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?'

I heard Orion mention humans, my brows knit in consternation. Albeit,

'Something's off.'

to senior advisor, so

eventually relented and turned to glance at

cold chill ran down

his mouth, Orion

of asking Karl for his

a deathly silence permeated

I listened attentively

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

them to speak. Perhaps

last for long

head slightly, Orion glanced at me from the

be asking you about a

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

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

expected of them. They've finally

I listened, the

forest and provoked Mo Jinhao directly, I was sure

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

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

do you think Karl? Should we accept the offer or

me out of my thoughts was

"Let me think..."

my head, I

could feel the eyes of every elder present, scanning me

mask, my heartbeat couldn't

I looked at Orion and the other elders

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

as both Orion and the elders

to recover was Orion. He leaned forward, his eyes

I'm interested. Why should we

"…Okay."

everyone's expectant gazes, I started

ideal is because, aside from the favor that you receive

referring to the

Hutrud finally spoke up.

last meeting, he had spoken considerably

"That is correct."

nodding my head,

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

dwarves could replicate demonic energy with the aid

helped the Monolith members infiltrate the city and have them disguise themselves as non contracted humans, the duergars could have them go around killing random soldiers

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

duergars could have the Dwarf race and other

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

no choice but to

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

this would without a doubt, further

breaking down and everyone turning their backs on the humans, the morale of the Dwarf

would be surrounded on all fronts. It would be

everyone to make sure that they were following along what

of sacrifices will be made, if we manage to succeed in this operation, we might be able to completely destroy

"...."

the hall was

other, the elders showed pensive

of the hall,

I needed to say. Now, all I have to do

I was purposely screwing Waylan

didn't know, it was that I was the individual the Monolith was looking

were just me trying to convince

was to

all of the dwarves' efforts

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

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