Chaos' Heir

Chapter 843  Arrivals 2

Mister Cirvags didn't like the implications of Khan's statement. He wasn't even trying to hide his gradual accumulation of power. Baoway was becoming the new focal location for interspecies politics, and Khan brazenly advertised it as that.

Mister Cirvags didn't mind the arrogance and audacity but had issues with that development. He was a man deeply loyal to his species, and Khan was seizing all the relevance for himself, stealing it from humankind. Khan was hijacking the mutual respect developed throughout years of deals and treaties.

The act wasn't only insulting. Mister Cirvags was aware of the many potential dangers connected to the matter. Khan wielded too much power now, theoretically enabling him to seize even more of it. Humankind's future could be grim if he decided to walk down that path.

Of course, only Mister Cirvags could linger on those worries. His companions shared them, but the lack of red capes on their shoulders prevented them from arguing the issue. Khan and Mister Cirvags were on a superior level in that political environment. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Moreover, something about Khan suppressed any desire to argue. His presence was heavy and unmistakable. The soldiers could find him even with their eyes closed. Clearly, they stood before a being they didn't understand, adding fuel to the rumors they had read on the network.

Mister Cirvags noticed that difference, too, but opted for silence. He was a guest, and his visit was purely political. He was serving a higher purpose and would put aside his worries and pride to see it fulfilled.

"This way," Khan announced, walking toward the Thilku group, which opened at his passage and transformed into an escort.

Mister Cirvags' group followed the Thilku inside, immediately noticing traces of alien architecture. The building's black walls carried the Empire's iconic red runes, marking a clear difference from the Harbor's Embassy. That was no place for humans.

In a way, the alien architecture vouched for the place's relevance and efficiency. That was a Thilku Embassy, which the interspecies regulations recognized as part of the Empire's domain. The fact that humans were allowed to work inside put it one step above the Harbor since it created a direct line of communication with that species.

The environment managed to please even the stern Mister Cirvags, but he couldn't fully appreciate the improvement due to its connection to Khan. He was making himself necessary for the relationship with the Empire, forcing a big chunk of the Global Army to do his bidding.

The Thilku led the humans through the building, relying on circular elevators to reach its upper floors. Soon, the group reached a massive office featuring a vast balcony. The area was equipped with the Global Army's azure menus, multiple interactive desks, and other necessary equipment, creating the perfect workplace for those political figures.

"The communication channel with the Harbor is already active," Khan explained, nodding at the Thilku as they left the office. "The equipment also has the same clearance as the Harbor's Embassy, but let me know if something is missing. I'll have it delivered in no time."

The soldiers started roaming through the office, exploring its functions. The wall's menus were responsive and complete, the consoles already had the necessary software, and the Harbor was only one click away. No one could utter complaints.

"What about security?" Mister Cirvags asked. He was the only one who didn't move, and his head performed a nod to send his soldiers onto the balcony to create some privacy.

"The Empire can't access our records," Khan revealed, understanding Mister Cirvags' concerns, "Unless critical situations happen."

"Which are?" Mister Cirvags questioned.

"The same depicted in the current interspecies agreements," Khan stated. "Everything is the same as the Harbor. We are simply inside the Empire now."

Mister Cirvags waited for all the soldiers to enter the balcony before facing Khan and addressing his concerns. "You are forcing many hands. I hope there isn't anything bigger at play."

"The Global Army forced my hand," Khan clarified.

"Prince Khan," Mister Cirvags continued. "Is your loyalty still in the right place?"

Khan couldn't help but stare at Mister Cirvags. Truth be told, Khan had never been loyal to humankind, and the latest crises had only worsened his relationship with it. Yet, that didn't necessarily mean he was willing to harm it.

"Don't bore me with your concerns," Khan announced. "I gave you the best Embassy the world has to offer. Humankind and Empire have never been closer."

"As long as the [Blue Shaman] allows it," Mister Cirvags stated, relying on the Thilku language to convey a silent message.

Khan understood the silent accusation but didn't reply. Mister Cirvags was right. All those benefits existed because Khan had earned them. The Empire trusted him enough to act as the middleman between the two species.

"I've donned this cape far longer than you," Mister Cirvags continued. "I heard the rumors spoken by the Thilku. Their talks about the [Blue Shaman] are louder than anything related to the Global Army."

The revelation didn't surprise Khan. He knew the Thilku enough to guess his fame inside the Empire had skyrocketed. Moreover, he was aware Mister Cirvags had his way of obtaining information. His cape wasn't for show.

"They'll get louder," Khan promised.

"What then?" Mister Cirvags questioned. "What is the [Blue Shaman]'s plan for humankind?"

Khan stepped forward, reaching Mister Cirvags to stare him deep in the eyes. Both men's gazes seemed bored, but their auras' weight compensated for that.

"Disappointing," Khan commented before heading for the office's exit.

"I thought you would have treated the Harbor better," Mister Cirvags uttered, his words managing to interrupt Khan's departure. "After everything it has given you, you still rob it of the Embassy."

"The Harbor will retain part of its political relevance," Khan announced without turning. "The nobles will also start investing in it, improving its overall status. The Headmistress' glory days are ahead of her."

The explanation partially reassured Mister Cirvags. It seemed Khan didn't steal relevance from the Harbor without giving anything back. His heart still had room for affection.

"Major Khan," Mister Cirvags called, and Khan couldn't help but turn when hearing that different title.

"Good job with the Empire," Mister Cirvags praised, his eyes finally browsing the office. "This is the farthest humankind has ever gotten, so good job."

The genuine compliment took Khan by surprise, but he didn't let it affect his expression. Still, the event reinforced his good impression of Mister Cirvags. The man simply happened to be in an uncomfortable position.

Khan began to turn, planning to leave, but a thought suddenly popped into his mind. Mister Cirvags' experience and expertise were valuable assets. His loyalty was his only limit.

"One day," Khan said, "The barriers among species will crumble. Global Army, Empire, Fuveall, Ef'i. Those names won't matter anymore. Don't let it freeze you."

Mister Cirvags didn't understand what Khan was talking about. He pondered about it for a while, but no answers arrived.

"What do you know?" Mister Cirvags eventually questioned.

"Enjoy your stay," Khan said. "Someone will show you to your quarters later."

After that statement, Khan left the office and made his way outside. He helped build that Embassy, so finding the exit wasn't a problem. He could reach it even with his heavy mind.

'I shouldn't talk about the scarlet eyes,' Khan scolded himself. 'I shouldn't even hint at them, not now. No one would believe me anyway.'

Khan was amassing power to protect himself, but that higher goal always lingered in the back of his mind. One day, he would have to face an enemy capable of pushing the Nak into a genocidal frenzy, and something told him a single species wouldn't be enough to fend it off.

Worries aside, life on Baoway continued peacefully. Mister Cirvags' team fully established itself on the planet, and the Thilku Embassy became completely operative in a few weeks.

Meanwhile, the tournament preparations continued, but certain events still forced Khan out of his secluded training. The arrivals weren't over, and one required Khan's presence.

A big, triangular, green ship pierced Baoway's atmosphere and descended toward the planet's main quadrant. It ignored the city and headed past the Thilku Embassy, stopping when it reached a vast, empty area intended for its unloading.

The ship was odd in many ways. Its color separated it from both Global Army and Empire's style, but other features enhanced that difference. Spikes grew on the vehicle's tip and upper hull, seemingly acting as a defensive layer against direct clashes.

The vehicle turned, pointing its engines to the ground while slowly descending. The landing lifted massive clouds of dust, and the following events worsened the issue. The ship's surfaces began to shift and spin, transforming the ride into a rectangular building.

Khan marched through the dust. His eyes were closed, but his steps remained firm. He never lost his sense of direction, and his legs eventually brought him before the building.

Khan opened his eyes, noticing nostalgic details. The building had gained narrow windows, and the spikes had moved in different areas to cover every surface. It had been years since he had seen something similar, and more memories surfaced when a passage opened at the structure's bottom.

Multiple figures crossed the passage, stepping on Baoway's soil. Khan spotted pale-brown skin tainted by occasional yellow patches, sets of four stretched eyes, pointy ears, long heads, sharp tails, and black claws. That appearance was unmistakable. The Ef'i had finally landed in his domain.

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