Chapter 519
Zarvok raised his glass again, grinning. "Spoken like a man who’s sure of the board. Let’s hope the pieces agree."
"You seem confident," Zarvok said, swirling his glass.
Ikenga nodded without hesitation. "Indeed I am. The pieces are already in motion. Give it a few more years, and a crack will appear in the Empire’s foundation. I believe that crack is exactly the opportunity you’ve been waiting for."
Zarvok leaned back slightly, eyes gleaming with amusement as he casually uttered, "The ratmen."
Ikenga’s gaze flicked toward him, sharp and brief. Their eyes locked, silence hanging heavy between them for a moment.
"It seems," Ikenga said evenly, "you have some idea of the broader layout."
"I wouldn’t say I know," Zarvok replied, flashing a sly smile, "but I have my guesses. And if they’re right, then Your Highness may have unknowingly nudged the Empire onto a path of self-destruction."
Ikenga didn’t respond immediately. He looked down at the wine in his hand, the reflection of candlelight flickering in the dark liquid. The silence that followed wasn’t defensive—it was thoughtful, calculating. He realized then that there were gaps in his knowledge, blind spots even he hadn’t accounted for.
It seems I should spend more time in Zarvok’s library, he thought to himself, lips pressing into a faint line.
Zarvok watched him closely but said nothing, letting the moment simmer. It was enough to know he’d struck something real—if not a nerve, then at least a point of intrigue.
Zarvok spoke up, his tone shifting with an unusual blend of respect and hesitation. "I have a few personal matters I would like to bring before Your Grace."