Chaos' Heir

Chapter 1515: Wish

The simplest and most honest answer to that multilayered question was a resounding no.

Khan didn’t want to conquer anything or lead anyone. In many ways, he was and had always been a simple man with simple desires. His curse had thrown him into a far bigger and complex world, but he genuinely didn’t care about most of its aspects.

The curse had forced Khan to care, or, at least, it had made him learn how that convoluted, broader world worked. He now wielded so many skills he would have never mastered if he had a choice, but they didn’t increase his appreciation for those practices at all.

Actually, if Khan had to be honest, he loathed how much he understood of the intricate political environment and the choices it had forced him to make. He had to compromise so much to get where he was, especially when it came to his own values.

However, there was another aspect to that whole matter.

Despite Khan’s overbearing traits, he didn’t seize leadership by force. Those who wanted him in charge had given it to him, even going as far as offering their lives for that purpose.

That had created a debt and sense of responsibility that had ultimately led to Khan’s current status, where he had multiple forces under his command and protection. Sure, he didn’t see them as subjects, but they suited that definition.

Also, there was the promise to the Great Old One. Khan had accepted its species’ birthright as a universal overlord, and he was a man of his word. That legacy wasn’t something he would turn his back on.

Still, even when accounting for all that, there was another, more meaningful detail that could create a desire that conflicted with his instinctive nature.

"[I do not want it]," Khan responded, his figure hovering down, landing on the sea of crackling clouds. "[But if it doesn’t work like I want, I can’t ensure its survival]."

The violent thunder subsided, replaced by a softer, rhythmical crackling. If the Emperor didn’t know any better, he would think the bright clouds had started to purr.

Khan even played into that, gently waving his hand to his side as tinges of mana rose from the clouds toward his palm, seemingly wanting him to caress them.

The unruly emotions radiated by that bright mana resonated with Khan’s own being while he obliged it. After all, that energy was a perfect representation of himself, separated but identical, saved but scarred.

Because Khan had been saved, but the wounds he had suffered throughout his journey were still there in the form of scars. Some would fade, while others had changed him too deeply to disappear entirely.

Khan couldn’t forget his struggles for authority in order to gain access to knowledge. He couldn’t just dismiss his many battles, sacrifices, and losses, as well as those who had opposed him every step of the way.

Khan was a changed man, someone who couldn’t return to the simple life in the slums anymore, someone who still wanted peace but only on his own terms.

Moreover, Khan was someone who could enforce his own terms and wouldn’t shy away from doing it. That ship had sailed, especially now that he had his family to take care of.

As for where that would lead to, even Khan didn’t know. He wasn’t like the Emperor. He wouldn’t just wage wars to expand his force’s domain.

Yet, Khan could also see his force growing. He wanted to add many species to it simply because he didn’t see any meaningful difference between them. Khan desired a fair world where people wouldn’t suffer like he did, and he probably had the power to build it now.

Also, Khan was probably the only one selfless enough to create such a world. His lack of interest in that type of power would make him incorruptible, ensuring the purity of his efforts toward that higher goal.

"[I never understood why everyone had more hesitation than curiosity]," Khan announced, knowing the Emperor was waiting for him to speak again. "[Maybe it was my upbringing. I’ve always been the alien, so I couldn’t see aliens anywhere]."

The Emperor continued to remain silent out of respect and curiosity. It had been a long time since he had met a being he could consider his equal, so he wanted to hear how his mind worked.

"[Perhaps I’m the dumb one]," Khan guessed, diverting his gaze, retracting his hand to let the lumps of mana return to the clouds. "[I should probably just amass riches like everyone else, suppressing anyone who opposes me]."

Khan scratched his head, heaving a sigh. "[But it’s just so meaningless. Why would I even do that? For more money? What do I need money for]?"

A helpless smile appeared on Khan’s face as memories of a simpler time rose through his mind.

"[The only currency I ever cared about or understood was food cans]," Khan admitted. "[The spicy chicken type to be specific]."

Khan lifted his glowing eyes at the dark, now empty, sky as more memories flooded his brain. It was how Liiza had said. His curse had forced him on a specific path, but some of his natural inclinations had manifested themselves anyway.

"[I am quite the curious guy]," Khan declared. "[I like learning about the universe, its strange, magnificent aspects, the species that occupy it, and their unique traits]."

That was strangely true even for species on the opposite end of Khan’s interests. He was more into spiritual arts, but that didn’t stop him from befriending or feeling curious about the Fuveall.

"[If I had it my way]," Khan continued, "[I’d see us stop focusing on the ground. The universe is so vast, so full of wonders, that I don’t see why we should waste time fighting over the little we have discovered]."

Khan lowered his gaze at that point, his smile growing more genuine. "[I want to see more, learn more, discover more, and I want us to do it together, without being shackled down by politics, wars, or domains]."