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

'Something's off.'

advisor, so I

eventually relented and turned to glance

moment our eyes met, a cold chill ran down my spine, but I kept my

Orion started to

if anyone is against the decision of asking Karl for his opinion, please let me

a deathly silence permeated the

sure what was happening, I listened attentively to what they were trying

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

such, I just patiently waited for them to speak. Perhaps this was

the wait did not last for long as

slightly, Orion glanced at

you about a certain matter. Since about a

to me what had

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

expected of them. They've finally

I listened, the greater

I expected it. Ever since I killed Xavier back in the forest and provoked Mo Jinhao directly, I

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

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

What do you think Karl? Should we accept the offer or

me out of my thoughts was Orion's

"Let me think..."

the side of my head, I pretended to

eyes of

in the mask, my heartbeat couldn't help

Orion and the other

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

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

He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with

me more, I'm interested. Why should

"…Okay."

gazes, I started to

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

to

Hutrud finally spoke up.

to the last meeting,

"That is correct."

my head,

you probably know, there's a 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 humans and pit them against

the aid of an artifact,

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

happen, they would need to do it in

duergars could have the Dwarf race and other

saving Jomnuk, this time, he might face severe repercussions even if he was

Waylan and Douglas would have no choice but to fight

long term perspective, they would also lose

without a doubt,

slowly breaking down and everyone turning their backs on the humans, the morale of the Dwarf race as a whole would

fronts. It would

sure that they were following along what I

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

"...."

after I finished speaking, the hall

towards each other, the

the middle of the hall, I

I needed to say. Now, all I have to do is wait for their

I was purposely screwing Waylan

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

just said were just me trying to

goal was to lure them

was unknown, and despite all of the dwarves' efforts in

and Douglas knew about the arrival of the Monolith members and quietly followed them from

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