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.

mana contract worked;

words, that was unless

He was putting his life on the line to prove to everyone present that he truly

"...You're being real?"

that had been giving Waylan a hard time

Randur, Waylan looked towards Gernis

clouded

opening his mouth,

see tha

"Yea you can."

with a smile. Evidently prepared to have been asked such

"Here you go."

up to Gernis, Waylan

moved, Waylan noticed everyone's eyes focus on him, or more specifically towards the

me have

Waylan's hands,

see just how valid your words

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

confident that regardless of how much Gernis looked, there wouldn't

they made sure to remove anything that the dwarfs could use as a point to dismiss his

managed to remove all loopholes

"You…to go this far..."

Let me have a

as he eagerly looked

look at

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

"What in the..."

appeared on his face

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

contents of the contract for

the more

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

Randur looked

also realized this as they all looked at Douglas with

he really know of a

Everyone wondered.

changes that were happening in the room, Waylan smiled in

going just as

contract was

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

by either polishing it or expressing

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

explanation needed to be said

The move worked flawlessly.

one of

his thoughts was Randur who

words fade. The silence did not last for long as not long after, total chaos

you really

us immediately how

that a real mana

was standing in the middle of the hall. All at

of questions, Waylan was a bit taken aback as he

I can't answer everyone at the

He helplessly said.

"Silence everyone."

to Waylan's aid

aura spread throughout the whole

relief, all forms

his attention back towards Waylan, Gernis

everyone is quiet, tell us what you want us to

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

plan, he had directly asked

behind those words was

just speak about what we need to

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

"Yes, I will."

Gernis to gesture that he understood his intentions, Waylan looked towards everyone in the

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