The Rider tossed the remaining half of the monster limb in his hand to the ground. Smoke from the battle damage covering his body lingered around him as he crouched weakly.
Large portions of his beautiful azure armor were covered in scorch marks. Beneath countless cracks and breaks, exposed artificial muscles and damaged, sparking cables could be seen. Half of his head crest had bent and snapped, the mantle on his left shoulder had vanished without a trace, and even the remaining cape had been burned down to half its length.
He had talked big, but fighting so many former powerful enemies... he had somewhat overestimated his physical condition and stamina...
Since he could not use the quick and convenient energy annihilation, he could only communicate with his fists and feet in an even simpler, more direct manner. At that moment, Dune emerged belatedly from the wind and sand—or rather, he had been waiting to reap the fruits of victory—and mercilessly brought his foot down from above.
Ash raised both arms to block, but the irresistible force smashed him down into the underground level. Clearly, he no longer had the fiery momentum from the beginning of the battle.
"This really is... though as an opponent, you're beyond reproach."
In less than two hours, Ash, already nearing his limit, was almost burned out.
"Even if my complete form's power has been sealed, that doesn't mean you have any chance of defeating me."
Revice Sawblade spun backward in Ash's hand, and he swung its hilt at his enemy, only to hit nothing. Dune's voice began coming from all around him. He was clearly circling Ash at high speed.
"In fact, you would have had a better chance of beating me if you had attacked together with your Pretty Cures. Coming here alone