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?'

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

'Something's off.'

advisor, so I guess it's fine to tell

turned to glance

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

Orion started

against the decision of asking Karl

his words faded, a deathly silence permeated

was happening, I listened

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

patiently waited for them to speak. Perhaps this was

wait did not last for long as

slightly, Orion glanced at me from

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

Orion slowly started recounting to me what had happened moments

get their help in infiltrating Henolur to how they were

them. They've finally

more I listened, the greater my

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

into account when making my plans, and

once I rose to a

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

my thoughts was Orion's

"Let me think..."

of my head, I pretended to think for a

I could feel the eyes of every

mask, my heartbeat couldn't help but

raising my head, I looked at Orion and the

"Accept it."

"Oh?"

unexpected as both Orion and

Orion. He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling

more, I'm interested. Why should we

"…Okay."

everyone's expectant gazes, I started

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

you referring to the

Hutrud finally spoke up.

to the last meeting, he had spoken

"That is correct."

nodding my

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

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

members infiltrate the city and have them disguise themselves as non contracted humans, the duergars could have them go

would happen, they would need to do it in

could have the Dwarf race and other races turn on the

saving Jomnuk, this time, he might

point, Waylan and Douglas would have no choice but to

long term perspective, they would also lose all

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

their backs on the humans, the morale of the Dwarf

would be surrounded on all fronts. It would

glancing at everyone to make sure that they were following along what I was

be made, if we manage to succeed in

"...."

speaking, the hall was once again enveloped

each other, the elders

the hall, I kept a straight

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

screwing Waylan and

didn't know, it was that I was

said were just me trying to convince Inferno to let Monolith

real goal was to lure them

despite all of the dwarves'

arrival of the

their location would soon be exposed,