Chaos Heir

The city had more than Scalqa. Humans, Thilku, Ef'i, and even a few Fuveall witnessed the announcement and couldn't help but grow excited. Khan's cry didn't only ignore language barriers. It also conveyed his mindset, turning it into a quasi-poison that tainted the encampment's symphony and resonated with the people it touched.

The Fuveall were a rational bunch, so they quickly calmed down and became wary of Khan's strange ability to influence their hearts. However, the humans lingered on that inspiring cry, and some cursed the fact that they couldn't join Khan's mission.

As for the Thilku and Ef'i, they had it worse than the Scalqa. The various screens across the city had translated Khan's speech, and his clicking cry had delivered the final blow, almost prompting them to swear loyalty to him and join the imminent battle.

Khan noticed those tiny, distant reactions but ignored them. The time to create a multi- species army would come, but solidifying his core troops came first. The Scalqa had to be his priority, and his chin rose proudly at the excited shouts that reached his ears.

Khan didn't add anything else. He watched and waited, letting the alien shouts wash over him. The desire to jump on the first ship for Senerth invaded him, but he kept it in check. The war was right around the corner, but Khan had a few things to handle before departing.

"[Celebrate]," Khan eventually announced. "[Fornicate. Prepare. War is waiting for Ka-Han Tribe]."

The announcement triggered another wave of excited shouts, but Khan only absorbed them for a second before leaving. He could still hear his name and other battle cries reaching the terrace when he approached the door, and its metal seemed to tremble under their weight.

Returning inside the building brought silence but no privacy. A few figures were waiting for Khan's announcement to be over, and one confused him. Lieutenant Dyester was there instead of inside the encampment among the Scalqa, hinting at a request.

"Let's talk," Lieutenant Dyester said, eyeing Prince Thomas, Princess Rebecca, Gordon, and Abraham.

Khan's relatives glanced at him and departed at his nod. The same went for Abraham and Gordon. Meanwhile, Khan and Lieutenant Dyester walked toward the nearest room, isolating themselves inside it to talk privately.

"What is it?" Khan asked, tearing off the broken bone armor and remaining bare-chested. "Do you have a strategy for Senerth?" Lieutenant Dyester asked. He was privy to many pieces of classified information, so he obviously knew about the Empire's mission.

"Bring a Leviathan-class ship into the planet's orbit," Khan explained, "Find the best landing spot, establish an outpost, and slowly expand the perimeter."

Khan was open to any suggestion, but the Empire's directives left small room for improvements to the strategy. Khan could only aim to expand his domain from one chosen area without missiles and other weapons.

"These creatures on Senerth," Lieutenant Dyester exclaimed. "Their numbers are overwhelming. They aren't an enemy a few thousand Scalqa can wipe out."

"Luckily," Khan scoffed, "I'll be there. We'll take it slow and see whether we can improve something after a few battles."

"The Scalqa can't cast complicated spells," Lieutenant Dyester revealed. "They are strong in individual fights. Quite strong, actually, but the battlefield is a different beast."

"What are you waiting for?" Khan sighed, approaching a nearby table featuring some booze. "Ask what you came here to ask."

"I want in on Senerth," Lieutenant Dyester declared before adding something since the request sounded too polite for his tastes. "Brat."

Khan was pouring booze in one glass but stopped. He peeked past his shoulders, and his bright eyes fell on the Lieutenant. Khan had expected the request to have something to do with Senerth, but Lieutenant Dyester surprised him anyway.

Khan finished filling the glass and slowly turned, bringing the drink to his mouth. His eyes never left Lieutenant Dyester during the gesture, and only one word escaped his throat when it ended. "Why?"

"You can't be the only one with war experience down there," Lieutenant Dyester responded. "You need advisors, someone who won't be afraid to contradict you. Also, I can handle myself on the battlefield."

Lieutenant Dyester's points made sense, but Khan saw something else in the Master's mana. Also, he couldn't directly accept his request. After all, everyone knew about the Lieutenant's past. Istrone had broken him, and it had taken years to get him back.

"I won't bring all the Scalqa to Senerth," Khan said. "The new generations and those unfit for battle will stay here, and they need a Master."

"Ni-Kri can replace me," Lieutenant Dyester stated. "He also knows enough to teach the human language."

Khan knew Ni-Kri had stood out among the old generation, but Lieutenant Dyester's insistence still surprised him. The man was up to something, and Khan couldn't bring him to such an important war without understanding his intentions. Lieutenant Dyester had vast battle experience, but his trauma could make him a liability.

"Don't look at me like that," Lieutenant Dyester snorted. "Brat, I've seen wars before you were even born. I'm a valuable asset, and you know it."

"I agree," Khan uttered. "It still doesn't explain why you want to return to the battlefield." "Is there a problem with that?" Lieutenant Dyester asked, unwilling to open up. "Yes," Khan admitted. "I must go, but you don't. You don't have to go back to that life. I'm pretty sure you don't want to, even."

Lieutenant Dyester would be lying if he said he yearned for the battlefield. He didn't even try to since he knew Khan would see right through him. Yet, the real reason slightly embarrassed him, and revealing it to his former student felt hard.

Nevertheless, Khan didn't back down. As much as he trusted the Lieutenant, Senerth was too important to his political career. Also, his responsibilities were numerous, and he couldn't add Lieutenant Dyester to them.

"I trained those Scalqa, okay?" Lieutenant Dyester eventually said. "I know them. I know what they can do and how they respond. It's my responsibility to be there on their first battle on an alien planet."

Khan's eyebrows arched in surprise, but he knew Lieutenant Dyester wasn't done. Another embarrassing thought lingered in his mana, and he had to muster his resolve to reveal it.

"Also," Lieutenant Dyester sighed. "You told me to step it up. This is me doing that. Besides, what use am I to you when I never fought after reaching the fourth level?"

Khan had to suppress the urge to smile. He didn't find the revelation funny. His respect for Lieutenant Dyester actually increased. Yet, seeing his struggle to reveal such candid intentions made him want to tease him.

"Aren't you cute," Khan said, earning himself a glare from the experienced warrior.

"Brat," Lieutenant Dyester cursed, approaching the room's exit. "Since we are done here, I'll start preparing for the trip. Goodbye!"

Khan exploded into a laugh once the metal door closed. He shook his head, and a strange smile appeared on his face afterward. Khan still recalled his first meeting with Lieutenant Dyester, and seeing that change partially pleased him. Khan understood he felt better but wasn't sure leading him to a battlefield was the best he could offer.

'Even if he is a liability,' Khan thought, 'I guess I owe it to him, especially after dragging him

into this mess.'

Khan shook his head again, emptying his glass and preparing to leave. Yet, the metal door opened again, and Prince Thomas stepped in, reeking of an unusual insecurity.

"What's up with you?" Khan asked.

After the initial conflict, Prince Thomas became one of Khan's most trusted advisors. He was the most knowledgeable of the people in his inner circle, and his devotion to the faction was

unmatched.

Nevertheless, Prince Thomas had always been business-focused and firm. He was the only person in the entirety of Baoway who dared interrupt Khan and Monica. As long as Khan abided by his duties, he didn't care about the potential danger, so his current insecurity felt

odd.

"I learned about Master Carl's addition to Senerth's expedition, My Prince," Prince Thomas announced. "It was wise to accept his request. His experience is priceless, and a good stretch

was long overdue."

Khan remained silent, opting to refill his glass. He knew more was coming, and something told him a drink was necessary.

"Forgive my impudence, My Prince," Prince Thomas exclaimed. Unlike Lieutenant Dyester, he avoided wasting Khan's time and went straight to the point.

"I know how vital Senerth's expedition is, My Prince," Prince Thomas declared, lowering his head. "I know how dangerous it will be. I also know you already have many worries of your

own.

"But, I'm shamelessly requesting to add my second-born, Richard, to the expedition. As he currently is, he is no asset worthy of the Nognes name, and I humbly request your assistance

in the matter, My Prince."

Khan was so surprised he forgot to drink. His mouth also remained open. Senerth's mission had yet to begin, but problems were already accumulating.

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