The Author's POV

340 Setting the pieces in motion [4]

Ci Clank!

Exiting the room I was staying in, I calmly looked at my surroundings.

'It's a lot quieter than I thought,' I thought.

Now that I was done with the deactivation of the beacons, it was now time that I properly scouted the place.

Since I had to suddenly hasten my plans, I decided to get everything ready within the next day or so.

The first step was to know the environment well.

Although I knew the general layout of the place thanks to some of the things Waylan had sent me, I wanted to get a proper look myself.

After all, seeing in person was much better than seeing through a small map. Moreover, the map was created by the spies sent by the dwarves. With everyone being strictly monitored, they were bound to miss something.

"Karl? What are you doing?"

But just as I took a couple of steps outside of my room, someone called out for me; it was the guard that had been assigned to me.

Turning around, I irritably said.

"What do you care what I do?"

My unfriendly tone was done so that the guard would get the idea, and leave me alone.

Unfortunately, the guard didn't seem to care.

Unfazed by my tone, he calmly said.

"I am your guard, of course, I care. Right now you're probably one of the most wanted duergar in the whole of Henlour. I was told never to leave your side."

'...ah, right, should've expected this.

In hindsight, he wasn't wrong. Being the one responsible for shutting down the beacons, my life was in quite a bit of danger.

Saying that I was the most wanted duergar wasn't a lie. I truly was.

Although I could probably defend myself now that I was rank. with my every move being watched, I couldn't carelessly kill anyone at the moment.

Plus...

Eyeing the guard next to me, I knew that his only goal wasn't just to guard me.

Most likely, he had been sent by the elders to keep watch of me.

It seemed like they still did not fully trust me.

Unaware of what I was thinking, the guard continued talking.

"We've already managed to stop two assassination attempts that were aimed for your life. If you go alone, I won't be able to protect you, and the elders would not let me go. For my life, I have to follow you."

"...Ugh, fine."

Listening to him continuously speak, I eventually relented.

His presence wasn't the worst thing ever. At the very least, he could protect me.

It would be pretty ironic if I died at the hands of a dwarven spy.

Since only a few individuals knew of my presence here, as of this moment, I was the enemy of all dwarfs.

"Thank you for understanding!"

Seeing me agree, the guard sighed in relief and thanked me.

He then proceeded to run up to me.

"So, where are you headed?"

He asked, finally catching up to me.

Glancing at him from the corner of my eyes, I responded.

"Just casually looking around. I've been in the room for too long. Need a breath of fresh air."

"Ah, I see."

The guard repeatedly nodded his head in understanding.

He then started complimenting me out of nowhere.

"With what you've achieved, getting a little bit of rest is the least you deserve. Your achievements are truly something noteworthy. With you, we might very well be able to finally cleanse this place of those bastards."

"...right."

speaking, I kept an indifferent and

just went from one

this nonsense, just as I was about to get fed up bv his bootlicking. a thought suddenly

put the guard

might as well have him be my

was a guard, without a doubt he knew

a more fruitful

decision, turning my attention back to

a tour

"You what?"

steps and looked at me

my steps, I looked back and asked in

"What's wrong?"

tour? ...have you not seen the place

"No."

my head and continued to

long

never bothered to check this place out so I've got no clue about where I'm going. Since you like talking so much, be useful and tell me about

secretly glanced at the guard from the corner of my eyes, hoping that he

bit suspicious, given Karl's character, I

did say that he was a research fanatic. Never left

This

shocked by my request was a testament to this,

"Ah, I see."

was

shock of my request and thinking things through, the guard quickly

be more than delighted by this request...if you would

pace, he started

walked, he

make sure to give you a detailed tour of the place. By the end of it, you will know the whole place as

behind him, upon hearing

couldn't ask for

***

[Lock, Class A-25]

have you been doing this past month? You've been

poked Kevin who was packing up

on the table, she looked at Kevin

seem a lot more cheerful than before...did something good

"Not particularly."

replied, putting his notebook and tablet away

the academy repeatedly, spending more time training in your room rather than at the training grounds, and even laughing to

the smaller

face, Kevin thought for a moment

me, I've got something to tell

"Wa-wait!"

grabbing onto her wrist, he dragged her out of the

what are you doing? Let go

Ci Clank-!

soon headed for

go of

regardless of

weak. If she wanted to she

in a rather secluded area, one devoid of any students, Kevin finally let

are you trying to

Emma looked at Kevin; her face was

thoughts were

do!? Is he planning on doing what

the side of her face, Emma could feel her cheeks burning

continued to have wild thoughts as she couldn't help

say yes or no? although I do like Kevin, I don't know if this is the right time. We've just become third

thinking, Kevin, checked his surroundings

waving his hand, he formed

no one is

"A...are perhaps trying to..."

the side, cutting Kevin

head,

to

"You know c..con-"

know where your father

cut her off and

"Con...c-What?"

Kevin's words, her body

face frosted. Gone was her previous

you just say?...You better not be messing with. I will never forgive you

Emma's eyes, Kevin

I know where your

"...how?"

her lips, Emma's shoulders trembled slightly. The side of

pointed her finger at

with me, Kevin.

am not. I know where he