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."

I kept an

just went from one ear to the

just as I was about to get

put the

following me, might as well have him be

doubt he knew the ins and outs of the

into a more fruitful opportunity than I

turning my attention back to the guard, I

give me a tour of the

"You what?"

his steps and looked at me with

my steps, I looked

"What's wrong?"

...have you not

"No."

shook my head and

long

I've got no clue about where I'm going. Since you

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

bit suspicious, given Karl's character, I was probably not that far off from the

all, in his description, it did say that he was a research fanatic. Never left his room as

researching that not many knew how he acted. This was why I was able to somewhat get away with the

my request was a

"Ah, I see."

I was

my request and thinking things through, the

more than delighted by

up his pace, he

he walked,

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

him, upon hearing his words,

ask for anything

***

[Lock, Class A-25]

been doing this past month? You've

who was packing

on the table,

a lot more

"Not particularly."

putting his notebook and tablet away

out of the academy repeatedly, spending more time training in your room rather than at the

the smaller her eyes

head and staring at Emma's beautiful face, Kevin thought for a moment before standing

got something

"Wa-wait!"

her wrist,

are you doing?

Ci Clank-!

the building, Kevin soon headed for

go

the way, Emma would protest, but regardless of how much she protested,

Emma's resistance was pretty weak. If she wanted to she could've easily

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

are you trying to

Emma looked at Kevin; her face was dyed red in

thoughts were running

what I think he's doing…is

face, Emma could

to have

I do like Kevin, I don't

Emma was thinking, Kevin, checked his

hand, he formed

one is

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

said from the side, cutting Kevin

head, Kevin

to do

"You know c..con-"

where your father

cut

"Con...c-What?"

moment she processed Kevin's words, her body

back towards Kevin, her face frosted. Gone was her previous

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

into Emma's eyes, Kevin

I know where your father

"...how?"

slightly. The side

she pointed her

not be messing with me,

I