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.

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

were no falsehoods in his words, that was unless he

putting his life on

"...You're being real?"

first one to speak up was Randur. The dwarf that had been giving Waylan a hard time in the

Waylan looked towards Gernis who was looking

face clouded

while, opening his mouth, Gernis

see

"Yea you can."

nodded with a smile. Evidently prepared to have been asked

"Here you go."

Waylan handed

him, or more specifically towards

have

contract from Waylan's hands, Gernis

just how valid your words

the contract to see if there were any loopholes, Waylan merely

of how much Gernis looked,

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

like they had indeed managed to remove all loopholes

"You…to go this far..."

is it? Let me have

as he eagerly looked at the contract in

a look

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

"What in the..."

like Gernis, a shocked look appeared on his face as he looked through

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

the contract for everyone that was

he spoke, the more shocked he

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

how much Randur looked at

room also realized this as they all

he really know of a way to end

Everyone wondered.

changes that were happening in the room, Waylan

is going just

contract was

was the one that came up with most of

plan by either polishing it or expressing

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

knew what it was, no explanation needed to be

The move worked flawlessly.

break any one of these

thoughts was Randur who finally finished reciting the contents of the

silence did not last for long as

that really a mana contract. Do you really have a way to stop

tell us immediately how

that a

Waylan who was standing in the middle of the hall. All at once, everyone in the room kept asking

barrage of questions, Waylan was a bit taken aback as he

time. I can't answer everyone at the

He helplessly said.

"Silence everyone."

Waylan's aid

throughout the whole hall,

to Waylan's relief,

turning his attention

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

but Waylan knew what he meant when he said 'tell us what you want us to

he had directly asked him

behind those words

speaking about the plan, and just speak about what we

that 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

"Yes, I will."

understood his

this place. Make sure you bring as many subordinates as possible. Preferably, ones that can fight. The more