Chapter 1281: Question

Khan didn’t know what Liiza and Princess Rebecca were talking about and didn’t want to. Part of him feared what that conversation would mean to him and his junk, but those worries could wait.

Stabilizing the political environment as much as possible was the priority now, and Khan decided to focus on what was directly within his reach to solve. After all, the Nele were already on Coravis, as well as the man he planned to place in their defense.

Khan paid a quick visit to Garret on his sea station to convey the latest directives about what the scientist was supposed to share with the world. He also seized as many bottles as his hands could carry before setting off again, heading for the artificial landmass.

The negotiations with the Kros and the conversations on both sea stations didn’t last long. The artificial landmass hadn’t changed at all in that short time Khan had been away.

The Nele were still studying and addressing various issues, occasionally gathering to plan strategies to develop that still-small area. Meanwhile, Zalpa sat near the ships or entertained Tamara whenever she joined her.

Ilman also hung out nearby, but it was clear the Niqols had no specific role. He was no Shaman, so he mostly oversaw the Nele’s work, his scarlet eyes often lingering longer than necessary on Jenna whenever she became visible.

Khan arrived precisely during one of those moments, and his mind couldn’t decide whether the scene was a good or a bad thing. He only knew the imminent conversation would be delicate, troublesome, and probably more challenging than some of his worst political meetings.

Khan’s arrival didn’t go unnoticed. It simply couldn’t since he didn’t have Liiza or her red marks. Many gazes shot toward the sky, focusing on his floating figure, but he avoided the general greetings to descend directly to where Ilman was.

“[My friend]!” Ilman instantly greeted Khan, spreading his arms, which made him remain higher in the sky. “[We heard storms in the distance a while back. Was that you]?”

“[The Kros wanted a demonstration before starting the negotiations],” Khan shortly explained. “[I actually wanted to talk to you about that].”

Khan nodded toward the same shore where Princess Rebecca, Princess Thomas, and Alexander had landed, and Ilman understood the silent invitation. The two quickly headed toward the area, with Khan remaining in the air out of fear of sudden hugs.

Khan landed once the two reached their destination and threw a bottle at Ilman before placing all the others but one on the ground. The Niqols didn’t hesitate to open it, and Khan imitated him, leading to a traditional toast.

“[You were quick],” Ilman pointed out, smirking proudly. “[You must have made quite the demonstration].”

“[I didn’t do anything special],” Khan chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. “[I just sparred with the Kros until he couldn’t keep up anymore].”

“[I bet that didn’t take many exchanges],” Ilman praised, also falling into a loud chuckle.

Khan didn’t reply and gazed at the sea past the shore. The sky had yet to start darkening, but only a few hours stood between that event. Soon, it would be night, and the entirety of Khan’s political experience couldn’t predict what it would bring.

By then, Garret had probably spread the recording of the negotiation on the network, ensuring it wasn’t stopped by major parties’ filters. The news would reach everyone, and chaos would unfold.

Khan actually felt lucky he had thrown his phone into the sea. He didn’t want to be submerged by the consequences of his actions. His Uncle would just give him a summary of that whole mess later on.

Still, something had to be addressed before indulging in some respite, and Khan had no idea how to start that conversation.

“[Say, Ilman],” Khan called, peeking to his left to inspect the alien. “[How do you feel about Jenna]?”

“[I love her, obviously]!” Ilman shouted without showing a single trace of awkwardness or shame.

The bold and genuine statement could make Khan hope for an easy conversation, but Ilman didn’t hesitate to shatter that very idea.

“[That’s why I must hold back]!” Ilman claimed. “[I can’t let my feelings hurt the woman I love again. Once she finds her one, I’ll support them just like I supported you and Liiza]!”

The idea that Jenna liked Ilman or that he could be her one never crossed his mind. The scar from Liiza’s events was still there, and Ilman’s character had deepened it, turning it into something that bordered on psychological trauma.

Instinctively, Ilman now saw his love as something that couldn’t be responded to and had to be controlled. That was a self-imposed curse the Niqols had issued to correct his past mistake.

That overcorrection wouldn’t have been tragic in normal times. It wouldn’t have even been Khan’s business. Jenna was more than capable of solving it on her own. It was actually something she and Ilman had to discuss between themselves.

However, time wasn’t on Khan’s side, and the same went for biology. The Nele couldn’t delay their migration, and Khan didn’t have the heart to ask that, either. They needed to leave their unsafe colonies to create a proper home, but that process had its fair share of danger.

Khan’s force had the manpower to aid that migration, and he had amassed quite a few pirate crews while hiding with Liiza. Yet, they were all made by humans, and asking the Thilku Empire for a favor wouldn’t address the problem’s nature.

Solutions for the Nele’s pheromones existed, but mistakes could also happen. Khan wanted to have someone strong, trusted, and immune to that trait in charge of aiding the migration, and only Ilman cleared those requirements since he would be busy with something else.

Nevertheless, Ilman wasn’t an individual or an isolated party. He wasn’t even like Liiza. Theoretically, he was still a proper member of the Niqols, and his character made him utterly loyal, which could create an internal conflict in the future.

So, Khan had to meddle with Jenna and Ilman’s business, asking a question he truly didn’t want to ask.

“[Ilman],” Khan called, resuming gazing at the calm sea past the shore. “[If you ever had to choose between Jenna and the Niqols, what would you do]?”