Khanâs statement broke every possible unwritten political rule. His words couldnât help but sound like a public insult spoken in the presence of the Global Armyâs leaders and troops. That simply wasnât allowed.
The only appropriate response was a prompt departure. Merely scolding Khan wouldnât suffice, and remaining at the party would add weight to his statement.
The nobles couldnât lose face or admit their authority meant nothing compared to Khanâs. Their whole social standing might collapse otherwise.
Of course, Khan realized that. He also didnât want to make things too hard for the nobles, but their respective roles had to be clear. He just had to choose less insulting words.
"Ah!" Khan cried, seemingly recalling something. "Before your pride gets hurt or something, let me explain."
Admittedly, that wasnât the politest way to justify the previous words, but Khan couldnât really stand for etiquette when so much still demanded his attention. If anything, the nobles had to feel honored that he had chosen to address them first.
"These guests are here because of me," Khan declared, pointing his thumb behind him to highlight the diverse sea of people. "They came to meet me, to talk about the alliance I created."
The nobles tried their best not to look past Khan, but the task turned out to be impossible. The party was too vast and loud not to inspect it, and that wasnât even the worst part.
Khan had already built an interspecies force, at least to some degree, but what was unfolding in Aynorâs quadrant was several leagues above that.
In the past, Khan had merely struck limited deals, only involving certain specialists from various species to establish smoother negotiations and general interspecies relationships.
Instead, the desert now featured representatives that could speak for their species as a whole. It was a gathering of leaders that was bound to affect the entirety of the regulated universeâs political environment.
In a way, the entire regulated universe was now sitting and partying on that white sand, and its conclusion would decide its future, or set its foundation, at least. The nobles could be part of that by using the Global Army as a proxy, but a direct approach was obviously preferred.
"Because Iâm the one who created it," Khan continued, making that point clear. "While you all chased after personal benefits, I worked so that this could happen, so that we could have a chance against an enemy you would have never believed existed."
Khan wasnât one to boast about his achievements. He only did that as a joke, but the current situation demanded a reality check. Also, he was wearing the Thilku Empireâs colors. Pride was its currency, so it would be disrespectful not to use it.
"The very sand you are standing on exists because I rushed here to save it," Khan exclaimed. "You didnât save it. You didnât even try to. I did."
The area grew colder as Liiza mimicked Khanâs mood. She didnât understand politics as well as her husband, but that clearly wasnât the time for concessions.
"And let me be clear," Khan added. "I chose to let this meeting happen on Earth. I let it happen here instead of sending everyone to my Baoway and forcing you to play by my rules."
Of course, moving the Thilku Emperor would have been quite problematic, but Khanâs words remained true.
"I did that to give you face," Khan explained. "I gave you the opportunity to welcome and interact with the greatest leaders from our side of the universe. I did that."
The killed General was an issue, but no one dared to mention it now. Everyone also knew Khan was speaking the truth. It was simply something he shouldnât have voiced in public, or at all, leaving it as a silent understanding.
"This is the greatest favor anyone has ever done to humankind," Khan announced, "And you know you didnât deserve it. You all know what you would have done in my stead."
Khanâs relationship with humankind had been rocky, at best. He had no real reason to do it favors. He actually had every justification to take revenge on it, and that allied front would have given him the perfect chance to do just that.
"Iâm letting you remain equal and independent," Khan stated, "Because I donât care for ripping you off or leading forces that donât want me as their leader."
Khan sighed, glancing at the baby sleeping in his arms, knowing he would give her the world and more.
"I just want to win this war," Khan said.
Khan caressed Yeza, conveying a fatherly care that didnât match his domineering speech at all. That gesture led to a steadily intensifying tension, but also earned him certain looks from a very specific side of the audience.
Princess Rachel was the best example of that reaction, doing her best to hide the longing in her mind at the sight of that scene. The caring version of Khan had always been one of his most attractive sides, which the presence of his daughter improved by several levels.
However, Khan had a chilling guardian now. Liizaâs light somehow became threatening as she reached for Khanâs right hand to make their tattoos match, sending a clear statement to all the women interested in him, especially Princess Rachel.
The gesture snapped Khan out of his caring moment. He refocused on the noble audience, opting to conclude his speech.
"See this as an opportunity," Khan declared, "A chance to do whatâs necessary for our survival. Otherwise, Iâll take you by force and deploy whatâs left of your assets into the war."
That was far from ideal, but Khan couldnât allow freeloaders. Actually, chances were that the regulated universe itself couldnât survive those.
"And before you try to complain or call me names," Khan said. "Before you think about political repercussions and whatnot, ask yourselves one thing."
Khanâs aura couldnât help but match the seriousness of his words now. An ethereal weight fell into the area, creating a slight discomfort in the audience while partially updating them on the power Khan wielded.
"Who can even stop me?" Khan asked.