Chapter 407

Chapter 142 Targeting Strengthening Equipment

“Huff… What you said is right; at this moment, I am too weak…”

Ash, having turned around and disappeared that day, said nothing. Yuagi, who was aware of the situation, also chose to stay silent.

Although she felt angry at being deceived and wanted to confess everything to the others, making them see Ash for who he truly was, the gentle feeling in her heart stopped her from doing so when she thought about the girls’ feelings for him.

If Ash decided to leave, then maybe “Manager” could still be a respectable figure in their hearts—otherwise, destroying these girls’ naive and beautiful dreams would be too cruel, wouldn’t it?

“Hehe~” Yuagi lifted her head, her expression returning to the usual gentle smile. “It’s nothing; just think it might be nice to gather at a place like a botanical garden sometimes.”

“It shouldn’t be ‘nothing,’ but no matter what happens, it doesn’t change anything!” Erika, sensing something, used a casual approach to comfort Yuagi. “Lei and Guki are working hard, and so am I as a Kamen Rider. Furthermore, Tsukikage Lily has successfully transformed and joined us. No matter what dirty tricks those Desert Apostles use, as long as we work together, we can defeat any enemy!”

“You’re always talking big, Erika, even though you didn’t help much in the recent battles!”

“Cafrey, you wouldn’t understand. This is called confidence for a strong person!”

Seeing Erika playfully interact with her spirit and the lack of concern on the other faces, Yuagi raised her teacup mechanically and sipped the tea.

Despite all the happy smiles, there was an inexplicable anxiety in Yuagi’s heart.

“Is it… really like this?”

Something incredible must be happening…

‘I had only one thing in mind from the start, and that was——’

‘Their strength.’

Ash’s words echoed in Yuagi’s mind, leaving her restless.

“You’ve always pursued our strength… but…”

Yuagi was mid-thought when an idea flashed across her brain, and she stood up abruptly.

“Bai… Yuagi-nee?”

Indeed, if Ash truly had evil intentions when contacting us, as Pretty Cure, with our light, we couldn’t have missed his evil thoughts.

He suddenly seemed to have changed, didn’t he? Could it be possible… that Ash was controlled by the Desert Apostles because of some reason?

That was why he would say such bizarre things about pursuing us during battles.

The moment this thought occurred to Yuagi, it made perfect sense. It felt like a transmission line had been opened.

“Indeed, if we want to help Ash, the Pretty Cure need to become even stronger…”

“Yuagi-nee, what’s wrong?” Everyone, concerned, approached Yuagi who had suddenly stood up, only to recoil from her intense gaze.

“Everyone, don’t you feel that now we need even greater power?”

“Eh?” Lei, bewildered by the sudden topic, felt perplexed. “Y-Yeah, the stronger we are against the Desert Apostles, the better… But why suddenly talk about this?”

“This…” Yuagi paused, pondering, and then explained in a gentle tone. “Think of it as working hard towards the Ash Manager you admire.”

Doesn’t this mean… the departure of Manager may be linked to this?

“Though I don’t quite get it, since this is what Manager hopes for…”

Lei clenched her fists in front of her chest, finding courage despite her usual hesitation. “I’ll work hard!”

“If Lei says so, I won’t fall behind. What about you, Erika?”

“This goes without saying! Not just together, but to surprise Ash when he comes back!”

Upon hearing Yuagi, the others also approached enthusiastically, finally agreeing with her plan.

“I remember the strengthening equipment called the ‘Heart-Shaking Illusion Mirror,’ which was placed in the Pretty Cure’s palace. Those who pass the trial receive its power.”

Recalling past events, Yuagi shared the information. Back then, she encountered Dark Pretty Cure and Shabak as she prepared for the trial and suffered a crushing defeat. If she had obtained that power earlier, things might have turned out differently.

“I remember this, the Heart-Shaking Illusion Mirror can enhance a Pretty Cure’s power infinitely and unleash all their potential!”

“That’s right. CureFlower once gained immense power from it!”

The spirits chimed in to elaborate, while Popuri was completely unaware.

“Wait, why not use such a powerful item earlier?”

If it were that powerful, why not just boost the Pretty Cure’s size to planet scale and blast the Desert Apostles away all at once?

“Because it’s not so simple. That’s why past Pretty Cures locked it away in the palace and set strict trials,” Hana bloomed Kuriko walked over with freshly baked desserts for everyone. “While the Heart-Shaking Illusion Mirror can indeed enhance power infinitely, a human body has its limits.”

Fifty years ago, to battle King of the Desert “Doon,” she used the Heart-Shaking Illusion Mirror to raise her power beyond the limit, defeating and sealing Doon, though losing her ability to transform in the process.

“Recently, I thought this might be too early for you four, but seeing your determination…”

Kuriko smiled warmly.

“The trials demand unwavering resolve in battle, regardless of the outcome, and a powerful heart to protect everything. Do you have the will to overcome the challenges ahead?”

“When Granny encouraged me, once I give up, everything ends!” Standing alongside everyone else, Lei felt even more courage rise within her. “Please let us try this opportunity. At least I don’t want to be left with regrets!”

“If that’s the case…” Kuriko, foreseeing dreams of future battles, finally decided to support them further. “Prepare to go to the Pretty Cure’s palace.”

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