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.

knew how a mana contract worked; therefore, they knew

that was

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 he truly knew of a way to end the

"...You're being real?"

one to speak up was Randur. The dwarf that had been

towards Gernis who

face clouded with

opening his mouth,

see

"Yea you can."

nodded with a smile. Evidently prepared to have been

"Here you go."

Waylan handed him

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

have

from Waylan's hands, Gernis

just how valid

contract to see

of how much Gernis looked, there wouldn't

it, he had gone through it with Douglas and Ren. As they were checking, they

had indeed managed to remove all loopholes as an astonished

"You…to go this far..."

Let me have a

as he eagerly looked at the contract in Gernis's

a look at it

contract, not minding Randur's attitude, Gernis passes the contract onto him who

"What in the..."

just like Gernis, a shocked look appeared on his face as

Roshfield, 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

the contents of the contract for everyone that was present in

spoke, the more shocked he

he breached even a single point of the contract, he

matter how much Randur looked

others in the room also realized this as they all looked at Douglas

really know of a way to

Everyone wondered.

changes that were happening in the room, Waylan smiled

is going just

was in

most of

or expressing their inputs on

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

was, no explanation needed to be said when presenting

The move worked flawlessly.

Waylan Roshfield, break any one of these statements,

Randur who

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

Do you really have a way to

tell us immediately how we can stop

that a real mana

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

was a bit taken aback as he

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

He helplessly said.

"Silence everyone."

Waylan's

powerful voice and aura spread throughout the whole hall,

much to Waylan's relief,

his head, turning his attention back

tell us

sounded normal, but Waylan knew what

plan, he had directly asked him

those words was

plan, and just speak about

of his plans, there was a good chance that their plans would be exposed to the enemy and would end up no longer

"Yes, I will."

he understood his intentions, Waylan looked towards

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