883 Inconclusive
Everything in the representatives' experience told them that only evolved warriors could face other evolved warriors. Some weapons could help, but their maintenance cost was too high to make them a valid option.
However, Khan had proven time and time again how normal standards didn't apply to him. His power didn't abide by any rule, and the meeting seemed to confirm his claim. Miss Christen's presence didn't affect Khan's behavior at all. He actually sounded more confident than ever.
Time had now become the representatives' factions' greatest enemy. The tournament's success was bound to provide Khan with more allies and influence, and his power had also joined the equation. Better resources and stability could ramp up Khan's training, turning him into something no threat could affect.
There was no better time to seal a deal than now, at least for the representatives' side. Yet, the conversation had already degenerated. Chances were Khan would refuse any offer just to get back at the previous threats and accusations.
"Prince Khan," The first representative called, hoping to restore reason. "An internal war would be bad for everyone. It might destroy our family."
"Wrong," Khan stated. "It will surely destroy the Nognes family."
"That's why compromises are necessary," The first representative added.
"This is an attempted rip-off," Khan declared, "Not a compromise. Well, a failed attempt."
"I'm tempted to call your bluff, Prince Khan," The second representative, the old woman, revealed. "You have proven yourself ruthless toward those who couldn't touch you, but I wonder whether you'd behave like that with us."
Khan sighed, gulping down his drink and handing it to his aunt. Princess Rebecca promptly summoned another while he looked at the evolved soldier. His bright eyes met hers while he called forth the darkest parts of his mind.
The evolved soldier had never stopped inspecting Khan, but her heightened senses and deeper understanding of mana had failed to provide answers. Khan was unnatural in her eyes, and nothing in her experience matched his description.
Humankind's education was mostly at fault for that. As superior as the evolved soldier was, her knowledge remained bound to her species. She was limited in what she could conceive, creating confusion in her inspection.
However, the exchange of glances gave Miss Christen a deeper insight into Khan's character. She saw his unreasonable urges and the lack of moral limitations they created. Khan didn't only refuse to play by the rules. He had no rules to begin with.
The representatives noticed the exchange and looked at Miss Christen for answers, and she finally broke her peaceful face. Her displeasure affected her lips, morphing them into a disgusted expression. She still didn't understand what Khan was but knew she didn't like him one bit.
"Our conflicting elements enhance certain impressions," Miss Christen explained. "However, I believe there is some truth behind Prince Khan's claims."
The explanation inevitably led to dejection. The representatives were hoping Khan wouldn't be suicidal, but it seemed he wasn't someone they could reason with. He was an outside party playing the same game without respecting the established rules.
"What would you want for formal introductions into the Thilku Empire, Prince Khan?" The third representative asked, catching the others by surprise. They were all on the verge of giving up, but he had preceded them.
"I'll never sell access to the Empire," Khan revealed, accepting the new drink offered by Princess Rebecca. "Still, I might intercede for you if you have specific requests. Of course, as long as you pay the right price."
The offer was far from ideal but also understandable. Khan's relationship with the Empire was effectively a monopoly, and sharing it would diminish its value. He could control all the benefits and repercussions if he remained a mandatory stop for the other factions.
"Oh, I should add," Khan continued. "The second I suspect you are using these favors to run circles around me, I'll send the Thilku after you."
"You have no control over the Thilku Empire, Prince Khan," The first representative said.
"I'd only need the truth," Khan explained, killing any possible response. Everyone in the hall knew what the Thilku would do after learning about treachery.
"Why?" The first representative insisted. "With your unique connection, the family would easily manipulate the Empire, earning immense benefits. That's a gold mine ready to be excavated."
Khan could point out the crucial flaw in that reasoning. After all, his unique connection existed due to his lack of attempted manipulation. Still, he limited himself to a more direct answer. "I trust the Thilku and don't trust you. This meeting didn't change my mind."
The representatives could only watch as Khan silently enjoyed his drink. They had no rebukes for his stance, and appealing to his loyalty toward humankind wouldn't work. He didn't have any to offer.
"What about your other alien connections, Prince Khan?" The third representative asked. "We know you have added Ef'i and Fuveall to your ranks."
"They are guests," Khan stated. "Their political relevance is minimal, for now."
"The Ef'i sent an Embassy to Baoway, Prince Khan," The fourth representative pointed out.
"They did," Khan confirmed.
"How can we believe their political relevance is minimal with such a building in one of your core quadrants?" The fourth representative continued.
The fourth representative wanted to show her knowledge of Khan's businesses, but the matter barely surprised him. He knew the tournament had welcomed countless spies, and preventing information leaks would have been impossible even without it.
"You can believe whatever you want," Khan uttered. "It doesn't affect me."
"Can we at least expect you to share any Fuveall discovery with the family?" The third representative wondered.
"Do you have soldiers in need of their implants?" Khan asked.
"That's not what I asked, Prince Khan," The third representative responded.
"It is what I asked," Khan nodded. "Don't expect to monopolize that technology. It's mine to give to whoever I want, and the Global Army is already involved."
The leaks were already mainstream in that lofty environment, so everyone knew that a General had willingly joined Khan's medical trials. His array of powerful allies expanded by the day, and each connection grew stronger alongside that trend.
"Prince Khan," The first representative called. "It's clear your political education is praiseworthy. You are also aware of your temporary superior position. However, I can also see you don't want to sever ties with the family."
"Your point?" Khan wondered.
"If I had to guess," The first representative continued, "I'd say you aim to seize power over the entire family, maybe even try to become its Patriarch. That isn't possible by keeping us away."
The first representative had a point. Favors were a valuable currency in those environments, and becoming one of their key figures could help amass influence. That was how those fields worked. Rather than with a forceful and immediate rise to power, leaders ascended through silent and critical deals that made their existence necessary.
Prince Thomas had already explained that point to Khan and had drawn a few potential strategies. Khan had all the cards to play that game right, but he was no hidden, shadowy puppeteer. His position was in the frontlines, shining purple-red energy on his subjects.
"Time is up," Khan sighed, emptying his drink and standing up. "I've entertained you out of courtesy, but this has gone on for too long."
Khan ran his eyes over the audience before pointing at the second, third, and fifth representatives. "I will accept your private invitations to a meeting. Though they'll have to wait for after my fiancée's birthday."
"Your attempts to sow discord remain futile," The second representative declared, uncaring of the glances flying in her direction.
"As are your attempts to appeal to a sense of family unity," Khan responded. "You tried to let me rot in the Slums, kill me on Baoway, and I bet no one talked about balance when my faction fell out of favor. Your opportunism is evident, so I'll appeal to it."
Khan let a silent second pass before continuing. "Those who join me will see what the future has in store. Those who oppose me will struggle to remain relevant in my shadow. Tell this to your Excellencies."
Khan didn't wait for a reply. He headed toward his corridor with his Aunt and Uncle, which opened to lead them back to their ship. The set-off happened almost immediately, ending the meeting.
The representatives didn't stand up even after the set-off. The meeting had been inconclusive, but their only leverage existed in the shape of their united front, which had to be reinforced.
"He has to disappear," The sixth representative, a brown-haired middle-aged man, announced, breaking the silence. "Too many powerful parties favor him, and the other noble families are inclined to cooperate with him."
"Patience," The first representative advised. "It takes a long time to authorize an attack with evolved soldiers, and that can't happen while his tournament runs."
"Are we supposed to stay by and watch as his influence surpasses ours?" The sixth representative asked. "We must strike now and strike hard."
"We can't," The second representative commented. "Our Excellencies are divided on this topic. The order has to be unanimous, and we lack that unity."
"The kid doesn't play by the rules," The sixth representative said. "Why should we?"
"Because not all of us want him gone," The third representative explained. "He is young and arrogant, but his achievements speak true. He has built the best connection to the Thilku Empire in humankind's history, and many other species might be in our grasp if this trend continues."
"So, he spoke the truth," The sixth representative exclaimed. "You want to join him."
"My faction will do whatever Her Excellency desires," The third representative declared, "Which isn't something your faction needs to be privy to."
"This is pathetic," The second representative sighed. "Allowing such a young leader to sow division shows your inexperience. Don't forget we are still six factions against one."
"Are we?" The fourth representative asked. "We all know our old grudges. A change in leadership might be what we need to settle them."
"To what end?" The first representative questioned. "To become what? Prince Khan is barely human. Prince Khan has no interest in the Nognes name. His rule might have power but lacks identity."
"Identity takes years to build," The third representative said. "Just because he has none doesn't mean we can't appreciate his potential."
"He has an identity," The first representative corrected. "Isn't that right, Miss Christen?"
The representatives' gazes converged on the evolved warrior, who looked at the closed door Khan had crossed. Her inspection had continued throughout the meeting, and her displeasure had vanished only after his departure.
"My Princes and Princesses," Miss Christen announced. "Picture the greatest storm you have ever witnessed. Add the angriest feeling you have ever experienced. That union is the closest you will get to understanding Prince Khan."
"Is he mindless?" The first representative asked.
"On the contrary," The white woman said. "When I looked at him, he looked back at me. His eyes might be better than mine."
"How is that possible?" The second representative wondered. "You are an evolved warrior, and he can't have reached the fifth level already."
"I'm afraid I don't know the answer," Miss Christen admitted. "His existence is something I can't explain."