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.'

has just been promoted to senior advisor, so I

relented and turned to glance at Orion, who looked

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

mouth, Orion started

if anyone is against the decision of asking Karl for

words faded, a

wasn't sure what was happening, I listened attentively

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

just patiently waited for them to speak. Perhaps this was going

last for long as no

head slightly, Orion glanced at me from

asking you about a certain matter. Since about a month to two months ago, a

that Orion slowly started recounting to me what had happened

to contact them in order to get their help

them.

I listened, the greater

the forest and provoked Mo Jinhao directly, I was sure that they wouldn't

when making my plans, and the timing couldn't

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

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

me out of my thoughts was

"Let me think..."

the side of my head, I pretended

of every elder present, scanning

the mask, my heartbeat couldn't help but

raising my head, I looked at Orion and the other

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

as both

recover was Orion. He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling

I'm interested. Why should we

"…Okay."

everyone's expectant gazes, I

is because, aside from the favor that

you referring to the other

Hutrud finally spoke up.

last meeting, he had

"That is correct."

my head,

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

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

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

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

the duergars could have the Dwarf race and other

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

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

long term perspective, they would also lose

doing this would without a doubt, further damage the

the barrier slowly breaking down and everyone turning their backs on the humans,

surrounded on all fronts. It would be a despairing

make sure that they were following along what I was

lot of sacrifices will be made, if we manage to succeed in this operation,

"...."

I finished speaking, the hall was once again enveloped

each other, the elders showed pensive

in the middle of the hall, I kept a

all

I was purposely screwing Waylan and the others, this was only

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

were just me trying to convince Inferno to

to

was unknown, and despite all of the dwarves' efforts in trying to find it,

knew about the arrival of the Monolith members and quietly

was in Inferno, their location would soon be