Chaos' Heir

Chapter 1455: Sharing

What Caja was implying was no small matter, especially coming from a Nele. That species with a tragic past would have previously never put their fate in the hands of outsiders, and the imminent meeting was bound to shape it.

Yet, realistically, the Nele were weak, with no real foothold or leverage on the universe’s political landscape. Might made right, and they didn’t have it when evolved warriors joined the fray. They had even lacked a proper home less than a year ago.

Khan had solved that, and now Caja wanted him to deal with that other weakness, too. The universe would never hear the Nele’s wishes anyway, so Caja needed Khan to speak them for them to hold any weight.

That was more than mere trust. It was something Khan had yet to achieve with the Thilku Empire, too. Caja would essentially make Khan the Nele’s leader from the universe’s perspective, believing he wouldn’t betray their interests.

Now, Khan was no stranger to leadership. The Nele wouldn’t even be the first species to fall under his authority.

Nevertheless, the Scalqa had been nothing more than a large army and were still developing away from that state. It would take them centuries to become a proper civilization at the same level as the universe’s greatest powers.

Khan had also treated the Nognes family as nothing more than a tool for his purposes, at least initially. Theoretically, he had even abdicated from his leadership position. He remained a leader, but being in charge of the Nele promised to bring emotionally heavier responsibilities.

Still, when Khan heard Caja’s words, a reply immediately escaped from his mouth. "[Sure, I’ll take care of it]."

Liiza didn’t understand the Nele’s language, and her husband’s natural and immediate response didn’t hint at anything deeper.

However, the faint but profound tremor that ran through Caja’s mana spoke louder than words. She was even an open book for Liiza since she was only a fourth-level warrior. Liiza could easily guess her husband had made another of his absurd promises.

"I shall return to Coravis then," Caja eventually said, recovering from the shock and switching back to the human language to include Liiza in the conversation. "The migration still needs my help, and Jenna will become indisposed soon enough."

Both Khan and Liiza blinked, their puzzlement so evident that Caja couldn’t help but notice her mistake.

"Oh, you didn’t know?" Caja playfully gasped. "Silly me. I’m so caught in young love, I’m forgetting myself."

"What did Ilman do now?" Khan asked, instinctively blaming his Niqols friend even if his subconscious had already provided a more reasonable answer.

"What every fine young man in a relationship should do," Caja explained. "I personally confirmed Jenna is expecting."

The lack of complete updates was unavoidable. Khan and Liiza had spent most of the last period with no connection to the regulated universe, and their return to allied territories had sent them directly into a battlefield.

Reuniting with Liiza, dealing with Raymond, calling for the interspecies meeting, and addressing Monica had taken priority right afterward and would probably continue keeping the married couple busy for a while.

Nevertheless, the world didn’t just stay still in Khan and Liiza’s absence. Just like their daughter had continued to grow, so did Ilman and Jenna’s relationship, apparently culminating in something quite surprising.

Of course, there was nothing unnatural in that development. If anything, Khan and Liiza should have predicted it better than most. After all, they knew exactly how Ilman and Jenna were. It was a miracle they had held back for so long, actually.

Still, that knowledge was the very reason behind the couple’s surprise. Ilman was an unmovable object, while Jenna was an unstoppable force, and the latter seemed to have won that battle.

Then, as the married couple began to accept the news and feel happy about it, Caja added something deeply troubling. "Your children will be peers. Isn’t that wonderful?"

Khan and Liiza’s minds become one as those words echoed in their brains, making their mental connection superfluous. The same, identical movie played in their vision, sending chills down their spines.

Jenna was Jenna, and Ilman was Ilman. Those two eccentric characters were about to become parents, and their child had no chance to be normal.

Adding Jenna and Ilman’s past to the equation brought Khan and Liiza’s gazes to Yeza, who looked unaware of her parents’ realization. She didn’t know it yet, but a great danger had appeared in her life.

"[You can fool around]," Liiza whispered in her native language, lifting Yeza toward her face, "[But don’t for any reason make Ilman’s kid fall for you]."

"[No fooling around, either, young lady]," Khan warned, joining his wife, "[Especially with Jenna’s kid. Actually, let me just kill every man in the universe]."

Caja couldn’t understand what Khan and Liiza were saying, but her smile grew warmer nonetheless. She could almost see that familiar affection with her bare eyes, as well as the happiness it reeked of.

When added to Khan’s previous answer, Caja’s smile grew even warmer. She clearly recalled that curious young man from years ago. She remembered how lost and ashamed he was, but couldn’t see any of that in that happy scene.

The past hesitation was gone. Khan even seemed to be comfortable with his hair’s color now. He would have never passed it to his child otherwise.

That capable boy had grown into a fine man, and watching him play the happy family made Caja put her few lingering, faint reservations to rest. The Nele would be fine. They couldn’t help but have a bright future ahead of them now that Khan led their path.

"This old woman will take her leave now," Caja eventually announced, interrupting the playfully bickering couple. "I must return to Coravis."

"Be sure to notify my troops if you need anything," Khan casually said, half of his attention still on Liiza and Yeza. "Oh, and I’ll congratulate Ilman and Jenna personally, but do tell them I’m happy about the news in the meantime."

Caja nodded, ready to get out of the happy couple’s way, when Khan added something else. "And it’s return home. Coravis is yours. I’ll get out of your way soon enough."

Those words couldn’t help but hit Caja’s feelings harder than she expected. Something happy but teary rose inside her, almost making her want to jump forward to hug Khan with all the gratitude she was capable of.

Of course, Liiza spotted those intentions, and her cold white light immediately shone on Caja. She was still smiling, but her hidden glare cooled down any affectionate reaction that old Nele was about to fall prey to.

Still, where Liiza wanted to send a warning, Caja only saw youthful fun.

"Nessa arrived recently, too," Caja exclaimed. "I think her stance on sharing might change if you were to ask."

Khan frowned in confusion, but his eyes lit up when he recalled his interactions with Jenna’s friend. Yet, he couldn’t dwell in those memories since the temperature sharply dropped, and the white light moved from the retreating Caja to his face.

"[Who is this Nessa]?" Liiza asked, defaulting to her native language and a smiling face that couldn’t be faker.