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 side, the moment I heard Orion mention humans, my brows knit in

'Something's off.'

has just been promoted to senior advisor, so I

to glance at Orion,

ran down my spine, but I

Orion started to

asking Karl for his opinion, please let me

words faded, a deathly

I listened attentively to

me about my opinion

them to speak. Perhaps this was going to be

did not last for long as no one

his head slightly, Orion glanced

be asking you about a certain matter. Since about

was then that Orion slowly started recounting to me what had happened moments prior to

to contact them in order to get their help in infiltrating Henolur to how they were apparently searching for someone, Orion told

of them. They've finally

more I listened,

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

I took this factor into account when making my plans, and the timing couldn't

the elders once I rose

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

my thoughts was

"Let me think..."

of my head, I pretended

I could feel the eyes of every elder present,

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

head, I looked at Orion and

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

unexpected as both Orion and the elders showed a surprised

was Orion. He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling

I'm interested. Why should

"…Okay."

everyone's expectant gazes, I started

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

to

Hutrud finally spoke up.

to the last meeting, he

"That is correct."

nodding my head, I

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

energy with the aid of an artifact, so could the duergars accomplish

as non contracted humans, the duergars could have them go around

happen, they would need to do it in a way so that the

have the Dwarf

he might face severe repercussions even if

would have no choice but to fight back, resulting in

term perspective, they would also lose all possibility of allying

without a

everyone turning their backs on the humans, the morale of the Dwarf race as a whole

all fronts. It

sure that they were following along

we manage to succeed in this operation, we

"...."

hall

other, the

the hall, I

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

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

elders didn't know, it was

I just said were just me trying to convince

real goal was to

of the dwarves' efforts in

knew about the arrival of the Monolith members

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