The Decoy

__________ POV Narration__________

The plan had started as soon as the 'Momoze' and 'Camilla' started speaking loudly to Ashton.

Ashton was to act as the distraction in Momoze's plan, he agreed to help her with this much.

He took Chrollo's appearance to plant him in the location, just in case things went wrong. Even if he wore a mask, some people would still be able to recognize him.

He was the only one causing that commotion, he created two clones using his Cell Splitter, disguised them using the 'Trickster's Box' and constantly transferred his consciousness around to form the conversation.

He was like an actor on a large stage, proving just how easily he could switch between three distinct personalities in the blink of an eye.

His act managed to fool everyone, including the experienced servants that had spent a long time serving the Royal Family.

Hell, even the royal family itself was fooled by his act. He had asked for information on the other princes in order to attract them to the show. And to not screw up his act as

He was so deeply concentrated on his act that he completely adopted the thought that the situation was real. Conditioning his mind to see his clones as the real Momoze and Camilla.

He had managed to attract Tyson quite easily, as she was just a man-thirsty simple-minded individual.

The rest were just intrigued at why their 'sisters' were fighting over a random young man.

Whilst Ashton was distracting the people, including the king, Momoze, Camilla and Kacho would sick their Parasitic Nen Beasts on as many guards as possible.

In the last meeting, they decided that they need to infect as many as possible if they were to raise their chances.

This is why they also sought Kacho's help, who happily agreed to do her part in protecting her twin sister.

They were currently luring in the guards using the opportunity Ashton created for them. However, the plan wasn't yet over the hardest part...

Actually managing to infect highly trained Nen users will be difficult for the three girls to do alone... That is... If they were alone, but they had a powerful Nen user by their side.

Kurapika was the one tasked with subduing the guards, his strength made this quite easy. He might not be a monster like Ashton, but he was still part of the Zodiacs.

Meaning his strength was recognized by the association to be in the top 10. And he proved that he deserved that title with today's mission.

He made short work of the highly trained guards. All of them went down in one hit, but that was the point, he was sneak attacking them after all.

Capturing them and waking them up forcefully after the condition for the Nen beast was completed is the strategy.

After that, their memories of the incident are muddied, making them misremember and forget what had happened in the last 10 minutes.

They achieved that through a Hypnosis Hatsu Kurapika learned to use. The one that taught him that was none other than his long lost ancestor, Ashton.

It was performed using the Dowsing Chain, the one hanging from the ring on his ring finger, its 'ball and chain'-like appearance made it a good catalyst for a hypnosis technique.

All he did was swing it from side to side whilst the person was still vulnerable (which is immediately after waking up) and subtly making them forget the last few minutes of their lives.

It didn't allow for major commands, especially those going against their loyal mindsets...

The four of them worked hard whilst Ashton acted even harder.

His performance even attracted the king's attention, just as planned. After all, the King was the one that needed to be distracted. If he returned to his room then the patrols wouldn't be just as relaxed.

It would become virtually impossible to abduct them instantly unless Ashton did it anyway. But that would make the plan rely on him far too much.

And he wanted Momoze to think harder, on her own.

Develop into a better planner, which is an ability one should definitely possess if they plan to live in a royal court.

She needed to understand the planning process so she might be able to realise when someone is plotting something against her.

The distraction he was currently providing her was one of the two things he was willing to help with. The other one being the cover-up, erasing the traces of their intentions.

Now, they were proceeding with infecting the guards. While something that Momoze didn't expect was happening in the ballroom...

The King was approaching the disguised Ashton, as he was curtly refusing Tyson's advances.

Momoze might've not expected this to happen, but Ashton sure prepared for it. And he was about to start the cover-up segment of his act.

__________ POV Ashton__________

The King. A sentient lard of human fat and with a thin moustache that has the fakest smile on this planet.

I detest his very existence and despise the god that allowed him to spawn on the living plane.

His smile may be fooling people but it will never fool me. It's a strange combination, it's blatantly false to anyone that has put on a facade before, but it's still enough to fool the masses.

My hands almost tremble and my nails almost sharpen instantly when seeing him. My desire to kill him rises every time he takes one more breath near me.

Still, when I saw him approach me, I gave a cordial smile.

"His majesty has graced us with his presence today!" And say in the most polite of tones. I can't have my homicidal desires flood my mind and temper with my judgement.

The lard smiled, acting all grateful for the introduction I've given him. But I can tell that his eyes are scanning every visible spot of my body.

This is why I needed to disguise myself into Chrollo. He is a wanted man, the king is bound to notice something strange. And, by extension, his main guard too.

The leader of the Royal Guard is tagging along with his King, studying me with wary eyes. He must be able to tell that I look familiar, but he is unable to put his finger on it.

That is another ability of the 'Trickster's Bag', it makes people unable to remember if they've ever seen you before.

It's only a momentary effect, after it fades and the captain thinks more about it, he will realise that I am actually Chrollo, the leader of the Phantom Troupe, an infamous group of thieves.

I don't really know the name of this man, but I don't care enough about him to find out. He's just a small piece in my puzzle. His testimony will be important later after the king dies.

"Oh, you're praising me quite a bit. My gratitude stranger, however... I would like to inquire about your intentions with my daughters." He eyed me suspiciously.

This pig... He suddenly acts like a caring father. He is actually just concerned that not saying anything would make him seem strange.

"Your majesty, I assure you that I have no nefarious intentions in mind." Not for them anyway. You, however, will definitely die, this small meeting reminded me why I always hated him so much.

Regardless of the success of this plan, the king isn't going to live through this little trip to my homeland.

This is payment for attempting to colonize my home. I obviously haven't forgotten about that fact.

Now, I think I've bought enough time...

"I see. Well then, I will still keep an eye on you." He said with a squinted eye. To others, it sounds like the king is looking after his daughters, but he is actually just finding me suspicious.

He isn't stupid, he should be able to tell that something is amiss, just not in the way he thinks.

"Thank you for your attention, your majesty. However, I am afraid that I must take my leave." I said as I took a bow.

I quickly exchanged consciousness to the 'Momoze' clone. "W-what!? You're leaving already? But we've barely gotten to know each other..."

Tyson also reacted in a similar fashion to my Momoze act.

And back to being 'Chrollo'. "I am sure we will have more opportunities to meet again princess... Until then."

Before turning, I took one last bow to the king. And left, trying my best not to lash out and kill a few people right now.

After that, I gave the message to Kurapika and the rest. Momoze and Camilla were to come and change places with my clones.

Kacho was also going to need to make an appearance at today's ball. So they needed to hurry.

But my part is already done. I will just head back to my room(Momoze's room) and wait for a bit.

I am not worried about her safety, Kurapika is strong enough to protect her and Kacho, and Camilla said she can protect herself.

All we need to do now is watch as things unfold.

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