Freetrick looked up. “I thought it was death to question the intentions of the Ultimate Fiend.”
The catlike body of the Kaimeera was crouched, ears flattened, but the voice from its mouth was confident. “Monsters learn quickly to never to question our masters, but…well, I have memories of not being a monster. And,” it chuckled, “based on what I know about you, Fiend, I think you need someone to talk to.”
Freetrick raised an eyebrow. “How many Rationalists did you have to eat to get that bit of insight?”
“One was enough.” The Kaimeera grinned. “You’re a dialogue-loving people.”
The Despot of Skrea nodded, closed his eyes, massaged his temples. “Well, because I want to survive. I’m not willing to play games until someone assassinates me.”
The Kaimeera slunk forward, “But why not just hide in your rooms and let your servants arrange things for you?”
Freetrick snorted. “That might work for a whole afternoon before someone bribes one of my guards to kill me.” He looked down at his empty desk, then back up to the monster, suddenly unsure what to do next.
“Fiend?” The Kaimeera straightened from its bow. “I wonder if might make a suggestion?”
Freetrick smiled. “It’s very refreshing to talk to someone who isn’t afraid of giving me advice. Go ahead.”
“Malevolence…” the Kaimeera paused, “I am very glad you told me I shouldn’t be afraid, to give you advice you don’t want to hear, Fiend.”
“Why?”
“Because, Fiend, I think you need to talk to Bloodbyrn about this.”
Ah, so he may well see that this is going to help the Rationalists invade, and just not care all that much. Sensible. They seem like the type to accept surrenders in order to encourage more surrenders, even from someone as vile as they think Freetrick is or as the Virgin Soil’s ruler actually is.
Also, I’m not clear on how talking to bloody Bloodbryn is going to help. Freetrick’s plan to not die screws up her plots too. And he has no reason to think she might be competent at emotional support even if she were to try.
The Kaimeera knows something we don’t
From an earlier chapter I got the vibe that DeMacabres WANT the country to get invaded, more or less. Something about intentionally keeping the borders weak, was it?
I’m not sure how much I should reveal about this, but yes, the DeMacabres and their faction (which includes most Sangboise and many Skrean nobles) are not rooting for the long-term stability of the Kingdoms of Evil.