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.

the room knew how a mana contract worked; therefore,

words, that was

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 giving Waylan a hard

Waylan looked towards Gernis who was looking back at

clouded with unprecedented

a while, opening his mouth,

I see tha

"Yea you can."

Evidently prepared to have been asked such

"Here you go."

to Gernis, Waylan handed him

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

have a

hands, Gernis started looking

me see just how

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

much Gernis

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

they had indeed managed to remove all loopholes

"You…to go this far..."

is it? Let me

as he eagerly looked at the contract in Gernis's

a look

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

"What in the..."

Gernis, a shocked look appeared on his

have a way to stop the war, will die. If I, Waylan

started reciting the contents of the contract for everyone that was present

he spoke, the

single point of the

matter how much Randur looked at it,

as they all looked

a way to end

Everyone wondered.

happening in

going just

mana contract was in fact his

that came up with most of the plans, that

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

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

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

The move worked flawlessly.

any one of these statements, I

his thoughts was Randur who finally finished reciting the contents

hall as Randur's words fade. The silence did not last for long as not long after, total chaos

you really have a way

tell us immediately how

that a real

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

questions, Waylan was a bit taken aback as he wrily

time. I can't answer everyone at

He helplessly said.

"Silence everyone."

to Waylan's aid

voice and aura spread throughout the

Waylan's relief, all forms

turning his attention back towards

everyone is quiet, tell us

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

directly asked him about what they were supposed

behind those words was

speaking about the plan, and just

all of his plans, there was a good chance that their plans would be exposed to the enemy

"Yes, I will."

that he understood his intentions, Waylan looked towards

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