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."

the guard speaking, I kept an

was saying, just went

about to get fed up bv

why don't I put the guard to good

me, might as well

a guard, without a doubt he knew the ins and

a more fruitful opportunity than

to the guard, I opened my mouth

a tour of the

"You what?"

his steps and

halting my steps, I looked back and

"What's wrong?"

tour? ...have you not seen

"No."

head and continued to

long

of my time doing research. I've never bothered to check this place out so I've got no clue about where

glanced at the guard from the corner of

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

was a research fanatic. Never left his room as

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

that the guard didn't seem too shocked by my

"Ah, I see."

I was indeed

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

than delighted by this

up his pace, he started

walked,

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

behind him, upon hearing his words, I

ask for anything

***

[Lock, Class A-25]

been doing this

was

on the table,

also seem a lot more cheerful

"Not particularly."

putting his notebook and tablet away

suspiciously? Going out of the 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

more she spoke, the smaller her

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

I've got something to tell

"Wa-wait!"

onto her wrist,

what are you doing? Let go

Ci Clank-!

the building, Kevin soon headed for a rather

let go

would protest, but regardless of how

If she wanted

devoid of any students, Kevin finally let of

are you trying to

Emma looked at Kevin; her face was dyed

thoughts were running

do!? Is he planning on doing what

side of her face, Emma

in front of her, Emma's continued to have

do like Kevin, I don't know if this is the

his surroundings

waving his hand, he formed a

one

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

the side, cutting

head,

Trying to

"You know c..con-"

know where your

finish her sentence, Kevin cut her off and went straight

"Con...c-What?"

moment she processed Kevin's

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

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

Emma's eyes,

not joking, I know where your father

"...how?"

trembled slightly. The side of her

she pointed her

messing with

I know