Chapter 494

The Terrible Future Seen by the Holy Sword

The silver-white breastplate clearly reflected the terror on each of the girls’ faces. Jet-black serrated armor sprung from the limbs fitting tightly against them. From beneath the forehead armor adorned with an elongated evil sword, the eye of the evil dragon perched atop the right shoulder, the surging darkness emanated a dangerous crimson glow.

“[Translation of Month Dark]!”

The terrifying claws of the huge black dragon flipped the girls and spirits away from their original spot.

Wolfrun and the clown monster blinked in confusion.

“Seize the light, the black blade coldly and mercilessly controls the dark dragon!”

“What’s going on? Why are you doing this?” Akane, who had just crawled out of the water, was knocked down again and rolled on the ground before she could get up first. She hurriedly shook off mud from her head and faced the dark-scented Evil Dragon Knight, trying to understand why they were being attacked.

“Hold on, we, we are the Pretty Cures battling the tragic kingdom!” Naoko kicked and quickly retreated backwards while flapping her hands in panic. “We aren’t bad people!”

“A belt that transforms with sound effects, is this a Kamen Rider?” Yayoi, recognizing the obvious features, immediately thought of this, but it only made her disbelief even stronger. “Why would a Kamen Rider be the enemy of Pretty Cure? And one I don’t recognize… Could it be?”

Is this knight a villain like the one in the movie “Eternal”?

“Sugar, didn’t you say ordinary people can’t withstand the influence of tragedy?” Rihua, quick-minded, remembered the existence of their guiding spirit. “Why isn’t he affected? Could it be that he’s part of the tragedy kingdom? Do you know him?”

“No, he isn’t like the others of that kingdom; he’s human, and Sugar doesn’t know him either, but—”, the golden-curled fairy looked at the tall Ash with apprehension. As a symbol of purity, she could sense more.

“The tragic energy is actively nearing him. It’s odd; why does a human have such power of containment over darkness? This atmosphere is terrible…”

I don’t like him!

The shrieks and anger of the girls did not attract his attention.

[Absorbing tragic echoes…]

The system prompt suddenly came through. Only then did Ash realize that the tragic energy that permeated the world seemed to be drawn toward him like iron filings to a magnet.

So, is it because my presence attracts more attention than that of the villains of the tragedy kingdom? But—

“This feeling, I do not like.”

Ash closed his eyes under the armor, abruptly sheathed his sword, and then used his right hand to grip the inscription on the hilt.

In the instant when his grip tightened, the man’s vision of the sunlit world filled with the vibrant youth of the girls faded into the deep, chaotic darkness. It was the worst BADEND ever, with countless innocents crying out in sorrow and得意的恶棍们纵声大笑. And—

“Gurp—”

A bright red liquid poured viscously towards him. Even with its thick red texture, it flooded his leather boots. When he lifted his foot, long, sticky threads of blood clung beneath, as if unwilling to let him leave.

I don’t dislike the smell of blood, but I didn’t say I liked it.

Reopening his eyes, Ash saw before him the terrified yet living girls still struggling and perplexed.

No change has occurred… Is the fate decided by the heart or by the body?

“What a difficult journey you’ve had, but have you prepared yourselves to surpass the BADEND?”

Following the guidance of the dark sword, Ash began to gradually release his aura, a low, terrifying voice causing the girls to shiver.

“If you believe you deserve to gain strength, show me your true future.”

“Why, why do humans turn into the appearance of evil dragons?!” Even harder to accept was book-loving Miyuki. That black evil dragon was the terrible source driving her to her limits. “No, stop! Big brother, you’re human too, right? So don’t fight us!”

“We are here to stop the tragedy kingdom for Sugar’s fairy tale kingdom! So you should stop now!” Miyuki kept persuading, not noticing Ash pulling out his sword once again. “Otherwise, the world will end in a悲剧，where nobody can smile.”

“Is that all you want to say?”

“Ahhh—!” The evil dragon cruelly bared its fangs. The blade upward slashed Miyuki’s wrist, instantly burning her with an intense sensation. Miyuki remembered herself as a child reaching for a flame. Clutching her burning wrist, she fell back with smoke emerging, pulled by Rihua behind her.

“Gulp… Huh…?”

Why, why commit such atrocities? It hurts so much…

“Stop!” Rising, Rihua stood in front of the confused and委屈的 Miyuki, emitting an uncontainable command. “You’re an adult, right? Why bully Miyuki, bully us! Is this what adults do?!”

“And what about you, what are you trying to achieve?!”

“You claim the world will become a BADEND because of me.” It seemed Ash was devoid of sympathy. “Wrong, if things don’t go my way, the world will truly become a BADEND!”

According to the prophecy of the dark moon’s sword Month Dark, believing in it would make Ash a fool.

But if he didn’t believe at all, he would be even worse than a fool.

If the Pretty Cures could always beat the villains perfectly, it’s fine. But if they ever failed, even once…

This kind of special BADEND from a barrier trait of the antagonist Tragic Kingdom, even a tiny mistake could mean no redemption for them.

There are few unvanquished heroes in the world.

Let’s not talk about a kids-oriented development where good always beats evil. For Ash, knowing since his arrival that the original storylines are merely references, once he enters this world he ensures deviations from the original plot will appear.

After all, the “original plot” has no role for Ash.

So, whether it’s about absorbing tragic echoes, fighting heroes to satisfy his selfish desires, or simply testing their strength—

Ash is their adversary right now!