Chapter 496

Chapter Seven – Smile Compact

Although Dark Sword Tsukuyomi is named after darkness, it is not evil; on the contrary, it is a true holy sword named after imprisonment to protect the world. If one acknowledges this, then Asu shares the same responsibility as any other to take an oath to protect the world with this sword.

However, due to his past experiences and the personality he has cultivated, Asu’s common sense and values may differ slightly from those of an ordinary person.

If another protagonist, with even more “knightly spirit,” were here, they might be more patient in guiding these still weak girls unfamiliar with true combat. They would recognize their weaknesses, gradually build them up like older siblings, and help them grow stronger… But could Asu ever become such an upright gentleman?

Currently, Asu, worn down by the stress of a bad ending, doesn’t even feel like using a jeep anymore. To change the future, isn’t it faster to take the shortcut rather than the long way round? Unless, of course, these little girls can suddenly overcome their obstacles, which happen to be him!

“I—and we didn’t become Pretty Cures just to please you!” Naoko shouted angrily, but the moment she was caught by that red light, her last bit of confidence dissipated, and she subconsciously hugged the Sugar close.

“I’ve said before, if you think you have the right to gain power, you must show your future. If you cannot surpass this, you will lose the right to become a Pretty Cure.”

The blade of the dark sword turned and pointed at them.

“Have I not made myself clear? You are not facing your first fight, so do you not understand what happens when a loose-fighting style encounters a strong opponent like me?”

Asu’s words cut like a knife, piercing their hearts. “Do you think your fights are in some goofy anime? Are you trying to make enemies laugh with your performances?”

Like Rihua once lecturing Miyuki, this scene repeated itself, playing out this scenario against them.

The clown monster, watching idly from the side, scratched his head, ignoring the bewildered Wolfrun, and sauntered over slowly.

“We’ve tried our best to protect the world!” Akane retorted, unwilling to accept being scolded by the enemy. “Besides, what’s with this Showa-style drill sergeant approach? This is the Heisei era!”

“That’s irrelevant! What I ask is, can such half-hearted efforts change the bad ending of the world?!”

Asu has seen true strength, and while they aren’t truly weak, he is angry at their feebleness.

Even faced with pitiful girls, Asu felt no guilt; call him stubborn if you will, but he only trusts what he sees—after all, being a warrior isn’t a joke!

“What you say is hypothetical. We haven’t lost yet! Your words are meaningless!”

We’ve fought for so long—how can you understand nothing when you don’t comprehend?

“All this talk, what does it mean? It’s all gibberish!”

“You think you haven’t lost… Hah, is that what you believe?” Asu, holding the Dark Sword, couldn’t help but laugh; it was indeed hilarious to hear such remarks after seeing the future.

“Now, haven’t you already lost?”

“Th—”

The girls fell silent.

You—this strange swordsman who defeated us, whom we thought was a dragon—what are you thinking?!

“I am thinking from the perspective of the victor,” Asu answered their silent question directly before they had time to react. “The correct posture for this world.”

“Pink and Blue are acceptable.” The Dark Sword Tsukuyomi swept past and ignored the actions of Miyuki and Rihua, pointing at them in a manner that struck at their self-respect. “But you—aren’t good enough!”

“Ah—!”

Squeezed by fear, Yayoi embraced Akane, who courageously shouted, “What do you want?!”

Are you going to kill us?!

“For the future, you are not needed now. I will seal this power away.”

As the Dark Sword passed by, the girls realized their ‘Smile Compact’ transformation devices laid in a pile before them.

To prevent the worst bad end, you went through all this trouble. I guess everyone thinks I’m nicer now. Asu did not care about the girls’ fear or anger.

“If you believe you can stop [overcome], give it a try.”

“St—Stop it!”

Shocked, Sugar could not tolerate Asu aiming the sword at the compact, tears streaming. “This, this is a Pretty Cure item. It’s how Pretty Cures save the world and help save Sugar’s fairy tale kingdom! Stop it—”

“No, Sugar!”

Naoko sprang up to hold back Sugar, who tried to block the sword. “No—it’s too dangerous! You’ll get hurt.”

“Game Over!”

The recently collected Darkness Echoes were redirected by Asu into Dark Sword Tsukuyomi, transforming into a dark chaotic power. In front of the girls’ tear-filled eyes, the blessed sword pierced the golden emblem on the compact.

A clash of black lightning and the purity within the transformation device erupted in dazzling light, until, losing its purpose and faith, the device crumbled under the girls’ despairing stares, falling to the ground.

The once glowing compact now looked like a dull plastic toy.

“My… my!”

Akane stared in disbelief at the power signature disappearing from her body and the colorless bow decoration. “My healing charm…”

“Aa—ah!”

Yayoi, lying on the ground, saw her compact fade completely. Desperation and fear kept her from reaching it, even as she stretched out her fingers vigorously, unable to get close.

After all the effort to find the chance to approach—

And becoming like the heroes she admired—

Lifting the invalid compact, she knelt in despair and cried out, breaking hearts upon hearing.

“Smile—Compact!”

“Smile—Compact!”