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.

a mana contract worked; therefore, they knew the

no falsehoods in his words, that was unless he didn't value

the line. He was putting his life on the line to prove to everyone present that he truly

"...You're being real?"

to speak up was Randur. The dwarf that

looked towards Gernis who was looking back

face clouded

while, opening his mouth,

see tha

"Yea you can."

with a smile. Evidently prepared to have

"Here you go."

Waylan

noticed everyone's eyes focus on him,

me have

from Waylan's hands, Gernis started

see just how valid your

Gernis who was looking through the contract to see if there were any loopholes,

that regardless of how much Gernis looked, there wouldn't be any

he had gone through it with Douglas and Ren. As they were checking, they made sure to remove anything that the dwarfs could use as a point to

managed to remove all loopholes as an astonished look soon appeared on

"You…to go this far..."

is it? Let me

said as he eagerly looked

a look at

from the contract, not minding Randur's attitude, Gernis passes the contract onto him who quickly snatched it

"What in the..."

appeared on

will die. If I, Waylan Roshfield, backstab the dwarves in any way,

he started reciting the contents of the contract

more he spoke, the more shocked he

breached even a single point of

looked at

others in the room also realized this as they

know of a way to end the

Everyone wondered.

happening in

going

a mana contract was in fact

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

it or expressing

how to have the leaders believe their words, and it was Waylan's idea to

it was, no explanation needed to be said when presenting it to

The move worked flawlessly.

Roshfield, break any one of these statements, I will

him out of his thoughts was Randur who finally

words fade. The silence did not last for long as not

mana contract. Do you really have a

tell us immediately how we

that a real

looked at Waylan who was standing in the middle of the hall. All at once, everyone in

of questions, Waylan was a bit taken aback

at a time. I can't answer everyone at the

He helplessly said.

"Silence everyone."

Waylan's aid

and aura spread throughout the whole hall, silencing

much to Waylan's relief, all

head, turning his attention back towards Waylan, Gernis

now that everyone is quiet, tell us what you want us

those in the hall, Gernis's words sounded normal, but Waylan knew what he meant

asking Waylan about the plan, he had directly asked

behind those words was clear to

speaking about the plan, and just speak about what we

their midst. If Waylan said all of his plans, there was a good chance

"Yes, I will."

Gernis to gesture that he understood his intentions,

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