Chaos' Heir

Chapter 1469: Happy

Aynor’s destroyed quadrant featured some of the most important figures in the regulated universe, and they had all gathered there due to Khan’s summons.

Therefore, it stood to reason that Khan couldn’t just leave. Although the meeting had fulfilled its purpose for now, political etiquette still demanded the host’s presence. It would also be safer for Khan to be there since no one else could hope to make those powerful existences behave.

However, Khan truly needed to rest, which wasn’t only due to his newfound curiosity in that activity.

That past day had been a rollercoaster of revolutionary events. Khan had gone from finding the Nak and inheriting the mana’s legacy to fighting one of the True Chaos’ Kings with barely any break in between.

Sure, Khan’s stamina was way beyond inhuman. Technically, his body didn’t need rest, and his mind was also steadily approaching full recovery.

Yet, too much had happened. A full reset could only benefit Khan and, in turn, the regulated universe as a whole. After all, the better he was and the more the newly inherited knowledge took root in his mind, the higher the chances of defeating the True Chaos would be.

Of course, there was a deeper meaning to the whole matter, something the representatives at the meeting couldn’t grasp completely despite Khan having shared a piece of his sad history.

Khan wouldn’t even waste time justifying himself. He had been past that for years, but his wife did a good job at conveying how important that practice was for him.

As usual, Khan’s statement had been rather casual, even reeking of childish pride. That could easily lead to misunderstandings and questions from the representatives, but Liiza stood on the very opposite end of her husband’s emotional spectrum.

The political training Liiza had undergone while managing her tribe seemed to have vanished now that she had assumed the role of Khan’s wife. She had reverted to her previous aloof and cold stance, at least among strangers, which they could misunderstand for threats or mere impoliteness.

Nevertheless, the stance Liiza assumed after Khan announced his plans left no room for misunderstandings. The temperature didn’t drop, but the light radiated by her eyes seemed ready to freeze the very core of those representatives when it shone on them.

That was a clear threat. No one was to get in the way of Khan’s plans. The danger was so evident that the representatives couldn’t help but accept that letting Khan rest was a matter of life and death.

"My forces are already here," Khan announced once the silent agreement became evident. "They’ll take care of your every need. Just try not to cause too much of a scene. We really don’t have time to waste."

Khan’s words sounded contradictory since he was the one about to do something as time-consuming as resting, but no one argued against him. If anything, his side of the table, or sand, had already moved past the matter.

"Lord Blue Shaman," The Emperor called. "The feast must happen."

"I wouldn’t miss it for the world," Khan promised. "I’ll tell my forces to start planning it while you all deal with what we agreed upon."

A feast was another time-consuming event that should be avoided in such a dire predicament, but the Emperor was another figure who couldn’t be contradicted.

Also, there was indeed much to do. Dean Ulluw and the others were representing their species and forces but wouldn’t be in charge of the agreed-upon projects, in most cases, at least.

The representatives would have to summon scientists and soldiers, arrange joint facilities, and set up a course of action that could satisfy each involved species. That required a lot of time, especially since the evolved warriors had yet to share those plans with their underlings.

Overcoming those political headaches would take a while, so Khan’s break couldn’t happen at a better time. That general understanding and acceptance soon became evident as the representatives started pondering how to approach the matter better, so Khan wrapped an arm around Liiza’s waist and set off.

Liiza could fly on her own but indulged herself in her husband’s care. Khan crossed the desert with his wife and daughter in his arms, even sending a mental message to the other piece of that strange family.

The situation in Aynor’s surviving quadrants had stabilized. The evacuation was no longer necessary, but the various troops had completed it anyway to set up camp among those destroyed streets and buildings.

Now that mana was again an option, everything was proceeding at top speed. Multiple vehicles had joined the troops, and the same went for the scientists working to restore the city’s teleports.

Of course, there was a certain separation among the troops. The representatives’ escorts had also set up camp there, and each held their own corner while studying the only diverse force in the area.

The troops from Baoway featured humans, Scalqa, and Thilku. They originally had Ef’i, too, but they had joined Mazatl’s escort, replaced by the Niqols from Coravis.

There was also a white-feathered alien bird among that diverse group, which screeched and set off once blue and white lights appeared in the sky, drawing closer to that makeshift encampment.

"Snow, we are going to sleep," Khan said as the huge white bird was close enough to hear him. "If you want, you can rest with us."

Snow had gotten plenty of rest but still flew toward Khan, slowing down mid-air to let him land on its back. Khan placed Liiza on the white feathers at that point, and his following mental message made Snow turn back to the camp.

The camp did have many figures Khan sort of needed to address. Lord Rsi, Tlexicpalli, the Scalqa in general, the human leaders, and his Niqols’ friends all deserved a piece of his time. Yet, he went straight for his oldest acquaintance.

"Master Carl!" Khan shouted when Snow unfolded its wings to stop right above the encampment. "I’ll take one of the empty buildings back there and hit the bed. You deal with whatever whim our guests might have."

Lieutenant Dyester had so many tasks that his schedule could very well be packed for weeks on end. He was also the only sane person in the middle of those battle-crazy aliens and political rogues.

Hearing Khan’s orders brought back Lieutenant Dyester’s urge to smoke. The former didn’t even give him the time to reply since the alien bird immediately flew away, heading for one of the broken buildings past the camp.

Yet, Lieutenant Dyester did catch a glimpse of Khan’s face during that short interaction, and a faint smile broadened on his face, even releasing an involuntary comment.

"Can you believe how happy that kid looks now?" Lieutenant Dyester scoffed, suppressing his subconscious awareness of the satisfaction behind those words.

Of course, Lieutenant Dyester wasn’t alone. Troops surrounded him, being close enough to hear his comment and shoot questioning looks at him.

"What are you standing still for?" Lieutenant Dyster promptly cursed, snapping out of that satisfaction. "You heard the Prince! Move! Move!"