Ishmael is surprised and almost left speechless by this.

"That... that... is an interesting possibility. I guess betrayal from inside might be preferable in that case. Still even if it is the second option that holds truth then Sphendrix is not omnipotent... it knows what it knows and plays its own games.

Regardless, cant the priests simply ask it? That would solve the problem no matter how painful the answer." he says trying to calm spirits down.

"If it proves that the demon does not consider us powerful enough to continue down the path then perhaps we shall look for another patron or make... a change in our aims..." he says considering this an opportunity to extinguish the greatest weakness he sees in the Skulks plans... their pathological and homocidal hatred for humans.