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?'

by the side, the moment I heard Orion mention humans, my

'Something's off.'

senior advisor, so I guess it's fine

and turned to glance at Orion, who looked straight at

ran down my spine, but I kept my

his mouth, Orion started to

decision of asking Karl for his opinion,

faded, a deathly silence

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

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

to speak. Perhaps

not last for long as no one

slightly, Orion glanced

a certain matter. Since about a month to two months

Orion slowly started recounting to me what had happened moments prior to me

them in order to get their help in infiltrating

of them. They've finally

listened, the greater

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

this factor into account when making

I rose to a high enough position, but it looks

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

of my thoughts was Orion's

"Let me think..."

head, I

of every elder present, scanning me from top

mask, my

Orion and the other elders in the

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

to have been unexpected as both Orion and the elders showed a surprised

He leaned forward,

me more, I'm interested. Why should

"…Okay."

gazes,

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

referring to the

Hutrud finally spoke up.

the last meeting,

"That is correct."

way, nodding my

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

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

city and have them disguise themselves as non contracted

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

have the Dwarf race and other races

time, he might face severe repercussions

choice but to fight back, resulting in the dwarves suffering

would also

without a doubt, further

everyone turning their backs on the humans, the morale

be surrounded on all fronts. It

to make sure that they were

in this operation, we might be able

"...."

the hall was once again

the elders showed pensive

of the

say. Now, all I have to

Waylan and the others,

elders didn't know, it was that I was the

me trying

goal was to lure them to

unknown, and despite all of the

Waylan and Douglas knew about the arrival of the Monolith members and

their location would soon be exposed, and that was when the true fun would