Chaos' Heir

Chapter 1479: Father

The meeting seemed to have reached a stalemate.

The Orlats stood on one side, as resourceful and stubborn as ever. Despite being at fault, their irreplaceable skills granted them leverage that they didn’t hesitate to use to shield themselves from any guilt and make demands.

Instead, Khan was on the other side, stuck in a political pickle. Letting off the Orlats easily would reflect poorly on the allied front, emboldening some of its species to resort to similar bullying.

However, Khan couldn’t force the Orlats to work for him, either. They wouldn’t do their job under duress, making a suitable and favorable agreement unavoidable.

All things considered, the Orlats had the upper hand there. In the grand scheme of things, the allied front was their best chance at surviving the Scarlet Eyes’ predicament.

Still, as long as the Orlats pretended not to care about that universal threat, the meeting would remain about Khan needing something only they could fulfill, giving them all the tools to rip him off.

But there was another detail to the situation that worked in Khan’s favor. The five evolved Orlats had put forward a joint front against Khan’s demands, but they were far from united.

A united species would have been able to corner Khan completely, but the Orlats were selfish and split into many clans that only cared about their personal interests.

The Thilku would have died happily for the sake of the Empire’s pride, but the Orlats would never consider offering their lives so that their species could win a negotiation. That was their weakness, preventing the stalemate from being unbreakable.

The challenge was to keep the Orlats alive while ensuring they did their job, which Khan had to admit was far from easy. He knew they were worth the hassle, but that belief diminished with each obstruction they put forward.

"[I’m Zaman]," The Orlats with piercings acting as his left eyebrows said. "[My clan has no fixed location and does all kinds of jobs]."

Khan couldn’t help but grow interested. A clan with no place to call home had to be well-versed in traveling the universe, which was exactly what the allied front needed.

"[You are strong, Prince Khan]," Zaman continued, "[And so is your force, but this wouldn’t be the first time the Orlats have been hunted down. We are confident in escaping you and your Scarlet Eyes]."

The last part of that statement wasn’t a mere show of confidence. Zaman wanted Khan to know that he was aware of the regulated universe’s predicament, increasing his clan’s value in the meeting.

"[I know]," Khan nodded. "[Even if I put every available soldier and asset on the hunt, it’s unlikely that I’d kill you all]."

Wiping out a species was no easy feat, especially when it came to such resourceful aliens. The Orlats had no fixed home to target and were masters of navigating the universe. Khan would never catch them all.

"[But I believe fairly important clans have gathered here today]," Khan expressed. "[Killing you all won’t go unnoticed, and I bet I can catch one or two of the other guests hurrying to leave the planet by the time I’m done with you]."

Khan calmly refilled his drink on his own, even taking a slow sip afterward, savoring the good booze.

"[I could make the same offer I’m making now once I catch them]," Khan revealed, "[And also kill them if they act difficult]."

Khan inspected his drink, waving his hand left and right to appreciate the booze’s texture.

"[Then, I could continue making that offer to any Orlats I catch]," Khan stated, "[Systematically wiping out anyone who refuses my mercy. Who knows? Some clans might switch sides once Orlats’ blood floods the universe]."

What Khan was talking about was nothing short of genocide, but the Orlats knew he had the power and will to accomplish it. They were also aware of what members of their species would do once the situation became too grim. After all, their lives were the most important currency out there.

"[Prince Khan, I’m Roya]," The other female Orlats who had remained silent until now said. "[Calling it mercy won’t change what it truly is. You might get what you want, but you will never be righteous]."

The other Orlats couldn’t help but shoot furtive glares at their companion. Insulting Khan was the last thing that the meeting needed, but Roya had a point.

Despite the loud threats and infamous actions, Khan was a sentimental leader. He didn’t want or like to commit acts of violence, and there was nothing worse than what was at stake at the meeting.

"[Ah! Righteous]," Khan scoffed. "[Doing this would indeed haunt me for the rest of my days, but I believe you are misunderstanding something]."

Khan stopped playing with his drink, taking another sip before placing it down.

"[I’m not doing this because it’s right]," Khan explained. "[Saving the universe wasn’t even the Nak’s mission, let alone mine. For me, it’s more of a happy outcome that aligns with my main goal]."

Khan scratched his head, diverting his gaze, seemingly conflicted about his own thoughts.

"[Of course, I want to save it]," Khan specified. "[I even promised I’d do it. I probably am the only one who can, but there are nuances and degrees. A universe without Orlats is still a universe after all]."

Khan didn’t want to see anyone suffer needlessly, but that was simply unavoidable. He would gladly take everything upon himself and spare people from having to face the Scarlet Eyes, but that naïve stance was unfeasible. Khan didn’t like it, but that was the burden of leadership.

"[But it’s like my wife has said]," Khan declared. "[I’m a father before I am a leader, and I had quite a few inspiring examples of parents sacrificing themselves for their children]."

Khan dropped his casual pretense. As soon as his glowing eyes fell on the evolved Orlats again, the tension he had created returned stronger than ever.

"[So, I don’t care if I become a monster in the public eye]," Khan exclaimed. "[I don’t mind earning myself new nightmares due to my heinous acts. I will stop at nothing and do terrible things to keep my daughter safe, even killing the very universe I want to save if that’s what it takes]."