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 severity of Waylan's

in his words, that was unless he didn't

the line. He was putting his life on the line to prove

"...You're being real?"

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

towards Gernis who was looking back

face clouded

while, opening his

I see tha

"Yea you can."

Evidently prepared to have been

"Here you go."

Waylan

everyone's eyes focus on him, or more specifically towards the contract in his

have

contract from Waylan's hands, Gernis started

just how valid your words

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

how much Gernis

were checking, they made sure

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

"You…to go this far..."

is it? Let

looked at the contract

look at

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

"What in the..."

a shocked look appeared on his face as he looked through the

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

his mouth, he started reciting the contents of the contract for everyone that

he spoke, the

he breached even a single point of the contract, he would die. He was leaving himself with no

how much Randur looked

as they all looked

really know of a

Everyone wondered.

happening in the room,

is going

was in

most of the plans, that didn't mean that he and Douglas

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

leaders believe their words, and it was Waylan's idea

everyone knew what it was, no explanation needed to be said when presenting it to the

The move worked flawlessly.

I, Waylan Roshfield, break any one of

Randur who finally finished reciting the contents of

silence did not

mana contract. Do you

tell us immediately how we

a

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

Waylan was a bit taken aback as he

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

He helplessly said.

"Silence everyone."

to Waylan's

powerful voice and aura spread throughout

to Waylan's relief, all forms

attention back towards

everyone is quiet, tell us what you want us

in the hall, Gernis's words sounded normal, but Waylan knew what he meant when he said 'tell us what you want

asking Waylan about the plan, he had directly asked

behind those words was clear

speaking about the plan, and just speak about what

his plans, there was a good chance that

"Yes, I will."

understood his intentions, Waylan looked towards everyone

two days, come to this place. Make sure you bring