I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 40 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Link: Patreon.com/Heroicverse
—------------------—
Realizing that Mantis could eavesdrop on his thoughts at any time, Peter felt somewhat helpless for a moment.
It wasn't that he had any shameful thoughts in his head.
But the feeling of having whatever he was thinking forcibly known by someone else... was just too strange!
Maybe... he should keep a thin layer of Armament Haki over himself from now on to block her ability?
Forget it, that would be too much trouble, and it wasn't really necessary.
While Peter was lost in these idle thoughts.
Mantis silently leaned in half a step closer, bringing her face quite near to Peter's; they were so close that Peter could have kissed her with just a slight tilt of his head.
"So, can I go live on Earth with you?"
She took Peter's hand, her emerald-green eyes looking at him with anticipation, like a clingy puppy.
"Please, please, I'm begging you~"
Her tone rose as she spoke, the end of her sentence trailing off with a little lilt that sounded incredibly coquettish.
She didn't actually know what the point of doing this was.
It was just that Peter's emotions told her that doing this would make him happier.
Sensing Peter's happiness, she would feel happy in turn.
"Hiss~" Peter couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.
Who could resist this!
Especially when he noticed her eager expression—she was clearly prepared to follow his inner thoughts and do something even bolder.
Peter didn't dare hesitate for a second longer; he immediately took a step back, breaking physical contact with Mantis.
It wasn't that he wanted to refuse, it was simply that Sif was still standing just three steps away.
How could he engage in some kind of flirtatious play with a new girl right in front of his actual girlfriend!
How is that any different from cheating right in front of her face!
"Um..."
Shaking off those messy thoughts, Peter looked into Mantis's eyes and spoke with a serious expression.
"I can take you to Earth."
Mantis's eyes lit up.
"But I have one condition."
Mantis's eyes dimmed slightly.
"I need you to first experience the emotions and lifestyle of Earthlings properly, to understand what it means to like someone, what love is, and what is simply gratitude and dependence." Peter spoke slowly, trying to keep it simple.
"You've been by Ego's side for too long."
"There is no love in that place, only obedience. So when you feel love for the first time, it's easy to be influenced by that emotion and make irrational judgments."
"But in reality, you don't know me at all. Your current curiosity about me is less like affection and more like... an instinctive pursuit of the first ray of light after walking out of the darkness."
Mantis listened quietly without interrupting him.
"So, I think you should try living independently on Earth for a while."
To prove he wasn't just leading her on, Peter took her hand and said earnestly:
"Once you've met more people and experienced more types of emotions, think again about whether you still want to stay by my side."
"If your answer is still the same then, then we... will talk about it then."
"Of course, during this process, if you want to return to your brother's side, you can tell me at any time, and I will reunite you siblings."
Hearing this, Sif couldn't help but show a satisfied smile.
Although these words sounded somewhat familiar, they only proved that Peter wasn't the type of scumbag who took advantage of people in vulnerable positions; she hadn't misjudged him after all.
The man she had chosen was the most outstanding and clear-headed being in this Universe!
On the other side, Mantis remained silent for a few seconds, carefully sensing Peter's emotions.
After a moment, she suddenly looked up and gave Peter a firm nod.
"Okay."
...
After deciding to take Mantis back to Earth, the destiny officially began its return journey.
Under the control of the Wheel of Fortune, the destiny initiated consecutive space jumps.
Meanwhile, Peter began to think about matters on Earth.
He wondered if the Avengers would run into any problems during his absence from Earth.
Also... he wondered if those Skrulls were behaving themselves according to the rules he had set.
Thinking of this, Peter couldn't help but rub his temples, feeling a bit of a headache coming on.
It was only now that he realized, in hindsight, that he had actually broken his word, just like Nick Fury.
He had originally intended to use Ego's home Planet as a new home for the Skrull refugees after dealing with him.
An entire Planet, with enough space and resources, far from the conflicts of various factions—it was a very ideal habitat.
But plans can't keep up with changes.
He hadn't expected that old geezer Ego to be so uncooperative, insisting on self-destructing.
It had forced him to drain the other party completely, flesh and bone, and the entire Planet had turned into cosmic dust as a result.
As such, the matter of settling the Skrulls naturally became impossible.
"Sigh, what a headache!"
"If only these Skrulls were as restless as they are in the movie and comic Universes."
"Then I could just use their restlessness as an excuse for punishment and gloss over my broken promise."
Just as he was thinking this, the mechanical notification sound of the Wheel of Fortune suddenly reached his ears:
"Space jump complete. Returned to the Solar System. Synchronizing Earth's communication network."
Hearing this, Peter's spirits lifted, and he immediately began receiving the news summary—which he had specifically asked Hill to keep updated before he left.
The first half wasn't anything special.
Basic daily mission reports, personnel transfer records, resource procurement lists—all trivial matters.
He scrolled down.
Still nothing.
But further down.
Peter's finger suddenly stopped.
A large number of reports regarding the United Nations opposing the Avengers and the privatization of Superheroes appeared on the screen.
Faced with this sudden flood of negative news, others might not know what was going on, but how could Peter not be clear?
At this thought, he immediately leaned back in his chair and let out a cold sneer:
"Skrulls, you've done well."
"I worked so hard preparing to find you a new home, and yet you're actually as restless as I imagined, daring to cause trouble on my turf!"
His voice wasn't loud, but both Sif and Mantis heard him.
Sif walked over, glanced at the content on the communication screen, and raised an eyebrow. "Something happened on Earth?"
"More than just something happening."
Peter pushed the communication panel toward Sif, letting her see for herself.
Sif scanned it a few times, her expression shifting from relaxed to amused.
"These... are clearly the handiwork of those Skrulls you mentioned, right? These guys have some nerve."
"More than just nerve." Peter stood up and walked to the porthole.
"They've calculated that I would die in the Universe and wouldn't be able to go back and deal with them!"
"In that case, I'm going to have to give them a grand gift!"