Chapter 834 Power
Prince Desmond turned to look at Khan, wanting to see his reaction. However, the seat was empty. Khan had disappeared, and the Prince had to inspect the other guests' eyes to understand where he had gone.
Khan materialized among the soldiers, and his appearance made them step away. The troops let go of Ambassador Abores, who fell to the floor. The man voiced a painful grunt but remained on the metal surface, unable to stand up.
Ambassador Abores' state was awful. Bruises covered his bloated face, and his blonde hair was almost as messy as his torn and ragged military uniform. Khan's gaze also pierced those clothes, noticing more injuries on the rest of his body.
No injury was fatal or permanent. Ambassador Abores would probably fully recover in a couple of weeks of complete rest. Yet, he had been beaten up pretty badly, leaving him half-unconscious.
"Did he plan the assassination attempt?" Khan asked, inspecting the half-fainted man. "Or did you go to him to secure a scapegoat?"
Prince Desmond stood up, facing Khan while remaining beside the table. Khan's speed had shocked him, but his expression retained its sternness. He could lie to improve his story. Yet, even to Khan's back, he spoke nothing but the truth.
"He started shaking things up as soon as you replaced him as the Thilku's official Ambassador," Prince Desmond explained. "He made enough waves to attract our attention, so I invited him in the ploy."
Khan stared at Ambassador Abores. Chances were the nobles had simply used him, exploiting his grudge against Khan to place him at the center of the assassination attempt. He probably wouldn't have gotten that far without their help, making Khan wonder who was really at fault.
'Should I just kill everyone?' Khan thought.
Truth be told, Khan understood Prince Desmond's intentions. He had tried to take Khan out before his rise to nobility could cause a conflict in the faction. Killing him would have solved every problem beforehand.
Nevertheless, understanding didn't mean forgiveness. Eliminating Prince Thomas' lineage was the safest option to consolidate Khan's power. Everyone was also there, creating the perfect chance.
Still, Khan couldn't be the only one who understood that point. Prince Thomas decided to show his face, knowing the risks, and Ambassador Abores' life couldn't possibly compensate for the recent offenses. Khan's Uncle had to have something else in mind.
"Is this information reliable?" Khan asked, glancing past Prince Desmond to look at his Cousins.
Prince William had been in charge of the investigation around Baoway's assassination attempt. He had also found the involved criminals, allowing Khan to exact his revenge. His knowledge of the matter probably was second to no one on his side, and a simple nod confirmed it.
Khan disappeared after Prince William's nod, returning to his seat. He calmly grabbed a bottle, refilling his drink to indulge in it. His behavior confused the guests, and a question soon flew in his direction.
"Cousin," Prince Desmond called. "Your answer?"
"A life for a life," Khan muttered. "That won't be enough."
"You can interrogate the Ambassador yourself," Prince Desmond announced. "He'll corroborate my story."
"Impossible," Khan said, focusing on his Uncle. "He is dead."
Prince Desmond's eyes went wide as he turned and nodded at his soldiers. The troops reached for Ambassador Abores' shoulders and lifted him, but his head remained on the floor.
Blood finally spurted out of Ambassador Abores' headless neck, raining on the severed body part. The troops couldn't help but let him go, making him fall into the gory expanding pool. Everyone held their breath, but two people remained focused on the main goal.
Khan and Prince Thomas never stopped inspecting each other. The latter didn't notice Khan's silent and sudden attack, but the guests' reactions perfectly described the scene. He didn't need to turn to understand what had happened and calmly waited for Khan to push the conversation forward.
"What else?" Khan asked. "What did you bring to save your lineage?"
Prince Desmond and Prince Richard slowly turned, showing different reactions. Prince Richard was terrified, and his eyes often fell on his Father, hoping he would have a satisfying answer.
Meanwhile, Prince Desmond pretended to be calm, imitating his Father in every way. He truly was Prince Thomas' heir, but that barely had any meaning in Khan's mind. His eyes only reflected potential problems.
"My involvement with the latest ploy must sound obvious now," Prince Thomas announced. "You must know your life has never been in danger."
"Do you disagree with political murder?" Khan wondered. He knew Prince Thomas was speaking the truth but wanted to understand why.
"I disagree with spilling Nognes blood," Prince Thomas explained, "Especially at the hands of someone unbefitting of our status."
Rebecca couldn't help but smile. Her Brother was cynical, stubborn, and secretive, but his actions always had the Nognes family in mind.
Khan looked at Ambassador Abores' corpse before focusing on his Uncle again. The latter didn't flinch at the murder, hinting at something deeper.
"Do you acknowledge me as a Nognes?" Khan asked.
"You are reckless," Prince Thomas claimed, "Ignorant, selfish, and narrow-minded. Still, Elizabeth's blood runs through your veins."
"Old man," Khan uttered. "Get to the point."
"Your achievements and strength are undeniable," Prince Thomas announced. "Your relationship with the Thilku Empire is unheard of. No human has ever earned that acknowledgment. With the Thilku's support, there is hope to restore the faction to its past glory."
"The Thilku support me," Khan pointed out, "Not my blood."
"Your blood is part of you," Prince Thomas stated, "And you aren't refusing its benefits."
"But I will ignore it for my real allies," Khan added. "I won't exploit my relationship with the Empire to benefit the faction. If the faction benefits, it's because my position is improving."
"Nephew, you need guidance," Prince Thomas declared. "Guidance and reliability. I'm willing to share the faction's leadership, at least until you are ready."
That compromise was the best offer the Princes and Princesses had ever heard from Prince Thomas. The in-fighting could end at that very moment, and the faction wouldn't lose anything, either. Khan could continue to improve his position while Prince Thomas handled the various allies.
However, one person at the table could predict Khan's imminent answer. Monica knew Khan like no one else and had even seen all the sacrifices and compromises he had endured to get where he was. Khan would never choose a fake leadership position.
"No," Khan directly refused.
"It's the best option, Nephew," Prince Thomas commented.
"I know," Khan admitted, "But no."
"Why?" Prince Thomas asked.
"A dead man deserves no answer," Khan said, "And you are still dead in my eyes."
Prince Thomas didn't forget about the previous topic. Ambassador Abores' life didn't compensate for his Son's assassination attempt, and his family had to pay for another ploy, too. Khan wouldn't hear offers until that debt was gone.
"The rat has gone into hiding," Prince Thomas revealed. "I hoped I could lure him out again, but he was wise enough to disappear."
Khan remained silent since he knew Prince Thomas would soon add more details, and he didn't disappoint.
"I agreed to Raymond Cobsend's ploy to test you out, Nephew," Prince Thomas explained. "I needed to know if you could benefit the Nognes family. He thought I would have kept you caged as a guinea pig, but I planned to eliminate him right afterward."
"You people are using my life for your plans," Khan muttered. "Testing me, studying me, spying on me."
A creaking noise spread through the dining hall, and the soldiers grew weary of their surroundings while searching for the source of that sound. Still, the table suddenly crumbled and gasps resounded among the guests.
The soldiers rushed toward the guests, attempting to create a defensive line around them. Yet, the world slowed down in their eyes, allowing them to see Khan's graceful movements.
Khan was the only one unaffected by the table's fall. He even salvaged his drink, carrying it with him as he stood up. His movement seemed slow, but he reached Prince Thomas before the soldiers could take another step.
"Fall!" Khan shouted, a hint of the clicking cry hidden in his deafening voice.
The hall's air turned into stone, slamming on both groups of soldiers. The weaker among them fell to the floor, while the stronger only temporarily lost their balance. Still, that single word interrupted their charge.
"You have lived your whole life manipulating the world and playing by your own rules," Khan announced. "You think your training, lineage, and higher education make you superior, but you have no idea what true power is."
Khan lifted his free hand, pointing it at Prince Thomas' forehead. The mana around his fingers sharpened, digging a red dot in his Uncle's skin. A single drop of blood fell, reaching his left eyebrow. The event would make anyone retreat in fear, but Prince Thomas didn't move.
"I've had your life in my hands since you entered this room," Khan continued. "Taking it would be as easy as breathing. Princess Rebecca is the only reason you still live, but your borrowed time is running out."
"I shall make my final statement then," Prince Thomas said, looking Khan deep in the eyes. "You need my help to catch Raymond Cobsend."