Chapter 236

One hundred and thirty-fifth chapter

Ash: “Why do you all know me?”

“Garbage should roll back to where garbage belongs.”

With his left hand’s Shooting升华器 (Transformer) firing continuous beams, he shattered the enemy. With a kick, he embedded another approaching enemy into the surrounding wall. Ash, who fights like hanging paintings, faced a group of enemies encircling him. With his right hand bent up to his left shoulder, he used the 斩击升华器 (Blade Transformer) in his hand to draw a circular slash centered on himself. Under the fiery light, dozens of “heads” soared together.

Even though Ash’s Transformation Keys and Extinction Keys from his previous journeys were depleted, these weapons transformed again in this moment, not needing the props to function. Without coordinated transformation devices, they wouldn’t affect their use.

“Garbage is still garbage, even if their powers are combined, they’re just iron shavings.”

Watching the last fallen enemy, Ash casually shook his hand. He hadn’t even transformed; with just one shot and one cut, he sweated and took down these scrap fighters.

“But precisely because garbage is worthless, it can appear anytime.”

The voice from Belulu above reminded Ash. He looked around and saw that these previously scattered “garbages” were automatically reassembling under some mysterious power. It seemed that soon, they would all revive fully healed.

“Then what are we waiting for?”

He tossed the gun and knife into his inventory and ran away.

After turning around in the huge interior complex several times without finding Ai and them, he accidentally walked into a warehouse-like room filled with neatly arranged rows of movie reels.

“Not bad, having taste in films—do you like watching them?”

Taking out a reel randomly, Ash had no real appreciation for films. Compared to those high-quality arthouse films with O-scoring 9.0s, Ash preferred simple popcorn movies and creature battles.

“Theses aren’t films, Raquel! Based on my elven sense, I immediately understood what these so-called film reels actually are,” Raquel responded to Ash. “These are the vivid memories of the living people who were absorbed! They turn human memories into film reels and lock people inside their own beautiful memories, making them never wake up, Raquel!”

Ash flipped the reel in his hand and found someone’s name written on it as expected.

“So, being stuck in beautiful memories… That’s not different from being obsessed with something like Chigira, is it?”

Ash gazed at the items in his inventory—a small sprig of active Chigira rested quietly.

“In that case, many might not want to be awakened and might even blame us for it?”

“Huh, who wouldn’t want to wake up, Lance?”

The fairies searching the reels paused. They couldn’t understand why anyone would feel that way.

Before Ash could explain, Belulu above, also searching the reels, replied, “In reality, people often have unhappy moments, preferring to retreat to past joyful memories instead of facing present realities.”

Moreover, living perpetually in nostalgic past happiness sounds blissful.

Ash nodded. Surprisingly, this elf seemed less naive than expected.

“That feeling is universal, and perfectly normal; but regardless of how beautiful the past is, people must face current reality to embrace the future’s endless possibilities, right?”

“I don’t know about that,” Ash pulled out a reel with an incorrect name, shook his head, and put it back. “I have no expectations for the future; might as well take life one day at a time.”

Though he said it, Ash remained optimistic about freeing people from the traps of beauty and goodness. After all, the inhabitants of the Pretty Cure world were practically utopian in both moral standards and ethics. If Digi fought monsters here, Kiriyadoru’s plans couldn’t be implemented. Instead, they’d probably get borrowed light daily to shine brightly.

Five fairies and Ash continued searching through the film reels, aware of the urgency and not speaking much. The quiet room was only punctuated by the sound of searching.

“Ash, what do you think about Mana, that child?”

Ash paused; he didn’t expect the sudden talk from this Belulu, concerning Ai.

“Affection Toward Love? She’s a fool, like Itsuki, always wanting to meddle. She thinks the world revolves around her and is trapped in the warmth of friendship, unable to break free.”

However, he thought she probably learned her lesson, otherwise, disaster awaited her.

“She’s a girl who stands up again after setbacks, although your methods are terrible.”

“Still, what about her as a girl?”

“What am I supposed to know? I’m a man!”

He scratched his head, clueless about her intended meaning.

“Are you referring to appearance? Well, yes, Mana is incredibly beautiful without needing to wear suits to cover up, a Pretty Cure even more radiant, more beautiful than most I’ve met.”

“Being around her, like the Sunflower that brings vitality, isn’t that delightful?”

“Somewhat.”

“Do you like her?”

“Of course, but I love all Pretty Cure!”

When you’ve dealt with various suit-wearing beings to the point of nausea, suddenly meeting such lovely and capable little girls like these would make you like them too!

After stating his simple thoughts honestly, Ash blinked, unsure what her smile meant.

Didn’t need any further explanation. Belulu, angered by his comment, smacked him with her large ear.

“Tired-looking fairy floated over just as Ash prepared to explode.”

As he considered summoning a carrot to break a whale from within, a strange voice echoed:

“Are you looking for them?”

What’s going on? This feeling of déjà vu?

The surroundings split and faded as the floor plates shifted. Ash and the fairies appeared in an area resembling a bridge.

Standing before them, face-to-face with Ash, was the forgotten King Matthew.

“Welcome to my world, Fairies, Belulu.”

Ash raised an eyebrow. Clearly sensing the rage directed towards him.

“Hey.”

His response was casual, yet effective, as Matthew’s rage escalated.

“ASH!”

“You—!”

Your reply seems misplaced; what do you mean by getting attention through bullying? Am I supposed to be that elementary school boy who stuck notes on the desk in front of me when he likes someone?