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.

room knew how a mana contract worked; therefore, they knew the severity of Waylan's

his words, that was unless he didn't value

Waylan was putting his life on the line. He was putting

"...You're being real?"

up was Randur. The dwarf that

Randur, Waylan looked towards Gernis who was looking back

clouded with unprecedented

a while, opening

I see

"Yea you can."

Evidently prepared to have been

"Here you go."

Gernis, Waylan handed him the

focus on him, or more specifically towards the contract

have a

the contract from Waylan's hands,

just how

was looking through the contract to

confident that regardless of how much Gernis

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

had indeed managed to remove all loopholes as an

"You…to go this far..."

Let me have

said 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

"What in the..."

Gernis, a shocked look appeared on his

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

contents of the contract for everyone that was present in

spoke, the more shocked he

a single point of the contract, he would die.

much Randur looked at it, there

room also realized this as they

know of a way to

Everyone wondered.

changes that were happening in the room, Waylan

going

mana contract was

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

polishing it or expressing their inputs on areas

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

was, no explanation needed to be

The move worked flawlessly.

break any one of

was Randur who finally finished reciting the contents of the

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

contract. Do you really have

tell us immediately how we can stop this

that a

of the hall. All at once, everyone in

of questions, Waylan was a

one at a time. I can't answer everyone

He helplessly said.

"Silence everyone."

to Waylan's

throughout the whole hall, silencing

to Waylan's relief,

his head, turning his attention back towards Waylan,

tell us

Gernis's words sounded normal, but Waylan knew what he

asking Waylan about the plan, he had directly asked him about what they

words was clear

about the plan, and just speak about what we need to

clear to see that Gernis was aware of a possible spy hiding in their midst. If Waylan said all of his plans, there was a

"Yes, I will."

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

come to this place. Make sure you bring