Chapter 873: Outmaneuvering
The demonstration didn"t explain Khan"s theory or absurd claim about a living element. Yet, seeing him able to summon the scarlet sparks at will proven his ability to deal with the matter. No one knew whether he could fix it, but everyone accepted that he had a deeper understanding than anyone else in the Global Army.
Even Major Foxnor had to give up on the matter. He still feared the potentially negative repercussions, but denying Khan"s claim any further would imply rejecting what he had just witnessed, which he didn"t understand in the first place.
"I"ll leave my nephew in your care, Prince Khan," Major Foxnor felt obliged to say, performing a respectful military salute. "I know I speak for my family when I say we are grateful for your help."
Khan nodded at the Major, but his mind quickly slipped away again and a.n.a.lyzed the topic. Much had to be prepared, but rushing the project could be a mistake, especially while the tournament was underway.
"I can"t handle this like the medical trials," Khan thought. "Launching another ma.s.s invitation for something so unclear will just backfire."
Many were ignorant about the Fuveall and their technology, but everyone understood implants. Khan didn"t have to explain nor sell the idea to attract guinea pigs, and the same couldn"t be said about the living elements.
Moreover, the soldiers who wanted to join the medical trials had made that decision themselves. They had different reasons for diving into a potentially deadly experiment, but no one had pressured them. They were aware of the risks and willing to face them. Meanwhile, according to Khan"s predictions, the living elements issue would mainly involve young descendants, whom families would force to join the tests out of greed or simple desire to establish a connection with him. His eventual announcement would also be too vague, inevitably including countless false cases.
"Finding out more comes first," Khan concluded. "I must approach this as a scientist, establishing clear requirements and potential solutions. Everyone would jump at the opportunity otherwise."
While Khan"s mind was already projected into the future, the audience focused on the current and previous events. They knew Khan was incredible and wielded mysterious methods, but his demonstration revealed a level of insight they didn"t predict. The network had long since reported about his heightened senses but didn"t depict the whole picture.
Most guests respected Khan"s silence, noticing his fuming brain. However, that polite behavior mainly came from the human side. The aliens didn"t care for those kinds of manners and couldn"t refrain from voicing comments.
"Quite compelling," Lord Rsi praised. "The Empire"s soldiers did well in acknowledging you."
Lord Rsi had already given Khan his seal of approval, and the cape on his back stated that. However, the Thilku wasn"t ignorant about human politics. He knew an open and public compliment could go a long way in those contexts.
"It"s nothing special," Khan dismissed the compliment, snapping back to reality. "The mana is easy to understand if you speak its language."
"We"ll take your word for it, [Blue Shaman]," Lord Exr chuckled. "Your kind may be
incomprehensible, but the Empire never failed to respect it."
"Will this language be taught in your training camps, Prince Khan?" Tlexicpalli wondered. "The Ef"i will learn it if it can grant a fraction of your might."
Humankind had interacted with species featuring Shamans but had always remained confident in its methods. Nevertheless, seeing the mighty Thilku Empire speaking about them in such high regard kindled the n.o.bles" interest. Khan"s individual might could explain those praises, but there could be more to it.
Yet, none of the representatives inquired. The Global Army had already shown interest in Khan"s strange arts, but his lessons had culminated in his a.s.sa.s.sination attempt. That ship had sailed, and the n.o.bles knew it would take years to approach that topic again with him.
"It"s truly fascinating," Princess Montares ended up speaking, limiting her words to compliments. "Prince Khan, I must say you continue to amaze me."
A series of nods and "Indeed" resounded in the lab, echoed by the other representatives. Their interest and curiosity were evident, but no one pushed it further. The best they could hope for now were deals involving products of Khan"s alien expertise, which they already had.
"This living elements business," Lord Exr commented. "Should the Empire expect monthly updates?"
The n.o.ble representatives" eyes lit up at Lord Exr"s question. They couldn"t inquire about Khan"s arts, but the tournament"s rules could create a narrow window into his expertise. "Will we get updates, Prince Khan?" Prince Ra.s.sec asked, feigning surprise about the matter. The other representatives didn"t miss the clue and echoed Prince Ra.s.sec"s interest. Except for Princess Montares, every n.o.ble threw questions at Khan, inquiring how much he would reveal about his study.
Princess Montares tried to convey the truth with her expression, but Khan didn"t need help uncovering the n.o.bles" real intentions. Even without his heightened senses, he could see the political maneuver, which didn"t leave him many options.
The Fuveall implants were a personal project, something Khan could keep under the veil of his organization. It would invite spies but offered no leverage to outside parties. Khan could refuse any investigation with the power and authority he wielded.
However, the Foxnor young man"s involvement created a connection with the tournament. The n.o.bles could claim an interest in the descendant and demand updates on all related information. Things would have been different with Professor Parver, but Khan couldn"t retract his offer anymore.
Khan calmly absorbed that political outmaneuvering. Truthfully, he only had one possible answer to the n.o.bles" joint request.
"You"ll obviously be updated on any data regarding these tests," Khan stated, "As well as descriptions of the approaches that have been pursued."
The n.o.bles rejoiced at the concession, but Khan didn"t let it end there.
"Though," Khan continued, "Allow me to provide an additional favor."
Khan"s words quieted the n.o.bles and recaptured their interest. He had sounded friendly, but that vibe shattered when he wore a faint smile. That uncommon expression hinted at something far from pleasant.
"Don"t waste money developing tech to inhibit my senses," Khan announced. "I evolve faster than technology."
The n.o.bles hesitated before feigning ignorance, chuckling, and exchanging complicit looks. No one tried to claim innocence, but everyone pretended Khan"s statement didn"t involve them. That was still a friendly environment created during a happy event, and they didn"t want to ruin it with accusations and excuses.
Khan didn"t even blame the n.o.bles. The representatives only spoke for part of their families, and it was customary for such powerful parties to try to develop countermeasures to potential threats. They weren"t used to losing control, so those anti-Khan projects felt almost
mandatory due to his political rise.
Still, feigning ignorance didn"t work for Khan anymore. He wouldn"t condemn the n.o.bles for behaving like n.o.bles but wouldn"t take the outmaneuvering lightly, either. Khan would accept it, but only after letting the representatives know he understood their game.
"Get everything done," Khan ordered, forcing a change of topic. "Keep me updated on everything."
"It will be done, My Prince!" Abraham said, still focused on patching up the descendant. "Prepare quarters for the Foxnor family," Khan continued, eyeing the soldiers. Military salutes unfolded, but Major Foxnor wanted to complain. He couldn"t accept such generosity, especially when many family members had gathered on the planet. However, Khan didn"t give him the chance to speak.
"I hope you"ll excuse me for retiring early today," Khan said to the influential guests. "I have much to plan. I promise I"ll make it up to each of you."
"We"ll see each other in the arena tomorrow," Lord Rsi nodded, "Before enjoying the [Feast]
in the night."
"I hear you went for broke to plan it," Khan commented. "I can"t wait."
"The Ef"i can"t wait, either," Tlexicpalli teased. "We won"t be burdened by unknown rules
again."
The Thilku Lords and Tlexicpalli seemed ready to engage in their usual bickering, but Khan promptly ignored to address the n.o.ble representatives.
"I"ll host private dinners once things calm down," Khan promised before lifting his elbow, which Monica promptly seized to depart with him.
The guests followed the two departing figures, who disappeared as soon as they crossed the lab"s entrance. Khan immediately set off with Monica, flying away from that political
environment.
Monica could study the destination when Khan stopped. He had flown her to one of the main city"s terraces, seemingly hinting at the need for work. Yet, a groan escaped his mouth as soon as he dropped her, and his hand went to his face to rub his eyes. "Exhausted?" Monica asked, reaching for Khan"s face to make him look at her.
"Am I getting over myself?" Khan wondered, his gaze wandering across the darkening sky
behind Monica. "This stuff is for Shamans, real Shamans. The best I can do is beat those
lightning bolts into submission."
"You were quite magnetic when you did that," Monica commented. "Should I pull the wife
card and drag you to bed?"
"I"m serious," Khan sighed. "I don"t even know where to start helping this kid."
"He"s hardly a kid," Monica chuckled.
"Monica, this is serio-" Khan tried to repeat, but Monica sealed Khan"s lips with her thumb.
"Do you know how many times I"ve seen you second-guess yourself?" Monica questioned. "Do you know how many of those times you ended up succeeding?"
Khan focused on Monica, noticing a calm wisdom in her eyes. That feeling went beyond her love-fueled faith in Khan. She conveyed the confidence that only hard data and years of experience could provide.
"My man will one day command all humankind," Monica declared. "Drop the second- guessing, doubts, and hesitation. Kings take without asking for permission nor looking
back."