Chapter 538

The Fifty-Fifth Guardian’s Simple Wish

At the same moment Yayoi was reawakening and battling Ash, another Knight was fighting against the enemies of the Tragic Kingdom. Harnessing the power of the Fortieth Astro Switch, Kamen Rider Fourze transformed once again into his ultimate form, “Cosmic Form”. He lifted his “Balzine Sacred Sword”; the rocket-shaped scabbard clashed violently with the Red Demon’s Demon Iron Rod!

(BGM: COSMICMIND)

“Boom—”

The colossal strength and cosmic energy reacted, smashing chunks off the concrete beneath their feet. After narrowly deflecting their attacks, both weapons clashed again, spraying energy that shattered overhead pipes, icy coolant showering both combatants until evaporated by the intense heat of their fight.

“Creak! Creak!” The Red Demon roared angrily, green veins bursting under his brawny arms. Even the Knight’s legs were gradually being forced down into the ground by the immense power.

Unlike other Riders, Fourze’s morph didn’t significantly change data output. Seeing himself being controlled, the Red Demon taunted arrogantly.

“Looks like no matter what color you are, you’re still no match for my strength!”

“Rumble—!”

A distant thunderbolt caught both eyes as the Red Demon instantly paled, recognizing it as Cure Peace’s ultimate move, despite her not being able to transform anymore, according to him.

“Why did Witch Lina transform? What’s she up to now—”

During this distraction, Fourze pressed a generated Astro Switch at his chest with one hand free.

“[Hand (Auto Hand) On]!”

Seeing a high-performance mechanical hand suddenly appear on the Knight’s leg, the Red Demon was bewildered.

Regardless of what trick he might have, such stunts mean nothing in the face of absolute power—”Hahaha!”

The nimble mech hand stretched out during the standoff, tickling the Red Demon’s armpit and under the neck at high intensity, making the Demon dissolve into helpless laughter. The Knight, at full force, then knocked the Demon Iron Rod out of his hand!

Fast-handing the cosmic switch into the scabbard slot of his sword, Fourze, with a warning alarm sounding, propelled blue flames from behind, shooting the laughing Red Demon headfirst into a wormhole leading directly to the cosmos!

“!”

The factory instantly transformed into a vast blue planet, extreme cold hitting immediately. Uncomprehending, the Red Demon tried to speak but froze along with his bloodshot eyes.

“Shriek—”

He pulled the rod on Balzine Sacred Sword, switching it from sheath mode to attack blade, before repeating the extraction and insertion of the cosmic switch.

“[Limit Break]!”

Trying to punch the Knight, the Red Demon missed by just inches and ended up rolling helplessly.

In the cold void, powerless and wide-eyed, the Red Demon could only watch helplessly as the Knight swung the massive blade, its ethereal blue energy slicing through cosmic space.

Where are we? Why is there no ground beneath my feet?!

I should’ve had more power than him!

“Knight—Super Galactic Finish!”

In the silent void, a cry echoed across galaxies.

—

After an incredibly fierce battle, Ash didn’t de-morph but just took off his helmet. His whole head was encased in steam from the leaking armor collar. Drenched in sweat, he shook his spiky hair, spraying tiny rainbows in the air. Turning to Yayoi nearby, he asked:

“Speaking of which, how did you break the restrictions and complete the transformation?”

“Mmm. I kept thinking about protecting Mr. Ash back then,” replied Yayoi, casting a concerned look.

Also, there’s a nice grilled scent coming from Mr. Ash’s body… something doesn’t seem right here…

“When Witch Lina attacked me, I somehow transformed into a Pretty Cure like I did for Miyuki and the others then.”

Mr. Ash, your skin around the chin is quite red, is it a burn mark? Should I be worried?

“What do you mean ‘somehow’?!” Ash froze momentarily, then sighed, walking toward Yayoi with a solemn look.

Watching Ash nod his head, Yayoi leaned forward excitedly, looking for praise until he was smacked playfully.

“You, why didn’t you run back then?! You were just a regular person and couldn’t trust transforming, right?” Ash’s tone instantly turned severe, as frightening as the strictest teacher. “You wanted to risk everything, twice doing such foolish things! You almost lost your life, you know!”

Even if it were heroic to risk your life saving someone, I wouldn’t be happy about it!

“Aaah, but even though it was a foolish act, it was for your sake!” Yayoi cowered on the ground, clutching her head in tears. “Besides, I couldn’t think of anything else to do if Mr. Ash was going to die!”

“Really…”

Seeing another gloved hand approach, Yayoi squeezed her eyes shut, prepared for more criticism, but instead, felt the warm touch of the Knight’s fingers caressing her hair.

“So you really are a foolish number two; you worried me, and you scared me too.”

“A-ash sir…”

Ash’s fingers were rough, lacking warmth. But this coldness… brought out a kind of “villainous” gentleness for Yayoi.

“Anyway, I am a man! Who needs your protection?”

“Gya!”

Yayoi cried out, her head suddenly held tightly by Ash, feeling a finger knuckle on her forehead.

“Wha?! Don’t worry about me?!”

Really, I can’t stand the thought of having a girl protect me…

A real man asking to be protected by a girl… it’s so embarrassing…