Chapter 604
Ikenga, watching the demons continue their advance toward the Emperor’s trap, couldn’t contain his curiosity. "Why?" he asked, his voice echoing in the vast, abyssal chamber. "We both know demons do not truly die. Why were you so conflicted about losing a few battalions to draw the Empire into this fight? The casualties are a negligible price to pay for such a strategic victory."
Zarvok didn’t elaborate. His only response was a simple, chilling truth. "You will understand when all this ends." With that, he immediately got to work.
Knowing the Empire’s plan, Zarvok was ready to meet it head-on. Since both sides had decided that this conflict must end now, he intended to play his part well. The matchups had already been decided in their minds. The Emperor and Vellok for the gods, himself for the sixth-tier left in the empire. Zarvok’s focus was now on how to ensure those matchups happened at the same time, all while preserving the integrity of this abyss layer so it didn’t collapse on itself.
While the abyss itself wouldn’t mind if eight sixth-tier beings were about to clash inside of it, leading to the collapse of this entire layer, Zarvok did. He was the only one who cared about its stability, so his planning included setting up a hidden magic circle and spell. This spell would randomize teleportation points, as long as they weren’t this abyss layer or the world. His intent was to move the entire conflict away from his layer and the world he desired.
He shared this plan with Ikenga, who had no problem with it but instead added his own idea. According to Ikenga, Zarvok should make sure the spell or magic circle had two people in control of it: Zarvok. himself and Keles. Due to the spell using intention as its anchor, once the tthey were locked in on their target, they would be teleported together. This would ensure that the key players were removed from the battlefield at the same time.
As for Ikenga himself, he was certain he would be targeted by Vellok. He knew Vellok should have plans in place to deal with him, and he wasn’t wrong. Vellok had every reason to attack him, and since Ikenga had already shown his capabilities, it was only right that Vellok, as a grand mage, would have a counter-plan ready for him. Ikenga was looking forward to this as he also has his own plans.
Even if Vellok never choose to engage him, Ikenga will force him to. He has to end this and make sure their goal was met for his unborn child. Ikenga won’t like it if the child was born in a world that isn’t theirs.
"It is a sound plan, Lord Zarvok," Ikenga began, his brow furrowed in thought. "But the probability of success is a thin line. You cannot forcefully teleport away beings of that stage if they are even remotely aware of your intention. Their auras, their very presence, can disrupt a spell of that magnitude before it even forms. How do we guarantee that the Emperor, Vellok, and the three other sixth-tier figures on their side are caught unaware?"
Zarvok showing his strategist side, gestured to a ghostly projection of the abyss layer before them. "You are correct. The spell must be a secondary action, hidden within a more obvious trap/spectacle. The mages will be focused on this trap and spectacle, not the subtle disruption in the background. My army will then launch a full-scale assault, a powerful, multi-directional attack that forces them to commit their magic and attention to a single purpose: defense."
"A distraction," Ikenga murmured, stroking his chin. "But a distraction of that scale will still raise an alarm."