Official

__________ POV Ashton__________

It's been quite a while since I've woken up like this.

I didn't quite have the time to sleep with Momoze by my side lately. The last time was when I was guarding the door and she came to me.

This time, I am the one that just entered her room. To my surprise, she didn't even ask anything about my age. I honestly didn't think that she would take that so nicely.

I guess she was somewhat expecting me to be older, but it should be mentioned that human expeditions started many centuries ago.

I've mostly ever mentioned the 5 successful expeditions, but there have been more than 150 attempts. The actual number is somewhat closer to 180 even.

All those expeditions were failures though. Where humanity didn't really gain anything. They only lost men and boats.

Only the 'successful' expeditions managed to 'spawn' calamities. Why? That's a bit hard to say, I'd say that they were just unlucky enough to stumble into sites that these 'gods' considered important.

It's quite a strange phenomenon really. I also don't have any concrete evidence. But I don't really see any other reason besides that. I already know quite a bit about these 'Gods' to come to my own conclusions about them.

I can pretty much tell that they have their own ways of observing the world, their home seems to be the Abyss, but they also seem to want to escape it.

Currently, this 'Shakti' is the life force and aura of one of these Abyss beings. If my guess is right, then every script I've read is a complete lie, and the only thing completing the ritual would achieve would be to free these things.

Coming to this conclusion wasn't really instant, and it wasn't easy for me. But it also makes the most sense.

After all, the beasts sometimes seemed intelligent, meaning that the abyss beings can sometimes take control of them. And the calamities are likely extensions of their own beings.

There's no reason as to why they would let anyone have this type of information, the existence of something that can fight them on equal standing, why would they not destroy that information?

So, they obviously wanted me to see and read those. It's a pretty pathetic attempt really.

What exactly makes them think that I'd fear them enough to complete a bothersome ritual to seek the help of some being that 'might' be of help?

If my assumption is correct, then the ultimate objective should be to bring their real bodies to this world. I've not seen them myself, but that's because they keep hiding from me.

I've no doubt that I would've seen them if I didn't freak out back then and consumed my own vitality. I only saw the eyes, but that much is more than enough.

I woke up too early, but at least it gives me time to think about things.

As I am right now, I am strong, but not strong enough. The problem here is that I don't exactly know what to do in order to get even stronger...

I've somewhat reached the natural limitations of my body. There's no feasible way forward for me. Progress is almost nonexistent no matter what I do.

For now, things in the colonies and cities will become more stabilised. Which will give me more free time.

The only thing I can do for now is to start looking into some things that I had promised to.

I still remember my deal with Kite, and I should start my research if I am to get any results by the time he arrives here. I'm not under the impression that he'd have much trouble with 'Shakti'.

He and his group aren't even humans, so they shouldn't be targets... Well, that might not be entirely true.

I've seen animals get affected by this before, that's also the only way that this infectious aura managed to spread to Lake Mobius.

I need to start looking into the samples I have. I'll soon start studying the Ant Queen's carcass and reproductive system. I'll also look into how Kite was created, as well as his relationship with the old Ant King.

They are technically siblings.

Now that I think about it... Isn't kite going to be unreasonably powerful now? Well, I guess the chances of him having the same devouring ability as the king are scarce.

But even then, he was already a decent Nen User, gaining a body that has basically limitless potential isn't something he'd let go to waste.

I heard a small yawn to my side, it stirred me out of my thoughts as I looked at Momoze and smiled.

The princess seems to be awake now, Pitou is still sleeping though, likely due to exhaustion, it's been a while since she's had a comfortable bed after all.

"Morning..." Momoze said as she slowly rose from the bed and looked around the room.

__________ POV Narration__________

Momoze woke up in a very good mood. She had been looking forward to spending more time with Ashton for a long time.

"Have you slept well? I believe it's been a while hasn't it?" Ashton smiled while speaking to her. His voice was low, but Pitou definitely noticed it.

The Chimaera Ant decided to just roll on her side, letting go of Ashton in the process, and continue to sleep.

Momoze looked at how close Pitou was to Ashton with a pout. Something that the old hunter obviously noticed and decided to ignore.

The young princess just sighed a bit and slapped her cheeks. "Yeah, I've slept well... What will you be doing now?" She asked while staring at Ashton.

She hoped that he would remain and spend more time with her. But she already knew the truth.

"I plan to spend one more day like this. Then I'll have to get back to work..." His response made the princess feel quite saddened.

"But, I believe it's about time we clarify things between us." But his next words startled her greatly. Even though it had been so long, even if they knew each other for a while, had slept together numerous times.

This next step somehow still seemed abrupt to the princess. Well, not in a bad way, it just took her by surprise.

Still, she turned red and smiled a bit. But there was still a lot of concern on her mind. 'What if he has someone else?', 'What if he doesn't want someone so young?'. Those were both valid concerns, things that made her anxious about how Ashton would proceed forward with their relationship.

"W-what do you have in mind?" She decided to let him take the first step, she was a bit too shy to say it first directly.

"Well, I believe my answer is quite obvious at this point. I wouldn't spend this much time with someone I don't care about. As long as my age isn't a problem to you, then I'd like us to officially become a couple." Ashton's words flowed smoothly, there was no embarrassment in them, he even left the choice with her.

After all, how exactly would he go about being embarrassed in such situations? He was already experienced enough... Although, properly getting romantically attached to someone was still new to the old hunter.

He had flings, he had courted ladies before, but he had not ever been committed to any relationship. This was the first one that he was willing to give a chance.

"I-I obviously don't have any issue with that! I mean, I don't mind. I also like you quite a lot..." She, in the end, gathered her courage.

She was not as shy after she had calmed down, after thinking a bit about it, this was just the obvious next step for them. It should've actually happened much earlier.

But, with Ashton being so busy, it left things in the air for a long time, leaving space for some anxiety to set in for Momoze, among other things.

"Then it's official... Let us seal the deal." Ashton leaned in closer, planting his lips on top of Momoze's own.

The princess was once again taken by surprise, much to Ashton's amusement. It was merely a peck on the lips, yet the princes turned squeamish and embarrassed quite quickly.

At that moment, Ashton decided to forget about his worries, responsibilities and duties. For this one day, at the very least.

'This day will be quite fun...' Was the only thing on his mind.

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