The terrace had Princes and other important figures who deserved their fair share of attention simply for attending Monica's birthday, and Khan didn't disappoint. He indulged them, avoiding the serious talks to focus on superficial topics and chats.

Those with political experience knew that public situations often prevented establishing negotiations and new deals, so the guests mostly focused on deepening their relationship with Khan. The tournament had done wonders for their connection, and the party only helped. Nevertheless, everyone soon noticed that Khan was intentionally avoiding his closest allies. Moreover, the wealthy descendants involved in many of Baoway's businesses played along, seemingly waiting for something. The group had obvious plans to discuss important topics once privacy arrived, and the other guests didn't get in their way.

Thanks to the guests' political awareness, the party ended earlier than anyone had anticipated and without anyone making a fuss about it. The nobles and non-involved figures politely departed once the hour got too late, voicing vague excuses to provide the awaited privacy. Eventually, the vast terrace became relatively peaceful. Only Khan, George, Luke, Bruce, Lucian, Mark, and John remained at the party, gathering around one of the many interactive tables. The waiters had also left, creating the perfect atmosphere for a meeting.

Of course, the meeting lacked a few important names. Princess Edna had kidnapped Lucy, Anita, and Martha, but Mark, George, and Luke could speak for them. The terrace basically featured all of Baoway's business leaders, and the many serious faces hinted at troubles on the horizon.

"Did my family contact your parents?

" Khan questioned, breaking the silence while peeking past the terrace's rails. His city filled his vision, but the disgusting aftertaste of his drink prevented him from appreciating it.

"Not mine,

" Luke revealed,

"But I know they put pressure on other factions inside my family.

"

"Same here,

" Bruce added.

"My faction is with Luke and you, but our families are big.

"

"They did contact my father,

" Lucian exclaimed.

"He's with you for now, but I know things might change.

"

"My parents were contacted,

" Mark confirmed.

"John's, too. I'm afraid their offers were quite appealing.

"

"Well,

" John uttered, shrugging his shoulders and leaning deeper on his chair.

"My parents are happy as long as I do something with my life, so nothing major. I think George had it worse than us all.

"

"They put pressure on my entire family,

" George scoffed.

"Sorry for not being as rich as you all.

"

"What about Anita?

" Lucian wondered.

"Her mother is telling her to keep her options open,

" George explained,

"But I'm the best thing that happened to her daughter. Me being friends with Khan, that is, so she won't change her mind for the time being.

"

"Always so modest,

" John commented.

"There was a whole network about you in the Harbor. You have been the envy of many descendants.

"

"I'm a changed man,

" George claimed,

"And don't mention that in front of Anita.

"

"She is too terrifying for that,

" John reassured.

"Still, your brothers-in-arms need your expertise. You wouldn't mind sharing some tricks and strategies, right?

"

George hesitated for a second before squinting his eyes.

"Not a word with Anita.

"

"Not one,

" John promised, lifting his glass in celebration.

"Lucy's parents trust me,

" Mark continued, ignoring the two men's conversation,

"But they trust my parents more. It might get bad.

"

"Infighting?

" Khan wondered.

"Not like your type of infighting,

" Mark explained.

"It would be a financial battle for control. Credits run the world, Prince Khan, and hindering their flow can deal more damage than your spells.

"

"If that were the case,

" Luke announced,

"They'd let us do as we want. Our establishments on Baoway have been extremely lucrative. They wouldn't stop such a massive flow of money.

"

"The connection with the Thilku Empire plays another big part,

" Bruce added.

"Everyone envies Khan's monopoly, in turn envying us. This pressure probably aims to spot cracks in our alliance.

"

"There are cracks,

" Lucian pointed out.

"Maybe not among us, but our families are big, and none is united.

"

"Can you handle your other factions?

" Khan questioned.

"I'll be honest,

" Lucian sighed.

"I knew this moment would have come. I bet all of us knew.

"

"Of course,

" Luke commented.

"All of us have studied and prepared for the occurrence.

"

"Mark?

" John called.

"Yes,

" Mark confirmed.

"It was predictable. Although I didn't expect Prince Khan's family to get involved.

"

"Can you handle it?

" Khan asked again, his tone more serious than before.

George aside, all the descendants knew that establishing personal businesses on Baoway would have eventually created a clash with the current ruling sphere. Their parents and older relatives were the true owners of their families, and seeing the new generation gaining power was bound to trigger a reaction.

"I've made moves against my father for years,

" Lucian revealed.

"What we built here finally attracted his attention. There is no better way of knowing I'm doing something right.

"

"That's cold, Lucian,

" John commented.

"Many aren't as fortunate as you or George,

" Lucian stated.

"For some of us, our parents are hindrances who will stop at nothing to remain in power.

"

"Do I need to meet with Lionel?

" Khan wondered.

"As fearsome as you are,

" Lucian announced,

"I'm afraid my father is skilled enough to keep

a friendly face even before you.

"

"That's to be seen,

" Khan muttered.

"Maybe,

" Lucian agreed.

"However, that isn't something you should handle. It's my family,

so I will handle it.

"

Mark, Luke, and the others were in different family situations, but they all nodded in agreement. They couldn't ask Khan to interfere with their internal matters. Their relevance

would lose momentum and value otherwise.

"What should I handle, then?

" Khan asked.

Truth be told, Khan was both guilty and innocent about that development. Dealing with his family was his job, but the same could be said about the descendants. He had chosen a controversial path, but his allies had agreed to follow him after the slaughters. They knew what to expect from him.

Nevertheless, Khan didn't want to become a leader who ignored his allies' concerns and problems. He preferred to help now rather than sow discord and dissatisfaction. Those issues could lead to betrayal, and Khan would appreciate it if the world didn't force him into another

slaughter.

"Normally,

" Luke announced,

"We'd try to rip you off. Providing better deals would

incentivize our loyalty.

"

Khan looked at Luke before focusing on the scenery below. He knew Luke had chosen his words carefully, and their purpose was evident to all the descendants. Mentioning that option would prevent anyone from pursuing it.

"You don't really have to do anything,

" Bruce added.

"Things aren't too serious, and we are still reaping benefits. We only have to solidify them until we become untouchable.

"

"Opening more trades with the Thilku Empire might help,

" Mark suggested.

"Maybe their diversity can't increase, but their intensity might. More potential Credits would require more assets, requiring a deeper involvement from our families.

"

"No one here thinks they can replace the Solodrey family,

" Lucian specified.

"Monica is your Fiancée, so her family gets a privileged position. It's a given. However, uplifting us more

would help.

"

Neuria's trades already belonged to the Solodrey family, and Khan wouldn't take that away from it. He wouldn't even try to split that business to award his other allies more political

channels.

Yet, the training grounds were bound to bring more Thilku to the planet, and their expected faster growth rate would increase the demand for specific resources. Khan could give the descendants a share of that market to deepen their involvement with the Empire.

The idea was feasible, but Khan knew its earning potential wasn't great. The Thilku's privileges on Baoway made their expenses negligible, and adding taxes to benefit the descendants would hurt Khan's relationship with the Empire.

"I'll think about it,

" Khan eventually stated.

"For now, hold strong.

"

"Don't worry, Prince,

" Lucian reassured.

"We are far from the critical point.

"

The meeting explored other details about the new issue, but Khan barely focused on them. His mind often wandered elsewhere, going over the real reason behind the current situation. His organization and allies were young and new, so many older parties thought they could outmaneuver and bully them, and he couldn't let that continue.

The meeting ended at a high point, with everyone reaffirming their loyalty to their alliance, but Khan's mood turned cold as soon as he set off. The vast city grew small in his eyes as he flew through the dark sky to reach his loved caves.

The environment there had changed. Traces of heavy machinery had marked the barren and rocky ground, and the slight stench of synthetic mana lingered in the air. However, that smell disappeared when Khan entered one of the caves, and no surprise hit him when he found the pool area transformed.

The pool had remained untouched, but a large metal trapdoor now stood beside it. A new version of the needled chair rested beside it, and a dark green liquid filled the container on its

back.

Khan's arrival didn't go unnoticed. The trapdoor suddenly opened, and Abraham's head peeked out of it. Artificial light came from under him, but the glow of Khan's eyes remained

more intense.

"My Prince,

" Abraham called, remaining halfway through the trapdoor.

"Do you want to

begin?

"

"Yes,

" Khan confirmed.

"It's time to stop playing human.

"