Chapter 579
"As the conclusion approaches, I find your hands are no longer on the board, which makes things far messier than before. It was much simpler when you were directly involved."
Ikenga’s gaze was sharp, probing. "You sixth-tier demons are certainly cunning; this is the second time one of you has tried making me do something for them."
Zarvok chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "Vorenza certainly lacks manners, but you will find I have plenty."
Ikenga remained silent, letting Zarvok’s words hang in the air. This meeting wasn’t what he’d anticipated. Zarvok seemed to have found a sudden use for the last sixth-tier soul he and Keles possessed. What truly surprised Ikenga, however, was who Zarvok intended to hand the soul over to: "Malzor." The wingless gargoyle had reached his limits in this invasion and was now merely hiding in fear, sensing the shift in the battlefield. With sixth-tier beings making their appearance, the stage was no longer for fifth-tier demons like him.
Ikenga and Keles had, in fact, previously entertained the very idea of using that sixth-tier soul on Malzor, hoping to propel him to a new echelon of power. But Zarvok had vehemently denied them then, citing the imperative of not tipping the delicate hierarchy balance of this specific Abyss layer with the sudden appearance of yet another sixth-tier being.
Now, that very same Zarvok wanted him to hand the soul to Malzor. In Zarvok’s own words, it was to "give him more playing hands," a convenient turn of phrase. Ikenga, however, was no fool. He knew this was Zarvok’s convoluted way of asking for help, a subtle plea veiled beneath the guise of strategy.
Vorenza’s situation was indeed looking dire, and Keles’s earlier warnings about her imminent downfall were becoming more chillingly believable with each passing day. Should Vorenza be dealt with, the full might of the Empire would inevitably turn its focus and power squarely on Zarvok. With himself, Keles, and two other sixth-tier demons already on Zarvok’s side, they should have no problem crushing the remaining Imperial resistance. But this was precisely the scenario Zarvok desperately wanted to avoid. He wanted this world conquered as pristine as it could be, brought under his dominion without the destructive, messy, and costly conflict that a direct confrontation with the Empire would entail.
Zarvok’s voice, a low growl, cut through Ikenga’s thoughts. "The current battle is escalating to extremes. The goblins are now willingly letting themselves be tainted by the Abyss just to secure a win." His gaze flickered back to the war table, tracing the lines of conflict. "The longer this battle drags on, the more extreme, more regrettable actions will be taken by both sides."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "With how things stand on Vorenza’s side, once she’s gone, a vacuum will be left. A vacuum the Empire will no doubt seize, establishing a foothold directly within the Abyss." His eyes, fiery and intense, met Ikenga’s. "I don’t want to give them that chance or opportunity. I need someone of our own to take over this vacuum and make the Empire question their very next step."
Zarvok leaned forward, his voice dropping to a near whisper, though its intensity remained. "I need just a little more time, or a significant distraction, before I can have them all in the palm of my hand. Hence why I propose this idea to you."
Ikenga absorbed Zarvok’s words, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched, filled only by the distant, muted roar of the Abyss. He understood the gambit, the intricate layers of Zarvok’s ambition. Giving Malzor a sixth-tier soul wasn’t just about boosting their ranks; it was about strategically placing a loyal, if somewhat terrified, proxy directly in the path of the encroaching Empire. Malzor, elevated to a power he could barely comprehend, would become a necessary, chaotic anchor, forcing the Empire to divert resources and attention.
"So, you’re not just giving me more chess pieces," Ikenga finally said, his voice flat. "You’re offering a pawn to distract the queen, hoping she overextends her reach into a realm you intend to claim."