The Author's POV

Click! Clank—

Upon entering the hideout, I was immediately greeted by a solemn atmosphere.

"Waylan, yer finally here."

Once Waylan entered, Jomnuk, sitting with his arms crossed in the middle of the living room, sighed in relief.

Sitting down on the seat opposite to Jomnuk, Waylan inquired, his tone serious. An unprecedented feeling of grim concern clouded his face.

"What's the situation here?"

"According to reports from the spies, the enemies are preparing to attack by tonight."

Answering Waylan, in Jomnuk's stead, was a dwarf. He had thick eyebrows and long, flowing black hair. Most striking were his thick arms that looked to be the size of a small football. It gave off the impression of breaking rocks by merely flexing them. Fitting, for a race of miners.

"Tonight?"

Waylan's brows furrowed in thought.

Subtly turning his head to face me, I faintly nodded back.

Upon seeing me nod, Waylan's tense shoulders relaxed a little.

Because everyone was currently focused on the situation our little exchange went unnoticed.

'To think they've already found this hideout in a month's time. As expected, there must be a spy hiding amongst the upper echelon. We have a traitor in our midst.'

It was normal for both sides to have spies planted.

Unlike the Union and the Monolith, where the power balance leaned more on the Monolith's side, the difference in strength between the dwarves and the Duergars was just about the same.

This meant that both sides had to resort to more discreet means to weaken the other. For example, planting agents in the upper echelon of each organization.

A classic tactic in warfare, there was never a conflict where spies or intelligence-gathering divisions were not put to use. Methods of subterfuge often laid waste to enemy armies, as it is often said, 'know thy enemy, and thou shalt win a hundred battles.'

However, the nature of conflict here brought about a certain issue. In order to be a spy for the other organization, one must show that they have mana tainted with demonic energy. Unlike the Union that could not replicate this, the dwarves were capable of doing it.

That just proved how advanced the dwarven species was.

"Alright, although I didn't expect them to find this place so early, now that the situation has escalated to that point, we must get ready."

Standing up, Waylan looked at the others and started to issue orders.

"Everyone, do as trained. Guard each perimeter of the place, and make sure to check all the ventilations and food for any poison or gas. We all know just how sneaky those bastards can be."

"Understood."

Everyone nodded their head in agreement.

Since Waylan was the strongest by a large margin, no one had any qualms with his arrangements.

Not even Jomnuk, who instead seemed rather pleased with the new directives.

Whilst everyone was busy organizing themselves, walking up to Jomnuk, I tapped him on the shoulder.

"Sir Jomnuk, I would like to have a word with you in private."

Raising his brow, Jomnuk tilted his head to the side.

"Human? What is it?"

Fidgeting my fingers, I replied in a quiet tone, "Well, you see…I'd ideally prefer to discuss this in private rather than in the open."

"Why?"

Wariness flashed in Jomnuk's eyes.

Looking around the room, towards the other guard in his post, Jomnuk stared back at me.

"If you have anything to say to me, say it here."

Scratching the side of my neck, I smiled wryly.

"…Well, you see, I can't really say it out here since it's something I can only ask you in a more comfortable setting."

The matter regarding the chip in my head was a sensitive topic.

The fewer people that knew, the better.

Unfortunately for me, my vague words were irritating Jomnuk. He started to raise his voice.

"What is it? Spit it out already."

Glancing around the room, I lowered my voice slightly.

have something stuck inside of my head, and I'd like to have it looked at. I've heard that you are one of the best engineers that have

words, 'one of the best engineers',

well, there's no need to exaggerate like

not exaggerating. I have to

was serious

one of the top dwarven engineers

weren't empty acts of

tone sounding

I wanted to ask

"Might as well."

other guards present in the

need to help him with something. If

"That's not possible."

standing guard

"Oh? Why is that?"

Jomnuk's face sank.

the dwarf replied with

sir, but since your life could in danger, we can't allow you to

words, they weren't willing

to worry about? Since you guys are waiting outside,

"But—"

the dwarf could argue, Jomnuk cut

threat, scratch that thought. I've got enough artifacts on me to protect myself from a

'Mere rank...'

those words hurt a lot more than

so questioning

"…Understood."

to refute any longer, the dwarf eventually nodded in

face

give you

enough,

I replied back.

in satisfaction before sitting back

also be leaving

the sidelines,

put his hand on my

we don't know when those Duergars will make a move.

"I got it."

"Alright then."

left with

Click! Clank—

closed and the room was enveloped

first to speak up

"So…"

his arms crossed, and a smug look on

"How was my acting?"

the edges of my lips pulled

"Oscar-worthy."

***

time

before muttered in annoyance as he looked

nothing will happen

with a slight

words did

I don't doubt your

but that doesn't mean I

spent a

to what

going to blindly protect Jomnuk without knowing

you that as of right now, no one

a thin glow enveloped

Waylan flashed

sealed the whole room with my mana. Unless

"I see…"

seen this much, the dwarf couldn't say anything

he had to admit

Click! Clank—

cue, the door opened. Coming out from it were Ren

behind his back, and a pleased smile on

tense faces of

totally fine. The human did

"Please wait, sir."

was the same dwarf

dwarf blocked Jomnuk's path, his face

are

apologize for my rudeness in

Angus took a