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.."

Waylan's confident expression, Gernis's

expression planted a seed of doubt inside of the old dwarf's

do it? Or could he? Was he really just saying

through, Gernis

for his failure, it wasn't going to be something extreme like an execution. After all, although he was one of the main people responsible for the failure, they

before,

escalated the situation with

been executed for a

betting on

words and determination made Gernis think that

stupid

this bet would take the

me interest. Tell me what your

"I apologize."

to what Gernis expected. lowering his head, Waylan

Gernis's

you playing with

his head and glanced at all of the individuals

don't get me wrong. It's not that I don't want to tell you, but I just don't really think that

"Why is that?"

and looked at the other

his brow, he indifferently

obvious why?" It was then that it

anything was because he was afraid that a spy hid amongst one of the dwarves

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

particular, wasn't happy with

and then you insinuate that there might be a spy amongst us?

dwarf was none other

face was twisted

he wasn't the only one that thought in such a

quiet didn't want to annoy Gernis, someone

believe ye guys be even listening

but what if his words be right?

finally spoke

his head in the dwarf's direction,

we don't know? And why only now? Something

a valuable

in, much to Randur's

"Then..."

his next words caused

a chance ta prove himself ta us. Since Jomnuk has been kidnapped, we have nothing ta lose. It's

his attention back

on with tha plans ye have. If ye manage ta successfully

were like a thunderclap to some of the elders present, especially Randur who blanky sat there with his mouth hung

mind. 'Tis shall be the final decision. You can't change

powerful and respected person, the other dwarves present could do nothing but remain seated in

why I'm giving ye this chance be because o' Douglas. Me faith be nae with ye but with Douglas. If ye try anything funny, ye will nae be tha only

his eyes, Waylan nodded his

will do my best to

all we wish

head left and

now. If Waylan needs something,

"Understood."

up, though displeased,

not know was that once the decision had been made, both Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have a vendetta against Waylan, and Waylan, smiled,

going

***

Gulp-!

this point, my eyes were bloodshot and my mana was all the way down to ten percent of

had managed to last for another

long since managed to

I could deactivate the

only a matter of

Cli Clank-!

The guard that brought

to

"On with it."