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.

how a mana contract worked; therefore, they knew the severity of Waylan's

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

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

"...You're being real?"

one to speak up was Randur. The dwarf that

Randur, Waylan looked towards Gernis who was looking back at

clouded with unprecedented

opening

see tha

"Yea you can."

with a smile. Evidently prepared to have been asked such a

"Here you go."

Waylan handed him

he moved, Waylan noticed everyone's eyes focus on him, or more

have

the contract from Waylan's hands, Gernis

how valid your

who was looking through the contract to see

how much

gone through it with Douglas and Ren. As they were checking, they made sure to remove

seemed like they had indeed managed to remove all loopholes as an astonished look soon appeared on Gernis's

"You…to go this far..."

Let me

said as he eagerly looked at the contract

a look at

attitude, Gernis passes the contract onto him who quickly

"What in the..."

just like Gernis, a shocked look appeared on his face

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

mouth, he started reciting the contents of the contract for everyone that was present in

more he spoke, the more shocked

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

how much Randur looked at it, there were

also realized this as they all looked

of a way

Everyone wondered.

happening in the room,

going just

mana contract was in fact

up with most of the plans,

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

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

was, no explanation needed to be said when

The move worked flawlessly.

break any one of these statements,

his thoughts was Randur who

heavy silence descended in the hall as Randur's words fade. The silence did not last for long as not long

a mana contract. Do you really have a way

immediately how we

a real

was standing in the middle of the

barrage of questions, Waylan was a bit taken

ask one at a time. I can't answer everyone at

He helplessly said.

"Silence everyone."

Waylan's

and aura spread throughout the whole hall,

much to Waylan's relief, all

his attention

is quiet, tell us what you

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

he had directly asked him

implication behind those words was clear

just

possible spy hiding in their midst. If Waylan said all of his plans, there was a good chance that their plans would be

"Yes, I will."

to gesture that he understood his intentions, Waylan looked

to this place. Make sure you bring as many subordinates as possible. Preferably, ones