Chaos Heir

Chapter 1452: Papa

Liiza’s methods were nothing but thorough. People’s dreams were a reflection of their psyche, often featuring deep-seated desires and harboring thoughts unfit for the public ear.

That was normal, at least in most cases, but Raymond’s punishment extended to that state. As far as Liiza was concerned, he didn’t deserve to be free even in his dreams. Besides, it sounded like an appropriate response toward someone harboring ill thoughts toward her husband.

Because of that, Raymond didn’t stay fainted for long. His subconscious tried to give birth to something that defied the rune’s restrictions, sending a wave of pain that snapped him awake.

Raymond reopened his eyes in confusion before his surroundings rekindled memories of the recent development. He also realized he hadn’t been out for long since Khan and Liiza had only just sat on the sand and were still in the process of getting drinks for themselves.

That sight tried to trigger Raymond’s anger again, only for a wave of pain to disperse it. He squirmed on the sand for a few seconds, steeling his mind away from the restrictions he had somewhat understood, before managing to quiet down the rune.

“It was either this or giving you to the Nele,” Khan said, not looking at Raymond but clearly addressing him. “And their version of reeducation is scary even by my standards.”

“[The Nele were never an option],” Liiza scoffed, accepting a cup and retaining her smile for Yeza while she lay her head on Khan’s shoulder.

“Forget anything I said,” Khan corrected himself. “You are stuck with this. You can only choose between continuing to work or rotting away in pain now.”

Despite the casual tone, Khan knew exactly what Liiza had taken away from Raymond. The flame of his curiosity was now contained, limited by tight boundaries, only allowed to expand in a specific direction.

That could be the end for most people, especially for someone like Raymond. Crippling pain had now tainted his passion, which could easily wilt away and disappear forever, ruining one of humankind’s greatest geniuses.

That wouldn’t only be a waste of talent. It could also be dangerous in the face of the universal war, but it was too late to do anything about it. Khan also had no regrets and definitely wouldn’t go against his wife to protect Raymond.

As for Raymond, another, milder wave of pain ran through him, keeping him on the sand a bit longer, before he managed to straighten his back. He sat down, glancing at the uncaring married couple before looking at the ground, his eyes wide in desperation and shock.

Raymond couldn’t possibly adjust to his new condition in a few minutes, let alone decide how to live the rest of his life with it. He was stuck, starting to fear the very thoughts he might have while he pondered the matter.

Yet, Khan couldn’t possibly care about Raymond’s state. He only knew his break was expiring, and he was in the way.

“Get to what’s left of Aynor,” Khan ordered, voicing a dramatic gasp at the baby in his embrace when she stretched her small arms toward Liiza’s face. “Reunite with our forces. What happens afterward is up to you.”

Raymond looked at the married couple again, only for them to continue ignoring him. Even after all that, he wasn’t worthy of a single additional glance. He was a mortal with a sealed fate. As far as those entities were concerned, his story had ended.

Still, the dark-red rune soon flared again. Disobeying or even hesitating to comply with Khan’s orders was another trigger for the pain, so Raymond hurried to his feet, planning to leave the area.

Nevertheless, the pain returned when Raymond was about to leave. Blue light even shone on him. He had finally earned Khan’s gaze, but his suffocating glow carried a demand.

Raymond gulped, suppressing his pride and anger, facing the married couple and wearing a military salute, uttering the only words the situation allowed him to say.

“My Prince, My Princess,” Raymond muttered, his eyes falling on the baby trying to grab onto Liiza’s face. “My Princess.”

Khan nodded at those salutes, and Raymond could finally leave. He immediately lost interest in the scientist, refocusing on his daughter, but the audience followed Raymond’s departure, watching as his figure crossed the desert to head to Aynor’s remaining structures.

“So,” Khan said, not forgetting about another important matter, “How exactly did my daughter end up flying on Snow? Again?”

Doku, Zalpa, and the other Niqols on the scene diverted their glowing eyes, not wanting to address the issue. Still, a blue light shone on them. Khan smiled at them, but his expression couldn’t have been faker.

Luckily, Liiza came to the Niqols’ aid.

“Our little girl was already in the air by the time everyone finished teleporting,” Liiza explained. “She must have sensed us. Snow just caught her and headed for us.”

Khan didn’t know what surprised him the most about that. Teleports were usually heavy on weaker people. Garret had obviously tuned it for Yeza, but some discomfort should have happened. Yet, she apparently had been able to set off right away.

Also, Doku was a fifth-level warrior. He should have been able to catch Yeza, unless she was already outside his reach.

As for perceiving Khan and Liiza, that was mostly due to the mark they had left on Yeza. Still, her accomplishment remained shocking, especially considering her age.

Yeza seemed to respond to the revelation by finally grabbing a hold of Liiza’s white hair, clinging to her strands and trying to pull herself closer. She obviously couldn’t just yet, but her cells came alive, trying to help her.

Khan sensed that and worked alongside Yeza, helping her climb closer to Liiza’s face. The latter giggled as Yeza crawled over her until she reached the top of her head, releasing a happy sound, only to stretch her tiny hands toward Khan’s hair next.

“Yes, yes, come to Papa,” Khan invited, his hand still on Yeza’s back, supporting and helping her during the climb.

Then, as Yeza reached for Khan’s blue strands and weakly clung to them, she uttered another happy sound that made the whole area fall silent. “Papa!”