Chaos Heir

Chapter 1028: Burnt umber

The statement took everyone by surprise. Even Princess Rebecca and Prince Thomas weren't aware of Khan's decision, and how could they? Khan had just reached that conclusion, finding it necessary.

Delegating every political matter to someone else would grant Khan the freedom to pursue his real goal and live properly. It would also remove all the problems connected to Khan's unique status without losing any real benefit.

Khan would still exist. He would still be a part and the sole leader of his organization. He simply wouldn't be at the forefront anymore, acting as a boogieman in the darkness, ready to step into the light whenever major problems appeared.

The allegiances obtained through Khan's name would also remain solid. As long as Khan was alive, they would exist. The new crown on his head only made it easier to enforce his authority. The Thilku and Scalqa would do his bidding without hesitation, and the allied families within his sphere would be safe as long as humankind kept fearing the massive Empire.

As for why Prince Thomas, Khan couldn't find a better candidate. His Uncle had already proven himself to be a master of politics, and his loyalty wasn't in question. Also, Khan just needed to announce it, and everyone would see Prince Thomas' actions as an extension of Khan's will.

Monica and Alexander were good candidates, too, but the latter belonged to the old guard and had been the cause behind the faction's decline. Khan also had lingering grudges with his Grandfather, and part of him felt the old man didn't want to resume his leadership position. Meanwhile, Monica didn't carry Nognes' blood. The other Excellencies would never accept her, and her desires were with the Solodrey family. Khan had promised to turn her into a Matriarch and planned to remain true to his word.

Moreover, Khan hoped Monica would leave with him. Her experience with the Thilku was valuable, but Khan's new crown could compensate for her absence. The two didn't need to stay to protect what they had built.

Princess Rebecca and Prince Thomas showed their political experience, hiding any trace of surprise. The latter even wore a sterner and prouder face, appearing honored and ready to take up the mantle of faction leader. That public space had no room for internal conflicts, and Khan's relatives behaved perfectly without requiring previous warnings.

The Excellencies inevitably fell silent. Khan had given them exactly what they requested after a brief threat, but they couldn't act too happy about it. They weren't happy in the first place.

First, Prince Thomas would be nothing more than a puppet, a placeholder for Baoway's real King. Even if Khan abandoned the public scene, his threat would still exist.

Also, Prince Thomas was no easy political adversary. The man was shrewd, well-connected, and experienced. His calculating business mind had few equals inside the Global Army, so the Excellencies wouldn't be able to exploit the sudden and partially false change in leadership to their benefit.

Actually, despite Khan's overbearing behavior, the Excellencies preferred to deal with him. He made mistakes, at least, and his rash actions could provide valuable leverage, leverage Prince Thomas wouldn't allow to appear in the first place.

Of course, the decision wasn't in the Excellencies' hands, and the change in leadership had benefits. Khan was too strong, crazy, and respected, while Prince Thomas was a relatively average character. His grasp on the other families couldn't be as tight. The Excellencies might finally earn some favor from them once Khan was gone.

Nothing beat removing Khan from the picture altogether, but that probably wasn't doable. The idea still existed in the Excellencies' minds, but the situation wasn't ripe now.

"That's reassuring," Cassius eventually said. "Prince Thomas' worth is well known to us. Negotiating with him will be a pleasure."

The other Excellencies echoed Cassius' words, throwing polite praises at Prince Thomas. None of them was honest, but that was the norm in politics.

"I must admit, Your Excellency, My Lord," Francesca added once the round of praises was over. "My faction was worried you would have waged war against us to expand your authority."

"I have no interest in leading people who don't want me," Khan declared. "I have no interest in conquest. You can keep your authority if you don't use it against me."

"So," Francesca commented. "That option is still on the table."

"Don't misunderstand me," Khan ordered. "I'm choosing to step aside. This is my decision and a favor, and I'd rather not waste time destroying you."

Khan couldn't have sounded more offensive. He didn't only express his ability to destroy the Nognes factions. He had also implied that the action would be nothing more than a waste of his precious time.

The hall's anger seemed finally ready to explode, but nothing arrived. The Excellencies remained silent as if agreeing with Khan's statement. It took a lot of self-control to eat their pride, but dealing with Khan any further was pointless. He wouldn't be a part of the political scene any longer anyway.

Khan stood up at that silence. In his mind, he had already wasted too long in that pointless meeting. Prince Thomas could handle everything else, but Khan still felt like adding another

warning.

"Don't make me rejoin this world," Khan exclaimed, his words almost sounding like a plead. "It won't survive me."

Khan left his seat, glancing at his Uncle, who understood the silent order. Prince Thomas stepped aside before occupying his place at the table, ready to resume the meeting and discuss new details. He would have preferred to prepare for the occasion, but his leader had promoted him, and he wouldn't shy away from that superior status.

Khan expected Princess Rebecca to remain in the hall, but she left with him, silently accompanying him outside. Khan was ready for a light scolding once the metal door closed behind him, but his Aunt seized his elbow, forcing him to accompany her somewhere. "Treat your Aunt with a drink," Princess Rebecca requested, her voice full of motherly affection. "By the way, silver, blue, red, and burnt umber really don't go well together. You could have asked the Emperor for different pairings."

Khan chuckled while letting Princess Rebecca drag him to the corridor, his mind diving into old training sessions with Monica to figure out whether burnt umber was a color.