Chaos' Heir

Chapter 1484: Speech

Khan’s statement broke every possible unwritten political rule. His words couldn’t help but sound like a public insult spoken in the presence of the Global Army’s leaders and troops. That simply wasn’t allowed.

The only appropriate response was a prompt departure. Merely scolding Khan wouldn’t suffice, and remaining at the party would add weight to his statement.

The nobles couldn’t lose face or admit their authority meant nothing compared to Khan’s. Their whole social standing might collapse otherwise.

Of course, Khan realized that. He also didn’t want to make things too hard for the nobles, but their respective roles had to be clear. He just had to choose less insulting words.

"Ah!" Khan cried, seemingly recalling something. "Before your pride gets hurt or something, let me explain."

Admittedly, that wasn’t the politest way to justify the previous words, but Khan couldn’t really stand for etiquette when so much still demanded his attention. If anything, the nobles had to feel honored that he had chosen to address them first.

"These guests are here because of me," Khan declared, pointing his thumb behind him to highlight the diverse sea of people. "They came to meet me, to talk about the alliance I created."

The nobles tried their best not to look past Khan, but the task turned out to be impossible. The party was too vast and loud not to inspect it, and that wasn’t even the worst part.

Khan had already built an interspecies force, at least to some degree, but what was unfolding in Aynor’s quadrant was several leagues above that.

In the past, Khan had merely struck limited deals, only involving certain specialists from various species to establish smoother negotiations and general interspecies relationships.

Instead, the desert now featured representatives that could speak for their species as a whole. It was a gathering of leaders that was bound to affect the entirety of the regulated universe’s political environment.

In a way, the entire regulated universe was now sitting and partying on that white sand, and its conclusion would decide its future, or set its foundation, at least. The nobles could be part of that by using the Global Army as a proxy, but a direct approach was obviously preferred.

"Because I’m the one who created it," Khan continued, making that point clear. "While you all chased after personal benefits, I worked so that this could happen, so that we could have a chance against an enemy you would have never believed existed."

Khan wasn’t one to boast about his achievements. He only did that as a joke, but the current situation demanded a reality check. Also, he was wearing the Thilku Empire’s colors. Pride was its currency, so it would be disrespectful not to use it.

"The very sand you are standing on exists because I rushed here to save it," Khan exclaimed. "You didn’t save it. You didn’t even try to. I did."

The area grew colder as Liiza mimicked Khan’s mood. She didn’t understand politics as well as her husband, but that clearly wasn’t the time for concessions.

"And let me be clear," Khan added. "I chose to let this meeting happen on Earth. I let it happen here instead of sending everyone to my Baoway and forcing you to play by my rules."

Of course, moving the Thilku Emperor would have been quite problematic, but Khan’s words remained true.

"I did that to give you face," Khan explained. "I gave you the opportunity to welcome and interact with the greatest leaders from our side of the universe. I did that."

The killed General was an issue, but no one dared to mention it now. Everyone also knew Khan was speaking the truth. It was simply something he shouldn’t have voiced in public, or at all, leaving it as a silent understanding.

"This is the greatest favor anyone has ever done to humankind," Khan announced, "And you know you didn’t deserve it. You all know what you would have done in my stead."

Khan’s relationship with humankind had been rocky, at best. He had no real reason to do it favors. He actually had every justification to take revenge on it, and that allied front would have given him the perfect chance to do just that.

"I’m letting you remain equal and independent," Khan stated, "Because I don’t care for ripping you off or leading forces that don’t want me as their leader."

Khan sighed, glancing at the baby sleeping in his arms, knowing he would give her the world and more.

"I just want to win this war," Khan said.

Khan caressed Yeza, conveying a fatherly care that didn’t match his domineering speech at all. That gesture led to a steadily intensifying tension, but also earned him certain looks from a very specific side of the audience.

Princess Rachel was the best example of that reaction, doing her best to hide the longing in her mind at the sight of that scene. The caring version of Khan had always been one of his most attractive sides, which the presence of his daughter improved by several levels.

However, Khan had a chilling guardian now. Liiza’s light somehow became threatening as she reached for Khan’s right hand to make their tattoos match, sending a clear statement to all the women interested in him, especially Princess Rachel.

The gesture snapped Khan out of his caring moment. He refocused on the noble audience, opting to conclude his speech.

"See this as an opportunity," Khan declared, "A chance to do what’s necessary for our survival. Otherwise, I’ll take you by force and deploy what’s left of your assets into the war."

That was far from ideal, but Khan couldn’t allow freeloaders. Actually, chances were that the regulated universe itself couldn’t survive those.

"And before you try to complain or call me names," Khan said. "Before you think about political repercussions and whatnot, ask yourselves one thing."

Khan’s aura couldn’t help but match the seriousness of his words now. An ethereal weight fell into the area, creating a slight discomfort in the audience while partially updating them on the power Khan wielded.

"Who can even stop me?" Khan asked.