Chaos' Heir
chapter-835

Raymond Cobsend had been a thorn in Khan's side since Milia 222. The man was slippery, resourceful, knowledgeable, and capable. He was always one step ahead of Khan, earning benefits without ever having to face proper punishment.

Luke had tried to help Khan catch Raymond, but to no avail. The latter always reappeared with a new offer, which he often saw fulfilled. It seemed Khan had played into his hand the whole time, and Prince Thomas' ploy was only the last of the attacks on his persona.

Clearly, Khan couldn't deal with Raymond on his own. He didn't lack resources, power, or knowledge, but Raymond kept beating him. Khan wanted that trend to end but didn't know how.

According to Prince Thomas' story, he had been the closest to catching Raymond without giving him any benefits. That was more than Khan could claim to have ever achieved against Raymond.

Moreover, Prince Thomas was a political powerhouse whose connections spread far and wide. He would be the perfect ally and shield against future attempts on Khan's life. Loyalty was the only problem.

Prince Thomas was loyal to the Nognes family, but Khan didn't care about that. His faction and relatives were good assets but nothing more, for now, at least. Khan didn't fight for a name or a bloodline. He had his own war and interests, which anyone under him had to serve.

Khan would need Prince Thomas to understand and accept that point before even considering sparing him. There couldn't be any division of power, and the faction would have to move in a different direction, Khan's direction. It would still grow, but only as long as it benefitted Khan.

"Kneel," Khan announced, "And I'll consider keeping you around as an advisor."

Prince Thomas couldn't understand whether Khan was joking, but not about the advisor position. That was a reasonable offer, all things considered.

Instead, the kneeling part didn't belong to humankind. It was a tribal and primitive gesture of subservience, which the Global Army had never employed. The sole request was insulting and sounded like pure mockery, but Khan was utterly serious.

Prince Thomas was ready to refuse the offer, but two details suddenly caught his eyes, both coming from his Sons. He saw Prince Richard and Prince Desmond's expressions from the corners of his vision, showing a different perspective.

Prince Richard had his eyes wide fixed on Khan. He was frozen in fear and helplessness. His expression conveyed complete defeat and subservience. He would do anything Khan asked in the situation.

Prince Thomas could understand his younger Son's reaction. After all, Khan had traumatized him, enforcing his superiority by creating a near-death experience. Prince Thomas couldn't expect anything different from him, but his eldest Son was a different story altogether.

Prince Desmond was Prince Thomas' true heir. He had inherited his sternness, sense of duty, resolve, and work ethic. Truthfully, he was the best Son Prince Thomas could ever hope to have, but Khan put a face on him he didn't think he could make.

Prince Thomas saw pure awe. Prince Desmond wasn't conveying simple respect. His face carried traces of spiritual wonder. It seemed he wasn't looking at a simple man. Prince Desmond knew he was sitting before something otherworldly, something his limited mindset couldn't understand.

That reaction forced Prince Thomas to reevaluate the matter. Maybe he was too old and cynical to appreciate Khan's true worth. Perhaps it was time for the new generation to lead the way, and no one was Khan's match in that group.

The issue didn't stop at mere benefits and disadvantages. The shattered table, the frozen soldiers, and the Princes' reactions hinted at something greater than politics. Khan was no simple man. Prince Thomas had no faith in spiritual beliefs but accepted that Khan carried a spark of divinity inside him.

"What would your first move be?" Prince Thomas felt forced to ask.

"Unifying the Nognes family under my name," Khan claimed.

The mere idea of unifying a noble family could make the sternest people laugh, but Khan uttered it without showing any doubt. Due to those organizations' massive size, no one had ever achieved a similar feat in recent centuries, but Prince Thomas considered the thought anyway.

Khan was unmatched, and that gap was only bound to get larger. He had unique alien arts, superior training methods, a monopoly over a revolutionary resource, and the backing of the best organization in the Global Army. His training would pick up speed no matter what.

Khan's political situation was unstable but mighty. He had many friends in high-tier places, and the new generation basically worshipped him. He would rise to power as soon as the old guard was replaced.

Khan's financial situation was also secure. Baoway had slowly turned into a gold mine, and adding Prince Thomas' businesses to the equation would make him one of the Global Army's wealthiest men. Prince Thomas' reliability would even open new opportunities, earning him more money in the process.

The relationship with the Empire was the cherry on top. Khan had an entire species at his disposal, and its Lords even vouched for him. That made him untouchable and necessary.

Prince Thomas' calculations led to a simple conclusion. The journey wouldn't be easy, but Khan made it doable. Many stars would have to align, but the nobles had the power to make that happen. Maybe Khan could become a noble Patriarch with the right help.

"Is this true?" Prince Thomas asked.

"I have no use for fragmented power," Khan stated, "And I know I'll clash with the other factions. It's unavoidable."

Khan truly believed that point. As his influence grew, it would affect more parties, inevitably diminishing their power or endangering their authority. His family would be the first to be affected if his faction rose to power, and he only had one solution for that.

Prince Thomas looked deep into Khan's eyes, probing his intentions. His long life in the political field had made him a good judge of character, and the inspection brought a reassuring conclusion. Khan was already a strong leader.

To the guests' surprise, Prince Thomas pushed on Khan's stretched fingers, slowly leaving his seat. Khan followed his Uncle's movements, watching as his knees reached the floor.

"Get down," Prince Thomas ordered, keeping his eyes on Khan.

Prince Desmond and Prince Richard understood the order was for them and slowly left their seats, kneeling at their Father's sides. The gesture had greater meaning in front of the other relatives. There was no turning back now. Khan's authority was official.

"Stand up," Khan said, returning to his seat. "From now on, we are one faction and one family. We'll put aside the old grudges and work together to reach the highest seat in the Global Army."

Khan lifted his glass, and the soldiers promptly delivered more booze, helping the guests who had lost their drinks during the table's fall. Meanwhile, Prince Thomas and his Sons returned to their seats, ready to join the imminent toast.

"However," Khan continued. "Lies, trickery, and betrayals will be met with execution. This will be the only warning you'll receive."

Khan stretched his hand, showing his drink to the guests. The latter imitated him, and glasses clinked to sanction the toast. The alliance was made. The faction was finally united.

"I'll return to Baoway now," Khan declared, standing up and gulping down his drink. "You can meet me there if you have businesses to discuss."

Monica promptly stood up, taking Khan's elbow to leave with him, but the couple wasn't alone. Lieutenant Dyester and Gordon soon reached them, but that wasn't the end of it. Another figure joined the group, and his presence made even Khan turn.

"I'm your advisor," Prince Thomas claimed, calmly standing behind Lieutenant Dyester, "Am I not, Nephew?"

Lieutenant Dyester held back the urge to laugh when he looked at Khan. He could almost see the annoyance behind his cold face, and the sight amused him. It seemed his inner circle had gained another troublemaker.

"Very well," Khan said, resuming his departure.

"I'll have to gain access to every business currently undergoing on Baoway," Prince Thomas announced, "As well as the resources, equipment, structures, and available space. We might improve on what you have already built."

"You can discuss things with my fiancée afterward," Khan dismissively said, leaving the dining hall to reach the hangars.

"That won't do, Nephew," Prince Thomas stated. "The faction's leader must be aware of all the businesses and flow of money in his domain. You'll also have to attend multiple meetings to shift my financial network to you."

"We can take our time with that," Khan pointed out. "I have other matters to attend to first."

"That won't do, Nephew," Prince Thomas repeated. "My business associates might go elsewhere during this unstable period. You must secure their support immediately."

"We'll talk on Baoway," Khan uttered.

"We'll talk during the ride back to Baoway," Prince Thomas corrected. "A faction's leader can't waste any time."

Khan felt the urge to curse. He could already predict how messy the next period would be, especially with his Uncle's zeal breathing into his neck. It seemed he wouldn't be able to enjoy free time for the next few months.

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