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 kept an indifferent and stoic

he was saying, just went from one ear to the

I was about to get fed up bv his

why don't I put the guard to

following me, might as well have him be

doubt he knew

turn into a

back to the guard, I opened

a tour

"You what?"

the guard halted his steps and looked at me with

looked back and asked

"What's wrong?"

not seen

"No."

head and

long beard, I

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

the corner of my eyes,

given Karl's character,

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

This was why I was able to somewhat get away with the things

didn't seem too shocked by my request was a

"Ah, I see."

I was

my request and thinking things through, the guard quickly recovered before nodding his

be more than delighted by this

up his pace, he started walking ahead

he walked, he

By the end of it, you will know the whole

him, upon hearing his words,

ask

***

[Lock, Class A-25]

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

was packing

both hands on the table, she looked at Kevin who was still

a lot more cheerful

"Not particularly."

notebook and tablet

academy repeatedly, spending more time training in your room rather than at the training grounds, and even laughing to yourself at random times…Something isn't adding

she spoke, the smaller her eyes

face, Kevin thought for

me, I've got something

"Wa-wait!"

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

are you doing? Let go

Ci Clank-!

Kevin soon headed for

let go

would protest, but regardless of how much

Emma's resistance was pretty weak. If

a rather secluded area, one devoid of any

you trying

Emma looked at Kevin; her face was dyed

thoughts were running

do I do!? Is he planning on doing what I think

the side of her face, Emma could feel her

continued to have wild

no? although I do like Kevin, I don't know if this

what Emma was thinking, Kevin, checked his surroundings to see if there

hand, he formed a

one is

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

said from the side, cutting Kevin

head, Kevin

Trying to

"You know c..con-"

where

sentence, Kevin cut her off and

"Con...c-What?"

Kevin's words, her

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

be messing with. I will

into Emma's eyes,

not joking, I know

"...how?"

Emma's shoulders trembled slightly. The side

her hand, she pointed her finger at

with me, Kevin.

am not. I know where