Chaos Heir

The Excellencies' approving nods updated Khan on an annoying truth. The additional term had become mandatory, and Khan couldn't talk his way out of it. Either he accepted the deal, or the war would start.

The idea of returning to Baoway with an evolved warrior could bring many benefits. Knowledge of that higher realm was one of the key flaws of Khan's procedure. The help of someone who had already faced and overcome a similar hurdle would be priceless, but Khan's paranoia blinded him, forcing him to focus on the potential dangers.

Khan was confident in his strength, but a battle against an evolved soldier remained a scary prospect. He wouldn't bother with those meetings otherwise, and the deal involved bringing such a dangerous figure into his home.

The evolved soldiers served the family, not the factions, but Khan still didn't trust them. He wouldn't know what to do if that supposedly trusted figure turned into an assassin. Dying would even be fine, but the potential damage stretched far past Khan's life. Everything and everyone he loved was on Baoway, turning them into targets.

Those doubts seemed pointless before the unavoidable situation. The idea was in the open now, and the Excellencies had already accepted it. Trying to refuse or walk around it would only worsen Khan's position.

The helpless development forced Khan to show his first sign of weakness in a long time. He stopped looking at the Excellencies, glancing at the advisors behind him. His Uncle and Aunt were far more knowledgeable than him on those matters, and he needed their opinion to make the final decision.

The Excellencies noticed the gesture but didn't say anything. They also refrained from exploiting it. Truth be told, Khan's lacking knowledge there was more than reasonable, and pushing him would only bring the dreaded war on them.

Princess Rebecca and Prince Thomas also realized the severity of the situation and reached a decision after exchanging a single glance. Then, Prince Thomas nodded at Khan, silently telling him what he had already understood.

"Very well," Khan eventually announced. "I'll welcome an evolved soldier in my ranks but won't accept his or her interference in my businesses. Their power has no place in this agreement."

"Of course," The middle-aged man agreed. "The Nognes family would lose face if we started relying on our evolved soldiers to solve complications."

"The question now is," One of the female Excellencies continued, "Who should we send?"

"Miss Christen should be the best candidate," One of the male Excellencies pointed out.

"If I may, My Excellencies," Bruno suddenly broke his silence, and his faint voice silenced everyone at the table.

"Speak, Mister Bruno," The female Excellency ordered. "Obviously, your opinion stands above ours on this topic."

"I'm grateful for such high consideration," Bruno said, his face hidden by his greasy hair. "At the rate Prince Khan is growing, I'm afraid Miss Christen won't suffice. Her element might also create a bias, making her judgment unreliable."

"Then," The middle-aged man exclaimed, "Mister Adrian will suffice. Unless you believe Prince Khan can surpass him in such a short time."

"I wouldn't dare to evaluate Prince Khan's talent nor insult my fellow evolved warrior," Bruno announced. "However, Mister Adrian presents an even greater issue. His element and Prince Khan's element fuel each other. The chance of incidents is high."

No one tried to object to Bruno's evaluation. After all, everyone had witnessed Adrian's violent reaction during the inspection. One of the hall walls would have melted if it hadn't been for Bruno's intervention.

"My Excellencies," Bruno continued. "I'm afraid I'm the best candidate for this role." "Mister Bruno," The middle-aged man called. "Your role inside the Nognes family is too great to limit you to babysitting. No offense, Prince Khan."

"None taken," Khan responded. "Though, he is right. Miss Christen has already failed to study me, and Mister Adrian's nature almost makes our clash unavoidable."

The symphony around Adrian grew hotter when he exchanged a look with Khan. Yet, he quickly calmed himself, diverting his gaze to avoid that direct interaction.

As for Khan, he had every reason to avoid supporting Bruno's statement. The evolved soldier's strength made him the most troublesome of the trio. Still, he looked impartial, and Khan preferred to get the best helper since the situation was unavoidable.

The Excellencies hesitated, revealing clues. It seemed Bruno truly held great relevance inside the Nognes family, and sending him away with Khan could create problems. However, the situation left them little choice.

"I'd also like to add," Bruno continued. "Prince Khan has awakened some curiosity inside me. I wouldn't find the idea of spending time with the young Prince demeaning."

The additional statement sealed the matter in stone. The Excellencies wielded the highest authority inside the family, but denying an evolved soldier's request could create troubling malcontent. As loyal as those warriors were, it was better to keep them satisfied.

"It's settled then," The middle-aged man eventually announced. "Prince Khan promises to immediately provide his products and privileged spots at his tournaments. Afterward, he'll give us the Thilku Empire's planet." ṝа𐌽ƟβƐṧ

The middle-aged man stood up, lifting his glass. His gaze scanned his fellow Excellencies before returning to Khan and more imitated his gesture.

"This is a satisfactory first step in the right direction," The female Excellency stated, also standing up. "May this be the beginning of a long, peaceful cooperation."

The other Excellencies soon stood up, voicing similar lines. Soon, only Khan remained in his seat with those six pairs of eyes fixed on him. The urge to mock that politeness crossed his mind. Still, he suppressed it, joining the leaders in the toast.

"I apologize for not getting to this part sooner, Prince Khan," The female Excellency said before the toast was complete. "I feel proper introductions are in order."

"You all know me," Khan scoffed.

"Cassius," The middle-aged man announced.

"Francesca," The more talkative female Excellency continued. "Prince Ethan is from my

faction."

"Elijah," One of the male Excellency added. "Prince Jack from mine."

"Zachary," The third male Excellency stated without adding anything else.

"Julianne," Another female Excellency said.

"Mildred," The third female Excellency uttered, showing a faint smile. "The others won't say

it, but you are your Mother's spitting image, Prince Khan."

No one said anything in that comment. The Excellencies limited themselves to inspecting Khan, waiting for his final words.

Khan recorded those names but didn't think much of them. They were meaningless for now, and the meeting wasn't enough to add proper details. Only his Grandfather could fill those gaps, and he planned to question him once he returned to his planet.

"Then," Khan finally spoke. "To the Nognes family. May it remain united."

A few smiles unfolded before everyone drank. Silence unfolded afterward, and Khan didn't let

it linger more than necessary. He performed a traditional Thilku bow with the cape on his shoulders before departing, ready to return to his ship.

No one interrupted Khan's departure, but a change happened nonetheless. A fourth figure joined Khan's group, silently walking behind the trio. Bruno would return to Baoway with them, and no one addressed him during the march back to the metal passage.

The silence continued even after the four entered the ship's rearranged cargo area, but things quickly changed. Khan glanced at his Uncle and Aunt, who understood his silent order and walked into the main deck, sealing the door behind them to provide some privacy.

Khan pretended to ignore the evolved soldier while reaching for one of the place's compartments, retrieving a bottle from it. He opened it and drank without turning, and much happened during those silent moments.

Bruno's presence didn't cause any disturbance inside the ship. Actually, his silent aura suppressed Khan's disruptive influence, preventing flickers from the surrounding machinery. Nevertheless, that only angered Khan's mana. That suppression went against its nature, and the tense atmosphere intensified its unreasonable sides. It didn't like being in the same room with someone as strong as Bruno, especially since the latter was inspecting its moves. "You have a troublesome element, young Prince," Bruno eventually broke the silence. "It reminds me of Adrian. That lad's evolution caused so many problems."

"Did you witness it?" Khan asked, finally turning to face Bruno. The evolved warrior had already sat on the metal floor, and his hand went on his face, removing the greasy brown strands to show his smiling expression.

"I witnessed many things, young Prince," Bruno revealed. "It would be impossible not to in

my long life."

"How old are you?" Khan questioned, a small crack opening on the floor next to his right foot.

"Don't let this lively face fool you, young Prince," Bruno chuckled. "I've been around for almost one and a half centuries. I'm afraid calling me old wouldn't suffice."

The revelation slightly startled Khan, but he didn't comment on it. He had always known that

the mana could prolong life, and Bruno was an evolved soldier. His physical appearance didn't

represent him at all.

"Why did you volunteer to check up on me?" Khan asked, changing topics.

Khan knew the Nognes family didn't only have three evolved soldiers. Miss Christen herself

could have been enough for the role, but Bruno had opposed that decision, and Khan believed he had to have something in mind.

"As I said during the meeting," Bruno said. "I'm simply curious, young Prince. After all, this is my first time seeing a fourth-level warrior showing signs of evolution."

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