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 brows knit in consternation. Albeit,

'Something's off.'

promoted to senior advisor, so I guess

and turned to glance

cold chill ran down my spine,

Orion started

is against the decision of asking

his words faded, a

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

looks of it, they want to ask me about my opinion

waited for them to speak.

the wait did not last for

head slightly, Orion glanced at

others have agreed, I will now be asking you about a certain matter. Since about a month to two

started recounting to me what had happened moments prior to me

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

expected of them.

listened, the

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

making my plans,

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

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

of my thoughts

"Let me think..."

head, I

feel the eyes of

the mask, my heartbeat couldn't

at Orion and the other elders in the

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

both Orion and the

recover was Orion. He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling

me more, I'm interested. Why

"…Okay."

expectant gazes,

the favor that you

referring to the other

Hutrud finally spoke up.

to the last meeting, he

"That is correct."

nodding my head,

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

energy with the aid of an artifact, so could

non contracted humans, the

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

have the Dwarf race

failure at saving Jomnuk, this time, he might face severe repercussions

would have no choice but to

a long term perspective, they would also lose all possibility of allying with the

doing this would without a

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

be surrounded on all fronts. It would be a despairing

everyone to make sure that they were following along

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

"...."

finished speaking, the hall was

towards each other, the elders showed

in the middle of the

what I needed to say. Now, all I

I was purposely screwing Waylan and

one thing the elders didn't know, it was that I was the individual the Monolith was

were just me trying to convince Inferno to

real goal was to lure them

unknown, and despite all of the

what if Waylan and Douglas knew about the arrival of the Monolith

Inferno, their location