touchnovel Chapter 1023: Critical point
Chapter 1023: Critical point
Chapter 1023: Critical point
In many ways, the scene was exactly what Monica had hoped for Khan, but everything about it was wrong.
Khan had obtained his rightful place among the leadership echelon, seizing authority and political power over the universe. His efforts and struggles finally paid off, but Monica still felt conflicted.
That promotion had also come naturally. Monica knew the Empire well enough to be sure of that. It wasn't authority stolen or forcefully seized due to various circumstances. It wasn't a reaction to Khan's monopoly over new, unique resources and special political status. It was a proper, genuine, and organic award, something Khan should have earned long ago.
However, it came from the wrong side.
The Empire didn't only beat the Global Army to it. The latter didn't even try to secure Khan's loyalty due to reasons most specialists understood.@@@@
The Empire was strange but rather straightforward. The Thilku looked dumb and hypocritical but were also honest. They didn't care about differences in species. They had no interest in intricate political schemes. The Empire only wanted strength and accomplishments, and Khan had plenty of both.
Meanwhile, the Global Army had countless factions with conflicting interests, hundreds of powerful parties locked in internal battles for authority, and profound financial goals, often reducing every relationship to monetary deals.
That also extended to the Global Army's core leaders. Its higher-ups were divided, pursuing different goals and driven by various beliefs. Even its Generals fell into that category, creating an environment where Khan couldn't rise freely.
Monica's heart tightened, but she still mustered a weak smile. Khan was back home safely, which was no small thing after everything that had happened. Also, the promotion was a good result. Monica had her gripes about it, but everything could be worked out given enough time. Actually, everything was probably going to work out. Becoming a Lord of the Empire didn't change Khan's blood. He might have formally left the Global Army, but his family still was part of humankind's framework, and it had now produced a Thilku Lord. The Global Army couldn't take that unprecedented achievement lightly.
Most of the audience reached similar confusion but didn't share Monica's happiness. Things had suddenly become complicated. All the preparations and confidence from before Khan's return had disappeared. Khan had gained his best backer yet, removing any possible leverage from those who sought to rip him off.
The makeshift landing area in the encampment inevitably fell silent. Negotiating with a Thilku Lord was no simple procedure and often required the presence of specialists. However, that same Thilku Lord was also a human with preexisting and broken deals, theoretically creating meeting opportunities.
That internal conflict inevitably forced the weaker parties to stand back and wait. The Global Army had suffered the most from Khan's departure from humankind, but Brigadier General Seycomb and Mister Cirvags had to let the nobles go first. Only they had enough authority and countermeasures to test Khan's new stance.
And the nobles planned to do precisely that. Except, Khan had other plans. He finally moved, ignoring the bowing Thilku to approach the human side of the audience. Everyone expected him to address the most important parties first, but he went straight for Brigadier General Seycomb.
Khan didn't do anything special. He simply walked, but his presence was breathtaking. Each of his steps seemed to carry the power and will to destroy the world, inevitably affecting the soldiers' nerves.
Brigadier General Seycomb didn't dare to bring newbies to Baoway due to the complicated political situation. Still, even experienced soldiers could make mistakes, especially when they couldn't fully understand the issue.
The General had a large group of soldiers at his sides and behind him, and four of them stepped before him, planning to protect him. That was a simple security measure against someone with unclear purposes, but Khan saw something else entirely.
"You dare block my path in my own home?" Khan asked, knowing that the critical point had already arrived.