, with a series of aerial leg swings nearly knocking off his helmet if he hadn’t dodged in time.

“Hold on, Mana!” Rikka hurriedly leaned over to Ai, who was stirred by the battle excitement: “Mr. Ash is clearly going easy on us in combat. You’re really giving it your all too much!”

Upon hearing Rikka’s words, Ai also realized that today, Ash had not been that proactive in fighting.

“Oh, I seemed to be able to win against Mr. Ash for the first time, and so I went all out without meaning to.”

The girl scratched the back of her head apologetically. On the other side, the knight sneered at such thoughts.

“You are now just slightly better than two-thirds incompetent; it would take eons more to beat me.”

“That’s not true! Only if I really get serious!”

“Alright, alright, are you children three years old?”

Rikka promptly stopped the two from arguing again since the top priority was now solving Regina’s problem.

Ai focused on Regina. In the girl’s eyes were no longer the gentleness from not long ago—only the burning red eyes filled with malice.

“Regina, what has happened to you?”

“I was genuinely happy when you said you wanted to be friends not only with me but everyone else, but why… why now?”

Ai called out Regina’s name, but the abnormally excited Regina was clearly not listening.

“Can’t you see? I want the royal gem. Since we’re friends, give them all to me!”

“But—!”

The Pretty Cure girls felt their hearts sink as a horrifying thought arose.

Was their earlier display of wanting to become friends just deception? Was this all a ploy to get the Royal Gem?

No, no, Regina cannot be such a bad kid!

Ai shook her head vigorously to dispel that horrible idea.

Actually, when she first saw Regina, she noticed the kindness beneath her exterior, which filled her heart with emotion, and made her even more eager to be friends with her.

Taking the initiative to interact, Ai intended to win her heart, and among all, no one could resist her relentless efforts except Ash.

Towards Regina, after overcoming difficulties and persisting in her own beliefs, she had finally helped straighten Regina’s mindset about caring less about others’ opinions. She was almost becoming friends with everyone until this incident happened.

Even though this was highly possible, Ai did not want it to be true at all.

While she was in inner turmoil, Ai forgot something, temporarily ignoring someone. As a result, her simultaneous action with another four was slower, leaving a huge opening before Ash.

There was no way such an opportunity would escape Ash. He clenched both fists, muscles tightening and then releasing like ropes, striking out like bullets, forcing Rikka and Arisu back. His electrified left foot kicked open Makoto’s hands with dual strikes, while his right leg lifted high, smashing down like a heavy axe, knocking Cure Sword into the floor with a scream, causing her to collapse.

Withdrawing his hand from the gap he instantly opened, the armored rider continued with a series of hits, quickly pushing back his opponents. A sharp, silver blade appeared in front of Ai’s neck, stopping him.

“Do not move.”

Seeing the sword tip aimed at her, Ai’s heart nearly froze with fear, her heart pounding as if seized by terror. The other girls also froze, fearing Ash’s next move.

“Why, Mr. Ash?”

Wasn’t he supposed to go easy on them? Why is this happening!?

“Well done, Ash! That’s exactly what I would expect!” Regina grinned得意，这次底气更足地讨要。

“To have Mana, swap the gems.”

“Damn… how could it come to this?”

Although the Royal Gem was important in its potential clues about the princess, its value fell far short of Ai’s importance to the girls. Concerned about Ai’s situation, they reluctantly offered the remaining three gems.

Yet, just as they prepared to exchange, the silent Ash intervened abruptly.

“My lady, is this really right?”

Seeing Regina tilting her head in confusion, Ash added.

“Someday, certain things lost won’t ever return.”

Like friendship; once hurt, it might never heal.

“A friend once told me that more than what can be seen, a precious treasure is the friendship with important people.”

He turned Ai to face Regina, pinching the girl’s soft cheeks to make silly faces.

“Isn’t this baka also one of your important people, my lady?”

Acidic pain filled Ai’s cheeks as she tried to protest, but her words came out distorted, ignored entirely.

“Hold, Mr. Ash, don’t do this, it hurts… it feels odd!”

“There’s nothing wrong. I am your captor now. But truthfully, this is quite addictive.”

Witnessing Ai reacting different ways to his actions, Ash couldn’t help but pinch her cheek again, savoring the unique feel of a woman’s skin compared to men’s rough face.

“Precisely! Mr. Ash is a pervert!”

Not only did her voice distort, some tears welled in Ai’s eyes.

I must punch him to stop such nonsense with girls!

Watching Ash and Ai’s playful teasing, the other girls heaved sighs of relief, seeing they wouldn’t harm Ai and even assisting in saying good words. This reversal seemed like part of Ash’s plan.

Unconsciously, even as enemies, they began to trust him.

But trust aside, Ash’s lack of restraint still made the girls feel extreme unease.

“Mana…” Watching Mana being teased by Ash continuously, Rikka felt something stirring within.

I really wish to pinch Mana’s cheeks—if only she looked at me more sweetly… no, Rikka, you can’t think like that!

“Poor thing, how cute.”

“Arisu!?”

That inner thought blurted out!?

Seeing the teary expression of the girl in Ash’s hand, a flicker of doubt finally crossed Regina’s mind.

Without noticing the other’s quarrel, Regina’s focus fully rested on Mana and Ash. At this moment, her crimson eye also began to waver with the girl’s confusion.

Is the Royal Gem truly important to me? Why do I suddenly desire it?

Aren’t we truly getting along well and having fun with Mana? Then why am I trampling our friendship?

But why… Why do I keep feeling insatiable desire, only thinking about myself? Is it because I am the daughter of the selfish king?