[Liem has very little familiarity with any of those who count themselves among the ranks of the Pleroma. With only a single exception, he doesn't know which of them arrived in the same month that he did, and which of them endured the strange ritual and its terrible effects in what has been described to him as "the throne room." This man might never have experienced the Kenoma's torment—or, he might be well acquainted with it already.

But for the first time since he called him over, Liem's sober expression twists into a mirthless smile. Of course it's obvious that the Regent's faithful don't harbour a single shred of mercy. There couldn't be any in the Kenoma's ranks that wouldn't know that already.]

I'm aiming to leave before it comes to that—but if I'm caught…

[He tips his head slightly, eyebrows lifting in a brief, helpless expression. What can he do about that, really?]

There's little left that anyone could take from me. The Regent already saw to that.