Chaos' Heir
Chapter 1345: Line

Chapter 1345: Line

“Raymond fuc-,” Khan began to exclaim before the blue light shining from under him made him halt his curse. Yeza was looking at him, and it didn’t sound right to swear in her presence.

Liiza noticed the restraint and delivered a kiss on Khan’s cheek before pointing her cold eyes at the holographic screen. She didn’t know everything about Raymond, but the awful emotions seeping through the mental connection were enough to fill the gaps.

Garret hadn’t been sincere. He was no inferior to Raymond. Khan was actually to blame for the delay in meaningful results from his scientists.

Khan’s inner circle was too small, leading to too few trusted figures in specialized fields. His force was theoretically bigger than a noble family, but he had only appointed two lead scientists, which his many experimental, secret projects inevitably stretched thin.

Moreover, the imminent war was bound to multiply those projects. Sure, many species would join the fray and cooperate with Khan’s forces. Yet, any result would also have to be adjusted for the different alien physiologies.

Those species would even bring their secret projects and requests, and dealing with them was bound to overwhelm Garret and Abraham, especially in that initial phase.

Things might grow smoother once the vast allied front established and tested proper communication channels and joint teams. Still, it was unclear how long it would take for that moment to arrive.

With the Scarlet Eyes’ issue taking priority over any other project, Garret and Abraham would have to place everything else in the backseat. Theoretically, adding other lead scientists could help with that, but Khan hated the main candidate for that position.

Admittedly, Raymond was good, truly good. Despite his methods, he had achieved incredible results, and his expertise even suited the project at hand.

The Niqols might succeed in creating those temporary mutations, but they had many different species to account for. Instead, Raymond could take care of humankind, diminishing part of that burden.

Wars had a way of turning former enemies into allies, especially when against a stronger, universal foe. Individual grudges had to be put aside for the greater good, and Khan had already swallowed his anger in a similar instance once, too.

Nothing would stop Raymond from gaining access to those genes, either. Once a few products hit the market, the man was bound to start his private experiments.

However, there was more at stake now. Raymond had always been interested in Khan’s genes, and learning about the Great Old One’s benefits would intensify that curiosity.

That could still be acceptable if it only affected Khan. Except it wouldn’t anymore. There was someone else like him in the universe now, and he couldn’t allow the very possibility of putting a target on her back.

Khan was about to refuse, even if only to delay Raymond, when Liiza pulled his hair, making him lean on her chest while she resumed her braid-making.

“You can tell this Raymond the Niqols are willing to cooperate with him,” Liiza announced. “But he’ll have to accept their restrictions and conditions.”

Garret didn’t want to reject his Prince’s wife, but the topic was too troublesome to accept her word on the spot. The scientist searched for Khan’s gaze, only to find it pointed at the cold figure messing with his blue hair.

“[We are about to trust the Niqols with our daughter],” Liiza explained, switching language to have a private conversation. “[If we can trust them with Yeza, we can trust them with everything else].”

“[This man is crafty],” Khan revealed, “[Craftier than Rodney and anyone else I have ever met. There’s no telling what he will do, and he deserves every bit of punishment I can think of].”

“[If a mortal can hurt us],” Liiza declared, “[We have no hope to defeat the Scarlet Eyes].”

Liiza completed a braid and sighed, letting Khan half-turn to face her. She took his face between her hands, wearing a slight smile that tried to ease her husband’s troubled mind.

“[Leave these problems to everyone else],” Liiza suggested. “[Your scientist wouldn’t have made this offer if he didn’t think he could handle this man].”

Khan diverted his gaze. He had become better at compartmentalizing, but his selfless nature still prompted him to get involved with any minor problem. Yet, Raymond was anything but minor.

“[You are a father before you are a leader],” Liiza continued. “[Your first and last obligations are toward our daughter, who will need a safe universe in which to grow happy].”

The implications there were evident. If Raymond could help defeat the Scarlet Eyes, Khan should deploy him. His grudge couldn’t matter before the universe’s and Yeza’s safety.

“[Besides],” Liiza added as her hands grew colder. “[You aren’t alone anymore. If someone dares to harbor evil intentions toward our daughter, I’ll make them experience a fate worse than death].”

Khan didn’t know if the abstinence was playing a part. It probably didn’t, since he had always liked to mess with Liiza when she delved into those chilling moods. Still, Khan found that terrifying motherly side quite arousing, but the situation didn’t allow him to enjoy it.

Yeza exploded in a shrill cry as Khan’s aura changed. The holographic screen grew unstable, flickering a few times as he turned toward it, rocking his daughter in apology. Garret needed an answer, and Khan had to make himself as clear as possible.

“Raymond Cobsend can cooperate with the Niqols,” Khan announced, “On the condition that he accepts whatever limit and restriction they find proper.”

Garret was about to voice his usual words of agreement, but the video call flickered again, telling him how Khan wasn’t done yet.

Realistically, people like Raymond had no weaknesses. They only cared about their goals and were willing to pay any price to achieve them.

However, Khan now had the power to eradicate Raymond’s hopes, and he wanted him to know.

“Also,” Khan added. “Tell Raymond that humankind will pay the ultimate price for his slightest misdeed. He steps with a single toe over the line, and I’ll wipe out the species he wishes to evolve so badly.”

“I will relay the message, My Prince,” Garret declared. “This is all.”

“I’ll spend some moments with my family now,” Khan stated. “Good luck while we are away.”

Garret ended the call, and Khan calmed down, but Yeza didn’t stop crying. Liiza jumped at his side, wanting to help with their daughter, but sadness inevitably fell into the room, making that attempt hopeless.

Khan and Liiza couldn’t reassure their daughter when they knew that it was time to say goodbye.