Chapter 465

The Two Hundredth Chapter: The Time of the Forbidden Duel

If one attack misses, retreat immediately. It’s better to withdraw decisively and look for another opportunity than to blindly engage an unknown enemy and waste energy. Even if memories of joy or sorrow have faded, Ash has not forgotten the combat teachings from his master, the Fist Saint.

Ash somersaulted to the ground, raising his wristwatch after the fall. The time had frozen at [0:00], and the hands on the watch had completely stopped.

“However, this moment has come so suddenly. I want to thank you for choosing such an opportune time.”

After eating and drinking, and waving goodbye to the last Lily, “that person” appeared at just the right moment. Ash thought he would have to run out halfway through eating but instead was given time to bid farewell.

“The consideration is heartwarming. I really should thank you.”

“Hahaha, no need to thank me. After all, you are my subordinate. I can understand the atmosphere, though you overstepped your bounds a bit.”

Indeed, according to Shabak’s report, without your covert help in continuously improving the powers of the Pretty Cures and breaking my control over Shabak, even pushing that Dark Pretty Cure aside, I intended to launch a surprise attack on CureFlower to reclaim my sealed power. Now, I could only seek you out first.

“By the way, didn’t you reject someone’s confession earlier? Wouldn’t it be better to reconsider?”

“After all, losing a girlfriend makes being human less tragic.”

Hearing Dune’s nonchalant remark, Ash sensed the feelings behind the person opposite him at times.

“That doesn’t require your concern, Lord Dune. My decisions won’t change easily!”

“Cold as ice, Ash.”

“My friends call me Ash, and you—”

[ScarletSpider]! [Control]!

A scarlet bloodstorm began to swirl around Ash, raging energy surging toward the Desert King, Dune, like waves hitting an immovable coastline. Besides blowing away his long hair and the corners of his robes, his expression remained unchanged.

Withdrawing a stamp from the air due to the intense energy near him, he forcefully pressed it onto the scanner panel.

Henshin!

[KamenRiderScarletDemons!]

The crimson gauntleted fist burst through the monstrous spider’s disguise made of sand, aimed directly at Dune’s face.

“You should call me Kamen Rider!”

Boom—

In an instant of transformation, all his strength was condensed into his punches as he slammed them full force against his opponent.

Not to pave their way with life, but to bring down the Desert King!

Indeed–

“I’ve been frustrated with you for a long time!”

At the center of the desert, an unimaginable amount of light radiated outward in a half-circle, followed by the heat of swirling sand and a sound like a massive explosion, threatening to obliterate everything around them.

As the tornado finally subsided, within kilometers of where they stood, the sand had crystallized to high temperatures. The spot they stood on turned into a terrifying deep red pit.

In the depths of the crimson crystallization, the Kamen Rider maintained his punching stance. His iron fist, capable of splitting space, was gripped by another iron claw-like hand.

“This is my power. Do you want it to defeat me?”

“Of course.” Holding the strength of the punch, Ash slowly moved it aside and raised his other hand. “This isn’t unprecedented!”

And I saw it—the moment we clashed—

“Interesting, then try it!”

As soon as he spoke, the knight raised his arm blade, cutting down with a mighty swing that sliced a kilometer of ground with its residual wave, barely missing Dune.

Ash naturally did not spare him, throwing numerous dazzling attacks as rapidly as cannon fire against Dune, either dodged or blocked.

Soon, Ash felt his stamina waning. The surroundings looked like they had been plowed several times, yet Dune was unscathed except for a bit of dust on his white robe.

Indeed, it’s not going to be easy… It’s time for something different.

“It’s over; then you die.”

Spreading his palm to absorb the terrifying wave of the punch, the少年 smiled bloodthirstily as he curled his other hand into a claw. The red energy of the terrifying Star Eater from another dimension shone through Dune’s red and blue visor, illuminating him with the light of death.

“I will describe your end vividly to them. Goodbye, Kamen—Wait?!”

During this moment, the two drew upon their full energy! Scarlet energy fluttered between Dune’s body surface and the golden sin emblem on Ash’s belt; a resonance occurred!

From previous experiences, I took a gamble. And I hit the target this time! His power resonates with mine. Finally—equal power means I still have fighting strength!

As long as there is even a thousandth chance, Dune, see how I defeat you!

“Are you predicting this?”

For the first time, Dune changed his expression in the midst of combat.

This is not the time for frivolity. Dune promptly launched an energy blast from his hand, while Ash swiftly manipulated the red unit on the right side of the driver.

“[RightControl]!”

Red energy enveloped the Kamen Rider, but Dune’s expression was unwavering because he knew this “clever thief” was still alive.

In truth, the technique powerful enough to cause a transformation rollback of pretty much anyone, was…

not as effective against Ash at present.

Like a crown, a golden unicorn sprouted from his head, with a large cloak adorned with spider web patterns covering his shoulders, completely shielding Ash. These specially designed cloaks rendered his opponent’s attack ineffective.

“These are the forces specifically reserved for you.”

As Ash spoke, his helmet jaw guard automatically snapped shut, and he delivered a headbutt to the stunned Dune, marking his first successful strike.

Not only did he gain a cloak and mask, but he was also at his absolute limit, reinforcing his assault-defensive concept to its utmost. At this point, the scarlet armor had transformed, revealing…

ever deep blue, deeper than the ocean?

“ScarletDemonsFullCloth!”

Facing the same source power, ScarletTimons FC used this characteristic to nullify his powerful attacks. Dune’s complexion changed, stepping back to a certain distance before waving his hand, causing countless stars to descend from the sky.

Ash recognized them, the larger ones being the former Desert Demons he had seen, the smaller ones, the Desert Beasts, were beings that had once tormented the Pretty Cures.

Laughter echoed from behind the Mask.

The cerulean figure vanished beneath the cloak’s luminescence. Facing the starry enemies, Ash leapt up, advancing head-on!

!

In the sky, the giant Desert Demon raised its fist and smashed it down at the miniature-sized Kamen Rider in front.

Next, as Ash appeared behind the monster, he swung Revice Saw Blade with force, turning the Desert Demon into a spectacular fireworks display in the sky.

“Forty small ones, ten large ones, you underestimated my value far too low. Allow me to clarify!”