Chapter 833 Bruises

Chapter 833 Bruises

The distress signal soon attracted allied ships, which replied to the message and waited at the Global Army's domain's border for Khan's ride to arrive.

The four ships immediately encircled Khan's ride, acting as a defensive escort. Questions reached Khan, many probing about his business in the Empire's domain, but he only had orders for his allies.

"Get me Thomas Nognes," Khan ordered to his escort. "I also want Rebecca Nognes and all the Princes and Princesses."

The sudden summon inevitably alerted the escort about the seriousness of the situation. However, Khan wielded the authority to call on a similar meeting, and the only figure who could oppose him wasn't invited. His Grandfather could interfere, so Khan kept him out on purpose.

Khan's decision had another goal. He didn't think Alexander would interfere with the family meeting, but the faction was in his hands now. He needed to preside over the encounter as the de facto leader.

Thomas could ignore the summon, but Khan left things in Rebecca's hands and spread the news to his closest allies. He informed Monica, Lieutenant Dyester, and Gordon before going radio silent. His Aunt would handle the rest, and updates soon arrived.

The ship and escort adjusted their course as information reached their communication devices. Meanwhile, news spread throughout the network, telling stories about Khan's recent deeds. Lord Exr personally came out to share the report, which Mister Cirvags then handed to the relevant authorities.

The story could have two versions. Khan could look as a reckless and arrogant invader, so deeply self-absorbed in his fame that interspecies treaties and murder no longer had any meaning for him.

In the second version, Khan could appear as a hero, selflessly flying into enemy territory to handle a threat before it could escape.

Of course, Lord Exr shared a watered-down story of the second version. He blamed the humans for pushing Khan into the Empire's domain, and the murder became self-defense. Lord Exr also shared Izraz's level, praising Khan for handling such a big crisis alone.

That version had more details, which Mister Cirvags kept from the public to handle inside private contexts. Lord Exr had actually admonished the Global Army for reaching into the Empire to plot against Khan. He condemned the act, openly hinting that Khan was under the Thilku's protection.

Without knowing the secret planet's nature, the Global Army couldn't help but launch an investigation. They apologized to Khan and the Empire and publicly promised to improve the security around Khan, although he knew nothing would really happen.

Many parties tried to contact Khan as the news spread, but he ignored every call and waited for the only notification he cared about. That mounting pressure on the human side was bound to force Thomas out of hiding, and Rebecca eventually confirmed that point.

'Space station, multiple soldiers, and I'm vouching for lack of violence,' Khan read on his phone. 'I'm sending the coordinates.'

Khan conveyed the new destination to the pilot, and another long flight began. The ship took an entire day to reach Rebecca's coordinates, but a big space station eventually appeared on the scanners.

That structure differed from the other secret locations Khan had visited during previous meetings. The space station in the scanners was open to the public and known to the network. Its lower floors had malls, shops, and all kinds of businesses. Still, the Nognes family owned it, limiting its upper areas to nobles or wealthy guests.

"Your reputation was far from reassuring," Prince Thomas announced. "Chances were you would have tried to kill me at the first disagreement."

"You are mistaken," Khan stated. "I would have killed you before that."

Khan's choice of words expressed the entirety of his intentions. He didn't only state that he wouldn't have given his Uncle the chance to explain himself. Khan also said that his assassination attempt wouldn't have been an attempt at all.

"So," Prince Thomas commented, "My decision was correct."

"You are here now," Khan uttered, his eyes flashing for a fraction of a second.

The odd event put some pressure on the trio. Prince Richard had also witnessed Khan's might first-hand, so his mana released pure fear. He did his best to hide it, but sweat already accumulated on his forehead.

"Behave," Prince Thomas scolded, glaring at Prince Richard.

Prince Richard promptly nodded, wiping off the sweat with his sleeve. The action didn't do much since his forehead grew drenched again in no time, but Prince Thomas didn't scold him again.

"Are you about to kill me?" Prince Thomas questioned after looking back at Khan.

"I promised your sister I'll try to avoid it," Khan revealed. "Give me a reason to stay true to the promise."

Prince Thomas glanced at Rebecca, who smiled back at him. The gesture seemed to annoy him, but his mana had room for some warmth.

"My Son," Prince Thomas announced, "Prince Desmond helped plan your assassination attempt on Baoway. He was also behind the development of the inhibitors for your senses."

Khan didn't expect that revelation, and Prince Desmond inevitably claimed his attention. The Prince's face remained stern, but he added words to justify his behavior.

"My Father speaks the truth," Prince Desmond explained. "I found you unworthy of nobility and Grandfather's legacy. My Father is a far better heir."

"Then," Khan said. "You are the one I need to kill."

"Indeed," Prince Desmond confirmed. "However, I didn't act on my own, and I hope this gift can placate your anger."

Prince Desmond looked past his shoulder, lifting his arms to clap his hands. A few soldiers moved, retrieving something from the previous room. Soon, the troops dragged a beaten figure into the hall, and Khan struggled to recognize Ambassador Abores from under all his bruises.