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.."

confident expression, Gernis's brows knit in

what Waylan said sounded absurd, his fearless expression planted a

he? Was he really just

things through, Gernis doubted

execution. After all, although he was one of the main people responsible

before, things were

escalated the situation with

have been executed for a

betting on his

Waylan's words and determination made Gernis think that

stupid enough to

Gernis decided to see where this bet

me interest. Tell me what

"I apologize."

to what Gernis expected. lowering his

Gernis's

playing

his head and glanced at all of

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

"Why is that?"

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

brow,

It was then

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

as all of those present in the room showed a displeased

happy with his words as he

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

dwarf was none other

face was

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

who kept quiet didn't want to annoy Gernis, someone whom

even listening ta

what if his words be right? what if

finally

the dwarf's direction,

can he know when even we don't know? And why only now?

make a valuable point,

chimed in, much to Randur's

"Then..."

his next words caused Randur's face to sink

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

his attention

I grant ye tha power ta carry on with tha plans ye have. If ye manage ta successfully do

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

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

other dwarves present could do nothing but remain seated in

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

his eyes, Waylan

understand. I will do my best to keep

we

his head left and

for now. If Waylan needs something, try

"Understood."

standing up, though displeased,

that once the decision had been made, both Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have a vendetta against

was going as

***

Gulp-!

front of me. At this point, my eyes were bloodshot and my mana was all

managed to last for

long since managed

I could

only a

Cli Clank-!

behind me opened up. The guard

to

"On with it."