I shook my head slowly.
"No," I said, lowering my staff. "Not you."
Lord Krakenskull turned, magma light dimming slightly within the cracks of his armor. He understood immediately. Sending a high-ranking commander was a gamble I didn't need to take.
"I will send someone expendable," I continued. "If the Overlord destroys the envoy, it will not cripple us. It will simply answer a question."
Krakenskull gave a low, approving rumble.
"Wisdom favors losses you can afford."
Exactly.
I raised my staff again, this time angling it forward. The sigils along its length ignited one by one, burning with a dull crimson glow. I spoke a summoning phrase—short, efficient, stripped of ceremony.
The ground rippled.
A circle of dark stone rose from beneath my feet, and from it climbed a broad-shouldered figure clad in jagged armor, his form rough-hewn and scarred from countless lesser campaigns.
General Garg.
He straightened at once, fists clenched against his chestplate. His eyes burned with obedience rather than ambition—useful, predictable.
He was valuable.
But not irreplaceable.
He could communicate clearly. He understood hierarchy. He knew when to speak and when to remain silent. Yet he lacked the kind of singular power or strategic brilliance that would make his loss unacceptable.
In other words—
Perfect.
"General Garg," I said evenly.
He dropped to one knee.
"Listen carefully," I continued. "You will serve as my envoy."
His posture stiffened. Pride flickered—then steadied into discipline.
"You will approach the Overlord," I said. "You will speak only what you are instructed to speak. You will not threaten. You will not beg. You will present an opportunity."
I stepped closer, my shadow stretching unnaturally long across the stone.
"And understand this," I added calmly. "If he destroys you, it will be unfortunate—but acceptable."
Garg swallowed, but he did not object.
Good.
"You will tell him this," I said. "A dark wizard has risen. One with an army. One who does not oppose him—but does not kneel either. Cooperation is possible. Terms are negotiable."
I paused.
"And nothing more."
Garg nodded once, firmly.
"I will do as commanded."
I turned away, already calculating outcomes. If Garg returned, negotiations would proceed. If he didn't, I would gain clarity—and justification.
Either way, I would lose nothing I could not replace.
"Go," I said.
Dark magic folded around General Garg, pulling him into a controlled spatial tear aimed directly toward the Overlord's domain.
The rift snapped shut.
I exhaled slowly, staff resting once more at my side.
Now—
We wait.