__________ POV Ashton__________
It's been a while since I've seen the Black Whale. It's about as boring looking as I remember it. Or I guess 'plain' would be a better way to describe it?
I passed through all three of the established cities. The population has been spread out quite extensively to cover different zones that collect and trade different resources.
The cities have not established a common currency, they are currently trading on a value basis. The more value something has to the colony, the more one needs to give in return.
It's an interesting method, but I am unsure of how long they will keep it up. I think they will convert to using a currency soon. After all, rich people will still want to be rich.
There's no way they would start haggling with 'commoners'. It's a bit amusing, people left Lake Mobius to run away from their old lives.
But the same class divides are present here too. There is little change in the lifestyle of the common man.
The only change is that some people will get to eventually run for positions of power after the cities are better established.
But elections can be rigged and promises can be broken.
So, essentially, the people that embarked here to escape their previous lives will get the privilege of building up a society for the rich people to rule.
At least this is the conclusion I've reached from combining what I already knew from the Black Whale to what I've gathered in my short visit to all of the cities.
I convinced Pitou to enter the void space before flying towards the Black Whale because I don't think she'll find the situation all that interesting. There is no reason for me to drag her along.
I reached the Black Whale quickly enough. I landed on top of the first tier, looking down, it's just as I remember it, the rich seem to have remained on the ship for now.
So the first tier is quite populated.
I didn't see him with the other Zodiacs, so he must be still taking care of royalty. But I don't think looking for Oita would be quite appropriate.
I don't really know her all that well and my relationship with Kurapika is a bit strained. So I'll just look for Momoze, I'm sure things have somewhat calmed down with her.
I entered the first tire from the top, I walked around for a bit, I was preparing to head for the rooms of the princes. But, someone actually stopped me.
"Hey! Who are you supposed to be?! All of the others should be on the continent!" A simple guard. He must've been patrolling when he saw me.
I guess they already learned all of the people in this tier. He saw me and considered me suspicious.
Maybe because I forgot about turning invisible? Maybe because I don't really care enough to do such a thing anymore.
I mean, I guess it would've saved me the trouble? But this isn't really an issue. I already have a good enough identity.
"I am called Ashton, I work as the bodyguard of one of the princes. Princess Momoze Hui Guo Rou, to be exact. You can call her to verify my identity." I said as I waved the guard away.
"I see... Would you come with me for now? We need to make sure you're who you're claiming to be..." He said as he motioned for me to follow him.
I might as well. Figured announcing my arrival before just showing up in front of Momoze might be a bit more adequate.
If things between us were left off on a better note, I might've just shown up at her front door. But that doesn't really seem to be an option now.
"So... How come I've not seen you around here before?" Asked the guard with a bit of curiosity in his voice. That means he believes me, maybe it was because I was confident while speaking.
Not every one of the guards has seen me with Momoze in the past. So it shouldn't be all that widespread.
"I've been on the continent for a while. I've just returned in fact." I continued making idle conversation with this guard until we reached a random waiting room.
It had a table and two chairs in the middle. I walked towards one of them and sat down.
"Well, I'll go ask around for a bit. It shouldn't take longer than ten minutes." He said with a smile.
"Sure thing..." I stood in that room for about 6 minutes before someone came in. It wasn't exactly who I was expecting though...
__________ POV Narration__________
As Ashton stood up, the door opened to reveal a familiar figure.
A tall blonde woman dressed in a beautiful blue ball dress. She was none other than Camilla. A person with high ambitions.
"What a pleasant surprise! Ashton, it's great to see you. You look so much younger!" Her smile was large, yet her eyes were cold.
Still, her mind was filled with curiosity upon seeing Ashton's newfound 'youth'. Not that she was going to get any answers.
"Spare me the pleasantries... What do you want?" Ashton was not looking to humour her. His cold response and impatient gaze erased the woman's smile in an instant.
"Well then... I guess there is no reason to hide this from you." She said as she looked Ashton in the eyes, fearlessly.
"I have started to lessen the competition... If you understand what I mean. Simply put, I want you to help me, in return, I promise not to touch Momoze." She was confident in her bargain.
She already realised from her fruitless attempts at bringing Ashton to her side in the past, that the old hunter had a soft spot for her Half-Sister. So, she decided to exploit that.
After all, the worst that could happen in this situation was Ashton killing her. And she was not afraid of that. No, rather, it's exactly what she wanted.
"So you've already started? Who exactly did you target until now?" Asked Ashton while a smile surfaced on his lips. Camilla was a bit taken aback, but she didn't instantly think that the old hunter was going to help her.
"Well, I wasn't quite the first one to come up with this plan... The first person killed was Tyson, I'm sure she needs no introduction." She started speaking as she sat down in front of Ashton.
"The ones that killed her were Luzurus and Zhang Lei. You've met the two before, it seems they became quite impatient and decided to better their chances at the crown." She spoke with eloquence.
She was quite pleased that Ashton was willing to listen to her in this way. She had expected the old hunter to just kill her outright. After all, he seemed to be that type before.
"I was the one that took care of the two of them. Since then, the situation has been at a standstill. Everyone has become vigilant." She continued speaking for a while.
By the end, she had a pleased smile on her face. Ashton had listened to her without interruption. And that was a good sign. She already had examples of Ashton disagreeing with someone.
Benjamin, the first prince, had also tried to bring Ashton and Momoze to his side. And he had failed, she thought she was reading Ashton's mood properly.
All until his smile vanished, and she felt a sickening murderous intent coming from him. As a different, sadistic smile resurfaced.
His handsome face gave a drastic contrast to the emotions his face was conveying.
"Are you done speaking?" He tilted his head, the same smile plastered on his face.
Camilla gulped, but it was already too late.
She was about to regret showing up at this place.
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