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Chapter 838  War

Safety had always been one of the nobles\' top priorities. Few in the Global Army would dare to attack them, but that only applied to weaker parties. Infighting was common inside those massive families, so the representatives wouldn\'t refrain from purchasing additional ways of protection.

The noble guests in the hall could also benefit from an additional advantage. They had attended Khan\'s birthday to represent their entire families, but their loyalty was to specific factions and groups inside those immense parties. Purchasing Khan\'s magic item now would give them priority over their fellow family members.

Of course, that priority would be short-lived since Khan had no intention of playing the other noble families\' political games. Any attempt to be exploited would also make him richer since he could deny eventual accusations and shift the blame to the representatives, opening himself up to new buyers. It was a win-win situation for him, but that was the nature of a monopoly.

"How many gallons are available?" Prince Duter couldn\'t help but ask.

"My Uncle and I will handle the sale later," Khan announced. "For now, stick around and enjoy the celebrations."

Many wanted to reach for Khan right away, attempting to trap him in long conversations. Yet, the tall Thilku standing at his side prevented those direct approaches. Only one representative ignored Lord Exr\'s presence and stole Khan\'s elbow.

"Prince Khan," Princess Rachel Montares called, slightly pulling Khan\'s elbow. "Do you have more surprises in store for us?"

"I thought you would have joined Princess Edna and my Fiancée by now," Khan commented.

"The day is long," Princess Montares replied. "There will be time for that. Now, I hope you can indulge me again."

"I planned to give Lord Exr a tour of the city," Khan explained, "To show the Scalqa\'s growth. You can join if you prefer it to the building\'s activities."

"I very much prefer it," Princess Montares exclaimed, and the other guests echoed her mood. It seemed the group wouldn\'t split up just yet.

"As you wish," Khan said, leading the group outside the building. In the meantime, multiple waiters joined him, ready to refill drinks whenever the guests asked for them.

The metal encampment didn\'t change much during those months. It had only expanded, but the same wasn\'t true for those who inhabited it. Princess Montares immediately noticed the different behavior, and her fellow nobles couldn\'t help but feel surprised by it.

Khan\'s appearance in the open immediately triggered a series of alien shouts that spread throughout the encampment. Scalqa promptly left their tents and abandoned their duties to reach the main streets, forming orderly lines at their sides. Khan\'s group walked among them, allowing everyone to study that army.

The Scalqa didn\'t show any trace of their previous primitive respect. They still wore pelts and other ragged clothes, but their stances conveyed a sense of duty and discipline. Their deployment was orderly, and their bows matched Khan\'s group\'s passage.

The nobles realized the Scalqa had evolved past their simple reverence for Khan. They had been military trained, and that growth probably didn\'t stop at the simple order and gestures. Chances were they had also learned to use firearms and other weapons.

Princess Montares also noticed another detail. The Scalqa had looked imposing during her previous trip through the encampment, but she felt they were bigger now. Their muscles and stature had increased, albeit only slightly.

"Master Carl," Khan called, giving a silent order his friend understood.

"During the past months," Lieutenant Dyester announced, "We tested different training regimens to harness the Scalqa\'s full potential. Their bodies are far above average, so results were easy to achieve."

Khan translated the explanation into the Thilku language. Lord Exr didn\'t need that, but his species\' role in the matter demanded that level of respect. After all, most employed training regimens came from the Empire.

"We expect their natality and lifespan to increase exponentially," Lieutenant Dyester continued. "The new generations should also perform better since we\'ll educate them from birth."

The implications of Lieutenant Dyester\'s speech felt obvious. Khan could hope to multiply his number of Scalqa in a couple of decades. Moreover, those aliens would be able to benefit from a complete training regimen by then, fully harnessing their species\' capabilities.

Things didn\'t even end there. A few months weren\'t enough to turn a primitive species into a technological one, but many miracles could happen in two decades. The Scalqa\'s customs could radically evolve, and the same went for their battle capabilities.

Khan also was the sole seller of the supplement, so the timeline could be far shorter than that. Baoway was brewing with immense power, and everything was under Khan\'s name.

The nobles weren\'t strangers to the concept of personal armies. They even had many, but that ownership usually involved the whole family. Each faction had multiple troops in its direct possession, but not enough to wage and win wars.

Normally, the nobles themselves would act to stop such a steep rise to power since it could break the balance among the ten families. However, acting against a united faction was easier said than done, especially with all the precautions Khan had in place. He didn\'t only have the Empire as a shield. His many deals with the nobles ensured their alliance, at least temporarily.

Instead, Khan was breaking that silent rule. His faction was creating one of the best armies in the Global Army, and the Empire even had his back. It wouldn\'t be long before his status and influence would surpass anyone inside humankind.

Normally, the nobles themselves would act to stop such a steep rise to power since it could break the balance among the ten families. However, acting against a united faction was easier said than done, especially with all the precautions Khan had in place. He didn\'t only have the Empire as a shield. His many deals with the nobles ensured their alliance, at least temporarily. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The group kept walking silently while those thoughts afflicted the guests, but Prince Thomas eventually called for Khan, approaching him and showing him his phone.

"I must handle something," Khan announced as soon as he read the screen\'s contents. "I leave you in Master Carl\'s capable hands."

Khan then faced Lord Exr and performed a customary bow with his mantle, which the Thilku welcomed. His figure disappeared afterward, and more announcements followed.

"I must assist my Nephew," Prince Thomas announced, bowing. "Please, excuse me."

"I also must leave," Princess Rebecca revealed, imitating her brother and following along.

At that point, every face turned toward Lieutenant Dyester, who held back a curse while drawing a cigarette from his pocket. For some reason, he now had a Thilku Lord and nine Princes and Princesses to entertain, and Abraham had no intention of helping him. The scientist was actually more curious than the guests about the Scalqa\'s progress.

Khan returned to the main building in no time and made his way through the many corridors and elevators to reach one of the halls. Waiters and soldiers stood before its entrance but moved away at Khan\'s arrival. Crossing the door revealed an array of couches, with two figures in the central ones.

"Prince Khan," The first man to notice Khan\'s arrival stood up, lifting his drink. "Happy birthday."

"Prince Khan," The second man quickly followed, imitating the first.

Khan had never met the two men but knew their faces. He had expected that meeting. His Uncle even told him the matter couldn\'t be delayed. Still, he didn\'t expect the two to crash his birthday celebrations.

"Prince Nognes," Khan called. "Prince Nognes."

The two men bowed their heads in respect and returned to their couches as Khan approached them. Although they shared Khan\'s family name, they belonged to different factions. In many ways, they were Khan\'s enemies.

"Your soldiers made us leave our escorts behind to land on the planet," One of the Princes said. "Your security sounds too tight against your relatives."

"Jack, mind your words," The other Prince scolded, even if his tone carried traces of mockery. "Prince Khan is a faction leader. He is no different from Alexander."

"I can see a few differences," Jack chuckled.

Khan ignored the mockery and reached a couch that would allow him to face both Princes. He also sat down after seizing a bottle from a nearby table. His eyes darted between the two men, but his mouth never opened.

"Forgive my distant Cousin," The second Prince stated. "I\'m Ethan Nognes. We have the same Great-great-great-… I forgot how many, but we share an ancestor."

"The Prince doesn\'t look in a festive mood," Jack pointed out, referring to Khan\'s unflinching expression. "We come in peace, King of Baoway."

Ethan couldn\'t help but wear a helpless smile. He didn\'t like Jack\'s jokes, but the two had to present a united front.

"We have come to ask some questions," Ethan explained, "And hoping to receive answers. We belong to the same family, so this shouldn\'t be a problem."

"Ethan, you read Prince Khan\'s reports," Jack declared. "He is a no-bullshits man. Just get to the point."

"As I was saying," Ethan cleared his throat, "Our factions have some questions. We would like to know how much Baoway is earning you. We also wish to understand the extent of the Thilku Empire\'s support."

"And why your faction is cutting us out of the deals," Jack added.

Khan took occasional sips from the bottle during the conversation. He knew that problem would have knocked at his door sooner or later. It had simply presented itself now.

"Do you disrespect me because you think the magic item under your uniform will protect you?" Khan wondered, looking at Jack\'s chest. "Or do you simply think your name is enough to make me behave?"

Jack\'s smile froze. He had heard about Khan\'s senses, but his best scientists had assured him about the magic item\'s cloaking qualities. Yet, Khan seemed to have seen right through them.

"That would mean war," Jack said, his smile disappearing as his tone grew serious.

"Will it?" Khan asked. "You are just one representative. Will your faction really go to war against me over one head?"