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.

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

words, that was unless

putting

"...You're being real?"

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

Randur, Waylan looked towards Gernis who

clouded with unprecedented

while, opening his mouth,

I see tha

"Yea you can."

a smile. Evidently prepared to have been asked such a

"Here you go."

Gernis, Waylan handed him the

eyes focus on him, or more specifically

have

the contract from Waylan's hands, Gernis

how valid

to see if there were any

how much Gernis

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

like they had indeed managed to remove all loopholes as

"You…to go this far..."

is it? Let me have

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 it and

"What in the..."

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

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

contents of the contract for everyone that was present in

spoke, the

the point. If he breached even a single point of the contract, he would die. He was leaving himself

Randur looked at it, there were no

also realized this as they all looked at Douglas with shocked

he really know of a way to end the

Everyone wondered.

the changes that were happening in the

is going just as

mana contract was

most of the plans, that

it or expressing their

the leaders believe their words, and it was

no explanation needed to be

The move worked flawlessly.

Roshfield, break any one of these statements, I

Randur who finally finished reciting the

as Randur's words fade. The silence did not last

mana contract. Do you really

how

that a real

standing in the middle of the hall. All at once, everyone in the room kept asking question after

of questions, Waylan was a bit taken

at a time. I can't answer everyone at the same

He helplessly said.

"Silence everyone."

to Waylan's aid

powerful voice and aura spread throughout the whole hall, silencing everyone

much to Waylan's relief, all forms of

head, turning his attention back

tell us

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

asking Waylan about the plan, he had directly asked him

those words

plan, and just speak about what

his plans, there was a good chance that their plans would be exposed

"Yes, I will."

towards Gernis to gesture that he understood his intentions,

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