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?'

the moment I heard Orion mention humans,

'Something's off.'

senior advisor, so

and turned to glance at Orion, who looked straight at

met, a cold chill ran down my spine, but I

his mouth, Orion started

the decision of asking Karl for

a deathly silence permeated the

listened attentively to what they were trying to

the looks of it, they want to ask me about my opinion on something that was

to speak. Perhaps this was going to be

last for long as no one spoke

glanced at me

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

Orion slowly started recounting to me what

order to get their help in infiltrating Henolur

them. They've finally

I listened, the greater

expected it. Ever since I killed Xavier back in the forest and provoked Mo Jinhao directly, I was sure

account when making

to the elders once I rose to a

do you think Karl? Should we accept the offer or

my thoughts was

"Let me think..."

my head, I pretended to

eyes of every elder present, scanning me from top to

in the mask,

at Orion and the

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

seemed to have been unexpected as both Orion and the elders showed a surprised

was Orion. He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling

more, I'm interested. Why

"…Okay."

everyone's expectant gazes, I started to

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

referring to

Hutrud finally spoke up.

to the last meeting, he

"That is correct."

my head, I

there's a couple of powerful humans working together with the dwarves. What if we use the chance to create internal conflicts amongst them? Although there aren't

aid of

the city and have them disguise themselves as non contracted humans, the duergars could have them go

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

as that continued, the duergars could have the Dwarf race and other races turn on the

this time, he might face severe

have no choice but to fight

a long term perspective, they would also lose all

doing this would without a doubt, further

breaking down and everyone turning their backs on the humans,

be surrounded on all fronts. It would be

they were following along what I was saying,

succeed in this operation, we might be able to completely destroy the dwarves before we

"...."

finished speaking, the hall

towards each other, the

the hall, I kept a straight

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

looked like I was purposely screwing Waylan and

know, it was that I

I just said were just me trying to convince Inferno to

was to lure them

unknown, and despite all of the dwarves' efforts in trying to find it, they

Waylan and Douglas knew about the arrival of

was in Inferno, their location would soon be exposed, and that