The Author's POV

342 Taking the initiative［2]

"...I've got a way to stop the war."

A palpitating almost chilling silence enveloped the hall as everyone stared at Waylan in the middle of the room.

Before anyone could speak or voice out their objections, Waylan continued speaking.

"Yes, I know what you guys are thinking. Is he crazy? Is he out of his mind? Is he right in the head?…I'd also think the same if I were to be put in the same position as you all."

Waylan looked around before his eyes soon paused on Gernis, the Metropoliskeeper, and leader of the dwarfs.

"I know what I'm saying I absurd, but I really do have a way to end this war. You don't have to be-"

Unfortunately for Waylan, in the end, not everyone could keep themselves from voicing out their objections.

Standing up, one of the elders shouted.

"What n-"

"Quiet!"

A sharp voice echoed throughout the hall, cutting the elder off before he could formulate a sentence.

Glaring at the elder, Gernis solemnly said.

"I will nae permit any talking until he be done speaking."

His deep voice traveled through the ears of each individual present. A strong pressure came along the voice.

"...I apologize."

Reprimanded by Gernis, swallowing his pride, the dwarf apologized to Waylan who merely smiled in response.

Turning his attention back to Waylan, Gernis gestured for him to continue.

"Sorry for tha disturbance, ye may continue."

"Thank you." Waylan thanked. "As I was saying. I have a way to end this war. I know that you all must be doubting my words, hence why I came prepared."

Swiping his hand in the air, a scroll suddenly materialized out of nowhere.

"...What in the."

"A mana contract."

"Is that a mana contract?"

Everyone instantly recognized the scroll that appeared in Waylan's hands.

It was a mana contract.

Something that most individuals present in the hall had used once before, except the orcs of course.

"Correct."

Waylan said as he reached out for the contract in the air.

Grabbing the contract, he slowly unraveled it for everyone to see.

"Since none of you might believe me, I thought to myself. Is there a way to convince you guys that I'm not lying to you and that I truly know of a way to stop the war?"

Glancing at everyone in the room, Waylan flashed a smile.

"...Well, guess what? There truly is a way."

Waylan raised the hand that held onto the Scroll.

"This over here is the highest-ranked mana scroll that I could find. Meaning that it is of the highest rank available. If by any chance I breach the contract, according to the contract, I will instantly die, regardless of my rank."

As Waylan spoke, the eyes of the individuals in the room finally changed.

At the mention of the contract, the individuals who had previously treated this meeting as a mere joke finally had to change their stance.

The moment he took out the contract, they knew that this could no longer be a job.

room knew how a mana contract worked; therefore, they knew the

his words, that was unless he

understood one thing, Waylan was putting his life on the line. He was putting his life on the line to prove to everyone present that

"...You're being real?"

to speak up was Randur. The dwarf that had been giving Waylan a

towards Gernis who was looking back

face clouded

a while, opening his mouth, Gernis

I see

"Yea you can."

nodded with a smile. Evidently prepared to

"Here you go."

up to Gernis, Waylan

on him, or more specifically towards the contract

have a

Waylan's hands, Gernis started looking through

just how valid

at Gernis who was looking through the contract to see if there

how much

Douglas and Ren. As they were checking, they made sure to

indeed managed to remove all loopholes as an astonished look soon

"You…to go this far..."

it? Let me have

impatiently said as he eagerly looked at the contract

a look

from the contract, not minding Randur's attitude, Gernis passes the

"What in the..."

like Gernis, a shocked look appeared on his

do not have a way to stop the war, will die. If I, Waylan Roshfield, backstab the dwarves

reciting the contents of the contract for everyone that was present

more he spoke, the more shocked he

he breached even a single point of the contract, he would die. He was leaving

how much Randur looked at it, there were

the room also realized this as they

a

Everyone wondered.

were happening in the room, Waylan smiled in

is going just as

a mana contract was

one that came up with most of the plans, that didn't mean

it or expressing their inputs on areas that needed to have further

areas they needed to cover was how to have the leaders believe their words, and it

it was, no explanation needed to be

The move worked flawlessly.

one of these statements, I

was Randur who

descended in the hall as Randur's words fade. The silence did not last for long as not long after, total chaos erupted

mana contract. Do you really have a way to

tell us immediately how we

that a real mana

of the hall. All at once,

questions, Waylan was a bit taken aback as he wrily

one at a time. I

He helplessly said.

"Silence everyone."

to Waylan's

voice and aura spread throughout the whole hall,

to Waylan's relief, all forms

his head, turning his attention back towards Waylan, Gernis

tell us what you want

sounded normal, but Waylan knew what he meant when he

he had directly asked him about what they were supposed

behind those words was clear

and just speak

spy hiding in their midst. If Waylan said all of his plans, there was a good chance that their plans would be exposed to the enemy and

"Yes, I will."

he understood his intentions,

is simple. In two days, come to this place. Make sure you bring as many subordinates as possible. Preferably, ones that can fight. The more the