Chaos' Heir

Chapter 1486: Candidates

Dean Ulluw had spoken that truth, and Khan felt inclined to believe him. It also made sense. The best human evolved assets had to be among the nobles, and some of them had to be decently strong. Khan hoped as much, at least.

Technology would help. The mutagen would, too, but Khan needed suitable opponents for the True Chaos’ Kings, or at least enough strong assets that could match their unclear number.

Khan had a handful of candidates in mind already, but some were uncertain, and even getting all of them probably wouldn’t amount to the force he needed to match the True Chaos’ best assets.

Aggressive recruitment was mandatory, and Khan didn’t care about the price he had to pay to get what he needed. Still, he also knew that the subject wouldn’t be as easy to handle as requesting mere scientific support.

The noble representatives couldn’t help but grow more serious at that request. Actually, the same feeling spread to the Generals next to them, knowing the Global Army wasn’t exempt from that topic.

Evolved warriors were rare, and both the Global Army and the noble families viewed them as their nuclear deterrent. They were the best assets in their possession and, in some cases, one of the main reasons behind their current authority.

As such, those assets were mostly kept secret, never disclosing their real numbers or power to create a hidden threat that prevented any political opponent from pushing things too far.

However, Khan was now asking for those evolved assets’ active participation, and exposing them would reveal their forces’ actual power. It would provide a general idea of what that nuclear deterrent actually amounted to, risking emboldening eventual opponents confident in their ability to overpower them.

Moreover, Khan wasn’t only asking for exposure. He clearly wanted those evolved assets to join the war, meaning their lives could be at risk. Those warriors could die under everyone’s eyes, telling exactly which parties had suffered losses and were weakened because of them.

That was riskier than admitting that Khan had authority over the noble families. The latter would face the danger of becoming targets of their former allies as soon as the war ended due to those eventual losses. That could happen even while the battles were still ongoing.

Of course, that request wasn’t anything unique to the noble families. Every force in the allied front knew those risks and wouldn’t shy away from them. Some had safer positions than others, but the danger was universal.

That was one of the reasons why Khan had limited the vanguard to Thilku, Ef’i, and his troops. They wouldn’t mind joining the frontline. In many ways, they sought it.

But the True Chaos’ Kings were annoyingly dangerous, so Khan sought to improve his side’s chances. He was simply aware that the matter couldn’t be forced.

The noble representatives in the desert didn’t have the authority to deploy their evolved troops. That decision could only come from the joint agreement of their families’ factions.

Moreover, a universal war had the special quality of putting things into perspective. Money lost any meaning before the possibility of death. The nobles couldn’t just pay their evolved warriors to fight. Even if they could, that wasn’t the kind of will that could defeat the True Chaos’ Kings.

"The participation is obviously voluntary," Khan announced, feeling the need to add that point. "I will make a public announcement to reiterate the need for evolved troops. I just ask that you don’t try to stop those willing to fight for our side of the universe."

Some representatives couldn’t help but feel ashamed of themselves when hearing Khan’s last line. Their minds had instinctively gone to their personal well-being, while Khan only thought about the universe’s survival.

Undoubtedly, the nobles had yet to realize what was truly at stake in that war, but Khan couldn’t blame them. The universe was something too big for mortal minds to conceive. Even he struggled to accept that at times. He simply knew and had seen too much not to take the threat as seriously as possible.

"Take your time to think about this," Khan exclaimed, snapping out of his serious mood to glance at the crowd behind him. "And socialize. I’ll send someone to introduce you to everyone."

"Prince Khan," Prince Rassec called, gasping. "Are you leaving already?"

"I’m just doing a quick round of salutes now," Khan reassured. "Thilku feasts can go on for days, and we are bound to celebrate at least until dawn since the Niqols are here. There will be more opportunities to catch up."

A teleport lit up from Aynor’s surviving blocks as soon as Khan’s statement ended. A series of short, dark-red aliens appeared on it, being welcomed by an appropriate escort. The Orlats had arrived, too, so things were bound to get rowdier.

"I’d better get moving," Khan said, staring in the teleport’s direction. "I have many people I have to meet before everyone gets too drunk to talk."

Liiza let go of Khan’s hand to perform another traditional bow, but quickly retook it, even throwing a proud look at Princess Rachel.

The nobles obviously couldn’t miss that gesture, especially since they were aware of the ploy Khan had devised to protect the Princess. Yet, everyone feigned ignorance as the married couple set off to fly toward another side of the vast party.

Theoretically, Khan would have to address guests in order of political relevance, but the talk with the nobles had changed his priorities. One of the candidates he had in mind for the battles against the True Chaos’ Kings also looked available, so he headed for him.

Colonel Norrett and Major General Arngan had continued managing Khan’s forces even after the evacuation effort had ended. After all, such a crowded party demanded utmost attention, and they were among the few people who could interact with anyone without creating political incidents.

However, the party eventually affected the two evolved warriors, too, leaving them at the edge of the intact blocks, drinking in the company of Lord Rsi, Lieutenant Dyester, Tlexicpalli, Sen-nu, and other teams from Baoway.

That gathering was a weaker version of what was unfolding at the center of the desert. The soldiers there were team leaders of their respective species, and the recent battle had created the perfect opportunity for genuine bonding.

Of course, everyone noticed Khan and Liiza’s arrival, and shouts and greetings ensued.

"My Lord!" Lord Rsi shouted, promptly standing up and performing a bow with his thick cape. "Allow me to toast to your victory."

"The ungrateful brat finally decided to show up," Lieutenant Dyester snorted.

"His Highness had to enjoy his nap," Major General Arngan laughed.

"Our esteemed leader deserved some rest," Colonel Norrett commented, sighing. "To think I would have ever owed my life to such a canny little shit."

"Are you insulting a Lord of the Empire?" Lord Rsi asked, snapping up.

"Would that get you to do more than what you did on the battlefield?" Tlexicpalli taunted.

The diverse group also had Scalqa, who stood up to cheer in their rhythmical way, their noise soon overwhelming any other sound. Still, everything went silent when Khan’s feet landed on the sand, and he gestured with his hand to stop.

"Allow me to thank you again for your prompt response and valiant battle," Khan announced, beckoning some troops to hand him a drink. "I drink in your honor."

Smirks and scoffs resounded, but everyone drank. Khan did, too, but only after performing a traditional toast with his wife.

"Also," Khan promptly continued. "Allow me to apologize for keeping this short. I have a long list of names to meet, and I barely started crossing them off."

"My Prince, take it easy," Colonel Norrett reassured. "It seems to me everyone is having fun. Politics can wait."

"Yeah, I’ll keep it extremely short," Khan confirmed. "I also can’t risk having the Emperor running around looking for me."

Lord Rsi smirked proudly, but far paler expressions unfolded among the sitting group. None of those team leaders had interacted directly with the Thilku Emperor and didn’t want to. The occasional sound waves that reached them were enough for them.

"I just wanted to confirm something with our Major General here before going back to socializing," Khan explained, earning the group’s interest.

Major General Arngan could sense Khan didn’t want to discuss trivialities. The latter crouched down at his side, illuminating the artificial arm with his eyes before looking at the newly evolved warrior’s face.

"You can get stronger, can’t you?" Khan asked.

"You have seen my element, My Prince," Major General Arngan exclaimed. "I can only grow stronger, but even I’m not sure what I’d become."

"What do you need?" Khan questioned.

"A sparring partner," Major General Arngan, "Someone who can fulfill my bloodlust."

"Consider it done," Khan declared before another teleport unfolded in the distance, attracting his gaze toward an incoming purple glow.

The second candidate Khan had in mind for the battles against the True Chaos’ Kings had arrived, but he feared convincing him might be difficult, especially now that he was becoming a father.