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?'

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

'Something's off.'

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

to glance at Orion, who looked straight at

a cold chill ran down

Orion

of asking Karl for his

a deathly silence

wasn't sure what was happening, I listened

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

I just patiently waited for them to speak.

not last for

head slightly, Orion glanced at me from the

have agreed, I will now be asking you about a certain matter. Since about a month to two months ago, a

started recounting to

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

of them. They've finally

more I listened,

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

account when making my plans, and the timing couldn't have been

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

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

out of my thoughts was

"Let me think..."

head, I pretended to think

eyes of every elder present, scanning me from

in the mask, my heartbeat couldn't

looked at Orion and the other

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

to have been unexpected as both Orion and the elders showed

to recover was Orion. He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with

I'm interested. Why

"…Okay."

everyone's expectant gazes, I started to

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

to the

Hutrud finally spoke up.

last meeting, he had spoken

"That is correct."

way, nodding my head,

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

could replicate demonic energy with the aid of an artifact, so could

as non

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

continued, the duergars could have the Dwarf race and

at saving Jomnuk, this time, he might face

that point, Waylan and Douglas would have no choice but to fight back,

term perspective, they would also

that, doing this would without a doubt, further damage the

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

all fronts.

that they were following along what I was

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

"...."

hall was

each other, the

middle of the hall, I

Now, all I have to do is wait for their

was purposely screwing Waylan and the others, this

one thing the elders didn't know, it was

just said were just me trying to

to lure them

despite all of the dwarves' efforts in trying

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

I was in Inferno, their location