Chapter 909: Child
Chapter 909: Child
Khan and Lord Rsi exchanged a meaningful stare while utter silence surrounded them. The alien was no stranger to politics, including the human ones, so Khan knew he had publicly voiced the request on purpose.
The reason behind that action was obvious, and the symphony under the gazebo confirmed the plan's success. Lord Rsi wanted to elevate Khan's status among the human parties, showing how deeply the Empire trusted him.
The nobles mainly saw the matter from a financial standpoint. More territory meant more potential businesses, which the connection with the Thilku Empire promised to make highly remunerative.
Meanwhile, Mister Cirvags had a deeper understanding of the Thilku, leading to a deep
stupor. The Empire didn't only trust Khan with a monopoly over its friendship. It was also willing to let him wave its banner while occupying planets as if he were no different from a Lord.
Nevertheless, Khan was the most surprised of them all. The offer was incredible and exactly what he needed to improve his political position. Yet, the fact that Lord Rsi was willing to announce it publicly also vouched for how much their relationship had improved.
Lord Rsi also had the perfect justification. Khan had completed the training grounds, welcoming more Thilku and Ef'i on Baoway. He was keeping many troops occupied, so the task sounded closer to assuming responsibility rather than requesting his help.
"It would be my pleasure, [My Lord]," Khan announced. "Should we discuss the specifics in private?"
"Not today," Lord Rsi responded. "Not with me. Tonight, we celebrate, and tomorrow, I must report directly to the Emperor. You'll coordinate with Lord Exr."
Khan looked past Lord Rsi, meeting Lord Exr's gaze. A human would have found the task demeaning and insulting, but Khan saw nothing similar in Lord Exr's expression and mana. The two seemed to understand each other during that silent moment, both experiencing some eagerness for the imminent meeting.
The noble representatives wanted to jump at the opportunity to establish preemptive deals, but the vague nature of Khan's task prevented them from coming up with valid offers. The Empire also didn't play in the same political field, forcing them to refrain from questioning Lord Rsi about the mission's details. They had to stay put and wait for more developments, leaving all the leverage in Khan's hands.
Khan could read the general mood without needing to look at the symphony, but Lord Rsi had spoken. The matter was tomorrow's problem. That day was about celebrations.
And celebrations were precisely what unfolded. The Nognes family had spared no expense for the tournament's end, providing spectacles, fancy refreshments, and more.
The quadrant's businesses also helped out, offering free services and entertaining announcements to advertise themselves to that wealthy audience. The main guests sometimes had to change location to attend every celebration, but the rides never felt annoying or time-consuming.
Needless to say, the celebrations stretched deep into the night, culminating in a series of polite salutes and heartfelt goodbyes. Khan's business partners didn't steal much of his time since they would travel often to the planet, but Cora, Amber, Martha, and a few others did. Khan made sure of that since they deserved it.
The goodbyes pushed the celebrations past the night and near dawn. Khan freed himself of every social obligation only when Baoway's star was about to rise, and he watched the magnificent event unfold from the city's tallest building's terrace.
The grey-blue sky gradually grew brighter as Baoway's star appeared on the distant horizon, shining light on Khan's domain. Warmth fought against the morning's chill, slowly defeating it.
Other lights soon appeared. Hundreds of flashing objects rose into the sky, heading for the planet's orbit or the various teleports around the quadrant. The horde of guests attracted by the tournament quickly departed, making one final ruckus before Baoway could retrieve its almost-forgotten peace.
That spectacle was the culmination of almost two months of battles. It was one of the longest events in the history of the Global Army, and its end only marked the beginning of the next. Khan knew the preparations for the following year's tournament had to start immediately, and his other duties left no room for breaks. That moment was the last he would have for a long time.
The Fuveall implants, the training grounds, the Scalqa, the magic items, the pool, Colonel Norrett, Mister Parket, Mister Foxnor, and more were bound to occupy every second of Khan's following days. So, he lingered on that moment, appreciating what he had achieved and that
fragile peace.
Someone eventually joined Khan's silent and lonely moment. A familiar figure stepped on the terrace and approached him, finding a comfortable place under his arm.
Khan caressed Monica's head while she leaned on him, but his eyes remained on the horizon. Soon, he might have to depart for other planets and add them to his domain. He had started as a simple miner in Ylaco's slums, but entire star systems had just ended within his reach.
"How did your goodbyes go?" Khan eventually asked, breaking the peaceful silence and announcing that he was ready to return to reality.
"They went well," Monica responded, a yawn interrupting her. "Long, but well. The girls promised to visit again soon."
"You could visit them, too," Khan suggested. "It's stressing, but I know you enjoy hanging around with them."
"Only because they help me buy clothes to show to you," Monica chuckled. "I've been running out of new stuff lately."
"We've been running out of available wardrobes," Khan pointed out. "Do I have to build an entire city of warehouses for your clothes?"
"Yes," Monica nodded. "You must."
Khan lowered his head, meeting Monica's playful gaze. She was obviously joking, but seeing her in that cozy and relaxed mood felt nice.
"Ok," Khan said. "I'll build it."
Monica only smiled. She knew Khan would actually do it if she asked, but he had other
problems to prioritize. Monica wouldn't add her whims to them.
"I must stay here," Monica shook her head. "Much requires my attention, especially when
you are about to fly away."
"I'm sorry for dumping all of this on you," Khan exclaimed.
"Don't," Monica reassured. "I know what I signed up for, and it's my role as your Fiancée.
Besides, you are terrible at managing stuff."
"And the scolding begins," Khan laughed. "I knew it was coming."
"I'm not angry about Rachel," Monica stated. "Well, I am, but that's a given. I wouldn't be
your woman if I weren't."
"No, you wouldn't," Khan confirmed.
"Also," Monica continued, "If even Princesses fall for you, it means I was right all along. You have always deserved a crown."
Khan reached for his head, lifting the bone crown before his eyes. At times, he forgot he was wearing it. That simple but heavy item had started to become part of himself.
"Just don't start thinking you can build a harem or something," Monica warned. "You can take everything you want, but your dick is only mine."
"That's my Fiancée," Khan chuckled, entranced by Monica's pout. "You know I don't work like that. I only want you."
Monica was still playing around, but the statement's last part changed her mood. Her pout disappeared as she lost herself in her Fiancé's tricky honesty.
"You are so unfair at times," Monica complained, slipping out of Khan's arm and pushing
him. "Get down."
Khan smirked but complied, sitting on the metal floor and enjoying the view. Monica
followed him down, climbing on his lap and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. He expected a kiss, but she didn't lean forward, lowering her head as complex thoughts filled her
mind.
"You will colonize those planets, won't you?" Monica asked. "Colonize them for the Thilkun/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Empire."
"Of course," Khan confirmed. "I suspect they'll leave them to me, too."
"They probably will," Monica agreed. "They don't have the numbers to occupy them anyway. They just want you to plant their banner there."
"And I was running out of space," Khan continued. "I'll fill them with businesses in no time."
"Will you call that witch's species, too?" Monica wondered.
Khan hesitated. He had held back on summoning the Nele on Baoway due to its complicated political environment. Yet, the other planets could give him the chance to address that
promise once and for all.
"Depends on the planets," Khan exclaimed. "Still, I wish they'll be suitable."
"And that would be another species under your belt," Monica commented. "The Empire might make you a Lord. I bet they'll introduce you to the Emperor soon." "Monica," Khan called, reaching for Monica's chin to lift her face. "What's up?"
Khan's ability to see Monica's mana couldn't help him there. He felt her distress, but its
source remained obscure.
"It's nothing," Monica reassured. "I would have preferred the offer came from the Global Army, but they are slow as usual."
Khan understood what Monica meant. She liked seeing Khan obtain the respect and power he
deserved. Still, she remained a human, so she wanted humankind to back him up properly.
However, Khan seemed to stray further and further away from humankind, both politically and personally. Monica obviously didn't blame him. She knew he had to push himself even further, but her worries weren't rational.
"Humankind will bend the knee," Khan promised, "Or I'll eventually force it to do so."
The statement changed Monica's mood again, but she temporarily retrained herself to make
one last request.
"The colonization will take time," Monica announced. "The Empire will probably call you
more often, too. You'll be away, and I'll spend weeks waiting for you."
"Do you want me to stay?" Khan asked.
"No," Monica shook her head. "I know you must go. I know you want to go. I won't try to stop
you, but you must do something for me."
"Anything," Khan said, almost breaking Monica's self-restraint. "Once you get back," Monica continued, "Marry me and give me a child."