The words slice all the deeper into him the more he succumbs to the depths of this anger. He can feel the fury shear whatever soul he might have left, and now isn't the time to contemplate how many ways he could not have a soul left, most pressing now is the tadpole in his brain.

Just as before, there is no echo of the Emperor in his brain, nor that of his companions. Here, in the House of Hope, whatever disruption Raphael has been able to slide in place seems to hold.

Perhaps it's for the best. Concerning himself with what the illithid wants is an additional complication he simply cannot handle for now. Not least because making decisions needs to be under his own volition, as much as it can be as while he's actively being extorted. The devil looks almost completely at ease with his chalice dangled so casually, but in his minds eye he imagines using it to cave the cambion's face in.

"So far all I have seen is hot air."

In other words: where's the proof there's even anything here to bargain for?