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."

to the guard speaking, I kept

went from one ear to

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

I put the guard to good

might

guard, without a doubt he knew the ins and

may turn into a more fruitful

to

a tour

"You what?"

request, the guard halted his steps and looked at me

halting my steps, I looked back and

"What's wrong?"

tour? ...have you not seen the place

"No."

my head and

my long beard,

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

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

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

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

spent so much time researching that not many knew how he acted. This was why I was able

too shocked by my request was a testament to

"Ah, I see."

I was

and thinking things through, the guard quickly recovered

more than delighted by this request...if you

he

walked,

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

upon hearing his words, I suddenly

ask for anything

***

[Lock, Class A-25]

doing this past

who was packing

on the table, she

seem a lot more

"Not particularly."

notebook and tablet away in his

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

spoke, the smaller her

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

got something to

"Wa-wait!"

grabbing onto her wrist, he dragged her out

you doing? Let

Ci Clank-!

soon headed

let go

of

If she wanted to she could've easily

devoid of any

you

Kevin; her face was

were

do!? Is he planning on doing what I think he's doing…is he planning on confessing

face, Emma could feel her

her, Emma's continued to have wild thoughts

no? although I do like Kevin, I don't

what Emma was thinking, Kevin, checked his surroundings to

he formed a small barrier around

no one

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

shyly said from the

head, Kevin

to

"You know c..con-"

know where

could finish her sentence, Kevin cut her off and

"Con...c-What?"

she processed Kevin's words, her body froze

face

better not be messing with. I will

back into Emma's

not joking, I know where your

"...how?"

trembled slightly. The side of her eyes

pointed

not be messing with

I