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

that was unless

moment, everyone in the room 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?"

The dwarf that had been

at Randur, Waylan looked towards Gernis who was

face clouded with

a while, opening his mouth, Gernis

see tha

"Yea you can."

nodded with a smile. Evidently prepared to

"Here you go."

to Gernis, Waylan handed

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

me have a

Waylan's hands, Gernis

me see just how valid your words

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

much Gernis looked, there

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

managed to remove all loopholes as an astonished

"You…to go this far..."

it? Let me

impatiently said as he eagerly looked at the

look

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

"What in the..."

look appeared on his

If I, Waylan

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

the more shocked

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

matter how much Randur looked at it, there were

also realized this as they all looked

of a

Everyone wondered.

the changes that were happening in

is going just as

was in

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

the plan by either polishing it or expressing their

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

needed to be said when presenting it to

The move worked flawlessly.

Roshfield, break any one of these

him out of his thoughts was Randur who finally finished reciting

in the hall as Randur's words fade. The silence did not

really a mana contract. Do you really

immediately how we

that a real

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

questions, Waylan was a bit taken aback as he wrily

time. I can't answer

He helplessly said.

"Silence everyone."

Waylan's aid

and aura spread throughout the whole hall, silencing

relief, all forms of

head, turning his attention back

tell us what you want us to

Waylan knew what he meant when

he had directly asked him

implication behind those words was

and just speak about what

Gernis was aware of a possible 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

"Yes, I will."

that he understood his intentions, Waylan looked towards everyone

you bring