Chapter 123: Regina’s Thoughts
“…..”
After nearly half a month, returning to this place felt strange. Originally familiar Dark Base had changed.
If one looked closer, the original base was just an old bowling alley converted from the human realm, but now it had been renovated and covered in gold paint, resembling an extravagant palace.
“Who decorated this? It’s ugly…”
Princess Regina, who has somewhat picky aesthetic tastes, grumbled quietly. Standing in front of the door, she took a deep breath and knocked.
No problem. Since my relationship with Ash is so good, he would never make things difficult for me!
“Oh, isn’t this Princess Regina?”
The person inside wasn’t the one she was looking for, but Ira and Mama on the swing. Seeing Regina, they laughed and swung down from the swing.
Initially worried about who might be disturbing Ash’s sleep, they were surprised to see an old acquaintance. Facing this “former princess” who betrayed the organization and had all identity rankings revoked, they started their traditional villain act—bullying the weak.
“What are you doing here, traitor~”
Despite her being a princess, that was in the past. Now, the selfish king was Lord Ash.
Even though Ash treated them like underlings, they still felt superior to the remnants of the old order combined with a traitor.
Besides, Regina’s powers were taken back by the selfish king, so why should they fear?
“This is our turf~ This place doesn’t want you!”
Seeing the little ones who once dominated over her only glaring angrily now, Ira and Mama laughed and danced.
“Listen up, Regina. According to Lord Ash, we will fight the Pretty Cure next.”
“All will witness the Pretty Cure’s final day. Who do you think won’t be invited?”
“You~~!”
Facing the two pointing at her with smug looks, Regina clenched her fist, feeling a crossroads above her head.
“Quickly return to your new friend’s house, or prepare to run errands for us~”
“Hahaha, Mama, is she going to cry?”
“Go home~!”
Yes, Regina really wanted to cry and was preparing to act on it.
Her eyes filled with tears as she yelled forcefully.
“Ash, they’re bullying me—!”
Minutes later, Ash woke up and rubbed his eyes while cleaning his hands. Behind him, Ira and Mama, with swollen faces, hung upside down on the door, wearing signs saying “I am an idiot” and “I won’t bully people again.”
For Ash, Regina was a friend who helped him in the past.
For these two? Already lacking the courage to resist him, what nerve did they have to bother his friend?
Ira and Mama couldn’t understand why Ash was defending her.
Ash didn’t understand why they thought he and Regina had a bad relationship.
“How rare. Regina came specifically to play?”
As if nothing happened, Ash pulled out a bottle of Knight Cola—Ole M from his item pouch, which still had ice drops on it—and handed it to her.
“Gulp~”
Taking a small sip, Regina smiled in relief. Indeed, Ash hasn’t changed towards her.
“Um, I brought some gifts for you.”
Not jumping straight into demands, Regina presented her snacks. They weren’t bought from stores but from Akuri, who loves sweets.
She didn’t know why she and Akuri didn’t get along. They had fought countless times. Usually, only Ai and others’ help kept them from fighting. Thus, stealing these snacks wasn’t guilt-inducing.
“That’s very thoughtful.”
Munching on the sweet treats, which lost their value on Ash’s tongue, he closed his eyes and looked at Regina.
Someone bringing him sweets for the first time seemed suspicious. It’s said that unsolicited generosity is dangerous, and indeed, he felt Regina had something to ask.
“Speak, what is it?” If it’s another attempt to stop him, don’t blame Ash for not considering past feelings.
“Ash, I… am very worried about my father!”
“The selfish king?” Ash was surprised. The selfish king had taken away her powers and disowned her, seeming like a tough match. To his surprise, Regina was still concerned despite that.
Regina’s serious expression clearly indicated genuine worry. As for her filial piety…
“Sure, it’s fine.”
“Huh? Really!” Regina was shocked, never expecting such a simple agreement.
“After all, I’m a kind-hearted person.”
Before the end comes, I’ll help you a bit.
As the protective shield around Jetcopter unfolded, Regina, after letting go of Ash, sprinted toward the statue representing the selfish king far ahead.
Card Kingdom was in ruins. Its people became selfish beasts and could hardly see sunlight as dark clouds lingered overhead.
But staring at the selfish king in the distance, Ash narrowed his eyes.
“Shrunk… fragile, huh.”
Deciding not to eavesdrop, Ash gentlemanly gave them privacy.
“Aah, how boring, I should have made her mine too in the end… No! Wait!”
Ash suddenly realized what sort of absurd thoughts he was having, clutching his aching heart. He gasped deeply.
“I’m… why!?”
He felt something entered his body then. It must be like before, another thing attempting to take over him. Apparently, it failed, so there’s no effect now!
“This is my game, my journey. Nobody can interfere!”
If Ikazuchi Kazuma or Shiyago Joju, who fought against the corrupted Ash, saw this, they would be astounded by his obsession.
Peering through the gaps between his fingers, Ash’s dilated eyes were bloodshot.
Reuniting with her father after such a long time, Regina couldn’t hide her excitement, even running wildly without noticing her left shoe flying off.
“Dad!”
Not just to find a way to help Ash, seeing her father was her true desire, thus deceiving Ash earlier.
Past hardships aside, family cannot be severed. In Regina’s view, her father is always her father, unchangeable regardless of the past or present.
Yet, approaching him, she hesitated.
“Are… are you, truly, my father?”
“…
