Arthas has concocted a plan to be free of his phylactry. It is a perverse version of the ascension ritual that Valerian is planning. This is a blood magic ritual. The ritual requires that many magic users form a massive magic circle and then these caster uses a surge of balefire to consume them, binding them to himself and breaking the constraints of death, undeath and life. Valerian plans to use the other Circles. Arthas already has legions of undead enthralled. He has been resurrecting the Vesper Vanguard by binding Wild Ones souls to the undead Vesper Vanguardians under his thrall. He plans to perform the ritual once he has created enough Vesper Vanguard. He must do it without attracting the Emperor or Circle of Gold's attention. He is also under contract to keep supplying the services of the Vesper Vanguard to the Empire. He plans to have them close the Emperor and The Circle of Gold when he conducts the ritual so that they can assassinate them.
Arthas's plan to free himself from his phylactry and perform the perverse version of the ascension ritual is both ambitious and treacherous. To execute this plan covertly while continuing to supply the services of the Vesper Vanguard to the Empire, he will need to employ a combination of careful manipulation, deception, and timing. Here's how he might go about it:
1. Gathering the Vesper Vanguard: Arthas should continue to build his forces by raising and binding more Wild Ones' souls to the undead Vesper Vanguardians. This process must remain hidden from the Empire and the Circle of Gold, and it should be carried out in remote and concealed locations.
2. Manipulating the Empire: Arthas should maintain his contractual obligations to the Empire and supply the services of the Vesper Vanguard as needed. This will help him avoid arousing suspicion while keeping a close eye on the Emperor's movements.
3. Feigning Loyalty: Arthas should continue to play the part of a loyal subject to the Empire and the Circle of Gold. He should provide them with valuable information, perhaps even hinting at a potential threat to the Emperor, to divert their attention and resources elsewhere.
4. Selective Assassinations: Rather than attempting to eliminate the entire Circle of Gold, Arthas should identify key individuals within the Circle who are most likely to interfere with his plan. These targets should be eliminated discreetly, without drawing undue attention.
5. Concealing the Ritual: The ritual itself must be conducted in a hidden, well-protected location that is far from prying eyes. Arthas should ensure that no one, including the Empire and the Circle of Gold, has any knowledge of this place. He can also employ magic to obscure the ritual's location.
6. Timing and Chaos: Arthas may take advantage of external conflicts, perhaps even orchestrating them, to create chaos and divert the attention of the Empire and the Circle of Gold. This chaos could serve as a smokescreen for his true intentions.
7. Disguise and Subterfuge: Arthas should use his necromantic abilities to disguise his true nature, making it difficult for anyone to detect his involvement in the ritual. He might even employ spies or double agents to misdirect attention.
8. Leverage the Vesper Vanguard: The Vesper Vanguard, under Arthas's control, can play a critical role in the plan. They can act as infiltrators, spies, and saboteurs to further weaken the Empire and the Circle of Gold before the ritual.
10. The Final Act: Once all preparations are in place, Arthas should orchestrate the final act of the ritual in a swift and decisive manner, with the Vesper Vanguard's support. The chaos caused by the ritual itself can be used as a distraction to cover any remaining tracks.
Arthas's success will depend on his ability to maintain a facade of loyalty, manipulate events in his favor, and ensure that his plan remains shrouded in secrecy until the pivotal moment arrives. It's a perilous and intricate scheme that could either solidify his power or lead to his ultimate downfall.