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

was saying, just went from one ear to

was about to get fed up bv his

don't I put the guard to

on following me, might as well have

a guard, without a doubt he knew the ins and outs

a more fruitful opportunity

my attention back to the guard, I

a tour of the

"You what?"

halted his steps and looked at me with an incredulous

steps, I looked

"What's wrong?"

you not seen the place

"No."

head and continued to

long beard,

my time doing research. I've never bothered to check this place out so I've got no clue about where I'm going. Since you like talking so much,

the guard from the corner of my eyes, hoping that he didn't notice

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

fanatic. Never left

not many knew how he acted. This was why I was able to somewhat get

shocked by my request was a testament to this, much to

"Ah, I see."

was

thinking things through, the guard quickly recovered before

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

pace, he started

he walked, he

detailed tour of the place. By the end of it,

hearing his words, I

couldn't ask for anything

***

[Lock, Class A-25]

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

Kevin who was

table, she looked at Kevin who was

seem a lot more

"Not particularly."

and

time training in your room rather than at

spoke, the

Emma's beautiful face, Kevin thought

me, I've got something to tell

"Wa-wait!"

could protest, grabbing onto her wrist, he dragged her out of

are you doing?

Ci Clank-!

Kevin soon headed for a rather secluded

go of

of how much she protested, Kevin did

pretty weak. If she

a rather secluded area, one devoid of any

you trying

Kevin; her face

were

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

onto the side of her face,

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

I don't

Kevin, checked his surroundings to see if there

waving his hand, he formed a small barrier around

no one

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

the side, cutting Kevin

his head, Kevin

to

"You know c..con-"

know where

cut her off and went straight to the

"Con...c-What?"

Kevin's words, her body froze and

her face

be messing with. I will never forgive you if

back into Emma's

not joking, I know where your

"...how?"

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

pointed her

better not be messing with me, Kevin. I

am not. I know where he