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?'

mention humans, my brows knit in consternation. Albeit, for

'Something's off.'

to senior advisor, so I guess it's fine

eventually relented and turned to glance

a cold chill ran down my spine,

his mouth, Orion

decision of asking Karl for his opinion, please let

a deathly silence permeated the

listened attentively to what they were trying to

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

them to speak. Perhaps this

did not last for long

his head slightly, Orion glanced at

now be asking you about a certain

to

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

them. They've finally

more I listened, the greater

in the forest and provoked Mo Jinhao directly, I was sure that they wouldn't

into account when making my plans, and the

to the elders once I rose to

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

of my thoughts

"Let me think..."

of my head, I pretended to think for

I could feel the eyes of every elder present, scanning me

confident in the mask, my heartbeat

my head, I looked at Orion and the other

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

have been unexpected as both Orion and the elders

was Orion. He leaned

more, I'm interested.

"…Okay."

gazes, I started

offer is ideal is because, aside from the favor that you receive from them, we can also use their presence

referring to

Hutrud finally spoke up.

to the last meeting, he

"That is correct."

way, nodding my head, I

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

could replicate demonic energy with the aid of an artifact,

members infiltrate the city and have them disguise themselves as non contracted humans, the

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

the Dwarf race

at saving Jomnuk, this time, he

Waylan and Douglas would have no choice but to fight back, resulting in the dwarves suffering

a long term perspective, they would also

would without a doubt,

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

on all fronts. It would

to make sure that they were following along what

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

"...."

finished speaking, the hall

the elders

in the middle of 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 the others, this was only

know, it was that I was the individual the Monolith was

were just me

to

despite all of

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

the tracker led to me, and I was in Inferno, their location