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?'

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

'Something's off.'

senior advisor, so I guess it's fine to tell

glance at Orion, who looked

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

Orion

against the decision of asking Karl for his opinion,

his words faded, a

I listened attentively to what they were trying to

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

them to

not last for

glanced at me

will now be asking you about a certain matter. Since

started recounting to me what had

was trying to contact them in order to get their help in infiltrating Henolur to how they were

of them. They've

I listened,

since I killed Xavier back in the forest and provoked Mo Jinhao directly, I was

fact, I took this factor into account when making my plans, and the timing

it up to the elders once I rose to a

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

of my thoughts

"Let me think..."

head, I

feel the eyes of

the mask,

at Orion and the other elders

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

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

one to recover was Orion. He leaned forward, his

more, I'm interested.

"…Okay."

gazes,

aside from the favor that you receive from them, we can also use their

to

Hutrud finally spoke up.

last meeting, he had

"That is correct."

my

chance to create internal conflicts amongst them? Although there aren't many humans present, we could take advantage of

replicate demonic energy with the aid of an

them disguise themselves as non contracted humans, the duergars could have them go around killing random soldiers

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

as that continued, the duergars could have the Dwarf

Jomnuk, this time, he might face severe repercussions

have no choice but

perspective, they would also lose all possibility

would without a doubt, further damage the

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

surrounded on all fronts. It

and glancing at everyone to make sure that they were

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

"...."

finished speaking, the hall was once again enveloped

towards each other, the elders

middle of the hall,

said what I needed to say. Now, all I have to

screwing Waylan and

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

I just said were just me trying

real goal was to lure

of

and Douglas knew about the arrival of the Monolith members

in Inferno, their location would soon be