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Chapter 915: Unwillingness

Roger and Moses\' faces featured some faint bruises and a few band-aids, but Professor Parver spotted far more. Deep eyebags aside, the two young men looked beyond stern, almost robotic. They moved in unison and sat behind the same interactive desk, wearing the politest stance the Professor had ever seen.

The Professor was about to investigate the two descendants\' strange mood, but an answer to his curiosity promptly arrived. The classroom\'s door opened again, and Roger and Moses straightened their backs when Khan stormed in. Their eyes also widened in terror, and gulps resounded at the same time.

Khan noticed those two pairs of eyes following his every move but ignored them. He was both glad and annoyed about the previous night\'s results. The descendants had surpassed his expectations, meaning he would have to bring them to Senerth.

Nevertheless, slight annoyance aside, Khan began his lesson, delving deeper into his alien arts\' theories, adding details where possible. His speech still sounded fantastical in his students\' ears, but his lack of scientific expertise prevented better explanations. Khan could only hope something would eventually get through those human minds.

The lesson lasted long, but its end didn\'t give Khan free time. Everything moved quickly after the recent meetings and decisions, and teleports activated that very afternoon, bringing guests that required his attention.

Khan waited alone in a dining area until soldiers escorted a familiar figure inside. He had already met the grey-haired man a few times, but that was their first real instance of a private discussion. Khan had always preferred to interact with Luke in the end, but the situation required a different approach.

"Berthold," Khan said, standing up to greet Luke\'s father. "I\'m glad you could return to Baoway with such short notice."

"Nonsense, Prince Khan," Berthold reassured, smiling as he reached Khan to shake his hand. "I\'ll take any excuse to take a political break, and your planet is my favorite."

"I\'m glad to hear that," Khan nodded, gesturing to Berthold to sit before him. "Sadly, we have more politics to discuss."

"I\'m aware," Berthold announced. "Luke briefed me. That\'s why I decided to come here as soon as possible."

"I\'m happy to see I\'m a priority," Khan exclaimed.

"Of course," Berthold commented. "We have been in friendly relationships even before your rise to nobility, Prince Khan. The Cobsend family values that."

"And I see your family as close allies," Khan added. "Luke had my back since Ylaco\'s training camp. I won\'t forget that."

"Don\'t be modest, Prince Khan," Berthold stated. "My son wouldn\'t be alive today without your heroic deeds on Istrone. You\'ll always have my gratitude for that."

"I was simply helping a friend," Khan smiled. "Anyone would have done that."

"We both know that isn\'t true, Prince Khan," Berthold chuckled. "Besides, we both know most soldiers wouldn\'t have succeeded in saving as many people as you did."

"Not as many as I wish I could have saved," Khan uttered.

"Istrone truly was a tragic event," Berthold sighed. "It\'s hard to believe the Global Army is already forgetting it. Seven years isn\'t such a long time."

"More has happened in the meantime," Khan commented, "And you know how the Global Army works. Many prefer to forget or focus on current issues."

"The Cobsend family won\'t forget," Berthold promised. "Be it your efforts on Istrone or the problems my brother caused."

Khan and Berthold exchanged a silent, meaningful look. Raymond was still a big issue in both men\'s lives, but solutions struggled to arrive. Even Prince Thomas\' involvement couldn\'t fix it, vouching for Raymond\'s skills.

"Your family\'s cooperation is more than enough," Khan eventually reassured. "Having your factions on my side is more than I could ask for."

"You are too kind, Prince Khan," Berthold declared, lowering his head in gratitude and respect.

By then, both men understood that the pleasantries were over. It was time to talk business, but neither party could introduce the topic easily. After all, they were allies, and hinting at possible ploys could create a crack in their friendly relationship.

Still, the lack of a proper way to introduce the topic only made Khan jump directly into it. "I know you have external pressure raining on you," Khan announced. "Your family is under political attack by parties as influential as mine. I\'d understand if there were problems." "You are correct, Prince Khan," Berthold sighed. "We have received multiple invitations to private meetings and financial incentives to prioritize other business endeavors." "Business endeavors that don\'t include me," Khan pointed out. "Maybe that even hinder me."

"Exactly," Berthold confirmed. "I admit the offers were appealing enough to stir some internal conflicts. However, I promise you don\'t have to worry about them." "Why is that?" Khan wondered. "I think I have more than enough reason to worry."

"I can only speak for my family, Prince Khan," Berthold announced. "Yet, I can confirm its loyalty to our relationship. My reasons might be more personal, but the other factions also acknowledge the irreplaceable benefits of our alliance."

"Do they?" Khan questioned. "It is my understanding that similar situations can make old grudges and ambition resurface. It also isn\'t unusual for a parent to want to remain above his son."

"It isn\'t," Berthold responded, his face unaffected by the veiled accusation. "This is a sad reality of our political environment. However, I know Luke is the reason behind these benefits, and I couldn\'t be happier."

"You are a good father," Khan exclaimed. "Your family might have more of those."

The current situation was highly beneficial for Berthold and Luke\'s faction, so the other parties in their family could see the nobles\' internal conflict as an opportunity to dethrone them. It wouldn\'t be unusual among wealthy families. It would actually be the norm.

"It does," Berthold confirmed. "However, my faction held great influence inside the family for a long time. Moreover, my brother\'s issues forced us to show a united front to avoid awful repercussions."

"Are you saying I should thank Raymond for your support?" Khan asked without hiding his

sarcasm.

"Prince Khan," Berthold cleared his throat. "Everyone inside my family is aware of the extent of the nobles\' reach. We have already earned the right to be punished. We don\'t want to press

our luck."

Khan kept his eyes on Berthold, looking past his skin and flesh. His mana vouched for his honesty, but deeper truths could exist. The man could be unaware of eventual ploys or other issues, making his beliefs flawed and inaccurate.

"Having a common enemy brought us closer, huh," Khan scoffed.

"It did, Prince Khan," Berthold confirmed. "It\'s more common than you might think."

"I\'m aware," Khan sighed before chuckling and shaking his head. "I still remember so many years ago. The Cobsend family has relationships with the nobles. I didn\'t even know what it meant back then, but here we are."

"Your political career is an inspiration for many," Berthold praised.

"I guess," Khan exclaimed. "And yet, I\'m the latest player to join the fray. You all had previous interactions and connections with parties as powerful as mine. It wouldn\'t be surprising if you could call upon them in these troubling times."

"The Cobsend family has enjoyed wealth and favor for many decades," Berthold stated. "However, it never came close to what it enjoys now, and that\'s thanks to you, Prince Khan." "And what is that?" Khan wondered. "A noble you can talk to without going through the usual channels? A glorified Prince you can send your son to negotiate with?"

"I didn\'t mean it like that, Prince Khan," Berthold said, clearing his throat. "Besides, it was

my understanding that you preferred to negotiate with Luke."

"I do," Khan nodded, "But I wonder whether negotiating is enough nowadays. I know my worth, so I can only imagine what my family offered you."

"I can only begin to understand your concerns, Prince Khan," Berthold stated, realizing the conversation had reached a critical point. "Still, as a leader and a father, I promise you I

wouldn\'t choose any different approach."

"Because of stability and legacy?" Khan asked.

"Indeed," Berthold responded. "Personal gratitude aside, your potential vastly outweighs

any other similar party. I very much prefer an open and solid relationship over occasional, demanding, and overbearing partnerships."

That was one of Khan\'s unique advantages. He wielded the noble status without acting like one. He was more accessible, and the tournament had only reinforced that idea. "Also," Berthold continued, "And forgive me for being so brazen about my personal interests. Your friendship with Luke will ensure his rise to power. I intend to be your ally until

my son can succeed me."

"The fights for the seat of Patriarch and Matriarch are often bloody," Khan reminded. "My Fiancée explained that in great detail."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"And having the support of a noble family is the best guarantee to prevent them," Berthold

explained.

"Well," Khan smiled. "I\'m glad our interests align. I spoke the truth when I said I\'m grateful

for your family\'s support."

"And I\'m glad it paid off in ways we couldn\'t imagine," Berthold said, also smiling. "I\'m sure

our records will see it as the turning point of the Cobsend family."

"I\'m sure it will," Khan confirmed. "Though I hope for the right reasons."

"Prince Khan?" Berthold called.

"I do value Luke," Khan declared. "I value our friendship. Hence, I want to ask for a personal

favor."

"Anything, Prince Khan," Berthold uttered.

"The Cobsend family will always be my ally," Khan stated, "But it\'s up to the Cobsend family

to decide what kind of ally it will continue to be."

"Pardon?" Berthold asked.

"Please understand that I only care for Luke and his relatives," Khan explained. "Maybe his

entire faction, even. Everything else is outside that shield, and I will remove it if necessary."

"That would maim my family, Prince Khan," Berthold said, understanding the threat. "It

would hurt our value as your allies."

"I value allies through different measurements," Khan revealed. "Still, I\'d rather keep things as they are. As for my personal favor, I\'m asking you not to force my hand." Berthold held back a gulp and remained silent. Khan\'s reckless behavior aside, he now

wielded the influence to tear the Cobsend family to shred. He only needed a word, and the

Nognes family would handle the rest.

"Please, Berthold," Khan continued. "Extend these words to the rest of your family. I want

them to be aware of this unwillingness."

****

Personal update: My father recently had surgery (nothing major, and he is good), so I\'m visiting my parents more often and such, trying to be a good son, basically.

Also, my PC started crashing for no reason, so I updated everything while writing on my

backup laptop.

In short, I apologize for the recent more inconsistent period.