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?'

moment I heard Orion mention humans, my

'Something's off.'

to senior advisor, so I

to glance at Orion, who looked straight

eyes met, a cold chill ran

Orion started to

is against the decision of asking Karl for

a deathly silence permeated

wasn't sure what was happening, I listened attentively to what they were trying

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

for them to speak. Perhaps this was going to

for long

head slightly, Orion glanced at me from the

be asking you about a certain matter.

to

order to get their help

them. They've

listened, the greater my

Ever since I killed Xavier back in the forest and provoked Mo Jinhao directly, I was sure that they wouldn't

factor into account when making my plans, and the

the elders once I rose to a high enough position, but it looks like that was

it is. What do you think Karl? Should we accept

me out of my thoughts

"Let me think..."

of my head, I pretended to

of

confident in the mask, my heartbeat couldn't help but

I looked at Orion and the other elders in the

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

to have been unexpected as both Orion and the elders showed

was Orion. He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with

more, I'm interested.

"…Okay."

everyone's expectant gazes, I started to

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

to the other

Hutrud finally spoke up.

the last meeting, he had spoken considerably

"That is correct."

nodding my

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

could replicate demonic energy with the aid

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

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

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

time, he might face

but to

they would also lose all possibility of allying with the

this would without

their backs on the humans, the morale

would be surrounded on all fronts.

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

of sacrifices will be made, if we manage to succeed in this operation, we might be able to completely destroy the dwarves

"...."

the hall was once

each other, the elders showed

the middle of the hall, I kept

Now, all I have

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

didn't know, it was that I was the

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

goal was to

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

about the arrival of the

to me, and I was in Inferno, their location would