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, my

'Something's off.'

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

eventually relented and turned to glance at Orion, who looked

ran down my

Orion started

the decision of asking Karl for his

his words faded, a deathly silence permeated the

I listened attentively to what they were

of it, they want to ask me about my opinion

them to

the wait did not last for long as

Orion glanced at me

about a certain matter. Since about a month to two months ago,

to me what had happened moments prior to

help in infiltrating Henolur to how they were apparently searching for someone,

them. They've finally

I listened, the greater my

I expected it. Ever since I killed Xavier back in the forest and provoked

when making my plans, and the timing couldn't have been more

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

is. What do you think Karl? Should

my

"Let me think..."

head, I pretended to think for

was thinking, I could feel the eyes of

mask, my

raising my head, I looked at Orion and the other elders in

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

been unexpected as both

one to recover was Orion. He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling

me more, I'm interested. Why should we

"…Okay."

everyone's expectant gazes,

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

referring to

Hutrud finally spoke up.

the last meeting, he had

"That is correct."

way, nodding my

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 many humans present, we could take advantage of the situation and create a scenario in which we frame the humans and pit them against the

replicate demonic energy with the aid of an artifact,

as non contracted humans,

they would need to do it in a way so

the Dwarf race and other races turn on the

he might

no choice but to fight back, resulting in the dwarves suffering damage

they would also

would without a doubt, further damage

barrier slowly breaking down and everyone turning their backs on the humans, the morale of the

would be surrounded on all fronts. It

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

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

"...."

I finished speaking, the hall was

each other, the

the hall, I kept a

said what I needed to say. Now, all I have to

screwing Waylan and the others, this

know, it was

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

to lure them

Inferno was unknown, and despite all of the dwarves' efforts in trying to

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

led to me, and I was in Inferno, their location would soon be exposed, and that was when the true