The toast seed to spread a silent order throughout the Thilku guests, who resud partying harder than ever before, going out of their way to socialize with mbers of other species.
That obviously was due to the Emperor’s speech. Most Thilku would have never gotten the chance to be in his presence, let alone hear his words.
Yet, the Thilku were now attending the sa party as that mighty leader, and the underlying aning behind his ssage had been clear. They indeed had to defy death incarnate, but they also had to do so together with the other military powerhouses in the universe.
Therefore, the Thilku had to socialize. The Emperor had implied so and was leading by example, so his troops didn’t dare to hesitate anymore. The way they saw it, the Empire’s very pride was at stake there.
With the scariest guests of the bunch working overti to make the best out of that gathering, the party inevitably beca more festive, and the incredible booze kept supporting that progression.
Cheers, happy cries, shouts, and general, funny chaos took control of the vast gathering, making each species default into their iconic activities, even extending them to guests that didn’t look anything like them.
In contrast, the central spot in the desert with evolved representatives was tar but no less festive. It was also the perfect place to observe the gathering and be subrged by the surrounding celebratory mood, acting as front-row seats to that miraculous spectacle.
The spectacle felt especially miraculous for Khan, who often lost track of his surroundings and the loud nonsense that reached his ears, to dwell in appreciation of the scene.
Of course, there wasn’t only nonsense. That was impossible with the Kros at the negotiating table. Yet, the critical matters had been taken care of, leaving only minor ones to iron out.
"Say, Emperor," Khan casually called at so point, throwing his head back, letting it rest on Liiza’s shoulder, who was hugging him from behind.
The Emperor had never stopped grinning since his speech, and the sa went for drinking. Lord Envoy actually had to work overti to satiate his leader’s thirst, and the negotiating table greatly appreciated his efforts, especially the seemingly tipsy human representative.
"Don’t ruin the mood, my disciple," Dean Ulluw jokingly scolded while understanding Khan’s intentions. "This is the part when we drink until we forget where we are."
"[Ah]!" Lord Blind Sword cried, lifting his drink in Dean’s direction, clearly agreeing with the man.
Khan glanced amusingly at the interaction, unable to stop smirking at the rare sight of a drunk evolved warrior, but his blue light soon rose again to the Emperor.
"How strict is the rule on your Royal Guards?" Khan wondered. "Do they truly need to be with you all the ti?"
"The Royal Guards protect the Emperor," Lord Enforcer declared. "Their place is with the Emperor."
Surprisingly, no one corrected Lord Enforcer for responding to a question directed to the Emperor. Even the latter ignored his reply, looking aningfully at Khan.
"What’s your request, Lord Blue Shaman?" The Emperor asked.
"One of my evolved assets," Khan explained, "Craig Arngan, one of the two who faced the True Chaos’ King. He needs a sparring partner to get stronger, so I wondered if you could loan Lord Mighty."
"This is unacceptable, Blue!" Lord Blind Sword cursed, only for the reason behind it to have nothing to do with duty. "Idiot Muscles already sparred with you. It’s my turn to fight."
"I’m the most sought-after sparring partner among the Royal Guards!" Lord Mighty claid, laughing loudly while crossing his arms in pride, but still throwing a glance at Lord Enforcer.
Nevertheless, Lord Enforcer purposefully ignored his companion’s look, pretending to focus on drinking, despite plenty of booze falling from his big mouth.
"Blind Sword, are you even suitable as a sparring partner?" Khan questioned. "I’m pretty sure Arngan can heal from being broken. I’m not sure about being cut."
Khan obviously wanted Major General Arngan to be in fighting shape after the sparring session, but that problem never seed to cross Lord Blind Sword’s mind.
"[Ah]!" Lord Blind Sword cried. "Blue is saying that I’m more dangerous than you."
"Lord Blind Sword is correct," Lord Enforcer confird.
"I’ll still be the one to fight," Lord Mighty grinned, before recalling sothing important. "If the Emperor agrees to Blue’s request."
Silence fell at the negotiating table, or sand, at that point, with every evolved representative looking at the Emperor, who opted for a calm question. "Is this Arngan worthy?"
"He might be," Khan admitted. "An injury stunted his growth, but he has a peculiar elent with great potential, as well as the right will to pursue strength."
"What elent?" The Emperor asked, his apparent curiosity on the topic slightly surprising Khan.
"Bloodthirst? Bloodlust?" Khan pondered. "Even the Global Army couldn’t quite figure it out, but it can resonate with enemies and work as an additional energy source to fuel powerful transformations."
"Humans," Liiza sighed, caressing Khan’s hair with one hand while holding her drink with the other. "His elent embodies a primal urge for violence, which he can harness like you did with your entropy. It’s a spiritual but profoundly basic elent."
Khan couldn’t help but glance to his right, watching as Liiza calmly brought her cup to her lips, experiencing so of the primal urges she had talked about while also appreciating how she had been able to understand so much in such a short interaction.
"You are so smart," Khan comnted, kissing Liiza’s cheek, almost making her spill her drink, earning him a glare that her evident blush betrayed.
"In that case," The Emperor said, reclaiming Khan’s attention, "Lord Blind Sword is a better match as a sparring partner."
"Yes!" Lord Blind Sword shouted. "Thank you, my Emperor."
Lord Mighty opened his mouth, only to fill it with booze when his three fellow Royal Guards snapped glares at him. Even with the eyepatch, Lord Blind Sword clearly warned his companion not to speak against the Emperor’s decision.
"But!" The Emperor promptly cried, worrying everyone at the table but Khan. He wouldn’t let that loud, huge guy trick him again.
"I must watch the spar!" The Emperor added, confirming that he was as much of a battle fanatic as the rest of his species. If anything, Khan guessed he had to be the most heated of them due to his position.
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