Chapter 501

Chapter Twelve: What’s the Fairy Tale?

“Screech—”

Like the shrill sound produced by nails scratching a chalkboard, the girls all covered their ears unable to bear it, as a golden blade suddenly stabbed out from the air in front of them. It was as though black paint left marks on a clean canvas, slicing downward through nothingness, gradually tearing open dark cracks.

The sword quickly retracted back through the other side of the rift, but before they could be relieved, hands began to emerge from there. The fingers of a man grabbed on both sides of the fissure, widening it under their shocked gazes.

“Bad sign—he’s coming!”

Seemingly triggered by something, the projected figure of Pop became blurry just like a signal problem. As the fissure was finally torn entirely open, he lost his side’s signals completely.

Dark Sword Gekkouya, with his ability to slash and cut through space, could move within dark realms. Moreover, there was that seemingly unaware yet willingly guide, Miyuki Hoshizora, whom Ash easily found this world adjacent to their own.

The figure emerging from the ever-widening spatial tear was indeed that of the Evil Dragon Swordsman!

Gazing at the unprecedented scene happening before them, the girls hurriedly stepped back until their backs were against the wall, warily eyeing the suited man who had emerged.

“Ho—so this is Pretty Cure’s secret base?” Not acting immediately on the trembling girls, Ash leaned on his sword curiously inspecting everything around him.

A verdant world, and a massive treehouse—it has a very mythical style. Most importantly, such beautiful scenery is wholly natural, making those who spent vast sums to build gigantic bases envious.

“Yes, it indeed has a girl’s style, very fitting for you.”

“You, what do you want?!” Despite losing her power, Naoko still stood resolutely in front, chastising Ash for his advancing presence.

“What am I after?” Ash did not answer right away, instead going off-topic again. “Are you implying what you desire me to do to you? How interesting.”

“You—!” Naoko instantly turned red-faced, flustered. “Stop saying nonsense. You—flirt, I won’t listen to your words!”

“Is that so? Then, thinking about how a beautiful green world might burn to ashes afterwards pains me too for you all.”

With this statement, everyone’s alert level rose another notch. Enraged girls’ pupils burned with fury, while two capable of transforming had already clenched their cosmetic boxes, keeping close watch on the odd man before them.

“What do you mean?! Do you intend to do this?”

“This world holds our memories, you can’t harm it!”

“Sugar will also stop you, Kururu!”

“Though I’m pleased by your united morale, I won’t be troubled even if you misinterpret me.”

Ash understands the anger the girls feel, yet despite his threatening words, the future’s predictions don’t align his intentions here.

Generally, my tactic is to take over the secret base for personal gain, thus there’s no need to be concerned.

“What will I do?” Sliding his sword back into its sheath, Ash walked calmly to their pretty wooden round table. He carelessly pulled out Yayoi’s chair and sat, uncaringly crossing his legs on the table under Rihua’s furious glare. “That question should be directed to yourselves.”

“After all, deciding this rests upon you.”

“?” x5

What strange thing is this person saying now?

“You seem to call this place the Magic Library. So I’ll put it like that… Hmm?” An obvious nonchalant man did not intend to offer clarity, casually switching topics. But then, a light faintly emitting from his pocket drew his attention.

Without regard for Miyuki and the others’ reactions at the table end, Ash retrieved the book “Evil Dragon” from his pocket. Feeling an echo from the Evil Dragon book, as though conveying a message, he responded.

“Is that right? This amazing Magic Library gathers concepts of books in this world… Huh, how alike.”

“Green wind, blue ice, vanished yellow thunder.” Rude, he pointed at each one—Green, then Rihua, before landing on Akane amid Miyuki’s expectant look. “Then red… or maybe orange fire?”

Hmm, pink isn’t musically inclined nor wise at all; it doesn’t match up precisely.

“Hold on, why skip over me specifically?!”

Miyuki felt excluded, her chest brimming with vexation as she pledged to change this perception.

“Perhaps your world might have a book creating worlds too.” Randomly grabbing a storybook of Snow White, he flipped through it. Having seen countless versions before, Ash closed it. “That’s where knowledge and power originate…. Hmph, fairy tales, ridiculous.”

“Fairy stories are for kids, silly!”

“How can you say that!” Miyuki jumped in, a fervent tale enthusiast, especially aggrieved by being called a fool. “Fairy tales create richly imaginative narratives for children that bring smiles to everyone! They deeply move even me, no boredom here!”

Naive yet touching, fairy tales should evoke authentic smiles and emotion from their audience, making them beautiful. To call them lies for kids is absurd!

Plus, give me back the Snow White book—that’s mine.

“No, in my world, fairy tales warn and frighten kids against doing dangerous things; certainly not beautiful.” He tossed Snow White book into flustered Miyuki’s arms. “Authors would adore someone like you… But, must the fairy tale endings always be happy endings?”

“At least, the princess, Little Red Riding Hood, the hunter’s muskets, and the prince’s swords won’t triumph over evil dragons.”

Ash’s peculiar tone sent Miyuki and Rihua shivering under his gaze.

Why, though clearly villainous words, do they sound as if genuinely experienced?

Observing Miyuki and Rihua hesitate, the sole combatants, his eyes narrowed and his fingers halted in manipulating his book.

If merely fairy tales, it’s about time I penned the last chapter…heh, it’s saddening even for me.

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