"Oh, the Archduke and his netherstone will definitely be remaining where they are."

If the appearance of weapons has done anything to sour his mood, he doesn't show it. After all, if they kill him he goes right to where he is planning to go and they are down one stone of their needed three with an angry evolved Elder Brain on their hands.

He purses his lips, looking falsely sympathetic.

"I'd still be waiting at the Caress, of course, but the window for that particular contract is closed. And it would seem you are nearly out of time, so you're going to want to hear the terms of the new one, because I am only going to explain them once."