A group of armed people fighting for me -> my army Maybe the goblins could be considered mercenaries because they only work in exchange for what the absolute provides. But is that different for the True-Souls? Either they are in it for personal benefits or they are somehow enslaved.
The goblins betray you and if you go back to their camp you have to kill them all. Truth be told we have no idea what True Souls even do and you are the only one who is aware of Illithid meddling in Absolute business. Gut tries to imprison you if you tell her you are infected. If I had to guess I think they are all enslaved, but I have no idea what the Absolute thinks to gain from that.
What is a real shame is that in DOS2 you had a similar promise done right with Lucian. A "good" god with evil personal motivations for a greater good. Now though the Absolute is convincing literally nobody that they are some kind of all-powerful god, nor are they trying to stop something more powerful than all the gods like the void in DOS.
