"Yes." There's barely any pause before the response this time. "Yes, I do. All three of Mevolent's Generals are dead. Did I mention that? China's Grand Mage and, despite everything, mortals still don't know sorcerers exist. As long as what's best for Ireland matches what's best for China, I think there's a good chance the world will be fine."

It's difficult to accept, sometimes, that the world doesn't care very much about you and your friends. Skulduggery had it harder than most -- through a twist of luck, the fate of the war actually did hinge on his death. But that's all it was. A twist of luck. The Dead Men breaking didn't portend the world breaking, which is perhaps why it's so difficult for any of them to see past themselves.