Chapter 185

The Eighty-second

It’s about to be my stage now.

Now, the righteous Pretty Cures and the evil Selfish Organization have gathered, along with Ash, who is betraying both sides.

It’s completely like the setup for a final battle in the last episode.

“Damn it, it’s you again!”

Ash left them with nightmares that were already terrible enough; hardly needing the Selfish King’s summons, Ira and Mamu attacked Ash with abnormal faces, actively provoking him.

Countless dark beams shot towards Ash in mid-air, but he didn’t even bother with these attacks that just grazed past him. A barrage of these beams only left scorch marks on the tracks falling down the buildings behind him.

The armored phantom in the mirror merged with Ash in the air, kicking two beams away. Ash held his hands in front of his chest and walked towards two officers who trembled increasingly as he approached, almost shaking like wheat stalks. He gave each one a palm strike, knocking them down.

“Mr. Ash!”

“Ash!”

“You really came after all!”

The girls surrounded him in delight, having found the ice-sculptured princess and saving Regina thanks to his intel. They looked at him with gratitude, nearly treating him like a hero.

Ash quickly confronted Ai among the girls. Just when the girls proudly raised their heads, expecting praise, Ash doused her with harsh words.

“Mamoru, you idiot.”

Ai widened her eyes, innocent but filled with resentment. “Why blame me suddenly? Didn’t I do everything well?”

“Who am I? Am I your supporter or your boyfriend? Are you that sure of me? Have you never considered that what I say might be a lie, set up to trap the Pretty Cures?”

“Ah, right.” Ai hadn’t considered that point. Indeed, everyone had chosen to believe Ash, including her. Though Jo didn’t trust this man, he believed in the judgment of the Pretty Cures.

“But, Mr. Ash wouldn’t lie, would he?”

“This is a different matter!” Ash hit Ai’s forehead with a fan, showing frustration. “If I really wanted, I wouldn’t need to take any specific action. You’d all be bound and warming my bed.”

“Mr. Ash, H!”

“If I don’t exaggerate, would you remember? And tell me, below is magma. If you fell earlier, who would save you, when none of you can fly.”

“It’s fine. If I fall, I’ll climb back holding Regina. Such a thing is child’s play for the Student Council President!”

Seeing Ai’s utterly non-reflective attitude, Ash couldn’t help but knock her head again with the fan. Ai tried to block but couldn’t.

“Idiot, this has nothing to do with being the student president!”

“Don’t hit my head, it hurts!”

Like being scolded by teachers as children, the Pretty Cures obediently lowered their heads.

Finally recovering, the Selfish King, though restrained and motionless, roared loudly enough to drive ordinary people crazy with rage. He was trying to vent his anger.

“Why are you still waiting? Why haven’t you left yet?”

Realizing this, the girls hurriedly moved. Makoto pushed the embarrassed Jo and carried the ice-block containing the princess. Ai and Arisu protected Regina and started to leave. But then they thought about Ash and turned back.

“But what about Mr. Ash?”

“Huh, you’re still worried about me? This place is not a place I would stay or go just as I please.” It was true. Master of Mirror World’s traversal techniques, Ash could escape the Selfish King even if he couldn’t defeat him.

“You’re hindering my solo stage show here!”

Before Pretty Cures could continue speaking, the Selfish King couldn’t bear it anymore. He infused part of his power into a Selfish Beast, causing its spider body to swell rapidly. Controlled remotely by the Selfish King, its strength surpassed even that of the two disgraced officers.

“That’s you, human, who bewitched Regina? Do you dare obstruct me, and I will tear you apart!”

“Hey hey, don’t describe me like a punk who took away your daughter.”

The Selfish King didn’t intend to retort. The Selfish Beast sprayed enormous webs binding Regina and Ash together. As Ash prepared to break free, he heard Regina’s stifled grunt; evidently, she would get hurt if he strained too hard.

“Regina, Ash!”

“Stay back!” Ash shouted, halting other girls. “You’ll just get stuck in the web if you approach. Don’t complicate things!”

“Just focus on doing your parts!”

The girls took a deep breath and nodded seriously to Ash.

“Regina is in your hands!”

Following Ash’s instructions, the girls trusted him despite his words.

“Ash… Sorry…”

Bound together, Regina whispered softly to Ash.

“For what?”

“My powers are gone completely now. There’s no malevolence for you to use.”

“What is that all you want to say?” Ash sighed. “There’s nothing you owe me. If anything, I owe you.”

Calling up the system panel, he saw progress in collecting darkness echoes far exceeded past worlds, proving it easier with assistance. It felt almost like playing rather than working, leaving no sign of unease in his conscience.

“But I can’t help you further…”

“How troublesome. You’re an evil princess. You should be more stubborn accordingly.”

A Regina without any malice—no wonder she defected quickly under manipulation by Mamoru.

“Regina!”

The enraged Selfish King manipulated the tainted Selfish Beast closer.

“Regina, what you said about helping no longer matters. Right now, you can aid me.”

“What is it?”

“Pull out that card from my card box.”

Confused, Regina struggled to pull the web strands, placing her hand on the card box before pulling out a golden winged card. Flames blazed behind the wings, projecting into reality. Instantly a pillar of fire burst from Ash’s body, burning the webs to ashes and separating them from the Selfish King.