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

sounded absurd, his fearless expression planted

Or could he? Was he really just

thinking things 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

before,

escalated the situation with

war, he had aggravated the situation. If before he couldn't have been executed for a failure not entirely on him, he would

was betting on

gravity of Waylan's words and determination made Gernis think that he

stupid

to see where this bet

got me interest. Tell me what your

"I apologize."

to what Gernis expected.

Gernis's

you playing with

shook his head and glanced at all of the

don't get me wrong. It's not that I don't want to

"Why is that?"

his head, Waylan shrugged his shoulders and looked at the other dwarven

brow, he

already obvious why?" It was then that it finally

Waylan was not saying anything was because he was afraid that a spy hid amongst one of the dwarves

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

wasn't happy with his words as he

the war and then you insinuate that there might be a spy amongst us? Are you purposely trying to create

dwarf was none

face was twisted

seemed 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

quiet didn't want to annoy Gernis, someone whom they highly

guys be even listening ta him! Ye are

but what if his words be right? what if he truly knows o' a

dwarves seated finally spoke

in the dwarf's

don't know? And why only now? Something ain't addin' up!

make a

in, much

"Then..."

next words caused Randur's face to

ta prove himself ta us. Since Jomnuk has been kidnapped, we have nothing ta lose. It's nae like we're going ta let him

turned his attention back

tha witness o' everyone present, I grant ye tha power ta carry on with tha plans ye have. If ye manage ta successfully do as ye've said, nae only will we clear ye O' your failure, but we'll also award

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

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

the other dwarves present could do nothing

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 anything funny, ye will nae be tha

eyes, Waylan

my best to

we

and right,

needs something, try your best to help

"Understood."

up, though displeased, the other dwarves

been made, both Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have a vendetta against Waylan, and Waylan, smiled, in a

going

***

Gulp-!

my

had managed to last

long since managed to infiltrate the

wanted, I could

only a matter

Cli Clank-!

The guard that brought me here

here to relay

"On with it."