Chaos' Heir

Chapter 1462: Introductions

Despite the quite casual arrangement and messy preparations, the meeting did feature powerful representatives from some of the most prominent species in the regulated universe.

Moreover, the meeting’s purpose couldn’t be more serious. The order of business would involve a threat to the universe and way of life as those species knew it, demanding seriousness even from the usually casual Khan.

In a way, that meeting was exactly what Khan had worked for ever since learning about the existence of the Scarlet Eyes. Back then, he had been alone, wielding a terrible knowledge that would get him labeled as crazy or worse if he dared to mention it to the public.

Instead, the greatest powers in the regulated universe had gathered to listen to Khan and find a joint solution to the problem now. Everything had indeed changed, and that was merely a first step in the right direction.

The Thilku Emperor let Khan take the central role in that meeting and sat down once he made his announcement. His slow, methodical moves didn’t spare the place from occasional tremors, but the other guests pretended to ignore them while joining him in the sand.

Liiza reached for Yeza while also sitting down, leaving Khan as the only person standing. He had opened the meeting, but his status demanded laying its foundation, too.

"If everyone is in agreement," Khan continued, "We’ll hold the meeting in the human language. It’s the easiest solution, and I really don’t want to play translator throughout it."

No one responded, but slight nods and agreeing looks unfolded all around the table. Everyone knew the human language there, and they had translating devices at hand, too. The meeting’s location also made that decision appropriate.

"Good," Khan exclaimed at that general agreement. "Introductions are in order, then. As the meeting’s organizer, allow me to start."

Khan went silent for a few seconds to sort his thoughts and let the guests absorb his previous message before continuing. "I’m Khan, Prince of the Nognes family, Lord Blue Shaman, and Lord Special Emissary of the Thilku Empire."

Khan could think of a few more titles, but dismissed them to get to the point. "Since the Thilku Emperor is here, I’ll only represent my organization, noble family, the Scalqa, and the Nele."

"I’m Liiza, Khan’s wife," Liiza interrupted, gathering mana in her fingers to draw invisible, protective marks on the playful Yeza. "My husband will speak for the Niqols, too."

Khan glanced to his right, but Liiza kept playing with Yeza while applying more defensive techniques to her. That wasn’t what they had promised Savdat or the Niqols, but Liiza didn’t really care. Khan was a better politician anyway, and no one at the meeting could call her out.

"I’ll represent my organization, noble family, the Scalqa, the Nele, and the Niqols," Khan corrected himself, quickly giving up on the matter, proceeding to introduce the others at his sides. "The Emperor of the Thilku Empire and his Royal Court will represent the Thilku Empire."

"Don’t speak for the Emperor," Three Royal Guards scolded simultaneously, while Lord Mighty limited himself to pointing a derisive smile at Khan.

Khan rolled his eyes but suppressed his annoyance to address the fearsome figure to his left. "Can I take care of this stuff and avoid wasting booze already?"

"Yes," The Emperor promptly said, even containing his voice, only for a few bottles on the table to explode anyway.

The event served as another proof of the Thilku Emperor’s immense might, but Khan didn’t even notice it, moving to the next order of business.

"Your turn now," Khan announced. "I think it’s only proper for the human representative to start since we are on Earth."

Dean Ulluw looked more interested in the bottles resting on the table than in the meeting, but still stood up upon being mentioned.

"I’m Special Asset Dean Ulluw," The old evolved warrior said. "I can speak for the Global Army and the forces under its control."

Dean Ulluw didn’t mention the noble families or which forces the Global Army controlled, but humankind’s political structure was decently clear to the people in the meeting. That announcement probably involved the Kred and the vague alliance with the species on Ecoruta.

"Greetings," The tall sphere said in a robotic voice as Dean Ulluw sat down. "This mainframe and Muhsin of the Kros will represent the Kros."

The evolved Ef’i stood up next, her hoarse voice not getting in the way of her perfect human accent. "Mazatl of Onia, instructor of the Ef’i special troops, the best warriors in the universe."

The arrogant statement earned Mazatl a series of eager looks from the other side of the table. The Royal Guards couldn’t help but snap their faces and eyes toward her, even showing occasional excited grins at her claim.

"Come on, people," Khan sighed. "We have a war to fight. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to decide who’s the best."

Mazatl and the Royal Guards didn’t seem too inclined to let her statement go, but the former eventually agreed to sit down. Of course, the challenging glares didn’t stop from either side of the table.

Luckily, the evolved Fuveall didn’t seem to mind that eager-for-battle vibe and stood up, crossing his silver arms while the exposed metal teeth in his skull-like face parted as if they were a mouth’s lips.

"I’m Pa-ankh from the Allied Colonies," The evolved Fuveall said, a clanging noise coming from inside him mixing with his deep voice. "I can represent most of the Fuveall."

Khan had to admit he found that statement interesting. He didn’t know much about the Fuveall’s government in the end, so hearing about the Allied Colonies aroused his curiosity. Sadly, that wasn’t the time to let his adventurer side loose.

Once the evolved Fuveall sat down, most of the table’s attention converged on Khan again. He was the only one still standing, and it was his job to move the meeting to the next order of business.

"Now that this is out of the way," Khan exclaimed, "I guess we can share the information we have, as well as the results of the recent attack."

Khan knew his request could be met with rejection and dishonesty. After all, it would involve political secrets, which the species at the table might not be willing to share. That was unavoidable, so Khan had to make the first step there, too.

"I’ll obviously start," Khan continued. "The Nak and the heart of the mana are gone. I ate them."