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."

guard speaking, I

saying, just went

to get fed up bv his bootlicking. a

I put the guard to good

on following me, might as well have

without a doubt he knew

into a more fruitful opportunity than I

up my decision, turning my attention back to the

a

"You what?"

his steps and looked at me with an

halting my steps, I looked

"What's wrong?"

tour? ...have you not seen the

"No."

head and continued to move

my long beard, I

research. I've never bothered to check this place out so I've got no clue about where I'm going. Since

I was talking, I secretly glanced at the guard from the corner of

my request sounded a bit suspicious, given Karl's character, I was probably not that far

research fanatic. Never left his room as he wanted to continue

knew how he acted. This

didn't seem too shocked by my request was a testament to this, much

"Ah, I see."

I was indeed

request and thinking things

be more than delighted by this

pace, he started walking ahead

walked,

you a detailed tour of the place. By the end of it, you will know

upon hearing his words, I

couldn't ask for anything

***

[Lock, Class A-25]

you been doing this past month? You've been acting awfully

who was packing

hands on the table,

lot more cheerful

"Not particularly."

putting his notebook and tablet away in his

out of the academy repeatedly, spending more time training in your

she spoke, the smaller her eyes

his head and staring at Emma's beautiful face,

got something to tell

"Wa-wait!"

could protest, grabbing onto her

what are you doing?

Ci Clank-!

soon headed for a rather

go of

would protest, but regardless of how much she protested, Kevin

If she wanted to

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

are you

Emma looked at Kevin;

thoughts were

planning on doing what I think he's doing…is he planning on

the side of her face, Emma could

Emma's continued to have wild thoughts as she couldn't

like Kevin, I don't know if this is the right time. We've just become third years

was thinking, Kevin, checked his surroundings to see if there was anyone

formed a small barrier around

no one

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

shyly said from the

his head,

to do

"You know c..con-"

I know where your father

could finish her sentence, Kevin cut her

"Con...c-What?"

guard, the moment she processed Kevin's words, her body

her face frosted. Gone was her previous

better not be messing with. I will never forgive you if you

Emma's eyes, Kevin answered

joking, I know

"...how?"

shoulders trembled slightly.

her hand, she pointed her finger

not be messing with me, Kevin. I am warning

not. I know where