The Author's POV

335 Infiltration [3]

[Henolur, Elder council]

A deathly silence enveloped the hall.

"…what did you just say?"

Gernis's solemn voice echoed across the hall.

A terrifying pressure spread out from his small and aged body, completely enveloping the hall.

Subjected to such pressure, Waylan merely frowned.

Having been with Douglas for a long time, he was already used to the pressure. Although Gernis was indeed higher ranked than Douglas, at the end of the day, the dwarves weren't really a combat-oriented race. They were craftsmen, not warriors. They didn't possess the bloodlust or battle-aura frontline fighters did, not to the same extent.

The pressure wasn't anything that Waylan couldn't handle.

"Haaaa..."

Closing his eyes and breathing out, Waylan opened his eyes and stared directly at Gernis.

"I'll say it again. Give me a chance, and I will help you end this war."

"Pftt..."

Once Waylan's words faded, the dwarf with red eyebrows, Randur, burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, I can't-I can't believe this! What kind of nonsense is this?"'

Slapping the table, Randur continued to laugh for a solid minute.

It was only when he realized that everyone's attention was on him that he finally stopped laughing.

Looking around, he asked with a deadpan look, "What? dinna ye guys also find his delusions funny?"

"This be nae laughing matter, Randur."

Gernis spoke gravely, the look on his face severe.

"Don't tell me you actually believe his words?" Randur asked with an incredulous look.

To him, it was clear to see that Waylan was merely spouting nonsense to save himself.

Leaning his body forward, he looked towards the other dwarves present before pointing at Waylan.

"Stop tha war? bah, if he cou've done it, he wou've done it 'afore. Why now? he's clearly just trying ta save his ass. I'm sure yer all smart enough ta understand this, right?"

Unexpectedly, Randur was met with silence. No one spoke up.

The silence further enraged him. He glared at everyone present.

"Have low have we fallen for you guys to not realize this, eh?!"

In reality, everybody shared the same thoughts as Randur. However, unlike Randur, they didn't speak up because of Gernis.

The solemnity clouding his face prevented them from speaking up. He had a grim aura surrounding him, one that seemed to suffocate the air itself.

No one was as fearless as Randur in that situation.

Fortunately for Randur, Gernis didn't seem to mind his words. The latter seemed too preoccupied with Waylan's actions. All of his attention seemed focused on the human before him.

Staring at him for quite a while, he asked.

"...How confident are you in your words?"

"Very."

Waylan flatly replied.

Looking at the other dwarves present, he straightened his back.

"If you give me a chance, I'll do what I said I will do."

"Hmm.."

at Waylan's confident expression, Gernis's brows

said sounded absurd, his fearless expression planted a seed of doubt inside of the old

could he? Was he really just saying this

through, Gernis

something extreme like an execution. After all, although he was

before, things were different

the situation with his

situation. If before he couldn't have been executed for a failure not entirely

was betting on

determination made Gernis think

one would be stupid enough to worsen

see where this bet would take

got me interest. Tell me what

"I apologize."

Gernis expected.

this, Gernis's face

playing

head and glanced at all of the

don't want to tell you, but I just don't really

"Why is that?"

shoulders and looked at the other dwarven

brow,

already obvious why?" It was then that it finally dawned on

reason why Waylan was not saying anything was because he was afraid that

understood his words as all of those present in the room showed a

particular, wasn't happy with his

you can stop the war and then you insinuate that there might be a

was none

face was twisted with

to have this sort of vendetta against Waylan. In fact, he wasn't the only one that thought in such a way, but unlike the rest,

the ones who kept quiet didn't want to

even listening ta him! Ye are a bunch of

be right? what if he

seated finally spoke up and addressed

his head in the dwarf's

why only now? Something ain't

a

in, much to Randur's

"Then..."

his next words caused Randur's

chance ta prove himself ta us. Since Jomnuk has been kidnapped, we

turned his attention back

plans ye have. If ye manage ta successfully do as ye've said, nae only will we clear ye O' your

present, especially Randur who blanky sat there with his mouth hung open. But, before anyone could even protest, Gernis

made up my mind. 'Tis shall be the final decision. You can't

dwarves present could do nothing but remain seated in quiet. Displeasure could be

down, turning his attention back to Waylan, Gernis continued, "Waylan, tha only reason why I'm giving ye this chance be because o' Douglas. Me faith be nae with ye but with Douglas. If ye try

eyes, Waylan nodded his

I will do my best to

we

left and right,

is all for now. If Waylan needs something, try

"Understood."

though displeased,

had been made, both Randur, the

was going

***

Gulp-!

another potion, my eyes remained transfixed on the panel in front of me. At this point, my eyes were bloodshot and my

managed to

since managed to infiltrate

I could

was only a matter

Cli Clank-!

The guard

to

"On with it."