Dean Ulluw had spoken that truth, and Khan felt inclined to believe him. It also made sense. The best human evolved assets had to be among the nobles, and some of them had to be decently strong. Khan hoped as much, at least.
Technology would help. The mutagen would, too, but Khan needed suitable opponents for the True Chaosâ Kings, or at least enough strong assets that could match their unclear number.
Khan had a handful of candidates in mind already, but some were uncertain, and even getting all of them probably wouldnât amount to the force he needed to match the True Chaosâ best assets.
Aggressive recruitment was mandatory, and Khan didnât care about the price he had to pay to get what he needed. Still, he also knew that the subject wouldnât be as easy to handle as requesting mere scientific support.
The noble representatives couldnât help but grow more serious at that request. Actually, the same feeling spread to the Generals next to them, knowing the Global Army wasnât exempt from that topic.
Evolved warriors were rare, and both the Global Army and the noble families viewed them as their nuclear deterrent. They were the best assets in their possession and, in some cases, one of the main reasons behind their current authority.
As such, those assets were mostly kept secret, never disclosing their real numbers or power to create a hidden threat that prevented any political opponent from pushing things too far.
However, Khan was now asking for those evolved assetsâ active participation, and exposing them would reveal their forcesâ actual power. It would provide a general idea of what that nuclear deterrent actually amounted to, risking emboldening eventual opponents confident in their ability to overpower them.
Moreover, Khan wasnât only asking for exposure. He clearly wanted those evolved assets to join the war, meaning their lives could be at risk. Those warriors could die under everyoneâs eyes, telling exactly which parties had suffered losses and were weakened because of them.
That was riskier than admitting that Khan had authority over the noble families. The latter would face the danger of becoming targets of their former allies as soon as the war ended due to those eventual losses. That could happen even while the battles were still ongoing.
Of course, that request wasnât anything unique to the noble families. Every force in the allied front knew those risks and wouldnât shy away from them. Some had safer positions than others, but the danger was universal.
That was one of the reasons why Khan had limited the vanguard to Thilku, Efâi, and his troops. They wouldnât mind joining the frontline. In many ways, they sought it.
But the True Chaosâ Kings were annoyingly dangerous, so Khan sought to improve his sideâs chances. He was simply aware that the matter couldnât be forced.
The noble representatives in the desert didnât have the authority to deploy their evolved troops. That decision could only come from the joint agreement of their familiesâ factions.
Moreover, a universal war had the special quality of putting things into perspective. Money lost any meaning before the possibility of death. The nobles couldnât just pay their evolved warriors to fight. Even if they could, that wasnât the kind of will that could defeat the True Chaosâ Kings.
"The participation is obviously voluntary," Khan announced, feeling the need to add that point. "I will make a public announcement to reiterate the need for evolved troops. I just ask that you donât try to stop those willing to fight for our side of the universe."
Some representatives couldnât help but feel ashamed of themselves when hearing Khanâs last line. Their minds had instinctively gone to their personal well-being, while Khan only thought about the universeâs survival.
Undoubtedly, the nobles had yet to realize what was truly at stake in that war, but Khan couldnât blame them. The universe was something too big for mortal minds to conceive. Even he struggled to accept that at times. He simply knew and had seen too much not to take the threat as seriously as possible.
"Take your time to think about this," Khan exclaimed, snapping out of his serious mood to glance at the crowd behind him. "And socialize. Iâll send someone to introduce you to everyone."
"Prince Khan," Prince Rassec called, gasping. "Are you leaving already?"
"Iâm just doing a quick round of salutes now," Khan reassured. "Thilku feasts can go on for days, and we are bound to celebrate at least until dawn since the Niqols are here. There will be more opportunities to catch up."
A teleport lit up from Aynorâs surviving blocks as soon as Khanâs statement ended. A series of short, dark-red aliens appeared on it, being welcomed by an appropriate escort. The Orlats had arrived, too, so things were bound to get rowdier.
"Iâd better get moving," Khan said, staring in the teleportâs direction. "I have many people I have to meet before everyone gets too drunk to talk."
Liiza let go of Khanâs hand to perform another traditional bow, but quickly retook it, even throwing a proud look at Princess Rachel.
The nobles obviously couldnât miss that gesture, especially since they were aware of the ploy Khan had devised to protect the Princess. Yet, everyone feigned ignorance as the married couple set off to fly toward another side of the vast party.
Theoretically, Khan would have to address guests in order of political relevance, but the talk with the nobles had changed his priorities. One of the candidates he had in mind for the battles against the True Chaosâ Kings also looked available, so he headed for him.
Colonel Norrett and Major General Arngan had continued managing Khanâs forces even after the evacuation effort had ended. After all, such a crowded party demanded utmost attention, and they were among the few people who could interact with anyone without creating political incidents.
However, the party eventually affected the two evolved warriors, too, leaving them at the edge of the intact blocks, drinking in the company of Lord Rsi, Lieutenant Dyester, Tlexicpalli, Sen-nu, and other teams from Baoway.
That gathering was a weaker version of what was unfolding at the center of the desert. The soldiers there were team leaders of their respective species, and the recent battle had created the perfect opportunity for genuine bonding.
Of course, everyone noticed Khan and Liizaâs arrival, and shouts and greetings ensued.
"My Lord!" Lord Rsi shouted, promptly standing up and performing a bow with his thick cape. "Allow me to toast to your victory."
"The ungrateful brat finally decided to show up," Lieutenant Dyester snorted.
"His Highness had to enjoy his nap," Major General Arngan laughed.
"Our esteemed leader deserved some rest," Colonel Norrett commented, sighing. "To think I would have ever owed my life to such a canny little shit."
"Are you insulting a Lord of the Empire?" Lord Rsi asked, snapping up.
"Would that get you to do more than what you did on the battlefield?" Tlexicpalli taunted.
The diverse group also had Scalqa, who stood up to cheer in their rhythmical way, their noise soon overwhelming any other sound. Still, everything went silent when Khanâs feet landed on the sand, and he gestured with his hand to stop.
"Allow me to thank you again for your prompt response and valiant battle," Khan announced, beckoning some troops to hand him a drink. "I drink in your honor."
Smirks and scoffs resounded, but everyone drank. Khan did, too, but only after performing a traditional toast with his wife.
"Also," Khan promptly continued. "Allow me to apologize for keeping this short. I have a long list of names to meet, and I barely started crossing them off."
"My Prince, take it easy," Colonel Norrett reassured. "It seems to me everyone is having fun. Politics can wait."
"Yeah, Iâll keep it extremely short," Khan confirmed. "I also canât risk having the Emperor running around looking for me."
Lord Rsi smirked proudly, but far paler expressions unfolded among the sitting group. None of those team leaders had interacted directly with the Thilku Emperor and didnât want to. The occasional sound waves that reached them were enough for them.
"I just wanted to confirm something with our Major General here before going back to socializing," Khan explained, earning the groupâs interest.
Major General Arngan could sense Khan didnât want to discuss trivialities. The latter crouched down at his side, illuminating the artificial arm with his eyes before looking at the newly evolved warriorâs face.
"You can get stronger, canât you?" Khan asked.
"You have seen my element, My Prince," Major General Arngan exclaimed. "I can only grow stronger, but even Iâm not sure what Iâd become."
"What do you need?" Khan questioned.
"A sparring partner," Major General Arngan, "Someone who can fulfill my bloodlust."
"Consider it done," Khan declared before another teleport unfolded in the distance, attracting his gaze toward an incoming purple glow.
The second candidate Khan had in mind for the battles against the True Chaosâ Kings had arrived, but he feared convincing him might be difficult, especially now that he was becoming a father.