The Author's POV

337 Setting the pieces in motion[1]

''Two months..? Why? Since it takes you about two days for each beacon, shouldn't you be able to complete this in a month's time?" Durara asked in wonder. She seemed confused.

In response to her question, I shook my head in denial.

"That would only apply if I sorted all of Jomnuk's information. Unfortunately, I didn't. It will take a bit of time for that."

"I see."

Orion nodded in acknowledgment from the side, understanding what I was trying to say.

"Orion, I don't think it matters much whether it will take two months or not."

One of the elders spoke up, looking at Orion. He was Hutrud, the elder who'd previously doubted my capabilities. I still remembered him.

With both hands interlocked together in a display of thought, Hutrud's eyes remained fixed on the table where a small projection of the outside appeared.

He then pointed at the beacons outside of the walls.

"If we change our plans, as long as my estimate is right, once we manage to deactivate eight of the fifteen beacons, we can break the barrier completely. By then, the barrier will be too weak to withstand a full-frontal assault."

"That's true..."

Durara muttered from the side, her head repeatedly nodding in agreement.

Then, she turned to face me once more.

"I guess that's settled. Do your best in deactivating the rest of the beacons. As I've said before, you will be granted authority at the level of senior advisor. Do as you please."

"Thanks."

I replied with a disinterested look.

Since I was Karl, I had to act the part.

And it soon became apparent that my acting wasn't too far off from the original Karl. The elders merely turned a blind eye to my blatant show of disrespect.

"Since you're here, let me hear about your opinion on a certain matter."

It was then that Orion opened his mouth.

"Wait, are you planning on asking him about that matter..?"

Opening her eyes wide, Durara looked at Orion with an incredulous look.

Orion then glanced at her and the other elders present.

"Even if he's not an elder, it doesn't hurt to ask. The matter has little to no significance to us anyways."

Orion shrugged.

However, Orion wasn't being completely honest.

"I'm just asking for his opinion since he seems to have a bright head on his shoulders. Who knows, perhaps he can even come up with a good plan."

He wanted another opinion because he couldn't get rid of a nagging feeling in the back of his head.

"Well..."

"I think Orion makes a valid point, Durara.

Hutrud spoke up.

Tap.Tap.Tap.

Tapping on the table with his small, chubby blue hand, he looked at Durara and the other duergars present.

"Since he's smart enough to be able to find a way to deactivate the city's defensive system, he should be able to come up with reliable input regarding those humans."

'Humans?'

mention humans, my brows knit in consternation.

'Something's off.'

been promoted to senior advisor, so I guess it's fine

to glance at Orion, who looked

moment our eyes met, a cold chill ran down my spine, but I

his mouth, Orion

if anyone is against the decision of asking

faded, a deathly silence

sure what was happening, I listened attentively to what they

it, they want to ask me about my opinion on something that was somehow

waited for them to speak. Perhaps this was going to be important

for long

glanced at

I will now be asking you about a certain matter. Since about a

recounting to me what had happened

was trying to contact them in order to get their help in infiltrating Henolur to

of them. They've finally

listened,

killed Xavier back in the forest and provoked Mo Jinhao directly, I was sure

fact, I took this factor into account when making my

to bring it up to the elders once I rose to a high enough position, but

that is how it is. What do you think Karl? Should we accept the offer

me out of my thoughts was Orion's

"Let me think..."

my head, I pretended to

I was thinking, I could feel the eyes of every

was confident in the mask, my heartbeat

at Orion and the other

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

seemed to have been unexpected as both Orion and the

to recover was Orion. He leaned forward,

interested.

"…Okay."

everyone's expectant gazes, I

why I believe that accepting the offer is ideal is because, aside from the favor that you

referring to the

Hutrud finally spoke up.

the last meeting,

"That is correct."

my head,

of powerful humans working together with the dwarves. What if we use the chance to create internal conflicts amongst them? Although there aren't many humans present, we could take advantage of the situation and create a

replicate demonic energy with the aid of an artifact,

the Monolith members infiltrate the city and have them disguise themselves as non contracted humans, the duergars could have them go around killing random soldiers

need to do it in a way so that the others would realize humans were responsible for

have the Dwarf

at saving Jomnuk, this time, he might

choice but to fight back, resulting in the dwarves

would also lose all possibility of

without a doubt,

barrier slowly breaking down and everyone turning their backs on the humans, the morale of the Dwarf race as a

fronts. It would

make sure that they were following along what I was saying,

lot of sacrifices will be made, if we manage to succeed in this operation, we

"...."

the hall was

other, the elders

middle of the hall,

say. Now, all I have to do is wait for

it looked like I was purposely screwing Waylan and the others, this was only on the

know, it was that I

those words I just said were just me trying to convince Inferno to let Monolith

was to lure

all of the dwarves' efforts in

Waylan and Douglas knew about the arrival of the Monolith members and quietly followed them

in Inferno, their location would soon be exposed, and that was when the true fun